Question for All! (Post-bac GPA vs UG GPA)

[rausot]

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Hey all, looking for some insight here:

I've lurked on these forums for a while now, but find my situation to be somewhat unique. Not so much the situation, but the numbers I'm projecting myself to end up with.

I graduated from UCSD a couple of years ago (liberal arts major) and ended up with an atrocious GPA (precisely 2.50). Due to necessary pre-reqs, I had a few math/sci units accumulated (1.87 GPA), but not many, fortunately. I then worked a few years in the corporate world, building up my resume, before deciding to return to school.

After jumping through lots of hoops, I managed to get admitted into a formal post-bac program at CSU Fullerton last year. I have two semesters left, but after 36 semester units, I find myself holding a 3.95 GPA (with only one A- against me).

This brings my math/sci up to a 3.16 and my overall up to a 2.87. If I'm able to maintain this 3.95 pace, then after completing the program at 50 units, I'll end up with a math/sci of 3.32 and an overall of 2.96.

Due to the massive number of units I've compiled, and given time and money constraints, hitting the magical mark of 3.00 just isn't realistic. Is it REALLY that big of a deal that I get to 3.00 if my math/sci is in the 3.3 range?

I've heard that, especially in California (and most other top-tier schools), computers will automatically filter out anybody with a sub-3.00 GPA. However, my program director who has sat on admissions committees before, insists that it's not true and that remarkable applicants will be considered. What does everybody think?

I don't think I'm a particularly exceptional candidate, but I do hope that schools will at least take a peak in my direction. Assuming I score around a minimum 20-22 on the DAT, what are my chances? Will my recent history (3.95 post-bac on 50+ units, along with a math/sci of 3.32) override the overall under 3.00? In fact, how important is the overall, really? Is the math/sci GPA what AdComs will be looking at or is it the overall?

By the time I apply, I'll have decent letters and will also have completed a 280-hour clinical program, along with 50-100 hours of shadowing a dentist. I'll also have my work history/resume, though I don't know if that's worth anything at all.

I appreciate any input that anyone has to offer. Thanks!

-Phil

 

[Sunspear]

I'm not sure, and I'll bet you that the answers you're looking for will vary from school to school. You should definitely put some time into getting information right from the horse's mouth by actually calling admissions counselors at schools that you're interested in. Ask them about your stats and what they think. (Remember that in the end, none of us here are admissions counselors!). Good luck! 🙂

 

[txaggie03]

I would think they would be more inclined to look at your latest trend, rather than the whole.

I graduated with a 2.79 in engineering. I did an unofficial post-bacc. 70 hours of science classes later, both my cumulative and sci GPA was up to a 3.15.

While I did break the 3.0 barrier, I dont think that was key to my acceptance.


But as posted above, you might start some dialogue with the schools you are wanting to apply to, just to make sure, and to ease you mind.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey all, looking for some insight here:

I've lurked on these forums for a while now, but find my situation to be somewhat unique. Not so much the situation, but the numbers I'm projecting myself to end up with.

I graduated from UCSD a couple of years ago (liberal arts major) and ended up with an atrocious GPA (precisely 2.50). Due to necessary pre-reqs, I had a few math/sci units accumulated (1.87 GPA), but not many, fortunately. I then worked a few years in the corporate world, building up my resume, before deciding to return to school.

After jumping through lots of hoops, I managed to get admitted into a formal post-bac program at CSU Fullerton last year. I have two semesters left, but after 36 semester units, I find myself holding a 3.95 GPA (with only one A- against me).

This brings my math/sci up to a 3.16 and my overall up to a 2.87. If I'm able to maintain this 3.95 pace, then after completing the program at 50 units, I'll end up with a math/sci of 3.32 and an overall of 2.96.

Due to the massive number of units I've compiled, and given time and money constraints, hitting the magical mark of 3.00 just isn't realistic. Is it REALLY that big of a deal that I get to 3.00 if my math/sci is in the 3.3 range?

I've heard that, especially in California (and most other top-tier schools), computers will automatically filter out anybody with a sub-3.00 GPA. However, my program director who has sat on admissions committees before, insists that it's not true and that remarkable applicants will be considered. What does everybody think?

I don't think I'm a particularly exceptional candidate, but I do hope that schools will at least take a peak in my direction. Assuming I score around a minimum 20-22 on the DAT, what are my chances? Will my recent history (3.95 post-bac on 50+ units, along with a math/sci of 3.32) override the overall under 3.00? In fact, how important is the overall, really? Is the math/sci GPA what AdComs will be looking at or is it the overall?

By the time I apply, I'll have decent letters and will also have completed a 280-hour clinical program, along with 50-100 hours of shadowing a dentist. I'll also have my work history/resume, though I don't know if that's worth anything at all.

I appreciate any input that anyone has to offer. Thanks!

-Phil

Welcome
your story is a very typical non-traditional type. Bad undergrad years with HUGE post-bacc performance. People like you usually end up making it, but there are few other things you need to work on. Continue your superb post-bacc grades and do well on the DAT (IMO, anything in the 21+ AA & TS is great).

There is another thing you haven't talked about, and thats your BCP GPA (and IMO, is more favored over the overall and science GPA). BCP is basically only chemistry, biology, and physics (no math)

Some schools WILL look at upward trend if the applicant is presenting a sub 3.0 GPA. Adcoms aren't naive, they know mathematical GPA holes are next-to-impossible to overcome (numerically) while the applicant is still showcasing serious talent and dedication (36 credits ~ 3.95 GPA ~ enough said).... upward trend is best indicator for that.