The Under 3.0 Club part 02

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drsmiley said:
Here are my stats:
bcp - 2.722
sGPA - 2.827
overall - 3.227

1) Do dental schools weigh bcp more heavily on undergrad gpa or overall including community college? should i stay at a university for 4.5 - 5 years and graduate w/ a 3.0 bcp gpa? or is it the same to take additional classes at a community college and get a 3.1 bcp there?

2) what are the chances i get in w/ a 3.1 bcp gpa & 3.2 sGPA?
Click to expand...

Which year at you undergrad? If this is early in your undergrad it is going to be more straightforward than later in undergrad.
 
drsmiley said:
Here are my stats:
bcp - 2.722
sGPA - 2.827
overall - 3.227

1) Do dental schools weigh bcp more heavily on undergrad gpa or overall including community college? should i stay at a university for 4.5 - 5 years and graduate w/ a 3.0 bcp gpa? or is it the same to take additional classes at a community college and get a 3.1 bcp there?

They look at the whole package and your gpa's won't cut it unless you have an AMAZING DAT and that is not a lock. sciGPA of 2.8 needs some serious help. You should stay in school and put together several good semesters enrolling in upper level sciences. You need to show a lot of A's in those classes in order to make the case to the adcom that you can handle the didactic portion of dental school. I am talking 3.5 semesters.

2) what are the chances i get in w/ a 3.1 bcp gpa & 3.2 sGPA?
Click to expand...

Your chances are not good. You definitely have some work to do but if you have read this thread it can be done. You need a solid DAT and you MUST show a consistent and solid upward trend.

Good Luck!
 
Who has gotten accepted this cycle (2008) with a lower GPA or DAT? Im applying for the 2009 cylce and have a 3.2 GPA with a 3.15 sGPA. I have many EC and volunteer experience, as well as research. I plan on doing good on the DAT. Anyone....?
 
laugh said:
Who has gotten accepted this cycle (2008) with a lower GPA or DAT? Im applying for the 2009 cylce and have a 3.2 GPA with a 3.15 sGPA. I have many EC and volunteer experience, as well as research. I plan on doing good on the DAT. Anyone....?
Click to expand...

This thread is primarily for under 3.0 GPA and former under 3.0 GPA.

You are fine but the GPA could use a little improvement.
 
To respond to the last couple threads… Here was my situation:

Undergrad GPA: 2.98 (overall), 2.7 (science)

One masters in biology later, carrying a 4.0 throughout:

Cumulative GPA: 3.11 (overall), 3.17 (science)

Received two acceptances. Moral of the story: Its doable but you might have to put in some time and hard work.
 
.
 
Last edited:
blankguy said:
Which year at you undergrad? If this is early in your undergrad it is going to be more straightforward than later in undergrad.
Click to expand...
'

I'm a Senior Undergrad.
 
Are you a biology major? If not you could take upper level Biology courses before you contemplate things like SMP. Try to take courses at a 4 yr college instead of JC or community college. Dental schools generally prefer 4 yr colleges.
 
Nova has an MBS program you can apply to where you take a lot of courses that first year dental students do. If you get (I think) all A's and B's, then the next year you are allowed into the dental program, and the classes you earned A's in you don't have to retake.
 
That NOVA MBS program and program like it should only be a last resort. Its true if you can maintain B's or higher you get a seat next cycle but please beware that many people score lower that B's in some of those classes and they were already accepted into the program. Many MBS students don't make it through that process and you will waste 30k in tuition money.
 
I started reading this thread as someone who was working in information technology project management, sitting on a 2.7 BA in Math from seven years prior. I was working at an academic medical center, and I sought out the dean of admissions. I asked him what I would have to do (given my awful credentials) to make myself a candidate for med school. He told me that a strong MCAT, a near-4.0 in a post-bacc of the pre-reqs at the nearby state school, and some research into medicine would make me as competitive as anyone.

Once I'd been told that medicine was a possibility, I decided that anything was possible. After much soul-searching, I decided I wanted to be a dentist.

I quit that job in May 2006, and I went back to school full time, taking the requisite undergrad work. When I applied, I barely had pulled above a 3.0 cum, 3.1 sci. I had four interviews, and I wa accepted to my state school today.

