Retaking Class - Need Help!

[402050]

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I graduated back in 2008 and I was a Bio major back then. Because I wasn't doing very good in my science classes and got discouraged, I ended up taking accounting classes on the side and working in the accounting field now. Now, I am seriously reconsidering about dental school and need some advise because I plan to apply in 2012.

My overall GPA was 3.0 and my major gpa (lower + upper division classes) was 2.62. I got mostly Cs in the dental pre-req classes as well as some upper division science classes. My accounting classes are mostly As.

A few questions:
1. In the application, do they use pre-req classes to calculate science GPA?

2. Is it a good idea to retake those pre-req classes at CC to boot up my GPA and increase my chance of getting into dental school? If so, will they use both grades to calculate the GPA?

3. Will it be better to retake classes at CC or 4 years university?

4. I'm currently working full time and can't afford to quit my job to go back to school. If I do good on DAT, shadow at dental office and repeat pre-req classes with better grades, what will be the chance of getting into dental school? Or it will be better for me to do a formal post-bac program?

Thanks!

 

[dentalWorks]

I graduated back in 2008 and I was a Bio major back then. Because I wasn't doing very good in my science classes and got discouraged, I ended up taking accounting classes on the side and working in the accounting field now. Now, I am seriously reconsidering about dental school and need some advise because I plan to apply in 2012.

My overall GPA was 3.0 and my major gpa (lower + upper division classes) was 2.62. I got mostly Cs in the dental pre-req classes as well as some upper division science classes. My accounting classes are mostly As.

A few questions:
1. In the application, do they use pre-req classes to calculate science GPA?

2. Is it a good idea to retake those pre-req classes at CC to boot up my GPA and increase my chance of getting into dental school? If so, will they use both grades to calculate the GPA?

3. Will it be better to retake classes at CC or 4 years university?

4. I'm currently working full time and can't afford to quit my job to go back to school. If I do good on DAT, shadow at dental office and repeat pre-req classes with better grades, what will be the chance of getting into dental school? Or it will be better for me to do a formal post-bac program?

Thanks!

1) yes
2) IMO, its a bad idea to retake at a CC. A bad grade from a university is not salvageable by taking the "easier" CC option.
3) it depends on what kind of class you are wanting to retake. Pre-req sciences with a C grade (or higher) shouldn't be retaken. C- and below is what you must retake. If you wanna salvage your situation, forget about the retakes, and just focus on new/harder science courses such as upper division biology.
4) 3.0 GPA, and I am assuming even lower sGPA.... your odds of landing interviews are still very low (assuming 21-22 DAT).

 

[402050]

1) If retake pre-req classes at CC is not a good idea, should I do open university at a state university to retake them. Would the class count? Do grades get average out when calculating the sGPA?

2) Since only pre-req classes count toward the science GPA, taking other upper div science classes won't really help booting up my sGPA. Isn't it?

 

[CleverThought]

I think I am going to have to disagree that CC are the "easier option". They are quality, cost effective options. Plus more often then not they have classes in the evenings to work with working adults.

The local CC around here is about $111 per credit hour, which is extremely affordable compared to universities and private colleges. Just because the class is at a community college doesn't make the class a lower quality.

 

[dentalWorks]

1) If retake pre-req classes at CC is not a good idea, should I do open university at a state university to retake them. Would the class count? Do grades get average out when calculating the sGPA?

2) Since only pre-req classes count toward the science GPA, taking other upper div science classes won't really help booting up my sGPA. Isn't it?

1) open university is fine.
2) ofc it will. sGPA = anything that is Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and a few others called "other sciences".

I think I am going to have to disagree that CC are the "easier option". They are quality, cost effective options. Plus more often then not they have classes in the evenings to work with working adults.

The local CC around here is about $111 per credit hour, which is extremely affordable compared to universities and private colleges. Just because the class is at a community college doesn't make the class a lower quality.

Normally, I am one who recommends CC if the applicant has no other choice (financially, or no local university near by, or no evening classes at university, etc).

There is a reason why I put the quotes around "easier". I didn't mean CCs are easier, but some dental schools feel thats the case. IMO, An applicant who took (as an example) Organic chemistry and got a C at a university is running the risk of not impressing anyone by retaking the same course at a CC and earning an A.

However, the same C-in-organic applicant, if he were to take additional upper level bio courses (mostly handled at the university) and earned A, I am willing to bet he is looking more impressive.

 

[hoylematt]

I am going to have to agree with Dentalworks, retaking classes at a CC is not a desirable option, especially if you took the class for the first time at a university. It's frowned upon, by dental school adcoms.

The real problem is, if you didn't do so well the first time around in your science classes then moving on to upper division science classes at a university is going to be rough, especially if you have been out of school for a while.

When they calculate your Science GPA they will take into account every science type class you have ever taken to determine it. This is what makes it difficult to raise your gpa if you didn't take school seriously the first time.

That being said, there is still hope. This is not something you can do halfway anymore. Your heart has to be in it to the point where you can show that you have changed and that you are serious about school. Consider an informal post-bacc with as many upper division science courses as you can handle. And you not only have to take them, you have to get mostly A's (if not all).

I am sure DentalWorks can agree that it is never too late...as I recall he did an informal postbacc, and as you can see by his profile he did exceptionally well to make up for his previous grades (in addition to rocking the DAT). My advice would be to find some folks on SDN that have done the post bacc's and the masters programs and start messaging some of them. I am sure they can give you some good advice at where to go from here.

2) Since only pre-req classes count toward the science GPA, taking other upper div science classes won't really help booting up my sGPA. Isn't it?

No, all science classes count toward your science GPA. Taking other upper division science classes will boost your sGPA.