NEED ADVICE: below 2.75 GPA

[mjzgrk]

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I have a GPA that is below 2.75 overall. I have caught the swine flu last semester of school and my school screwed me over because i missed 3 weeks out of school and missed important information. Even though, I had doctor documentation during that time period. They failed me because i did not communicate with my professors, while I was taking medication, and was in bed almost in a coma with Influenza type A virus. Bottom line is what ever is done, is done. I was so stressed an upset it shattered my view of attending dental school. However, After a year and a half of thinking, I want to attend dental school and prove that I can achieve this goal to my self, because I know I can! I want to continue to lead my family and uncles as a legacy. They were doctors and I am really interested in the art that Dentists focus on an everyday basis! Art is my hobby, weather its music, drawings, or photography etc. Bottom line is I want to be a dentist because I feel that this is my destiny! please is there anyone out there that can help me out. I scored a 16 on the DAT I am definitely trying to study for the DAT again. Any advice? is there a post bac program located near/surrounding states of maryland? maybe to boost my GPA and then go for my masters? or should I just focus on Getting a high score on the DAT? If you guys dont mind please, I would like name of schools that would accept my current GPA, help me score higher GPA, get a good review/practice for the DAT. Please thank you for your time!

 

[Mr PS09]

You need to first raise your GPA. I haven't heard of any dental schools that will take you with GPA under 2.75. Most people on here say you need to raise your GPA to at least a 3.0 . Check out some of there threads about it.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=426854&highlight=3.0+GPA

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=362708&highlight=3.0+GPA

 

[dentalprodigy]

Definitely raise GPA (do mateys program or something) and retake Dat. It's gonna be tough because U have to about ABOVE average

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[mjzgrk]

how do i raise my GPA ? any particular steps? I literally have no guidance in this situation.

 

[doc toothache]

I have a GPA that is below 2.75 overall. I have caught the swine flu last semester of school and my school screwed me over because i missed 3 weeks out of school and missed important information. However, After a year and a half of thinking, I want to attend dental school and prove that I can achieve this goal to my self, because I know I can! I want to continue to lead my family and uncles as a legacy. They were doctors and I am really interested in the art that Dentists focus on an everyday basis! Art is my hobby, weather its music, drawings, or photography etc. Bottom line is I want to be a dentist because I feel that this is my destiny! please is there anyone out there that can help me out. I scored a 16 on the DAT I am definitely trying to study for the DAT again.

Heck, if dentistry is your "destiny" you probably need not concern yourself with minutiae like gpa, dat, post bacs, MS programs. Your fixation on dentistry appears to be for the wrong reasons.

 

[mjzgrk]

what do you mean? maybe my English isnt so well, but In order to get into a dental school, I do need, high DAT, high GPA and have great letters of recommendation from 3 professors (bio, orgo and chem professors) 1 dental lab owner and 1 from dental physician! I have worked in dental office for over 2 years. I just need advice on what else to do to boost my gpa so I can be eligble to obtain access to dental school and their knowledge!

 

[notin]

You could take a health or science related certificate program or masters program. VCU in richmond offers a 1 year graduate certificate program that you can roll into a masters. http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/graduate/premed_cert/#Curriculum. Your GPA is actually slightly below the cutoff for that program, but they're actually cool with as low as a 2.8, so I think it's worth seeing if they'll take you. That's the only one in the area i'm aware of, don't know anything about maryland offerings.

You could also take undergraduate classes, 12+ credits a semester, all science, get A's.

Which route to go with is debatable, in your case you might want to take a year of undergrad classes then take the graduate certificate program, or you could plan on spending 2 years in the certificate and getting the masters. You'll need to retake the DAT at some point too obviously, 16 isn't gonna cut it, get a 19. You can put that off until next year though. Whats your science gpa and have you taken a lot of science classes?

 

[mjzgrk]

I have taken all the science courses and graduated with bachelors of science, I feel as if i can do much better in the courses i already took...c+, B+, and A-.... those are what my grades consist of Micro I have a D which is not good I was thinking of retaking all the classes below a B... what do you think? Only thing i know is that i need to raise my GPA,,,, should i retake the classes from the 4 years i was in school? just enough to take a masters? if i have a current gpa of 2.63 how can i raise this gpa? i have a bacheors of science, but what classes can i take or retake? what under grad classes upper courses?

 

[JdogDMD]

Stinks what happened but you won't get in with those stats. I'd look for something else to do. Even if you retook the DAT and rocked it, your GPA would keep you from getting any offers. But as it is your scores are way below average and you probably won't get in. Sorry.

 

[rodneymoss]

Stinks what happened but you won't get in with those stats. I'd look for something else to do. Even if you retook the DAT and rocked it, your GPA would keep you from getting any offers. But as it is your scores are way below average and you probably won't get in. Sorry.

Im pretty sure if he rocked the DAT he would atleast get a offer... maybe hes a URM; 20+ DAT and 2.80 GPA im sure would land him interviews.

To the OP: Don't give up.. This is gonna be tough, but such is life

 

[2PacClone23]

Rape that dat!