It absolutely can be done.
 
sarah_bellum said:
I started reading this thread as someone who was working in information technology project management, sitting on a 2.7 BA in Math from seven years prior. I was working at an academic medical center, and I sought out the dean of admissions. I asked him what I would have to do (given my awful credentials) to make myself a candidate for med school. He told me that a strong MCAT, a near-4.0 in a post-bacc of the pre-reqs at the nearby state school, and some research into medicine would make me as competitive as anyone.

Once I'd been told that medicine was a possibility, I decided that anything was possible. After much soul-searching, I decided I wanted to be a dentist.

I quit that job in May 2006, and I went back to school full time, taking the requisite undergrad work. When I applied, I barely had pulled above a 3.0 cum, 3.1 sci. I had four interviews, and I wa accepted to my state school today.

It absolutely can be done.
Click to expand...


ROCK ON!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like you said "It can be done" you just can't take NO for an answer.
 
I’m a little confused. I have recently graduated. My GPA at my college was 3.01, according to the AADSAS my science GPA is 2.6

I am now looking into one year masters programs. But then it hit me, if I start a masters program how will that help me if I want to apply to dental schools this coming year? By the time I start my master’s program early submission of applications are due.

I feel like I am missing something. Can someone explain to me what students do when they want to use the new masters GPA to help their application to dental school?
Do students normally do a 2 year masters instead of a 1 year?

I just was so confident that I would do my one year masters and apply to dental schools, and never really thought about the time line. Am I just over thinking it?
 
SMB6 said:
I’m a little confused. I have recently graduated. My GPA at my college was 3.01, according to the AADSAS my science GPA is 2.6

I am now looking into one year masters programs. But then it hit me, if I start a masters program how will that help me if I want to apply to dental schools this coming year? By the time I start my master’s program early submission of applications are due.

I feel like I am missing something. Can someone explain to me what students do when they want to use the new masters GPA to help their application to dental school?
Do students normally do a 2 year masters instead of a 1 year?

I just was so confident that I would do my one year masters and apply to dental schools, and never really thought about the time line. Am I just over thinking it?
Click to expand...

the masters may help you, but it definitely will not hurt you. if you do your masters in one year, it won't matter about this round of applications, assuming you're applying for class of 2013. adcoms may request that you finish your masters however, before entering their school. students normally do 1-2 years, depending on nature of degree (jobs, thesis or non-thesis based, ECs, etc.). you are over thinking it, one year is definitely possible, just do the research. good luck.
 
Hi all

I transferred from a community college to UCLA. My community college stats is:
- 3.3~3.4 overall GPA
- finished my IGETC
- spent 2 years

I started UCLA as a junior with lower division ochem, life science, physics taken within my 3rd year. I'm currently a senior in winter quarter and CAN graduate in spring.

stats:
- 2.4 science GPA
- only B- and C+ and C in all my science classes
- currently a volunteer at UCLA dental center and starting to shadow for a dentist.

I haven't taken my DAT yet.

I have two routes to go that i know of (please feel free to add any other possible routes for me🙂 ):
1. take next quarter off and study my a$$ off for DAT and graduate in fall 08 and hoping for a slight chance that i'd get in anywhere
or
2. go for post-bacc and study my a$$ off for that AND study my DAT really hard.

Because DAT is really hard and really needs time to be studied so I don't think im capable of taking kaplan classes (6 hrs a week) AND study for school at the same time. If i take next quarter off and graduate in fall, then I won't be able to go for the post-bacc program. So my situation is pretty much "either-or"

What are my chances with route 1?
What are my chances with route 1 with 20+ all sections DAT?
What are my chances with route 1 with only decent score on DAT?

If route 2 is the only path i have...what are the post-bacc programs that I can actually apply and get accepted into in Southern California? or just california in general...really don't feel like going out of state just for post-bacc

Really thank you for your response that will really help me...I'm suffering from my stomach problem ever since I started college...
 
plasticsurg said:
Hi all

I transferred from a community college to UCLA. My community college stats is:
- 3.3~3.4 overall GPA
- finished my IGETC
- spent 2 years

I started UCLA as a junior with lower division ochem, life science, physics taken within my 3rd year. I'm currently a senior in winter quarter and CAN graduate in spring.

stats:
- 2.4 science GPA
- only B- and C+ and C in all my science classes
- currently a volunteer at UCLA dental center and starting to shadow for a dentist.

