sfsu post bacc-why the high gpa

[dr1989]

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just curious-i know sfsu states on the dental post bacc site that the program is for disadvantage students and reapplicants. which i think is amazing. what gets me is that it states: minimum gpa is 2.5 but may be higher due to competitive applications

but isnt the point of such post baccs to increase your overall gpa for dental school? i dont understand why students who have relatively good gpa (ie: 3.4-3.5) would apply for the program-i feel like those students are taking away from the ones who could actually use the post bacc such as myself-riding on a gpa of 2.8 ~2.9 and could greatly benefit from such a program. granted if i dont get in the next cycle i wont blame others but myself for not kicking into high gear with grades earlier but still, it would feel sucky. just the other day i talked to 2 pre-meds who each have an average gpa of 3.7 but are applying to smp programs to boost up their application. does that really make sense? then again...those pre-meds 😉

guess im just worried bout not getting into sfsu post bacc-it has an amazing connection with UoP and I feel like that would be the only progam that would take my low gpa into consideration 🙁

am i the only one who feels this way? do you agree that people take advantage of such programs or should we trust the adcom to do their job when going through applications?

sound off below....

 

[YoHomey]

Post-bacs aren't designed to increase one's GPA. They are designed to provide the science reqs to people who never took those classes before but would want to enter the health profession now. It just happens that many people do a post-bac to increase their low GPAs. Also, this particular program wants people to succeed after the post-bac program and thus requires a min. GPA because these are the ones who are generally smarter, more diligent and most likely to reach the promised land.

 

[MouthDoc]

I know how you feel...I got turned down for by that program twice already. They changed it up a little by combining the two programs for reapplicants and disadvantaged, which means there are less spaces available (I think only 16 now?). I'm currently enrolled in a SMP, but was only able to snag a non-matriculated spot because of my low undergrad gpa. I just got accepted to the UOP dental hygiene program, but I'm still trying to figure out what the best route would be to get to dental school. I really wanted to get into the SFSU program, but it seems like they are only accepting students that are more disadvantaged with middle gpa's like around 3.0 or above. The second time I applied, I applied really early, but I don't think it made a difference. The good thing about that program is that it's fairly cheap considering what's available to struggling pre-dentals that have a bachelor's already and that they are associated with UOP, which is my dream school, but the bad thing is that you get no degree out of the program. If you don't mind not getting a degree and are disadvantaged, UCSF has another program that you take classes through Berkeley, but there are even fewer spots available. I've applied to all the dental SMPs and post-bacs I could find, but there are very few in the country. I moved across the country just to get a non-matriculated spot. All of this just makes me regret not doing better in undergrad.

 

[tpham39]

D

 

[tpham39]

I know how you feel...I got turned down for by that program twice already. They changed it up a little by combining the two programs for reapplicants and disadvantaged, which means there are less spaces available (I think only 16 now?). I'm currently enrolled in a SMP, but was only able to snag a non-matriculated spot because of my low undergrad gpa. I just got accepted to the UOP dental hygiene program, but I'm still trying to figure out what the best route would be to get to dental school. I really wanted to get into the SFSU program, but it seems like they are only accepting students that are more disadvantaged with middle gpa's like around 3.0 or above. The second time I applied, I applied really early, but I don't think it made a difference. The good thing about that program is that it's fairly cheap considering what's available to struggling pre-dentals that have a bachelor's already and that they are associated with UOP, which is my dream school, but the bad thing is that you get no degree out of the program. If you don't mind not getting a degree and are disadvantaged, UCSF has another program that you take classes through Berkeley, but there are even fewer spots available. I've applied to all the dental SMPs and post-bacs I could find, but there are very few in the country. I moved across the country just to get a non-matriculated spot. All of this just makes me regret not doing better in undergrad.

Do you mind sharing your GPA?

 

[thewobblytooth]

it depends on the post-bac you're planning on doing. some are for the disadvantaged, poor, or etc that really have a passion for dentistry/medicine. the people that really stand out, regardless of GPA will probably be selected. These post-bacs are usually for those that didn't do too hot in undergrad. unless you're aiming for a career-changer, where you did well in whatever major/job, but decided to go with the health field. then that's where it matters for gpa.

 

[cmsp]

just curious-i know sfsu states on the dental post bacc site that the program is for disadvantage students and reapplicants. which i think is amazing. what gets me is that it states: minimum gpa is 2.5 but may be higher due to competitive applications

but isnt the point of such post baccs to increase your overall gpa for dental school? i dont understand why students who have relatively good gpa (ie: 3.4-3.5) would apply for the program-i feel like those students are taking away from the ones who could actually use the post bacc such as myself-riding on a gpa of 2.8 ~2.9 and could greatly benefit from such a program. granted if i dont get in the next cycle i wont blame others but myself for not kicking into high gear with grades earlier but still, it would feel sucky. just the other day i talked to 2 pre-meds who each have an average gpa of 3.7 but are applying to smp programs to boost up their application. does that really make sense? then again...those pre-meds 😉

guess im just worried bout not getting into sfsu post bacc-it has an amazing connection with UoP and I feel like that would be the only progam that would take my low gpa into consideration 🙁

am i the only one who feels this way? do you agree that people take advantage of such programs or should we trust the adcom to do their job when going through applications?

sound off below....

I strongly encourage you to apply to the program and do not get discourage by your GPA. The program looks more than just at the numbers, it looks at the person as a whole (background, community service, personality, ....). The application deadline is by April 1st, 2012. Best of luck 🙂