 

[Predent25]

You will have to prove to adcoms that you are willing to do what it takes to get in. I would do the following:
1. Take additional undergraduate (upper level) biology coursework taking at least 12 credits a semester and earn A's. I think a year(24 or more credits would suffice). You need to show adcoms a new trend and prove that you can handle the rigors of dental school. Of course shadowing is important. But don't let your grades slip on account of it. For you, academic improvement is the most important.
2. A 2.75 gpa or under is quite low, but I am not knocking you. Life gets in the way sometimes. I would additionally recommend doing a masters degree ( a one or two year). Many predents will say a postbac is fine, but it is my opinion that a masters will enhance your credentials whether dental school pans out or not. ( hopefully it will for you). This is a lot of work, but dental schools are highly difficult to get into. Frankly, wanting it or being "destined" to become a denist isn't enough.
3. Retake the DAT. There is a lot if great advice on study tips etc on sdn. You will want to really well on this. 20s in all sections or higher is desirable. This will further prove that your past trend was not truly you and that you, as an applicant, are a more competent, accomplished and are ready to handle the DIFFICULT curriculum ( much more than undergrad).
Once again, the primary focus is to prove yourself academically, and to show a consistent positive trend. You have 4 years of mediocre stats. You need to give them at least 2 years of great stats so that they believe you can handle and represent their program well. Best of luck to you. I await other poster's edits to my reply which is inevitable. Good luck and work hard.

 

[hmmmmm]

I have a GPA that is below 2.75 overall. I have caught the swine flu last semester of school and my school screwed me over because i missed 3 weeks out of school and missed important information.

cry me a river.

the sx of swine flu are just like the normal flu.

i also find it hard to believe that 3 weeks of missed school caused your gpa to be <2.75.

a gpa that low shows a consistent lack of effort

Even though, I had doctor documentation during that time period. They failed me because i did not communicate with my professors, while I was taking medication, and was in bed almost in a coma with Influenza type A virus.

your profs probably clearly noted that you need to provide documentation during orientation and steps to be taken during illness.

you were unprofessional in not communicating to your profs.

what medication are you talking about?

tamiflu? oh no, its so hard to take 1 cap bid...

I scored a 16 on the DAT I am definitely trying to study for the DAT again.

ask yourself this, would you want to see a dentist that is below average?

 

[antitoothache]

cry me a river.

the sx of swine flu are just like the normal flu.

i also find it hard to believe that 3 weeks of missed school caused your gpa to be <2.75.

a gpa that low shows a consistent lack of effort



your profs probably clearly noted that you need to provide documentation during orientation and steps to be taken during illness.

you were unprofessional in not communicating to your profs.

what medication are you talking about?

tamiflu? oh no, its so hard to take 1 cap bid...




ask yourself this, would you want to see a dentist that is below average?

come on, be nice.

OP everything is possible but you gotta demonstrate, from now, your ability to succeed academically and your interest in dentistry for them to want to overlook your 2.75 GPA. A master of 4.0 GPA will definitely help. We all make mistakes it's understandable but you gotta show you've past that and you learned. and now you're more than ready to do something big for yourself. good luck.

 

[Predent25]

cry me a river.

the sx of swine flu are just like the normal flu.

i also find it hard to believe that 3 weeks of missed school caused your gpa to be <2.75.

a gpa that low shows a consistent lack of effort



your profs probably clearly noted that you need to provide documentation during orientation and steps to be taken during illness.

you were unprofessional in not communicating to your profs.

what medication are you talking about?

tamiflu? oh no, its so hard to take 1 cap bid...




ask yourself this, would you want to see a dentist that is below average?

Who are you to say these things? Go back to the pre- pharmacy forums and harass them. Enjoy counting your pills.

 

[Chowder]

This might not be what you want to hear but unless you're an URM you're screwed. A 2.70gpa means that somewhere along your undergrad you made the decision to not put any effort into your academics. I wanted to become a pokemon master but that's obviously not going to happen.

 

[Predent25]

I have a friend who had a 2.6 gpa in undergrad who was in a similar situation as yours except he wanted to be a physician. The advice I gave you earlier was based on what he did to earn acceptance to johns hopkins medical school. He had to work hard, improve his undergraduate gpa, and he earned a 2 year masters. He did slightly above average on the mcat. Stick w it, and you will get in!!!!

 

[Mr PS09]

Who are you to say these things? Go back to the pre- pharmacy forums and harass them. Enjoy counting your pills.

So true.

OP, you need to get a calculator out and start crunching some numbers. Figure out how many classes you need to get an A in to get a a 3.0, 3.3, etc.

 

[433439]

You can enter a masters program and do your best to get a 4.0GPA in your two years there. Keep studying, it's all possible!!!

 

[mjzgrk]

Do I have to go to the same institution to raise my gpa? or any undergraduate school? and a non-degree seeking correct?

 

[Predent25]

Do I have to go to the same institution to raise my gpa? or any undergraduate school? and a non-degree seeking correct?

For financial aid purposes you should do degree seeking. Is there another degree such as biochem you can say you are pursuing while you simply boost your gpa/ sgpa? Obviously you will simply take courses and not complete the degree. I would continue at your current university. Look into hopkins 2 year biotechnology masters program or umbc's biotech program as well. Get those As!

 

[Bis-GMA111]

look into special masters programs

 

[mjzgrk]

look into special masters programs

what do you mean by special masters program? please elaborate?

 

[periopocket]

Examples: UMDNJ MBS program - oral biology track, Drexel SMP, Midwestern MBS program, Barry MBS program....SMP = Masters program geared to enhance/increase ones competitiveness for dental, medical, pharmacy, podiatry...admissions...