I haven't taken my DAT yet.

I have two routes to go that i know of (please feel free to add any other possible routes for me🙂 ):
1. take next quarter off and study my a$$ off for DAT and graduate in fall 08 and hoping for a slight chance that i'd get in anywhere
or
2. go for post-bacc and study my a$$ off for that AND study my DAT really hard.

Because DAT is really hard and really needs time to be studied so I don't think im capable of taking kaplan classes (6 hrs a week) AND study for school at the same time. If i take next quarter off and graduate in fall, then I won't be able to go for the post-bacc program. So my situation is pretty much "either-or"

What are my chances with route 1?
What are my chances with route 1 with 20+ all sections DAT?
What are my chances with route 1 with only decent score on DAT?

If route 2 is the only path i have...what are the post-bacc programs that I can actually apply and get accepted into in Southern California? or just california in general...really don't feel like going out of state just for post-bacc

Really thank you for your response that will really help me...I'm suffering from my stomach problem ever since I started college...
Click to expand...

What is your current GPA?
 
is post-bacc different from SMP? i guess i was really mistaken...
I thought post-bacc is those program to enhance academics and you take graduate level courses... Do you know what schools offers SMP in SoCal? or where I can look for it? thank you very much
 
plasticsurg said:
is post-bacc different from SMP? i guess i was really mistaken...
I thought post-bacc is those program to enhance academics and you take graduate level courses... Do you know what schools offers SMP in SoCal? or where I can look for it? thank you very much
Click to expand...

Your postac GPA will be factored into your undergrad GPA. Postbac classes are usually undergrad classes.

You can probably find more information about SMP in this forum:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71
 
well i guess i'm f***ed in any single way because SMP pretty much only accepts students with 3.0 science gpa... =(

for pre-dents...do I look for Pre-med SMP or Pre-health SMP?

and for SMP, i should only be looking at those that offer grad courses, not undergrad right?
 
you should apply for the UCSF/Cal State SF/UoP joint post bacc program. I think they accept a minimum GPA of 2.5...its either a year or 1.5 year program. During the summer they help you prepare for the DAT, and during the year you take upper division bio courses. They have a 99% acceptance rate into dental school. It's not too late to apply, but they only accept 16 or so students a year.
 
plasticsurg said:
well i guess i'm f***ed in any single way because SMP pretty much only accepts students with 3.0 science gpa... =(

for pre-dents...do I look for Pre-med SMP or Pre-health SMP?

and for SMP, i should only be looking at those that offer grad courses, not undergrad right?
Click to expand...

A SMP is a masters program, and therefore comprised of graduate classes that count towards that masters degree. It is possible that some may contain an undergrad class or two, but that would be rare.

Check here for programs whether it be a post-bac, traditional masters, or SMP:
http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
 
jdmsamurai said:
you should apply for the UCSF/Cal State SF/UoP joint post bacc program. I think they accept a minimum GPA of 2.5...its either a year or 1.5 year program. During the summer they help you prepare for the DAT, and during the year you take upper division bio courses. They have a 99% acceptance rate into dental school. It's not too late to apply, but they only accept 16 or so students a year.
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure you need to be a re-applicant for this program (i.e. applied and rejected from all schools during one cycle before you can enter this program).
 
jdmsamurai said:
you should apply for the UCSF/Cal State SF/UoP joint post bacc program. I think they accept a minimum GPA of 2.5...its either a year or 1.5 year program. During the summer they help you prepare for the DAT, and during the year you take upper division bio courses. They have a 99% acceptance rate into dental school. It's not too late to apply, but they only accept 16 or so students a year.
Click to expand...

16 people? That's crazy. Even Harvard Dental accepts more than 2 times that number...
 
Hysteria24 said:
I am pretty sure you need to be a re-applicant for this program (i.e. applied and rejected from all schools during one cycle before you can enter this program).
Click to expand...

