I'll try to make this short.
I had a very difficult time during undergrad because I had undiagnosed ADHD. My sGPA is very poor as a result (2.95). There was an upward trend though, as I got A's in all my science courses (all with labs) my senior year. My cGPA is around 3.45. After graduating with a dual major in 2020, I decided to take time off from school until I could figure out what was wrong with me and how to move past it so that I could excel in dental school. My life flipped upside down (in a good way) after I got diagnosed in late 2021. I took my DAT over the summer and got a 22 AA (21 TS). I applied to 15 dental schools in late August, knowing my sGPA was a problem, and in retrospect I regret doing so. I wish I had waited until next cycle. However, I can't change the past so I decided to be proactive about the situation. I re-enrolled at my university as a Postbacc student. I was already going to take Gen Chem 1 (w/ lab) because some schools refused to accept my AP credit for it. I also decided to take two biology courses, A+P (w/ lab) and Immunology, totaling 13 credits. I haven't heard from any dental schools yet, presumably because they want to first see my performance this semester. I have high A's in all three courses and will likely end the semester with a 4.0 GPA. This would bring my sGPA to almost 3.1. I am still not sure that this is enough for dental schools. My inclination is to take four or five upper level bio courses next semester so that, if I don't get in this cycle, I can apply next cycle with a higher sGPA. This would be 12-15 credits, and a 4.0 next semester would push me past the 3.2 mark. I can also take a class or two in the Spring/Summer semester if need be. I really don't want to have to do an SMP or formal Postbacc program. I can't afford to wait until next Fall to start the program and then apply to dental schools a year or two after that. The DIY Postbacc route allows me to take classes now and apply next cycle.
Given my cGPA and DAT score, is there hope for me? My extracurriculars are strong and I have over over 350 shadowing hours. My recommendation letters are strong as well, and I have 10 months of research experience. Will the route I have chosen make a substantial difference in my chance of admission?
Thanks for reading and for taking the time to give me advice.
I had a very difficult time during undergrad because I had undiagnosed ADHD. My sGPA is very poor as a result (2.95). There was an upward trend though, as I got A's in all my science courses (all with labs) my senior year. My cGPA is around 3.45. After graduating with a dual major in 2020, I decided to take time off from school until I could figure out what was wrong with me and how to move past it so that I could excel in dental school. My life flipped upside down (in a good way) after I got diagnosed in late 2021. I took my DAT over the summer and got a 22 AA (21 TS). I applied to 15 dental schools in late August, knowing my sGPA was a problem, and in retrospect I regret doing so. I wish I had waited until next cycle. However, I can't change the past so I decided to be proactive about the situation. I re-enrolled at my university as a Postbacc student. I was already going to take Gen Chem 1 (w/ lab) because some schools refused to accept my AP credit for it. I also decided to take two biology courses, A+P (w/ lab) and Immunology, totaling 13 credits. I haven't heard from any dental schools yet, presumably because they want to first see my performance this semester. I have high A's in all three courses and will likely end the semester with a 4.0 GPA. This would bring my sGPA to almost 3.1. I am still not sure that this is enough for dental schools. My inclination is to take four or five upper level bio courses next semester so that, if I don't get in this cycle, I can apply next cycle with a higher sGPA. This would be 12-15 credits, and a 4.0 next semester would push me past the 3.2 mark. I can also take a class or two in the Spring/Summer semester if need be. I really don't want to have to do an SMP or formal Postbacc program. I can't afford to wait until next Fall to start the program and then apply to dental schools a year or two after that. The DIY Postbacc route allows me to take classes now and apply next cycle.
Given my cGPA and DAT score, is there hope for me? My extracurriculars are strong and I have over over 350 shadowing hours. My recommendation letters are strong as well, and I have 10 months of research experience. Will the route I have chosen make a substantial difference in my chance of admission?
Thanks for reading and for taking the time to give me advice.
