Need academic advice, please? :)

[NguyenDDS]

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[dentalWorks]

Hello! 🙂

I've been reading, maybe even too much, of SDN threads. Reason being is that I'm going to apply this year. I've been wanting to post this for a while now... but I would like to get advice and honest opinions of my academic record. While my cGPA is not bad (3.51), and my overall sGPA is lower than average (3.25-3.35), my BCP is below 3.0 (~2.95).

I'm a Texas resident, Asian, and graduating this summer. I received C's and C+ in all of upper biology and science classes. I never got a grade lower than a C. I was a math minor, so all my A's in my math classes raised my overall sGPA. I have a downward trend for the most part. Most semesters weren't full-time, but I have a full-time job as an excuse. The only A's and B's that I received that were in sciences were the all the labs and Biology 1, Physics 2, Microbiology, and inorganic/organic general chemistry classes. Will all these C's in the upper science courses be a big red flag?

I will take the DAT late May.

I really don't know what I'm asking, maybe I just need venting... but I guess I need advice on how to improve my profile and if I'm maybe freaking out too much? I read about so many people having grades higher than mine and others telling them that their GPA may be the reason why they aren't interviewed, accepted, etc...

I would also appreciate your opinion of the MINIMUM DAT score I may need to get in order to offset my low BCP GPA? Do all schools look at BCP or do they just look at sGPA?

Thanks for reading! I look forward to your opinions and advice 🙂

I don't want to discourage you... but answer is "maybe" to above. The fix IMO is to show an upward trend (time consuming and expensive ~ because it means post-bacc or masters).

Some will tell you to destroy the DAT, that is a short-term "easy" fix and it could work, but what if you don't get an "exceptional" score? A backup plan thats more guaranteed to work is taking more classes in the upper divisions and acing them this time.

The good news is, your BCP isn't THAT BAD off. I mean a sub 3.0 can be brought to more respectable levels of 3.3-3.4 with the right post-bacc loads.

All the best

 

[NguyenDDS]

Thanks DentalWorks 🙂 I'm probably going to retake all the classes I got a C in.

Do you know if ALL dental schools look at BCP GPA? Or do they care more for sGPA?

 

[bing12]

Thanks DentalWorks 🙂 I'm probably going to retake all the classes I got a C in.

Do you know if ALL dental schools look at BCP GPA? Or do they care more for sGPA?

If you got a min of a C in those pre-reqs, then DONT RETAKE, but instead take even more upper level bios to offset the poor grades, and if you cant get out of that C, then maybe there is a bigger issue.

 

[dentalWorks]

Thanks DentalWorks 🙂 I'm probably going to retake all the classes I got a C in.

Do you know if ALL dental schools look at BCP GPA? Or do they care more for sGPA?

I agree with Bing12 here.

I wouldn't waste my money and time on a retake. Take some new courses in the upper divisions. I know you work alot, I remember reading your post last year about your first DAT, you worked while studying and still managed a reasonable score. I imagine you'd do very well (academically and DAT wise) if you devoted all time into your studies.

 

[bing12]

Thanks DentalWorks 🙂 I'm probably going to retake all the classes I got a C in.

Do you know if ALL dental schools look at BCP GPA? Or do they care more for sGPA?

I believe they stress BCP more, but I guess it would depend on the school.

 

[NguyenDDS]

Thank you DentalWorks
Thank you Bing12
🙂

Okay, I will still try to apply this year (who knows? I might get lucky) 😀
But during my year off, I will take more upper level science courses and ace them for next year's cycle.

I still have organic chemistry II + the lab that I have to take. I'm going to give a good guess that I shouldn't take that at a 2-year college over the summer even though it's a guarantee A there? Or is it true when I here some people say that it doesn't matter where you take your classes.... hmm..

 

[dentalWorks]

Thank you DentalWorks
Thank you Bing12
🙂

Okay, I will still try to apply this year (who knows? I might get lucky) 😀
But during my year off, I will take more upper level science courses and ace them for next year's cycle.

I still have organic chemistry II + the lab that I have to take. I'm going to give a good guess that I shouldn't take that at a 2-year college over the summer even though it's a guarantee A there? Or is it true when I here some people say that it doesn't matter where you take your classes.... hmm..

what is a 2-year college? is that like a community college?

I really don't know, I guess you can take 1 course a CC, its not the end of the world.... Go and head a do it, get that orgo 2 outta the way.

 

[NguyenDDS]

Hehe yea, I guess it's a community college. 🙂
Okie dokie, thanks again!!!!!!!! I'll go take that 4 credit course this summer at community college and get my A (I also took physics II there and got an A). And then I'll take a 3 credit easy non-science course at my university in order to graduate this summer.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Hehe yea, I guess it's a community college. 🙂
Okie dokie, thanks again!!!!!!!! I'll go take that 4 credit course this summer at community college and get my A (I also took physics II there and got an A). And then I'll take a 3 credit easy non-science course at my university in order to graduate this summer.

Disagree with dentalworks on this one. With your low GPA, you don't want to take any classes at CC and you really can't afford to. An A in one of your prereqs at a CC doesn't show anything. Take it at a university and get the A there and raise your GPA.

Don't take the easy way out.