Admission Requirements & Preferences (back to top)
  • Graduation from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a baccalaureate or higher degree and a final GPA of 2.5 or above, or a GPA of 2.5 or above for the most recent 60 semester units (90 quarter units) of course work. Bachelor's degree must be completed by the end of the first summer of participation.
  • US dental school first-time applicant or US dental school reapplicant intending to apply during the 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 AADSAS cycle.
  • Minimum DAT average of 14 (PAT & Academic Average). First-time applicants are not required to have taken the DAT.
  • Documented evidence of academically and/or economically disadvantaged background. Less disadvantaged "adjuncts" will also be considered. The Program seeks a diverse population of participants.
  • Demonstrated desire to work with underserved communities or in communities with limited access to dental health care.
  • Legal residents of California preferred, but residents of other states will be considered.
  • Among reapplicants, preference will be given to those who were granted an interview by a school of dentistry.
  • Admissions finalists will be required to participate in a formal interview to be held on the SFSU campus. Those living far from San Francisco may be able to arrange a phone interview.
website is at http://online.sfsu.edu/~brothman/DentPBP.htm

good luck

Edit: I just noticed they increased it to 22...
 
Hysteria24 said:
I am pretty sure you need to be a re-applicant for this program (i.e. applied and rejected from all schools during one cycle before you can enter this program).
Click to expand...

I stand corrected!

This program used to be exclusively with UCSF and at that time they only took re-applicants. Glad to see it has changed. 😀


This quote was taken from a thread eons ago, when I was inquiring about the program back in 2002 during my early days on these boards:
tinker bell said:
If you visit ucsf dental school web page, you will find a link about the post-bac program. But I will be very happy to tell you about it.
Post-bac: free tuition fee, plus stipend and housing for the summer.
Cannot work. (and you have to sign a paper with a bunch of rules that you can't do)
Study for the DAT in the summer. In the school year, we will have to take upper division science classes to improve our ugly GPA. Plus doing some clinical stuff or research.
To Qualify: You have to come from some kind of disadvantaged background. This is a state sponsor program aiming to improve dental health care for poor and disadvantaged communities.
You also have to be denied from a dental school. With minimum DAT Score of 16 (Mine is 19/18 and GPA 3.1 from UCD, 4 yrs of research and 2 papers published as first author and a few hundred hours of dental shadowing). They also stated clearly that the program will give priority to people who has previouly been invited to a dental school interview. (And they need proof for this.)
As Yah-E said, it's really competitive, but not everyone in the program guarantee a seat at ucsf next year though. We have to maintain a B minimum GPA to also stay in the program. Last year half of their post-bac ended up going to east coast school. 2 guys interview me and 1 decided to go to BU and the other will go to Marquette.
So, just try to apply this year and if you don't get in. Next year you can try to apply for the post-bac program. I think the reason that I got accepted is because I worked for ucsf for quite a while and just got laid off right when I sent the application in so they felt kind of sympathy for me. (Again, this is what I thought)
Click to expand...
 
other than the SFSU/UCSF Dental post-bacc (it seems great), is there any other choices that you guys recommend in SoCal? I am aware that when it comes to low GPA I really can't be choosing where to go for post-bacc..but i just hope there are some good ones in SoCal so I can be home without living in SF

thank you all
 
plasticsurg said:
other than the SFSU/UCSF Dental post-bacc (it seems great), is there any other choices that you guys recommend in SoCal? I am aware that when it comes to low GPA I really can't be choosing where to go for post-bacc..but i just hope there are some good ones in SoCal so I can be home without living in SF

thank you all
Click to expand...

Once again.....

http://services.aamc.org/postbac/

Enter CA in the search. There are around 9 socal programs that pop up. Check them out to see what is best for your situation.
 
oh ya i used that, but i just dont know if they are as good as the SFSU one =(
 
Hysteria24 said:
I stand corrected!

This program used to be exclusively with UCSF and at that time they only took re-applicants. Glad to see it has changed. 😀


This quote was taken from a thread eons ago, when I was inquiring about the program back in 2002 during my early days on these boards:
Click to expand...

i see that they changed a lot over the years. i was actually going to apply to this program if i didnt get into dental school this cycle, but i did. anyhow it seems like a very good program 🙂
 
plasticsurg said:
other than the SFSU/UCSF Dental post-bacc (it seems great), is there any other choices that you guys recommend in SoCal? I am aware that when it comes to low GPA I really can't be choosing where to go for post-bacc..but i just hope there are some good ones in SoCal so I can be home without living in SF

thank you all
Click to expand...

If u still want to do an SMP I would look into Cal State Channel Islands. They are a new cal state school, but they have a masters program in biotechnology. I believe they just "recommend" a 3.0 gpa or above, but I got into the program with a 2.7 gpa. Because they are a new school I think they are more lenient with their admisisons.
 
