The Under 3.0 Club part 02

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I officially give up...its out of my hands at this point, the schools have everything they need. The rejections have started coming and I got nothing left to do but sit here and take it.
 
Just thought I'd share my under 3.0 story with ya'll since I know this thread gave me a lot of hope when I applied last year. I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 2003 with a cumulative GPA of 2.66.

I worked for a little over 6 years as an engineer when I decided to change careers and pursue dentistry. I went back to school as a post-bacc and took all the dental pre-reqs...heck, I didn't even need to take English as an undergrad so I had to take that too. The only pre-req I had completed as an undergrad was Gen Chem....which I re-took as a post-bacc anyway.

Took me 1.5 years to complete the pre-reqs but I was able to finish with a 4.0 with over 54 credits which brought my cGPA up to a 3.08 (so just barely made the cutoff point for some schools) and sGPA to about 3.65. Fortunately, got a great committee letter for my LORs and studied my ass off for the DAT and got a 23AA/23TS (nothing below 20) and went ahead and applied for the first time last year. My completed app didn't get in until like the last day of August.

Applied to about 20 schools and ended with 9 interview invites but only attended 5 of them. Got accepted to 3/5 of them, one of which was my top choice and am now currently going through first year of dental school. Moral of the story is that yea, it is definitely possible to get into dental school if you graduated with a below 3.0 GPA. Just have to work your butt off and you just gotta really want it no matter what....basically, if you have the DRIVE and FOCUS you will get there!

If you guys have any questions about the app cycle or how dental school has been like so far during 1st year please feel free to PM me...good luck this cycle!
 
bumpntrunk said:
I officially give up...its out of my hands at this point, the schools have everything they need. The rejections have started coming and I got nothing left to do but sit here and take it.
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LOL!!! omg this post is so sad!!!! stop it !!!! you will get in, work hard work hard work hard!!!!
 
gumdrop16 said:
LOL!!! omg this post is so sad!!!! stop it !!!! you will get in, work hard work hard work hard!!!!
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I've worked hard for four years working, going to night school, raising a kid and it got me 3.7 gpa for the pre-reqs but when weighed back in with college grades from 15+ years ago...back down to a 2.81 sgpa. Schools are already sending the rejection letters without even bothering to list app status in aadsas.
 
What schools did you apply to? Thats weird most schools look at your last 2 years of study in much more regards than then prior ones.
Was BU, NYU, Midwestern on ur list>?
 
casiouser said:
What schools did you apply to? Thats weird most schools look at your last 2 years of study in much more regards than then prior ones.
Was BU, NYU, Midwestern on ur list>?
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all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
 
bumpntrunk said:
all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
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I hope you will get some interviews this cycle. You sound very dedicated.
 
bumpntrunk said:
all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
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Things dont add up. Your sGPA of 2.80 and even a 2.70 BCP, yet your last few years were stellar. Im thinking something else is lacking, maybe shadowing experience? It is mandatory, not sure if you did at least 50ish hours. Are your community involvement (volunteering your time, about 400 hours is good)?
 
bumpntrunk said:
all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
Click to expand...

Personally, i dont think it's the GPA thats getting you rejected. Many stories of GPAs around 2.80, but last years of study was around a 3.70 and got accepted. Have you spoken to an adviser?
 
bumpntrunk said:
all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
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I'm sorry you are having rejections, even that you worked hard. What are your DAT scores?. And are you sure you looked for the min 3.0 gpa requirement for each school?. And definitely you should call them to either find out why they reject you or if they can see your app again.
 
casiouser said:
Personally, i dont think it's the GPA thats getting you rejected. Many stories of GPAs around 2.80, but last years of study was around a 3.70 and got accepted. Have you spoken to an adviser?
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Well it could be something else but the rejection letter stated straight up that they require a minimum BCP of 2.75 which I did not meet so I was just going with that. My sGPA meets that but not my BCP...
 
