New here....looking for advice

[Clubby]

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Howdy-

I am a Junior at Texas A&M University. My first two years I really had no idea what I was doing, and I started out Biomedical Engineering. I was ranked number 1 in a class of 1400 in high school, and I never studied once in my life. I came to college and my intelligence really didn't help much, and after my first two years, I had a 2.2 GPA.

So this past summer, I became fascinated with dentistry. I made it my goal to go to dental school. I took organic chemistry 1 + lab, and made an A in the course and a B in the lab. This semester came around, and I just crammed a lot, burying my own grave. I ended up actually missing a final, and it dropped my Bio II grade from an A to a C! I ended up with a 2.877 at the end of the semester, putting my GPA at an embarrassing 2.43. I currently have 59 hours and 71 hours total (APs). I got a C in bioII, A in acct, B in orgo 2, C in orgo lab, and B in a health systems planning course (14 hours).

This semester I am going to do my daily studying, and I know I can get a 4.0 easily. I am taking 17 hours including Physics II, Biochem I, nutrition course, upper level music course, history II, and golf (ha!). If all goes to plan, at the end of this semester I will have a 2.78. I plan to take 20 hours both semesters next year to graduate on time, with a best case GPA of 3.2. I have not calculated what my science would be, but I am assuming somewhere around there.

Now, please understand, I know I have the capability to do this. However, I have learned the hard way that is much more difficult to walk the walk than talk the talk. I really have gone through a heck of a lot of depression and anxiety since the summer, and especially after last semester. I finally know what I want to do with my life and I plan to do whatever I can to get there.

I do (club) track team, pre-dental society, service organization, and I volunteer at an HMO clinic every week.

So I've been reading in the "under 3.0 club" as well as some other posts on what I should do, and when I should apply. I plan to take my DAT this coming up summer, putting in 6-8 hours for 1.5-2 months, to take my DAT in august. Under 21 in any category is obviously not an option. I know I can blow it away, it's just a matter of doing the work. I'll be doing a dental mission trip for two weeks in Central America this summer, so I am starting promptly upon my return.

I've heard about success stories where people apply with under a 3.0 GPA, but I think it is best I apply after all 4 years so I can show the change. One semester of a 4.0, even with 17 hours, I don't think will be enough.

Here are my questions:
1) Will I need graduate work with an above 3.0 GPA? Will 20 hours a semester and a stellar GPA in those be enough? Post-Bacc vs 1 year masters, what's better?
2) Is there any chance in hell I can apply with a 2.78 and hold a candle to other applicants? Even with a 24-25 DAT? I would love to not have a year in between.
3) What are good safety dental schools? I plan to apply to UT-San Antonio, UT-Houston, and Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. Tuition is cheap (compared to private school) and they are about all I know as far as dental schools.

I would just like all the advice that I can get. This board is full of so much information and it's nice to have a support group like all of you. I look forward to becoming a big part of this community. If you have any success stories, please feel free to lend them my way. Thanks so much in advance.

I'm like corn, I'm all ears. 😀


Jonathan


For the record, here are my lousy science grades:
Bio I/II: C/C
Chem I/II:C/C
Calculus I/II:B/C (embarassing considering I got a 800/800 SAT I/II Math)
Physics:C/A?
Orgo I/II:A/B
Biochem I/II:A?/A?

 

[in her drawer]

There are no safety dental schools, just so you know.

 

[pmantz]

There are no safety dental schools, just so you know.

I second the notion. The playing feild is getting tougher and it probaly will get tougher during the next couple years. With that said you are not out of the running as long as you get your act together. Admissions commitees like to see upward trends in grades. If you can dust yourself off start getting mostly A's maybe 1 B/B+ a semester you should be competative. Take more Bio/Chem classes and kick butt in them you need a better science GPA, an overall GPA that's above a 3.0 wont cut it. You have a uphill battle but its possible to still get in. Good Luck.

 

[Chrono1984]

If the applicant pool continues to inflate, than I would say you plan on doing a post-bacc. Assuming you get 4.0s for your last 3 semesters (which is a bit of stretch) your GPA will still be sub-par.

You seem to have your bases covered as far as ECs go but you are going to need amazing LORs and a pretty convincing personal statement to explain such things like "not going to a final."

Schools love to see positive trends. So yea, you smack the crap out of class for three semesters, get your GPA up to around 3.0, you will have a shot - albeit smaller than most.

I would definitely apply, but just be prepared and look into a post-bacc.. I don't know much about them, so I won't presume to say anything.

Getting a high DAT score will help, but MANY schools look at GPA as the first cut-off. You will need to call schools you are interested in and ask them if you will be competitive.

I agree with IHD and pmantz, there is no such thing as a "safety" school anymore. The closest thing would be your state-schools and private schools with large class sizes.

The most important part is that you know what you want and you are determined. Now comes the work. Good luck.

 

[Shane41]

I want to say you have a solid shot and I still will if you excell on your DAT. However, with that many C's it will certainly be tough. Post bac might be a good idea, but if you nail the DAT you may be good. I would apply to as many schools as possible by MAY!!! Early applications have a significant impact on your chances. Especially if you can get 18+ on your dat you have a great chance. If you get an interview than you fulfilled their academic requirements, you just have to show them you are a person that fits their criteria. Noone doesnt have a chance...study your butt of for the dat with many practice tests...good luck

 

[Clubby]

Thanks for the advice guys. The encouragement really keeps me going.