sGPA < 3.0 Suggestions??

[Vitalmin]

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First of all, I'd like to say thank you to all the members of this site who have helped students on their journey to become dentists. This is a great community, and I'm very thankful for this resource.

Before, I get into my question, I just want to say that yes, I have looked through the forum for similar questions like mine, but everyone has their own unique situation, so I decided to post my own question here. I apologize if I am posting in the wrong area.

I am a RN, and I have been out of college for about 5 years now, but I have recently taken Orgo I with intentions of going to PA school, but now I really believe that Dentistry would be a much better fit for me.

I have completed all pre-reqs except for Orgo II, which I will take next semester. Unfortunately I got C's in Gen Chem I and II as well as Physics I and II. My plan is to retake the Gen Chem I and II because there are generally more questions on Gen Chem than Physics, right?? Is this a good idea to retake the General Chems??

Right now my sGPA is 2.79, If I can Ace Orgo II, and the General Chems, it will bring me up to 3.00. And my oGPA wil be bought up to about 3.3 - 3.4. My question is, Is this good enough to start applying to Dental School, or does my GPA need more work?

Assuming that I score at least a 19 on my DAT, would this GPA be sufficient to get me into a Dental School that is not too selective??

Thanks guys for your help.

 

[Ferneezy]

if acing two courses will raise your sgpa by that much, you would help yourself out even more by continuing on and taking more (and acing) upper level sciences.

you'll help out your sgpa while demonstrating to dschools you can hack more rigorous science work.

edit: read your post again for clarification: no, it likely wouldn't be enough for you to apply. your mistake is your mindset.

thinking about just getting a 19 and just getting gpas in the low 3s is minimalist. you'll need to beat out thousands of applicants, who look awesome on paper, to secure one of a few hundred interview spots, and then beat out hundreds of those interviewees for a handful of seats. if you don't blow file reviewers away with awesome*, there's a low chance they'll call your name once you apply.

*awesome can be any number of things for any individual, though you can be sure it isn't aiming for average dat and low gpas. raise your level.

 

[Gaucho4Life]

Ferneezy's right. You need to demonstrate that you can handle being a dental student. Definitely retake your gen chem courses, especially since gen chem is on the DAT... If retaking the gen chems would boost your gpa that much, then you might as well retake physics concurrently and boost it up higher past a 3.0. A 3.0 is still on the low side... Also, if you can, performing well on upper div bio courses (genetics, biochem, microbio, anatomy/physio) would definitely help your cause.

 

[Vitalmin]

Thank you guys so much. I think you guys are right, I'm definitely going to do as suggested and try to boost my sGPA as high as possible before applying. And also study my arse off for the DATs to aim for >19. Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate the replies, what a great help!!! 🙂

 

[Ionz]

Thank you guys so much. I think you guys are right, I'm definitely going to do as suggested and try to boost my sGPA as high as possible before applying. And also study my arse off for the DATs to aim for >19. Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate the replies, what a great help!!! 🙂

I'd say aim for 22+ across the board to be competitive, given your lowish GPA.

 

[sbdento]

I'd take more applicable upper division bio courses. Prove you can handle the tough courses. And a solid dat wouldn't hurt. Good luck!

 

[Vitalmin]

Ferneezy's right. You need to demonstrate that you can handle being a dental student. Definitely retake your gen chem courses, especially since gen chem is on the DAT... If retaking the gen chems would boost your gpa that much, then you might as well retake physics concurrently and boost it up higher past a 3.0. A 3.0 is still on the low side... Also, if you can, performing well on upper div bio courses (genetics, biochem, microbio, anatomy/physio) would definitely help your cause.

I'd take more applicable upper division bio courses. Prove you can handle the tough courses. And a solid dat wouldn't hurt. Good luck!

Hey guys, this is all great advice. Since I am stretched for time, (I'm supporting myself, and working full time right now) I won't be able to take a huge course load. I'm definitely going to take Ogro 2 and General Chem 1 + 2, BUT I'm thinking I'll take some upper div BIO courses in lieu of re-taking Physics courses again (Physics is my worst subject). So, here's my plan:

2014 Spring - Orgo II + Upper Div BIO
2014 Summer 1 - General Chem I + Upper Div BIO
2014 Summer 2 - General Chem II + Upper DIv BIO

Does this sound like a good plan?!? I would be applying to D school right after finishing these courses...

Thanks again guys.

 

[dat9]

Because your GPA is so low make sure everything else is spectacular. Do a lot of extracurricular activities and shadowing. It's not a matter of quantity as much as quality though. I had 2 interviews already with a sGPA under 3.0 so keep your head up and be confident!

 

[LaughingGas]

I have completed all pre-reqs except for Orgo II, which I will take next semester. Unfortunately I got C's in Gen Chem I and II as well as Physics I and II. My plan is to retake the Gen Chem I and II because there are generally more questions on Gen Chem than Physics, right?? Is this a good idea to retake the General Chems??
No. Don't waste time and money on retaking a C, just take additional upper div science courses
Right now my sGPA is 2.79, If I can Ace Orgo II, and the General Chems, it will bring me up to 3.00. And my oGPA wil be bought up to about 3.3 - 3.4. My question is, Is this good enough to start applying to Dental School, or does my GPA need more work?
Remember, we are competing to average matriculated students with 3.5 and 19~20 AA, so you think 3.0 science is competitive enough?
Assuming that I score at least a 19 on my DAT, would this GPA be sufficient to get me into a Dental School that is not too selective??
Again, 19 and 3.5 average. If GPA is on the lower end, DAT should be higher than 19, aim for 30 😉
Thanks guys for your help.

