Hi, everyone. So some basics first: just finished junior year and currently filling out the aadsas application. Not feeling confident due to my grades, ec's, and something that happened fall of last year (will mention below). Basically, I'm wondering what my chances are. Also, looking for some advice and any thoughts you guys have for me.
(I go to a university that's ranked in the 30's that does not have +/- gpa scoring.)
Freshman year
First semester: pretty much all B's in science and math courses with an A in a bio lab and a English course. GPA: 3.333
Second semester: B's in my bio, bio lab, and english course. C's in chem and math (both follow-up courses and both retaken later- not counted in final gpa). One A in chem lab. GPA: 3.292
Sophomore year
First semester: C in ochem I (repeated later- not counted in final gpa). A in ochem lab and a gen psychology class. B's in bio, bio lab, and the retaken chem class. GPA: 3.333
Second semester: B's in human anatomy, ochem ii lab, and the retaken ochem i and math course. Passed ochem ii (received no grade- will be retaken senior year). A in english course. GPA: 3.294
Junior year
First semester: This is the semester where things really went down hill.
C's in genetics and human physiology. Passed physics i (received no grade). A's in sociology and a metal/enameling jewelry course. GPA: 3.238
This is also when I got my mark for plagiarism. Details: had issues with the first physics lab report/write-up, ended up procrastinating before getting help from a friend- basically copied their way of solving a problem. Since this happened at the beginning of the semester, it really messed with me mentally and it definitely showed in my science courses. I am incredibly ashamed of what I did, especially since I did not realize how wrong it was at the time. I know that dental schools all emphasize how they want ethical people and I'm afraid that this will be the major cause of rejection, especially if I am not able to convey my sincerity and assure them that it is, and will be, a one time mistake. Also, while we're talking about this, I know there is a section for explanation on this in aadsas but should I also include it in my personal statement?
Second semester was much better: A's in microbio, microbio lab, icthyology, and cognitive diversity (cog sci class). B in a biol/writing course. Unfortunately, I forgot to drop my physical edu course and ended up not passing it (does not count for credit).
Final oGPA: 3.346 sGPA: 3.143
For next semester, I plan on taking biochem, (hopefully) conducting research to fulfill grad requirement, spanish (didn't know what else to take so that I didn't overload myself), and retaking physics i along with a phys ed class. Will be retaking ochem ii in the spring.
Other info:
Two science professors have agreed to write me letters of req (will probably be average) but these have not been done yet because I do not have a finished personal statement (working on this now). (If anyone has some free time, mind taking a look at it when I'm done? Or just any tips?) Also currently writing my plagiarism statement (would be grateful if someone could take a look at this as well).
Aiming to take the DAT mid-late July.
I have been in my school's pre-dental society all 3 years, was VP last year and will be VP again for the coming year. Was a founding member of the tea club from freshman year but did not take a position. Tried out different sports clubs but only recently decided to stick to one this year (kungfu, tested and got belt 1).
I have shadowed a dentist, oral surgeon, and orthodontist so far (52 hours) and currently scheduling to shadow another dentist to get my hours up to a hundred. Was a red-cross volunteer for two summers at a dental clinic- total hours accumulated is 128 (not much). Had planned to volunteer again this year but some things changed and re-registration would take up the whole summer before I have to leave for school again. Trying to find a dental clinic that's going to let me volunteer (I have no certification or assisting training though).
Anyways, that's all. Sorry about the wall of text and thanks for reading through this.
(I go to a university that's ranked in the 30's that does not have +/- gpa scoring.)
Freshman year
First semester: pretty much all B's in science and math courses with an A in a bio lab and a English course. GPA: 3.333
Second semester: B's in my bio, bio lab, and english course. C's in chem and math (both follow-up courses and both retaken later- not counted in final gpa). One A in chem lab. GPA: 3.292
Sophomore year
First semester: C in ochem I (repeated later- not counted in final gpa). A in ochem lab and a gen psychology class. B's in bio, bio lab, and the retaken chem class. GPA: 3.333
Second semester: B's in human anatomy, ochem ii lab, and the retaken ochem i and math course. Passed ochem ii (received no grade- will be retaken senior year). A in english course. GPA: 3.294
Junior year
First semester: This is the semester where things really went down hill.
C's in genetics and human physiology. Passed physics i (received no grade). A's in sociology and a metal/enameling jewelry course. GPA: 3.238
This is also when I got my mark for plagiarism. Details: had issues with the first physics lab report/write-up, ended up procrastinating before getting help from a friend- basically copied their way of solving a problem. Since this happened at the beginning of the semester, it really messed with me mentally and it definitely showed in my science courses. I am incredibly ashamed of what I did, especially since I did not realize how wrong it was at the time. I know that dental schools all emphasize how they want ethical people and I'm afraid that this will be the major cause of rejection, especially if I am not able to convey my sincerity and assure them that it is, and will be, a one time mistake. Also, while we're talking about this, I know there is a section for explanation on this in aadsas but should I also include it in my personal statement?
Second semester was much better: A's in microbio, microbio lab, icthyology, and cognitive diversity (cog sci class). B in a biol/writing course. Unfortunately, I forgot to drop my physical edu course and ended up not passing it (does not count for credit).
Final oGPA: 3.346 sGPA: 3.143
For next semester, I plan on taking biochem, (hopefully) conducting research to fulfill grad requirement, spanish (didn't know what else to take so that I didn't overload myself), and retaking physics i along with a phys ed class. Will be retaking ochem ii in the spring.
Other info:
Two science professors have agreed to write me letters of req (will probably be average) but these have not been done yet because I do not have a finished personal statement (working on this now). (If anyone has some free time, mind taking a look at it when I'm done? Or just any tips?) Also currently writing my plagiarism statement (would be grateful if someone could take a look at this as well).
Aiming to take the DAT mid-late July.
I have been in my school's pre-dental society all 3 years, was VP last year and will be VP again for the coming year. Was a founding member of the tea club from freshman year but did not take a position. Tried out different sports clubs but only recently decided to stick to one this year (kungfu, tested and got belt 1).
I have shadowed a dentist, oral surgeon, and orthodontist so far (52 hours) and currently scheduling to shadow another dentist to get my hours up to a hundred. Was a red-cross volunteer for two summers at a dental clinic- total hours accumulated is 128 (not much). Had planned to volunteer again this year but some things changed and re-registration would take up the whole summer before I have to leave for school again. Trying to find a dental clinic that's going to let me volunteer (I have no certification or assisting training though).
Anyways, that's all. Sorry about the wall of text and thanks for reading through this.
