Post Bacc. or Study Abroad

[ani007]

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I will be graduating after this summer with a degree in psycholgy from UCI. My GPA for my major is pretty low and I have a few science courses with terrible grades from freshman year.

Going through some threads it feels like most people advise staying here and it makes sense but I am discouraged that my undergrad plus those few science classes have left me in bad condition. So I have a couple questions:

1) If I were to begin working towards pre. reqs. at the start of next year, what would the earliest cycle I could apply to be (I only have writing done)? Also, what are the things I could do during this time to overcome a low gpa (besides nailing the DAT)? I've discussed doing pre. req's at Santa Monica College but it seems like this wouldn't be a good idea.

2) The other alternative would be to go to India (Manipal specifically) and come back and study for 2 more years. I feel like at least this route, which would probably take around the same time, could provide me with a better chance. The NDBE will be pass/fail and I do not see any problems with doing well on the TOEFL. Maybe Manipal will become accredited by this time....

However, this is a big step and I do not have all the knowledge pertaining to post bacc. and studying abroad to make an informed decision right now. I am definetly willing to dedicate myself in a Post Bacc. program or sacrific and go to India if that will improve my chances. So far it seems like both will take around the same time/money/etc.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

I will be graduating after this summer with a degree in psycholgy from UCI. My GPA for my major is pretty low and I have a few science courses with terrible grades from freshman year.

At this point I either want to stay at UCI, or attend another school in Southern California to complete my pre. reqs. However, I recently was thinking about going abroad and studying at manipal in addition to the 2 years I would have to study upon returning. Going through some threads it feels like most people advise staying here and it makes sense but I am discouraged that my undergrad plus those few science classes have left me in bad condition. So I have a couple questions:

1) If I were to begin working towards pre. reqs. at the start of next year, what would the earliest cycle I could apply to be (I only have writing done)? Also, what are the things I could do during this time to overcome a low gpa (besides nailing the DAT)? I've discussed doing pre. req's at Santa Monica College but it seems like this wouldn't be a good idea.

2) The other alternative would be to go to India (Manipal specifically) and come back and study for 2 more years. I feel like at least this route, which would probably take around the same time, could provide me with a better chance. The NDBE will be pass/fail and I do not see any problems with doing well on the TOEFL. Maybe Manipal will become accredited by this time....However, this is a big step and I do not have the knowledge pertaining to post bacc. and studying abroad to make an informed decision right now. I am definetly willing to dedicate myself in a Post Bacc. program or sacrific and go to India if that will improve my chances.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

I am interested in what people has to say about this! When I didn't get in 2008 cycle, I was upset and was planning on applying to India & Australia. But then I heard about that 2 yrs program and even my advisor said that boards give hard time to international dentists. So I though to give it another shot for 09 cycle and see what happens. AFter that will decide something.

 

[ani007]

anybody?

 

[Alex0128]

anybody?

I am not knowledgable on how boards treat the international person, but I would highly recommend studying abroad for at least a semester if you have the time/money. It is a great experience to learn from, and it teaches you more than you can imagine. Also, its a great thing to talk about in an interview. Who might a school accept, your typical biology major who has been in the US his/her whole life, or someone who brings a different perspective and who has experienced world culture/been independent in a foreign place?

Just my opinion!

AB

 

[excusezmoi]

You can apply the moment your prerequisites are almost done or let's say they are in progress and will be done by the time you'll enter the dental school.
I'll give you simple answers, your low gpa "can be" override if you take post bacc classes/ upper division classes, get good grades on ur pre-req.
If i were in your shoes, I won't take it abroad, dental schools may question the credibility of your courses taken abroad. There's so much to do here, dental assisting, community service, research experience etc. Have you done those here?? You may want to know things that's going on at your place to get a picture of various community problems, issues or even get a glimpse of what kind of dental set-up you like, learn about four hand dentistry operation...unless you're planning to practice abroad. Do it there.