Please advise! Should I redo my undergrad or take masters?? (low gpa) :(

[rock73]

hi everyone!
this is my first time posting and I really need help!

I have a super low gpa for my bachelors of science degree. I didn't have a goal and was just aiming for a pass. My Gpa is about 2.0 cumulative.
Some say it's impossible that I'll ever be a dentist but that is really what I want to do. (Of course, I didn't know that before but circumstances have changed after I've been working for over 4 years).

I have two options as my company is offering to pay for my masters in biomedical engineer..I was thinking of using that to boost my gpa.

Or..since I would have to redo all the prerequisities anyway..and I calculated that even if I were to do it, and ace all the prereqs, my cumulative average would still be only around 2.6/2.7 which is still not enough.

Therefore, now I have the dilemma of whether to go for the masters program or should I just go back to school and start from scratch (get another undergraduate degree with good prerequisite scores?)

any advise or help would be gratefully appreciated.
thank you in advance!!

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[efitzger]

I've got a 3.0 GPA and am applying this year and nervous as heck about my GPA. Granted, that GPA is 10 years old for me, as I'm 33, but still...
I did a postbacc program (finishing this spring) and should end up with over a 3.5 in it. For me, I hope this will be enough.

In short, you want to offer something that shows you can hack the coursework. I spoke with Univ. MD dean of admissions, and in my case she suggested I do the postbacc...she even admitted that as I was 10 years out of college, she would ignore my undergrad GPA and focus on my DAT, extracurric's and postbacc work.

Call the schools you are interested in and see what they suggest. Univ. of MD was very helpful.

hi everyone!
this is my first time posting and I really need help!

I have a super low gpa for my bachelors of science degree. I didn't have a goal and was just aiming for a pass. My Gpa is about 2.0 cumulative.
Some say it's impossible that I'll ever be a dentist but that is really what I want to do. (Of course, I didn't know that before but circumstances have changed after I've been working for over 4 years).

I have two options as my company is offering to pay for my masters in biomedical engineer..I was thinking of using that to boost my gpa.

Or..since I would have to redo all the prerequisities anyway..and I calculated that even if I were to do it, and ace all the prereqs, my cumulative average would still be only around 2.6/2.7 which is still not enough.

Therefore, now I have the dilemma of whether to go for the masters program or should I just go back to school and start from scratch (get another undergraduate degree with good prerequisite scores?)

any advise or help would be gratefully appreciated.
thank you in advance!!

 

[rock73]

thank you so much for your input!!
that is a good idea! I'll call the school and see!

I graduated in 2007..and the prerequisites were taken in 2003.
so in a way, they are still quite recent 🙁 which ultimately works against me. But I know I'm not stupid..I just don't know whether it's too late to show them that 🙁

I've got a 3.0 GPA and am applying this year and nervous as heck about my GPA. Granted, that GPA is 10 years old for me, as I'm 33, but still...
I did a postbacc program (finishing this spring) and should end up with over a 3.5 in it. For me, I hope this will be enough.

In short, you want to offer something that shows you can hack the coursework. I spoke with Univ. MD dean of admissions, and in my case she suggested I do the postbacc...she even admitted that as I was 10 years out of college, she would ignore my undergrad GPA and focus on my DAT, extracurric's and postbacc work.

Call the schools you are interested in and see what they suggest. Univ. of MD was very helpful.

 

[Albuterol]

Do a masters and 4.0 it, but still it might difficult to get into dental school with a 2.0 cum gpa. What is your science GPA? Also realize that your GPA might move very little because of all the credits you have accumulated over 4 years. Also blow away the DAT 24+. Good luck.

 

[rock73]

Thanks for the support!!
I wish I can say my science GPA is higher but it's about a 2.0 as well.
I know there is no excuses but I really didn't care for school at the time.
I skipped school to go to work almost full time at a biotech company so I didn't think school mattered because being a doctor or dentist was never part of my life plans. But things change and I really want it..and I want it bad! so I would do anything to get into a dental school even if it means many many years of hardwork.

I will redo my prereqs that's for sure and I have confidence that I'll 4.0 them. (I'll have to!!) I just hope that the dental schools would look at the improvement and not just the average of my GPA because even if I 4.0 them, my GPA will still be low.

Do dental schools just look at average GPAs or do they take these big improvements into account?

thanks again for replying!!!!!!

