should I take non pre-reqs to boost science GPA?

[sugarmagnolia91]

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Hi all,

I started a DIY post-bacc summer 2013. I took gen chem 1/2, bio 1/2 with grades of B, A, B, B-.
I took orgo 1 three times 🙁 I got an F, C-, and then finally an A+.

My only major remaining prereqs are orgo 2, physics, and calc. I'm taking summer classes to boost my GPA, but there aren't any BCP courses offered for summer session 2 other than the basics that I've already taken. I'm going to be in calc I but I was hoping to take one more summer class with it to keep myself in school mode. In this case, would I be better off taking something like Earth Science (would that help science/non BCP gpa?), Environmental Studies, an intro physics class (non calculus based), or nothing?

As it stands, my science gpa will be ~3.26 if I get A in calc and my BCP gpa will be ~3.1 if I do really well for the next two semesters. I don't know if this will affect your responses at all. I am aware that I'll be on the low end of the spectrum for grades, but I've shown a pretty strong upward trend, have several yrs assisting experience, and hoping to do well on DAT to compensate. I'm also going to apply very broadly.

Thank you for reading!!

Edit: I found the AADSAS course category list. Still curious about your input on whether or not to take "filler" science courses.

 

[HaverfoodsDDS]

A course is BCP if it has "Biology, Chemistry, or Physics" in the course heading... For the most part ADCOMS can tell if you're trying to take unnecessary courses (like the ones your listed) to boost your sGPA. If you want to impress ADCOMS and boost your sGPA try to take some of the recommended upper division bio and chem courses like Microbio, CellBio, Neurobio, Biochem, Physiology, Virology, Anatomy, Histology, etc...These courses will both help you build your science background for dental school and ADCOMS will look more favorably on you if you do well in them compared to if you did not take them....

 

[sugarmagnolia91]

Thanks! I do plan on taking Micro and Anatomy this year, but my options are limited during the summer. The ones I listed are the only ones available for summer 2.

 

[ChrisM07]

I guess just a word of advice would be to not let a bad grade here or there really upset you. I don't know your mindset after taking orgo 3 times but just take upper levels, do well, and move on. Easier said than done I guess, but I had a couple of grades I was not proud of and after realizing there was nothing I could do about it anymore (because the grade was pretty set in stone), I just looked for ways to improve and addressed it in my application. IMO, taking the tons of upper level classes like I did really made the schools I interviewed take a second look at my app when they might not have otherwise done so without them.

Also, Environmental Science/Geology courses would go towards sGPA but NOT BCP. Check with the AADSAS breakdown for this though.

 

[cacajuate]

You do know that there isn't score replacement on those classes you retook?

I'm calling bologna on your sGPA with those grades on the prereqs.

 

[sugarmagnolia91]

I did not include BCP in my sGPA (maybe this is what I'm confused about?) My BCP + science is 2.9 as of now.

 

[sugarmagnolia91]

Thanks for the encouragement ChrisM07!! That's really good to hear. I was definitely bummed going into it the third time, but I know that I just have to focus on acing the rest of my sciences from here on out.