Terrible grades in CC... do I still have a chance in this field?

[4got2floss]

I have 32 units complete at a CC with a 1.8 GPA. Most of the classes are electives and my major was business administration. I haven't taken any science classes and took one math class that I got an A in.

I missed class frequently, didn't do any homework, and didn't take my academics seriously. I took two years off of college, worked a full time job 50+ hrs/week. The time I spent working allowed myself to mature, and realize I need to go after what I've always wanted to do (dentistry).

What steps do I need to take in order to have the best chances of getting into dental school, or is pursuing this path a waste of time due to my negligence?

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[Likkriue]

Well you are going to need to return to CC(hope they take you, I know some CCs have a min of 2.0), get that gpa up. My concern is 32 units is a lot so even with straight As, which shouldn't be hard at all in CC you might max out at around a 3.0.

Then try and transfer to a state school, continue getting As and you won't be in too shabby of a spot with a great DAT score. Oh and of course do tons of shadowing, dental related volunteering and etc.

tldr version: Get better grades.

 

[JLT223]

1.8? Damn man....You are going to want to do a post-bac of some sort for sure (and you will need a 4.0 every semester). Throw in a 23+ DAT score.

 

[CareerNumTwo]

While a 1.8 is horrible, it's only 30 credits. So yes, of course you still have a chance. You're just going to need to work your butt off for the rest of your undergrad. I had a 1.8 BCP GPA based off of 20 credits when I started my post-Bacc. Now? After a year of 4.0's, it's a 3.2. By the time I apply next summer, it'll be a 3.5. You haven't even taken a single BCP yet and your sGPA is a 4.0 due to that math class. You're good, but I probably don't need to tell you that you need to make some serious changes to your study habits.

 

[pgex2t]

Since your BCP hasn't been affected, you'll be fine if you do well. You will need to be prepared to answer about the 1.8 though.

 

[4got2floss]

Thanks all for the replies, I was really feeling hopeless. I'm currently in process of retaking majority of the classes I've done poorly in, and shooting for straight-A.

Also, has anyone taken their prerequisites at a CC and gotten accepted into a dental program? I know that some dental programs will accept CC credits for prereqs, while others don't, but even if they do accept them, wouldn't they prioritize a candidate that has theirs done at a 4-year institution rather than a CC, or is that not necessarily the case? I'm just trying to figure out if I need to transfer to uni before I start taking my science classes.

 

[workofshart]

Don't take prereqs at cc if you can help it

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[DMDDDSHopeful]

You can take your prereqs at a CC but you should do equivalent amount of science courses that are upper level at a 4 year school. If you can avoid taking any more classes at the CC and go to a University then you will be in better shape--so long as you do better. You may need to do a postbacc after.