I graduated from a tech school with an AAS in electron microscopy sciences in 2010 with a miserable gpa of 2.5. The blame is all my own, as I wasn't serious in any way and had no real idea of what I wanted to do with my life. For the last year I have been working as an electron microscopist at a semiconductor research facility. I've shadowed a general dentist recently because of my ever increasing interest in the field. He told me that with my background and the manual dexterity required working with small samples I would be a good candidate for dental school, and he would let me shadow him as much as I would like.
If I were to get good grades in a bachelors program and do well on the DAT do you think adcoms would overlook my not so impressive gpa that I had in tech school?

Thank you!
 
horizon314 said:
I graduated from a tech school with an AAS in electron microscopy sciences in 2010 with a miserable gpa of 2.5. The blame is all my own, as I wasn't serious in any way and had no real idea of what I wanted to do with my life. For the last year I have been working as an electron microscopist at a semiconductor research facility. I've shadowed a general dentist recently because of my ever increasing interest in the field. He told me that with my background and the manual dexterity required working with small samples I would be a good candidate for dental school, and he would let me shadow him as much as I would like.
If I were to get good grades in a bachelors program and do well on the DAT do you think adcoms would overlook my not so impressive gpa that I had in tech school?

Thank you!
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You have more than a chance here. You have a lot of room for improvement. Best luck
 
You applied to Roseman huh? This is good news for you. They only look at the last three years for your GPA. That's if your sGPA doesn't meet their standards. So you should look pretty good to them. They wont start sending interview invites for another month though. Just be patient. Also, might I suggest applying to Oregon. They're looking for out of staters apparently. It's a long shot, but a lot of people don't even end up going to their interviews because they interview so late into the cycle (I'm talking Feb). I wish I knew that last year when I did my first applications.

I was in your position last year, I applied to 13 schools and kept getting rejection after rejection. Don't give up. This year I have 3 interviews so far. You will make it into dental school, believe me. When you get some of these rejections make sure you contact a few of the schools to see if they can help pinpoint some of your weaker spots. It might not be your GPA. Also, be prepared to retake the DAT next year. I had to take it twice myself. I hope you'll have a more fortunate cycle then I did last year. Just don't beat yourself up over it. 🙂

bumpntrunk said:
all of them were on my list as well as Meharry,Howard, Roseman, LECOM...I applied to 20 schools. As for lookin at my last two years of study, I dont think they get that far if you dont meet all the minimum requirements. I didnt realize some schools look at BCP vs sGPA. I just basically pulled up a list of the d-schools and took the ones with dat/gpa stats that I could almost qualify for. Im not the stellar stats like most SDNers here but hey once your accepted, everyone starts at the same beginning... I had to get about a 3.73 for 52 credits of nothing but science and math courses to get my sgpa up to a 2.8 to offset the damage I did 15 years ago that has come back to haunt me.🙁 But, everyone has got a story of what they have to overcome and mine is just another, so it is what it is. Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
Click to expand...
 
FutureDrM said:
You applied to Roseman huh? This is good news for you. They only look at the last three years for your GPA. That's if your sGPA doesn't meet their standards. So you should look pretty good to them. They wont start sending interview invites for another month though. Just be patient. Also, might I suggest applying to Oregon. They're looking for out of staters apparently. It's a long shot, but a lot of people don't even end up going to their interviews because they interview so late into the cycle (I'm talking Feb). I wish I knew that last year when I did my first applications.

I was in your position last year, I applied to 13 schools and kept getting rejection after rejection. Don't give up. This year I have 3 interviews so far. You will make it into dental school, believe me. When you get some of these rejections make sure you contact a few of the schools to see if they can help pinpoint some of your weaker spots. It might not be your GPA. Also, be prepared to retake the DAT next year. I had to take it twice myself. I hope you'll have a more fortunate cycle then I did last year. Just don't beat yourself up over it. 🙂
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I checked Oregon's stats for last year acceptance class and I am no where near a 3.67 cGPA/3.62 sGPA/19.3 AA on DAT. I applied to the lowest GPA/DAT avg stats schools and Oregon wasnt one of them. I dont plan to retake the DAT next year as I think I should get in this year (and that is how I have to see it or I basically wasted $3K in application fees). I appreciate the words of encouragement and I would be happy to go to Roseman but I will be happy to go anywhere...
 