Hi Shortset what were your stats?
 
i'm not gonna be realistic here but I just want to know...because a part of me just do not want to goto post-bac...

with 2.4 science GPA at UCLA and 3.3 overall GPA from my community college. Haven't taken DAT yet but finished all my d-school requirements. What are my chances of getting into any dental school? What kind of DAT score would I need to get me into anywhere? I'm trying really hard to raise it to 2.65 with my this quarter's classes

Thank you...
 
Um i went to your neighboring UC in San Diego, and honestly even with a 2.6 it will be near impossible to get in.... unless you score 25+ or so on the DAT, and even then you are going to have a lot of explaining to do..... community college is one thing..... but they really value your performance at the university level.... your UC GPA isn't good (to be honest) I had a 3.35 (all at UCSD) and I had a hard time getting in..... I would advise a post bac or masters program.... but if you have the time and money to apply then i guess it couldn't hurt to try, but don't be surprised if you get rejected..... many schools will just see the low GPA and toss your app into the rejection pile without reading any further....
 
just wanted to see if anyone in this "club" has been accepted for Class of 2012 and if so stats/where theyre going!

😀
 
plasticsurg said:
oh ya i used that, but i just dont know if they are as good as the SFSU one =(
Click to expand...

Are you referring to the informal or formal post-bac program at SFSU? I heard they close down the informal one the formal one requires an interview. Any comments?
 
accepted to VCU d.5 program
GPA undergrad - 2.7
GPA post bacc - 4.0
DAT 19/17/19
 
do you guys know if any of these school accept Non Us residents?
 
thought id add myself into this club:

graduated may2007
ugrad: 2.998
science: 2.775
bcp: 2.767
non-science: 3.248

currently taking 4 science classes (so far have all A's on my exams) to boost the gpa over the 3.0 mark. hopefully at the end of the summer ill have a ~3.1gpa hah. just hoping to kill the DAT cause i know thats what will get me looked at not my grades. will keep everyone updated!
 
OK, Im wondering if anyone can give me some insight on my situation. I want to apply for the 2009 cycle and plan to send in my applications in May. I haven't taken the DAT yet, and was planning to take it in August after a summer of studying. Concerning my GPA, I currently have a 2.8, but still have this semester and fall08/spring 09 to bring it up. My grades have actually been steadily improving. My freshman year I actually had a 3.8 at the University of Texas in Arlington. But I transferred my sophomore year to the main campus in Austin, so my GPA started all over and the 3.8 isn't included in my overall graduating GPA now. The classes in Austin are WAY harder and so my grades at this school obviously arent nearly what I use to have. I actually dont have that many bad grades on my transcript, its just that my entire first year was wiped clean and when I came to UT I was kind of hit off guard with the intensity of the courses. Im wondering if they will consider this when looking at my app? I know I have to send copies of all my transcripts with my application, so do you think that even though my GPA is lower now, that the 3.8 at the other school might help me? I hope to have around atleast a 3.2 when I graduate next year, but I know that that is still pretty low. Also, none of my low grades that ruined my GPA were in science courses or even my major courses. I switched majors like 3 times before I decided what I wanted to do, and my few low grades were all in random classes.

I was also wondering if anyone has heard whether admission committees take into consideration the school you go to and how tough it is? For instance, my first year at UTA I took 18 hours both semesters and got a 3.85 GPA, but at UT I take around 15 a semester and have a 2.8 because the classes are so much harder. I had heard of a guy who went to my school and was accepted to NYU with a 2.4, and that the committee told him that they knew UT was a tough school, so his GPA was still competitive. I have no idea what his other stats were though and maybe he killed the DAT. Just wondering if anyone knows if they take into consideration if you go to a "brand name" school rather than one they've never heard of?
One other problem of mine is that I decided on dentistry late in my college career, so at this point i have NO dental shadowing/volunteer hours. I plan to do some shadowing this summer, but I've seen some people on here with over 3,000 hours! Obviously some is better than none, but do you really think that a low number of hours will make a difference to the admission committee?

Sorry, I know this is a lot, but its almost time for applications and im starting to get nervous that Im not going to get in for next year. Thanks!🙂
 
How many hours did you do post-bac?
 
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