Post bacc or smp?

[Jedimuscle23]

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I have a 3.01 overall and a 2.80 science gpa with ALL the prerequisite classes completed. Should I do a formal post bacc program or SMP program? What is going to help me get into a dental school more?

 

[Toothout]

From what I have read in here, both do the same thing.
Edit: but apparently, post bacc GPA is calculated with undergrad and SMP with grad. I would do the post bacc then.
This question has been answered 1000 times in here. You'll probably find a lot of good comments in other threads.

 

[Jedimuscle23]

From what I have read in here, both do the same thing.
Edit: but apparently, post bacc GPA is calculated with undergrad and SMP with grad. I would do the post bacc then.
This question has been answered 1000 times in here. You'll probably find a lot of good comments in other threads.

I guess I'm just confused on what either do? I've completed all my prerequisites and my gpa still doesn't meet the cut off for science so I'm just worried that there is nothing else I can do to raise it? If I took 4 more upper level science classes (16 credit hours) and got straight As that would put my science gpa to a 3.07 but is that really enough to get into a decent enough school hypothetically speaking if I got a good enough score on the DAT as well?

 

[Toothout]

I guess I'm just confused on what either do? I've completed all my prerequisites and my gpa still doesn't meet the cut off for science so I'm just worried that there is nothing else I can do to raise it? If I took 4 more upper level science classes (16 credit hours) and got straight As that would put my science gpa to a 3.07 but is that really enough to get into a decent enough school hypothetically speaking if I got a good enough score on the DAT as well?

All schools are good and the best one is the one you get in.
I would do the post bacc since it will raise your undergrad GPA. 8 science classes with straight As would be awesome along with a 21+AA and amazing ECs

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

All schools are good and the best one is the one you get in.

It really depends on the school. In the end, they'll look at your cumulative. I would do a SMP from a school that almost guarantees admission. The only one I know of so far is Temple. Other SMP providing schools just guarantee an interview.

If money and time weren't a factor, I would say do a postbacc to raise the Undergrad and then if you can't get in still then do an SMP or regular Masters. But if you want the fastest and "cheapest" way, go for the SMP unless you somehow manage a Masters program that provides you free tuition and stipend.

Edit: @CallMeDoct said it best with that quote above.

 

[Toothout]

It really depends on the school. In the end, they'll look at your cumulative. I would do a SMP from a school that almost guarantees admission. The only one I know of so far is Temple. Other SMP providing schools just guarantee an interview.

If money and time weren't a factor, I would say do a postbacc to raise the Undergrad and then if you can't get in still then do an SMP or regular Masters. But if you want the fastest and "cheapest" way, go for the SMP unless you somehow manage a Masters program that provides you free tuition and stipend.

I'm talking about dental schools. All dental schools are good. That's what I mean.
OP said that s/he wants to get into a "decent enough" school with his/her 3.01 sGPA and (hopefully) good DAT.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

I'm talking about dental schools. All dental schools are good. That's what I mean.
OP said that s/he wants to get into a "decent enough" school with his/her 3.01 sGPA and (hopefully) good DAT.

Oops, sorry. I forgot to say that what you said was right on point--hence quoting that statement. Then I meant to say doing a postbacc or SMP really depends on the school because they kind of view things differently. My bad!

 

[Toothout]

Oops, sorry. I forgot to say that what you said was right on point--hence quoting that statement. Then I meant to say doing a postbacc or SMP really depends on the school because they kind of view things differently. My bad!

Haha got you! I thought you thought that I was talking about post bacc schools 😀

 

[HermeyDDS]

I have a 3.01 overall and a 2.80 science gpa with ALL the prerequisite classes completed. Should I do a formal post bacc program or SMP program? What is going to help me get into a dental school more?

Earn your masters in Biomedical Science at Barry University. Don't say I didn't tell ya. Post bac is a waste of time unless you have a high GPA and only need to meet dental school prerequisites. Otherwise you will never raise your undergrad GPA. A Masters program allows schools to look past your undergraduate GPA (to an extent) and focus on your graduate GPA and DAT. I had lower then 3.0 undergrad and earned a 4.0 graduate...3 interviews..2 acceptance...1 waitlist. You also have to understand that different graduate programs have closer relationships with different schools. Call masters admissions and ask these questions.

 

[Ssha]

Earn your masters in Biomedical Science at Barry University. Don't say I didn't tell ya. Post bac is a waste of time unless you have a high GPA and only need to meet dental school prerequisites. Otherwise you will never raise your undergrad GPA. A Masters program allows schools to look past your undergraduate GPA (to an extent) and focus on your graduate GPA and DAT. I had lower then 3.0 undergrad and earned a 4.0 graduate...3 interviews..2 acceptance...1 waitlist. You also have to understand that different graduate programs have closer relationships with different schools. Call masters admissions and ask these questions.

Any specific programs you recommend?

I'm considering applying to SMPs because I've done my pre-reqs for med school but my gpa is 3.4 so I want to show med schools I can handle the work.

Thanks!

 

[amaghsou]

I have a 3.01 overall and a 2.80 science gpa with ALL the prerequisite classes completed. Should I do a formal post bacc program or SMP program? What is going to help me get into a dental school more?

DM me and I can answer more questions. I had to do a lot of research on this lol