Sal427 said:
Your biology, chemistry, and physics grades
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Thanks! Sorry if someone else has asked this question but does biology only include gen biology 1 and 2 or does it include other courses such as histology, immunology etc..?
 
Biomajor1331 said:
Thanks! Sorry if someone else has asked this question but does biology only include gen biology 1 and 2 or does it include other courses such as histology, immunology etc..?
Click to expand...

If your course has BIO or BIOL in front of it's name, it counts towards Biology. Same for CHEM and PHYS (but for their respective counterparts, obviously).

Your science GPA (sGPA) is your BCP plus other sciences like geology (but not psychology) and any MATH courses.

Your overall GPA (cGPA, cumulative grade point average) is simply your overall GPA. There is a major caveat about the cGPA: there is no such thing as a retaken course. If you failed a class then retook it, your F still remains. All that happens is the two grades (the old and new) average out. Which is why it is advantageous to just take a higher course rather than a retake. Some retakes are required, such as if you do not get a C or better on a pre-requisit course. I hope this answers your original questions as well as any others you may have. Good luck!
 
bumpntrunk said:
Well it could be something else but the rejection letter stated straight up that they require a minimum BCP of 2.75 which I did not meet so I was just going with that. My sGPA meets that but not my BCP...
Click to expand...

I'm in my senior year and have decided to wait until next summer to apply. I started my journey 3 years ago with a sub 2.0 GPA and over 100 credits. I knew it would be an uphill battle to get into dental school, but I'm willing to do the work so that I can become a dentist. I have been in school full time for 3 years and have managed to make A's in every class except Organic (B and C+). I also have 2 children. If I am able to earn a 4.0 over the next two semesters, my overall GPA will sitll only be a 2.9. Because my GPA is extremely low, I know I have to get an incredibly high score on the DAT to be taken seriously. I spoke with the Dean of Admissions at my state school and was advised that I need to aim for 22+ on the DAT to have a realistic chance there.

Your GPA is low and your DAT is average for many schools. I hope you are accepted this year but you need to have a plan in place in case you need to reapply. You have to take more science classes to get over the BCP 2.75 requirement. In addition, you should focus all of your time on obtaining an outstanding DAT score.

Most of the people who are accepted with a low GPA, have an above average DAT score. Most schools will talk to you after you are rejected and offer advice for improving your application. You already know that your GPA is low and DAT scores are average. These are two areas that you need to continue to work on improving. However, you may learn that something in you personal statement raised a red flag, or a certain school wanted you to do more shadowing.

I know the waiting must be agony. I wish you the best in your journey!
 
youknowthedrill said:
I'm in my senior year and have decided to wait until next summer to apply. I started my journey 3 years ago with a sub 2.0 GPA and over 100 credits. I knew it would be an uphill battle to get into dental school, but I'm willing to do the work so that I can become a dentist. I have been in school full time for 3 years and have managed to make A's in every class except Organic (B and C+). I also have 2 children. If I am able to earn a 4.0 over the next two semesters, my overall GPA will sitll only be a 2.9. Because my GPA is extremely low, I know I have to get an incredibly high score on the DAT to be taken seriously. I spoke with the Dean of Admissions at my state school and was advised that I need to aim for 22+ on the DAT to have a realistic chance there.

Your GPA is low and your DAT is average for many schools. I hope you are accepted this year but you need to have a plan in place in case you need to reapply. You have to take more science classes to get over the BCP 2.75 requirement. In addition, you should focus all of your time on obtaining an outstanding DAT score.

Most of the people who are accepted with a low GPA, have an above average DAT score. Most schools will talk to you after you are rejected and offer advice for improving your application. You already know that your GPA is low and DAT scores are average. These are two areas that you need to continue to work on improving. However, you may learn that something in you personal statement raised a red flag, or a certain school wanted you to do more shadowing.

I know the waiting must be agony. I wish you the best in your journey!
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Hi! Will you be doing a postbac program? My bcp average is about a 2.7 but my overall is a 3.0. Do you think if i get into a post bac for dental, ds will mostly look at my post bac or undergrad gpa? I also have an upward trend for the last 2 years. I was going to apply this year but i chickened out. i think i definitely need to do a post bac.
 
