padding the science gpa?

[Yellow Snow]

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Lookin for some advice from SDNers. I have the following GPAs for the upcoming application cycle:
overall: 3.5
science: 3.4
bcp: 3.6

My question is about taking easy classes that count in the science GPA to get that gpa a bit higher. With the few corereqs that I have left I have a pretty easy looking schedule for Spring term. With the number of science classes that I have I can raise my science gpa around .04 points pet 4 credit A. Would it look bad to add a few easy classes just to bump up that GPA? An online 100 level physics class or some oceanography class admined. by the geology dept. is what I had in mind.

They have nothing to do with dentistry so it is really dumb that classes like these apparently count strongly toward acceptance but apparently that is the way the game is played. Anyone have any thoughts? Should I just use the extra time towards DAT study?

 

[cdpiano27]

Hints:


Study more for the DAT and practice dental school interviews. I think the DAT is a more important factor than a tenth of a point.

I know that you think that maybe raising the science GPA up from 3.4 to 3.5 might be good. Have you figured how many science A's you need? But admissions committees would know that you were taking "blow-off" classes. So maybe do not take oceanography. Your BCP is fine, by the way. Again, I am assuming that you just want "an" acceptance and not trying for Harvard or Penn!

I have suggestions:

I am actually a statistics PhD so I highly recommend the NON-CALCULUS BASED INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS. This is a math course and of course it counts in the science GPA but not the BCP! This is very, very easy! And in my grad school, many of the other TA's actually teach this.

Maybe try to put more focus on additional dental shadowing. If I were you, I would rather much spend time on knowing more about the profession and what it has to offer rather than trying to get a silly tenth of a point. The decision is based upon many factors but maybe you are applying to a state school that is big on people's stats and needs a minimum of 3.5 science GPA.
Also, do some volunteering and you will be fine!

 

[pbure]

Hints:


Study more for the DAT and practice dental school interviews. I think the DAT is a more important factor than a tenth of a point.

I know that you think that maybe raising the science GPA up from 3.4 to 3.5 might be good. Have you figured how many science A's you need? But admissions committees would know that you were taking "blow-off" classes. So maybe do not take oceanography. Your BCP is fine, by the way. Again, I am assuming that you just want "an" acceptance and not trying for Harvard or Penn!

I have suggestions:

I am actually a statistics PhD so I highly recommend the NON-CALCULUS BASED INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS. This is a math course and of course it counts in the science GPA but not the BCP! This is very, very easy! And in my grad school, many of the other TA's actually teach this.

Maybe try to put more focus on additional dental shadowing. If I were you, I would rather much spend time on knowing more about the profession and what it has to offer rather than trying to get a silly tenth of a point. The decision is based upon many factors but maybe you are applying to a state school that is big on people's stats and needs a minimum of 3.5 science GPA.
Also, do some volunteering and you will be fine!

I disagree..I wouldn't worry about adcoms analyzing the extra science courses you took..just get the science GPA as high as possible and go from there. worse comes to worse someone asks u about it during an interview..and you just shed some light on a couple courses you did.
I'm taking 4 gpa booster science classes now and 2 more in the summer..will bump me up to around 3.25 science. much rather be in that situation with some easy science classes under my belt..will provide way more help than harm

 

[beezies]

take some of those "birkenstock biology" classes, like forestry. they will probably notice that forestry is not the same as cell bio though. be careful too, at my school sceince majors could not take blow off science classes for credit, people would think that they were being smart acing top soil, and then it wouldn't show up on their transcript. ha.

 

[Rezdawg]

I took some B.S. science classes to boost me up. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs a lil "help".

I got mine all the way up to a 2.9. Yeah, it was that bad.

 

[Sprgrover]

If you want to pad your gpa go ahead: adcoms won't know that it is an easy course, unless it is listed as 'biology for victims of frontal labotomies' and if they do they won't give it much thought. What most adcoms look at first is your numbers and then they glance down your transcript.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Thank you for the difference perspectives. That is what I was looking for.

 

[mitochondrea]

With your GPA I think most school will look at your file. If you pad your GPA it may get more schools to look at your file but, I think they will know you were padding your GPA and think you are not ready for dental school. Remember they want to make sure you can get through all 4 years of dental school and hopefully help the school out by becoming a good dentist and boost their reputation. If you drop out in your second or third year, they are loosing your tuition and possibly the money from the patient you could have served.

So, show them you can take demanding classes and study hard for your DAT. Your current GPA will get your file looked at by most schools. But, if you can manage to get decent grades with a full demanding load and get high marks on your DAT, then the admins will know you can handle dental school and will want you.