need advice

[sunburn1996]

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I just finished my first semester in university of Toronto as a freshmen in life sciences. Before I started the college, I thought I will do really good in college and get into a good dental school but when I saw the first semester grades it lowered my self esteem and confidence because I just got C's and D's even though I tried my best so I need your advice and guidance, I want to get into dental school and I am worried that how will that be possible with such a bad start. Please advise, what and how should I study so that I can fulfill my dream. My first year courses were, Biology ( adaptation and biodiversity) got D, Intro Organic Chemistry I got D, Intro Physics I got D and Calculus I got C minus.

Should I repeat these courses to get good grades? or should I transfer from U of T to any US school's because I have studied in US since primary school? or should I just finish this year and try to get admission in USA all over again as a freshmen. My high school grades were awesome with many AP classes and good GPA?

I heard that U of T is very tough with the grades.

Please advise, I really wanted to get into a good US dental school.

 

[BioForLife]

I'll start by being realistic and saying that you will have to repeat all those courses, as you didn't earn "C" or higher in any of them. Even C- won't cut it for many dental schools, which require all your pre-reqs be C and above. It's hard to answer this question without knowing more about your situation. Are you working and taking classes as well? Did you spend all the time you possibly could to study or do you really feel you underestimated these classes? Did you try studying in groups or on your own?

I definitely respect people that continue pursuing their dream despite these obstacles, so don't be discouraged just yet. However, it is important to see if you really feel you can improve on this. The fact you did well in high school is an indication that you have the ability, but are probably having a hard time adapting to a college environment.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I just got C's and D's even though I tried my best

No, you didn't. Be honest with yourself.

 

[zoey1234]

Yes you will need to repeat all these classes and get A.. It doesn't matter if you transfer to a school in US or stay where you are, school is school and you have to do your best to get the grade you're looking for. Considering its your first semester, you still have great chance to improve. Many students have difficulty in their first semester until they adjust to college life. Get good grades from now on and show that you really want to get into dental school.
Also talk to a counselor/advisor in your school to work on your course load. Try maybe to take 2-3 prereq classes with couple of easy classes.

 

[fogorvostan]

If you want to go to dental school, you will have to repeat those courses and earn at a least a C. However, realistically, you will want to earn A's.

 

[sunburn1996]

Thank you guys for your input..I think I took it easy and will try my best again

 

[studentdental8]

I think you suffered a minor shock going into freshman year in terms of rigor difference like a lot of people have, you may need to adapt study strategy or flat out study much more hours per credit than you are doing now.

 

[studentdental8]

Also read somewhere here that Canadian schools have different grading system like 80% is A or something. That GPA conversion may or may not hurt you just like how Canadian dollar to USD currency conversion fluctuations may or may not hurt you in terms of borrowing loans.

 

[DJI]

Went to UoT, focus on getting 80% (minimum) in all your courses. Those A's will transfer well into GPA. I know UoT is very difficult, but keep at it, and this time around give it your actual best. Hopefully the exchange rate won't be so horrid once you finish undergrad

 

[acesofseven]

@FeralisExtremum savage

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

The Canadian education system is nuts. Especially at U of T. I went to a Canadian University and those years I wished I had back. We got killed at every exam and would have people crying. The averages are in the 40s and guess what.. No curve. I studied my ass off 6-8 hours a day during the weekdays and every waking second on the weekends and did pretty well... 3.9 GPA but I had no weekends and I slept 2-3 hours a night during exam time. Usually lost 10-15 lbs within 2 weeks and my mom wouldn't be able to recognize me when I came over for Christmas.

Then I go to the states for dental school. I breezed thru with all weekends off, studied like 2-3 hours whenever I felt like. Played tons of counterstrike .. At least 4 hours a day, and gonna finish dental school with a GPA of 3.9. Exam time in dental school was pretty chill. Lots of sleep and counterstrike.

The way you're evaluated in a Canadian science program is way different that it is at a US dental school. For example, if your exam is on chapters 1, 2 and 3, you would have questions from each chapter to practice on before the exam. On the exam, they make new questions combining the theory from all 3 chapters and its so abstract sometimes that it blows your mind. For my Dental school, you regurgitate. You learn about something, and they will never ever ask you a question they haven't taught you.

There is a girl at my dental school who got a 3.2 GPA at Toronto, but is now top 5 in her class.

If you're an abstract thinker and can deal with ridiculous levels of thinking to even attempt a question then Toronto would be an amazing place to be and learn.

If you want to get into dental school, drop out right now and enroll into an American school next year. Dental school don't do any grade replacements so taking them over again wont help. Salvage your career man. Get out of there.

Sometimes your best isn't good enough. Go be a big fish in a small pond somewhere else.

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Don't take any more classes at Toronto. A semester is easier to salvage than an entire year worth of classes.

Retake all the classes again at an American University and show the dental schools what you are capable of.