Biomajor1331 said:
Hi! Will you be doing a postbac program? My bcp average is about a 2.7 but my overall is a 3.0. Do you think if i get into a post bac for dental, ds will mostly look at my post bac or undergrad gpa? I also have an upward trend for the last 2 years. I was going to apply this year but i chickened out. i think i definitely need to do a post bac.
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It really depends on dental school. Some schools will notice your upward trend and see your last few years than your overall and the first years. Some will see the whole and how you did for all those years.Some won't care even if you aced your postbac if you don't meet their GPA.
It's best to apply when you feel you are ready, because apps are a lot of money...
 
bumpntrunk said:
Its been tough but hopefully Ive done enough cause the tank is about on empty.
Click to expand...

Don't give up. You can still take some bio courses, and some other BCP courses to get your BCP up, if that's what's holding you back. If you continue your hard work, you should get that BCP up.

What are your DAT scores?
 
bumpntrunk said:
Well it could be something else but the rejection letter stated straight up that they require a minimum BCP of 2.75 which I did not meet so I was just going with that. My sGPA meets that but not my BCP...
Click to expand...

Cheer UP!! I applied twice already with my low DAT scores got rejected and still NOT giving up... Applying again next cycle
 
bumpntrunk said:
I've worked hard for four years working, going to night school, raising a kid and it got me 3.7 gpa for the pre-reqs but when weighed back in with college grades from 15+ years ago...back down to a 2.81 sgpa. Schools are already sending the rejection letters without even bothering to list app status in aadsas.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. I cannot imagine how u feel and fear that I will find myself in the same position. The best thing here is to see if there is anyone who has gotten in with a low gpa. Its good to hear words of encouragement to pursue this path but u and I need to hear success stories of ppl in similar situations. Perhaps retaking the DAT or other medical firlds might be a consideration. Keep us posted.
 
Sitting by watching all the posts of people getting interviews while my score stands at 0
 
bumpntrunk said:
Sitting by watching all the posts of people getting interviews while my score stands at 0
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Would you mind sharing your age? you said you took classes 15 years ago? I will be applying with low scores too and had taken many science classes in the past and no matter what i do now, getting B's is not enough to raise my science GPA 🙁 Now I have a 3.65 cumulative and just made it to 3.1 science ( I think), before when I applied was under 3, like a 2.95. I applied got all rejections but was also due to my low, lowwww DAT scores.. what is your DAT scores ? all of them, something must be lower than 17 there ( like many schools cut offs are 17) I just made the cut off for all sections except QR which is gonna affect me somehow, I know it. I will apply next cycle
 
18 AA/20 PAT for the DAT, as for my gpa...well this is the under 3.0 club
 
bumpntrunk said:
18 AA/20 PAT for the DAT, as for my gpa...well this is the under 3.0 club
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Good luck and do not give up! find what makes you a weak applicant, maybe your personal statement or not enough experience. your DAT are good scores. If is your GPA, you can work on it, even if takes you another 2-3 years!
Live your life pursuing something is better than living life regreating why I didnt try again 🙂 :xf:
 
lol. toothlesssmile we are all aware of that. That's why we plan things ahead, show our maturity by our grades,dat and ecs and target schools that focus on the most recent courseloads. If not, we can finish with an SMP.
 
Jaws beautiful post and impressive #'s....everyone on this form post bad it to 3.0+ by any means, get a masters with 3.8+, have a DAT with 19+ in every section and you will get interviews, having a higher degree does help! Gluck
 
This thread started 2007!! we should make a new one.. God, to reply we need to get to page 25 haha.. sometimes I forget and want to give opinion on some old comment lol..
 
