those of you with a low GPA

[annregina8]

I am posting a message for those frustrated and not-so-confident predental students with low GPAs hoping to get into dental school...DON"T GIVE UP and don't get down on yourself. I graduated from Penn State a few years ago in a major that had nothing to do with dentistry (even though I did fill some of my electives with some general biology and chemistry classes). Needless to say I had a low GPA ~2.7 or else I wouldn't be posting this. Anyway it wasn't 'till after graduation I wanted to become a dentist. Like many of you out there wih low GPAs I thought it was impossible...but I trucked on anyway. I took some science courses at a local university and I took the DAT for the 1st time (18/19). I applied to several dental schools last year and rightfully so noone accepted me. After the smoke cleared I contacted a couple of the dental schools and asked them what I could do to make myself a better applicant. They recommended to take several additional classes and retake the DAT...so I took there advice. I did very well in the classes and earned a 21/20 on the DATs. I reapplied this year and got into 2 schools. My advice to those with low GPAs is to contact some of the schools that didn't accept you and ask them what you can do. Make yourself known to them and make them aware of your accomplishments (ex: email them after you got two A's in classes they recommended you to take). Word of advice don't overdo it though and hassle them. Most importantly don't whine like some of these people do in here, like they are not getting a fair shot. You have no room for error this late in the game but it can be done and make the most of opportunities that arise. Don't let anyone get to you and don't be intimidated by these people who post their stats of 3.75 GPA and 28/26 DAT scores...I garuntee you 80% of them are B.S.ing anyway...I don't know it's something smart kids who have complexes and no lives do <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> . Good luck!

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[annregina8]

Excuse me...I meant to write guarantee...see I told you I had a low GPA.

 

[vixen]

hey, thanks for the story, it gives me some hope

 

[Yah-E]

Annregina8,

Welcome to "our" forum! As your commments and experiences are highly encouraged and appreciated, there is no reason or need for you to be condescending to those people who have high academic numbers! Whether they posted "BS" numbers or not, I have firm belief that we are all here to encourage dentistry and help others!

Since my joining of SDN in December 2001, I have not experienced any negativety in the Pre-dental forum especially from people with high academic numbers. The STATS PAGE is for people to post stats, doesn't matter if their numbers are high or low, it's meant to be a reference thread, NOT A THREAD FOR NEGATIVE CRITICISM!

If you want to contribute, then that is perfectly fine, but don't come on here and think that you did something great just because you are now accepted and rip on others with high numbers! Also, if you really want to contribute, then why don't you post your stats in the STATS PAGE!!?

I congratulate you on your comeback and in your application success. Sounds like your academic trend is extremely similar to mine! While your advice of "keeping in touch" with dental schools is extremely effective, I've been sharing that exact same thought with everyone in this forum.

There are people out there value academic success and there are people out there value academic succcess with a little partying on the side, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong in either lifestyle or personality!!

I was happy to read your post, until I saw how you ended your post! I totally understand your intention here, but we can all do without the negative, non-constructive criticism!

 

[Rhea]

anregina8,

Thanks for posting your experience. I am in a similar situtation, and so far it does not seem like I will be getting an acceptance for 2002. But I will not give up. I plan to re-enter the cycle for 2003 as a stronger applicant, and I hope next year I will be writing what you just wrote for others with low-gpas. Thanks for the encouragement.

- rhea

 

[terp99]

I agree with Yah-ZZZ...there is no room for that type of criticism...but I understand the point annregina was getting acrross. There might be some people who like to jazz up their credentials, I bet some do. It does seem that a majority of the pre-dents that post their stats are those with impressive stats....but their are a lot of people who have lower stats for whatever reason do not post them...so I am gathering she is saying for those with lower GPA's not to be intimidated by them because they're a lot of people out there that got into school with lower stats...as for not seeing any criticism on these pages, Yah-ZZZ, you haven't been around long enough...there have been several battles (maybe it was the pre-dental chat, that i guess went under). I am very impressed with the contributions you have been making on this site...very beneficial and motivating. You should have no problem getting into school with the way you are going. Keep your head up!

 

[Beagle]

I don't think that Anregina was criticizing anyone. She's just trying to make us w/ low gpas feel better...it sure made me feel better anyway.
It's encouraging to know that not everyone that applies to dental school has a 3.5 or above...
Beagle

 

[Toothdecay]

After reading the replies, I could not but contribute. I think you guys are taking this a bit too personal. Just judging by the shear length of Yah-ZZZ's post indicates that he or she gets quite offended by small things. If you want to get into dents, just keep on working at it. Have fun ladies and gents.

Toothdecay

 

[Yah-E]

Decayed Tooth,

Man, you're right! I should not let "little things" get me like that. You are so much more compliant than I am! Thank GOD!!!

Listen, I knew what Annregina was trying to get at and her comeback was a great story to share! I'm just saying that she could've gotten the same point across without the negativety!

In my opinion, I've been trying to share my success or failure (which ever way you want to look at it), you don't hear or see me ripping into anyone or cutting "someone" or some groups of applicants down?!!

I suppose everyone is entitle to do anything or type anything they want, but my nerve was just stimulate the wrong way when I read the end of her post!!

Speaking of being offended by "small things", yeah, I'm offended by you!

 

[Toothdecay]

Dear Yah-ZZZ,

I can definitely understand what she may have written offended you, but, who cares? And I certainly do apologize for "offending" you as you've mentioned. But please don't take this to heart and relax. Classes haven't started and you're stressing out already? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

Yours respectfully,

Toothdecay

 

[Yah-E]

Man, I was kidding dude!!

 

[Pi_Guy1]

Thought I'd help out now. I'm still glowin'. I think the single best way to get around a low GPA is NOT high DAT scores. Go get a masters degree. I know it sucks b/c it's 2 years, but I got a masters degree in anatomy. took all the first year dental school courses and didn't even get straight A's. It's definitely possible, guys. I had to take several biology courses over in undergrad but bottom line is this: It's not where you start, but where you end up in life. Good luck and let me know if I can help b/c I've been in the same boat you're in.

 

[vixen]

Pi_guy,

check your private messages.