Hey guys, this is all great advice. Since I am stretched for time, (I'm supporting myself, and working full time right now) I won't be able to take a huge course load. I'm definitely going to take Ogro 2 and General Chem 1 + 2, BUT I'm thinking I'll take some upper div BIO courses in lieu of re-taking Physics courses again (Physics is my worst subject). So, here's my plan:

2014 Spring - Orgo II + Upper Div BIO
2014 Summer 1 - General Chem I + Upper Div BIO
2014 Summer 2 - General Chem II + Upper DIv BIO

Does this sound like a good plan?!? I would be applying to D school right after finishing these courses...
I would change General Chems to other Uppder Div Bio courses.
Thanks again guys.

It is possible to land interviews. I saw several applicants with low stats that received interviews. One of the common factors from those applicants were:good DAT, good ECs, and good PS. My suggestion is, besides building excellent ECs, start writing or think about topics for your personal statement. I worked on my personal statement for month, rewriting 10+ times and I personally think it helped me tremendously this cycle as a re-applicant.
Best luck.

 

[Vitalmin]

It is possible to land interviews. I saw several applicants with low stats that received interviews. One of the common factors from those applicants were:good DAT, good ECs, and good PS. My suggestion is, besides building excellent ECs, start writing or think about topics for your personal statement. I worked on my personal statement for month, rewriting 10+ times and I personally think it helped me tremendously this cycle as a re-applicant.
Best luck.

Hi LaughingGas, I appreciate you weighing in on this with a different perspective, but could you explain why replacing General Chem 1and 2 with Upper Div BIO would be better for my situation? Is it because it will show that I am capable of doing well in near "graduate level" courses? I'm not too great at Chemistry and I could use a refresher on the General Chems for the DAT. But then again, I am a very good self learner, and test taker. So I don't know. If you could please explain your rationale, that would be great...

Now that I think about it though....NEW PLAN:

I can start studying for the DAT now, and teach myself General Chem (I know it's not that hard). I'll finish off Orgo 2 in the spring along with an Upper Div BIO course, while still studying for the DAT throughout the semester. I'll take the DAT in June, which I will absolutely need to get like 22 avg. Then I'll take more Upper Div BIO over the summer to boost my GPA, right before I submit my application. Also, I'm going to start writing my PS now, and get it to perfection. I'll start asking for my LORs now and getting my shadowing hours in too since it's still early. Does this sound like a good plan??

Thanks so much. I really want to get into Dental School, and I'm willing to work my ass off to get there. I was a crappy college student before and didn't take my classes seriously, and maybe partied too much. But now I am 100% focused on my goal. Any advice is greatly appreciated. 🙂

 

[LaughingGas]

Hi LaughingGas, I appreciate you weighing in on this with a different perspective, but could you explain why replacing General Chem 1and 2 with Upper Div BIO would be better for my situation? Is it because it will show that I am capable of doing well in near "graduate level" courses? I'm not too great at Chemistry and I could use a refresher on the General Chems for the DAT. But then again, I am a very good self learner, and test taker. So I don't know. If you could please explain your rationale, that would be great...
Here are several reasons why I think it's better to take upper div bio courses rather than repeating general chemistry series.
1) You already passed them with Cs. You had your chance to Ace them but you didn't. By repeating the course, you are expected to get nothing lesser than an A. Getting anything lower will look really bad. Also by retaking and getting an A, it doesn't really prove that you can handle any science course and pass with an A. Also, CHAD is great for both chems. 😀
Now that I think about it though....NEW PLAN:

I can start studying for the DAT now, and teach myself General Chem (I know it's not that hard). I'll finish off Orgo 2 in the spring along with an Upper Div BIO course, while still studying for the DAT throughout the semester. I'll take the DAT in June, which I will absolutely need to get like 22 avg. Then I'll take more Upper Div BIO over the summer to boost my GPA, right before I submit my application. Also, I'm going to start writing my PS now, and get it to perfection. I'll start asking for my LORs now and getting my shadowing hours in too since it's still early. Does this sound like a good plan??
Check Glimmer's DATelisse list or DAT discussion. It has a nice list of breakdowns of people with high scores and low scores. High score one will teach you how to study and low score ones will teach you to not repeat their mistake or situations. In average, people studied 1~2months. After that, you will start forgetting things. Except for the DAT, your plan sounds great. Just remember, you need to bring your GPA up. So if you can't handle your workload, course load and other volunteer stuff, change your priority to coursework.ECs can make a difference, but IMO adcoms won't look at your apps if you don't meet their minimum GPA/DAT requirement.
Thanks so much. I really want to get into Dental School, and I'm willing to work my ass off to get there. I was a crappy college student before and didn't take my classes seriously, and maybe partied too much. But now I am 100% focused on my goal. Any advice is greatly appreciated. 🙂

Just stick until the end and you will get in.

 

[Vitalmin]

Just stick until the end and you will get in.

Thank you for the response! You've been very helpful. Yes, I'll get in or die trying, 'til literally "the end" haha. Good luck to you too, have you heard anything yet?