Question about grades & application... please help!!!

[bnp1988]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys, I need some more help, I just ran into another problem...

Last semester (Fall 2009), I really messed up my academic transcript due to personal issues. Since freshman year, I went from a 3.876, 3.811, 3.770, 3.839, 3.761, 3.733, 3.629, to a 3.634 cumulative GPA. I moderately tried and maintained a decent cumulative GPA. Just before last semester I had a 3.611 cumulative GPA. To complete some courses in my minor, which are only offered in the Fall semester (Fall 2010), I decided to wait and apply during the next entering class of 2011. Here's my problem... last semester (Fall 2009) I messed up, getting an F in biochemistry of metabolism lab, a C- in lecture, and a D in general microbiology. This brought my cumulative GPA of 3.611 to a 3.409, and I will definitely retake these courses next Fall semester (Fall 2010). After this semester (Spring 2010), I should have a 3.463 cumulative GPA. I'm looking to apply early sometime in June, so that my application isn't so late. Since I'm retaking those courses next Fall semester (Fall 2010):

1. Will I get a fast enough chance to update my transcript using the Academic Update? By the end of Fall semester (Fall 2010), I should be able to bring my GPA back up to around 3.600. I know the update takes some time, so I'm worried that my application will be overlooked.

2. I really don't want to take these courses in the Summer, because I would like to focus on the DAT. I'm taking my first DAT during this semester (Spring 2010), and if I have to again in August, which is why I don't want to retake these courses in the Summer.

3. Should I wait and apply really late?

4. How will dental schools look at this?

I'm really confused, and don't know what to do in this scenario!!!
If anyone has some advice or suggestions, please share your thoughts...

Thanks for listening, I hope someone is able to help!

 

[jorasic]

Depends on a lot of things: there should be a good reason, your major, your college, other things you were doing then, etc.. They do use your last year as kind of a predictor of how you'll do in dental school...so make these next classes count! I did the same thing but in soph year.

1. Don't worry about a .1+ on your GPA...
2. focus on DAT, again, a .1+ GPA won't matter.. If you get a 20+ on DATs, that'll be a bigger factor.
3. Apply ASAP, applying late will hurt your chances!
4. For your overall semester by semester.
Remember that an upward change in grades is always better than a downward trend. Dental school's only gonna be harder and they don't want to see a complete blow up your last year. Good thing is, your GPA is solid enough to take a hit. You'll be fine, I think.. They won't like it obviously, but they'll see your overall GPA and like it!

 

[SRS9]

+1 jorasic

 

[bnp1988]

Thank you for your advice, I just don't want one semester of college to potentially ruin my chances. I know I can replace those grades, but I'm just worried that admission committees might not get a chance to even look at the improvement.

Is it better for me to send the Academic Update after Fall 2010 semester, or better to send it after Spring 2011 semester? I'm assuming the sooner the better, but I may be wrong.

Thanks again for replying...!!!

 

[flying rider]

There is a deadline for the academic update. It starts in nov and ends in early feb I want to say. So you'd be able to send in your official transcripts after spring quarter but the deadline for the academic update will have passed.

 

[SoCalBlondie]

Hey guys, I need some more help, I just ran into another problem...

Last semester (Fall 2009), I really messed up my academic transcript due to personal issues. Since freshman year, I went from a 3.876, 3.811, 3.770, 3.839, 3.761, 3.733, 3.629, to a 3.634 cumulative GPA. I moderately tried and maintained a decent cumulative GPA. Just before last semester I had a 3.611 cumulative GPA. To complete some courses in my minor, which are only offered in the Fall semester (Fall 2010), I decided to wait and apply during the next entering class of 2011. Here's my problem... last semester (Fall 2009) I messed up, getting an F in biochemistry of metabolism lab, a C- in lecture, and a D in general microbiology. This brought my cumulative GPA of 3.611 to a 3.409, and I will definitely retake these courses next Fall semester (Fall 2010). After this semester (Spring 2010), I should have a 3.463 cumulative GPA. I'm looking to apply early sometime in June, so that my application isn't so late. Since I'm retaking those courses next Fall semester (Fall 2010):

1. Will I get a fast enough chance to update my transcript using the Academic Update? By the end of Fall semester (Fall 2010), I should be able to bring my GPA back up to around 3.600. I know the update takes some time, so I'm worried that my application will be overlooked.

2. I really don't want to take these courses in the Summer, because I would like to focus on the DAT. I'm taking my first DAT during this semester (Spring 2010), and if I have to again in August, which is why I don't want to retake these courses in the Summer.

3. Should I wait and apply really late?

4. How will dental schools look at this?

I'm really confused, and don't know what to do in this scenario!!!
If anyone has some advice or suggestions, please share your thoughts...

Thanks for listening, I hope someone is able to help!

On your AADSAS application there is a place to put an explanation for a bad quarter or something like that... It would also look good to re-take those classes and do well
If you do this and do pretty good on the DAT I am sure everthing will be fine..
I took my DAT at the end of Oct and got accepeted in Jan... So August isn't too late. I odn't think..
You can turn in your AADSAS app in may/june (which you should do!) and that way your application is only missing your DAT, which will be sent when you are done with it.
Call the schools and let them know that you have taken the DAT and the scores r on there way, but that you can fax them a copy if they want to send your application through review faster..
Hope this helps 😉