~~! Please help me out with my Situation and Decisions!~~

[bestdds]

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Hello.

It's my first post here, and I'm excited to gain knowledge and experience from this forum.

First of all, This is me.

I'm 23
Attend top 30 University in U.S.
Senior (one semester left) / Life Science Major
International Student (F-1) (BIG DISADVANTAGE)

g.p.a.: 3.2 Science g.p.a.: 3.0 (Two F's and One D, retook them and got B+ or better, Two W's)

DAT: AA 22
TS 23

Shadowing not fully done,
No Research Experience
Very few Volunteer

No recommendation asked to Professor.

At this point, I feel very uncertain and unstable about my life. I decided upon a goal that I would never give up and become a dentist someday, no matter how long, how much effort it would take. I know I have made many mistakes living first few years of college life, not thinking about what's coming next. I have regretted so many times, but I always realize that I can only change my present and future. So I am ready to fix and build up my
So please give your sincere opinions & advice that would correct me and encourage me as well..

Here are my Options

(1) Apply this term, (isn't it too late? I have no essay, rec, etc) and graduate after this 2012 Fall semester. = I feel like no chance, go back to home country, no visa, and fail.

(2) Although one semester left, stay and take classes in Spring 2013 semester, graduate in May 2013) and then apply. (1 year from now on =( )

-Pros:
I can raise up my pathetic g.p.a by taking more science courses, possibly minor in other science major
find research experience / more volunteer etc
get to know more professors for recommendation

-Cons:
I will be super senior (total of 4&1/2 year.. is this bad?)
What am I going to do in the gap year? I won't be able to stay in U.S. for a year, because of my visa.

(3) Do the same thing as (2), but also prepare (by this coming december) for graduate school, Masters, in science majors, then think about applying during graduate school.

-Pros
The classes I take in Graduate program will be my another set of g.p.a which will reflect a lot better on my application.. (true?)
Is it a more advantageous route?

-Cons
Tuition
Time


Which pathway should I take?
Is there any better options, or any other routes that I haven't thought about?
Post bacc? (Can International students do that too? 🙁 If so, which schools accept them? )

Thank you so much for your inputs guys.

 

[sundaequeen]

I definitely wouldn't go with one, since it doesn't sound like you're ready at all. I say finish your final semester and then go from there. I'm an F-1 too and you can get a job and use your OPT for a year, so yes you can legally stay in the US until next cycle. Or you can try to apply to a postbac program to get your GPA up a little more, do some research on what programs accept international students. In either case, you should use your year off to do more dental related stuff to show interest.

 

[bluesprite13]

Maybe you should look into a post-bacc program to raise your GPA. Also, a gap year is absolutely fine! Use that time to gain more dental shadowing experience, research (if you wanted), job experience, and volunteer 🙂

 

[wo5678]

Yes, you need more volunteer, shadowing and research. And I think you need to raise your GPA. It is better to wait the time is right to apply. If you try this cycle and don't get in anywhere, it will destroy your confidence.