Do a masters and 4.0 it, but still it might difficult to get into dental school with a 2.0 cum gpa. What is your science GPA? Also realize that your GPA might move very little because of all the credits you have accumulated over 4 years. Also blow away the DAT 24+. Good luck.

 

[Albuterol]

It sounds like you have are motivated and that definitely helps in achieving your goal, trust me I have been in a situation with a low GPA and like the other poster above me I'm very nervous with a 3.0. I think retaking your pre-reqs will give you a solid foundation which will help you score well on the science portion of the DAT. Have you taken any upper level science courses? Doing well in those is key too. It might take you sometime to get to the application process, but remember its not a sprint but a marathon. Take your time and make sure you can be the best possible applicant before u submit. Also if you have a state dental school, go make an appointment with the dean of admissions or someone who can offer you advice there. Some dental schools just look at the overall gpa and weed out applicants under 3.0. While others may look at the entire applicant and note the upward trend and re-dedication toward their education. Good luck!

 

[rock73]

Thanks again for the encouragement! I really appreciate it.
I have never thought about speaking to the dean directly..
I didn't think anyone would want to meet me but that's a great idea.
I will definitely keep that tip in mind 🙂

Do you know any specific schools who looks at individuals more roundedly instead of just the GPA?

thanks again!! 🙂

It sounds like you have are motivated and that definitely helps in achieving your goal, trust me I have been in a situation with a low GPA and like the other poster above me I'm very nervous with a 3.0. I think retaking your pre-reqs will give you a solid foundation which will help you score well on the science portion of the DAT. Have you taken any upper level science courses? Doing well in those is key too. It might take you sometime to get to the application process, but remember its not a sprint but a marathon. Take your time and make sure you can be the best possible applicant before u submit. Also if you have a state dental school, go make an appointment with the dean of admissions or someone who can offer you advice there. Some dental schools just look at the overall gpa and weed out applicants under 3.0. While others may look at the entire applicant and note the upward trend and re-dedication toward their education. Good luck!

 

[uncbestyet]

Call/Email the schools you are interested in and see what they suggest.

Without a doubt, the best advice.

I am similar to your situation in that I graduated with a BS Bioloiy back in 2001. oGPA/sGPA was 2.3/2.3ish. Email the school you are interested in and ask their advice. My goal in undergrad was to graduate with BS Biology degree and I did that (making B/Cs) Didn't realize I wanted to be a dentist until 7 years later.

I was advised (by my state school) to retake the pre-reqs. I did it through a continuing studies/part-time (8hrs max allowed)/post-bacc program at that state school. It sucked b/c I had leftovers when it came to signing-up for classes... but I did it ... got all A's while working 40+ hrs/wk. (classes -about 8 hrs each semester). The good thing about pre-reqs is that they really prepare you for the DAT. You will really need to kill the DAT either way.

My GPA will be ~2.8 after this semester and I got an interview already.

Best of luck to you ... CALL THE DS and hear it straight from them what they want to prove yourself.

 

[uncbestyet]

You may need to email. Check the websites and email the dean of admissions directly. Do not give them a drawn out story ... just the facts. I think they will be more likely to read it that way. Might be tough this time of year, but keep trying.

 

[rock73]

Wow!! thanks!!!
you are definitely an inspiration to me!! Good job on all the accomplishments!!! and good luck on the interviews!! Do you mind me asking which school you got the interview for? that way I'll know that at least that school doesn't just look at the gpa!

just one more question..
if I were to send the emails but there are no responses say after a month..should I keep sending? or would that make me seem rude and desperate?

I hope they are generally good at responding..but since they're deans..I wonder if they'll have time for people like me??

thanks again so much!!
sincerely appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

You may need to email. Check the websites and email the dean of admissions directly. Do not give them a drawn out story ... just the facts. I think they will be more likely to read it that way. Might be tough this time of year, but keep trying.

 

[uncbestyet]

I would just email them (dean of admissions or someone at the dental school involved with admissions) and wait to see if they respond in the next couple of weeks after that. Maybe try once or twice more after that.

Go to www.predents.com and check out the schools in your state. Each school will have a link. Generally the state/public schools in your state will be your best bet. Other than that check for other schools that take a high # of out-of-state students. Check out the sort schools function on that website as well as the select school tool.