I'm curious how some people have put comments on sdn bout getting rejection letter from school I applied to and they were in later batch but listed better stats then me?
 
bumpntrunk said:
I'm curious how some people have put comments on sdn bout getting rejection letter from school I applied to and they were in later batch but listed better stats then me?
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It's not all about the stats? 🙂
 
I thought if the school has two applicants and one has worse stats then the other, the lower stats would be the first to get a rejection letter...unless there is something so amazing about my application I am unaware of. I don't know anymore and going more crazy with each passing day and no news
 
I'm not sure, but I wouldn't start worrying for a while because it's still early in this whole process. At least that's what I keep telling myself...
 
bumpntrunk said:
I thought if the school has two applicants and one has worse stats then the other, the lower stats would be the first to get a rejection letter...unless there is something so amazing about my application I am unaware of. I don't know anymore and going more crazy with each passing day and no news
Click to expand...

maybe your application is on hold because your stats are not so great, but not as bad as to reject you right away, maybe they are waiting little longer to see how many more applicants have better scores than you.. ? i don't know, its just an idea. If you had more than 17DAT and at least 3.0 gpa there is hope for interviews. Don't assume anything yet.. I wonder for those that do not get interviews if they get rejections right away or December 1? anyone knows?
 
I got 3 rejections by the 2nd week after submitting and then...TODAY got email of rejection from LLU
 
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bumpntrunk said:
I got 3 rejections by the 2nd week after submitting and then...silence
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I know your scores are better than mine, don't lose hope. If there is something low on your application, work on it now to apply again next year! I am considering retaking DAT for the 4th time ( how do you think i feel?) and i am gonna take 5 science classes next semester to increase my science GPA before i apply AGAIN.. If your Gpa is lower than 3..(because we are in this forum), then work harder to bring it UP UP
 
Midwestern is the only school that has on their website that BCP is required to be 2.75 so don't be bummed about the rejections. I wouldn't have applied if that was on their website and didn't meet it.
 
I started reading this forum last year and have read through it since its first post multiple times. It has inspired me so much. I am currently a senior undergrad that has applied to Midwestern IL, UIC, Roseman, and Boston University. As you all know applying is really expensive so I only applied to a few schools my first try due to the high price. Here is my stats.

Microbiology major
Overall GPA 2.9, Science 2.7
DAT
AA-20
Science-21
Biology-22
Chemistry-21
OChemistry-21
PAT-20
Reading Comprehension-20
Quantitative Reasoning-18

Over 300 hours of dental shadowing, 3 years of independent research and two publications, and then just about all the other filler stuff that people throw in such as community service, exec positions in science clubs, etc..

I seriously feel like I have become friends with everyone in these blogs. Ill keep you updated on interviews and rejections...and just maybe acceptance.

Thanks for the inspiration everyone!
 
clcrdh08 said:
Midwestern is the only school that has on their website that BCP is required to be 2.75 so don't be bummed about the rejections. I wouldn't have applied if that was on their website and didn't meet it.
Click to expand...

I've got a funny anecdote about that actually. I was hesitant to apply to both Midwestern-AZ and Nova because I didn't meet their GPA minimum. With an overall GPA of 2.74, I was 0.01 short of Midwestern's 2.75 requirement while way short of Nova's 3.25 requirement. I thought that Midwestern might make an exception since I was so close. Meanwhile, I decided to just apply to Nova since I heard so many good things about the school. I ended up getting an immediate rejection from Midwestern while Nova sent me my first interview invitation. Long story short, Midwestern-AZ is strict about their GPA minimum (it's probably regulated automatically) while Nova's seems to be more of a guideline. Go figure.
 
Congrats on your interviews BruinDentist. May I ask you where did you do the masters program?
 
hey guys currently a senior with a 2.76cumGPA, 2.86gpa in bio classes, 2.47 between my chems, physics and math. Currently in 3 bio classes with A-, B, A, and a chem class with B also a psyche with A. Next semester i will take 2 more bio classes and some electives. Clearly im under 3.0, but i am also a D1 athlete and have volunteered at the hospital quite a bit, i also have a strong upward trend considering i treated my first two years as a joke not really knowing what i wanted to do. I dont think this even with a solid DAT would get me into any dental school just yet, so i was wondering how my chances at the masters prgram at umdnj would be? also any other input would be appreciated.
Also should i use some electives on chem classes?
 
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