Post-Bacc Undergrad vs. Graduate Classes

[lifeyluck]

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My undergraduate GPA from a reputable university is about 3.0. Obviously I have to raise it in order to get into a dental school (partly because I'm most likely going to get mediocre recs haha).

I'm deciding between non-matriculated graduate (not a degree program) and 2nd degree undergraduate (which I won't finish). Maybe even non-matriculated undergrad.

If I go with the second option, I won't be able to take graduate classes, but it will improve my undergrad GPA. I would only take classes until I apply to dent school and not finish the degree. If I go with graduate, it goes into a separate grad GPA (would the UG classes I take as a non-matriculated grad student go into UG GPA or grad GPA?).

So I guess the issue is whether a good grad GPA would override my low UG GPA or whether it's better to forget grad classes altogether and just improve the UG GPA.

(I'm sorry if this has been asked over and over again, but I can't find any in the pre-dental forums, even though there are tons in the pre-med ones.)

Thank you so so much!

 

[gcecchini]

i graduated in may (3.3 gpa) and enrolled in a masters program taking various grad bio courses. usually this program i am in takes 3-4 semesters. hoping i get accepted this cycle, i will not be able to finish and earn the masters degree. i did give an academic update for this past semester and it did improve my overall gpa... i think as long as you are doing something to prove that you are preparing yourself for the vigorous curriculum of dental school then i think you're fine.... although when i did talk to a school's adcom, she did say that to prove anything you must get over a 3.5.

 

[lifeyluck]

Thank you for replying! I won't be able to apply to a formal Masters program, so I'm leaning towards the 2nd degree undergrad option because my GPA is lacking, but I'm worried that it won't look good for me to continue undergrad instead of moving on to harder grad classes. Do you (or anyone else) know anything about this?

 

[LaughingGas]

This is just my opinion.
Case 1 : Under 3.0. At least 2~3 years of undergrad postbac, reach 3.0, then maybe need to do masters if not accepted to dental school (assuming he/she earned at least 3.7 each postbac term).
Case 2: gpa 3.2~3.4: 1 year of full time undergrad postbac could benefit them.
Case 3: anything above 3.0: 1 full year of master, specially SMP types, which you take classes with med/dental students.
It really depends what you want. If you need to do undergrad postbac for 2+ years and you have gpa above 3.0, IMO, it's better to just go 1 year SMP route, nail it and apply, which it's your case.
About the question above, it really depends to your school. At my school 400 level courses are for seniors or grad students. If you take it as undergrad, it will go as UG credit. If you take the course as grad student, it will be considered as graduate credit.

 

[lifeyluck]

Thank you for the advice! I don't have any recommendations, so I wouldn't get into SMPs or other Masters programs this year. That's why I'm going to take classes (while gaining experience). Case 2 sounds good to me 🙂 unless grad classes look better?

 

[LaughingGas]

Take courses spring semester (if you can, all science, get 4.0 ), ask letters for dental school and SMP, apply for both, get in. Do academic update in late december with your 1st term of SMP, get more interviews, get accepted.
Unfortunately, the postbac column for AADSAS is gone , so to show a big wow, it's easier to get good grad gpa, have that gpa in separate column so ADCOMs can see your progress.
Also b/c of your low sgpa, you need a good DAT scores (22 or above, nothing less than 18,except qr).
I have 3 years of 3.8, but unfortunately, in the app, the postbac grades are just mushed in with undergrad gpa, so unless they do take a look carefully (which I doubt b/c adcoms have to deal with thousands of apps), my progress is not very "eye-catching".

 

[lifeyluck]

Lol you make it sound so easy! But I get what you mean about the letters and SMP. Also, what you said about the separate GPAs makes a lot of sense. Have you applied already?

 

[LaughingGas]

Yes. I had applied very late. I know it can be a long road but gotta do what you gotta do. I remember there was postbac column but when I applied this cyclem there were only ugpa and grad gpa columns. As far as I know about SMPs, they will accept you as long as you have strong DAT scores.

 

[dentalWorks]

I went with post-bacc option because my original undergrad GPA was lacking (also 3.0)

After 54 credits in post-bacc with a solid 4.0 performance.... My overall went up to 3.3... which isn't stellar, but it showed a HUGE upward trend. I did not struggle at all to land interviews / acceptances. (applied to 18, had 8-9 interviews, but only attended 5, and was accepted to 4 of them).

 

[lifeyluck]

Thank you both so much for your helpful replies! And I'm sorry for not responding earlier; I read your posts and then forgot to say thanks 🙁

Both of your paths sound good to me and I'm really impressed by how hard you worked for dental school. Very inspiring for people like me 🙂