Truth In GPA Trajectory Success

[CornIsMyJob]

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What's really the truth to GPA trajectory? I'm in my third semester at a somewhat sophomore/freshman level. I lacked motivation my first year causing my unofficial transcript to be an absolute train wreck. I had a 1.117 GPA going into my second semester but managed to get a 2.115 after spring and 2 classes over the summer. I took a research class that boosted my grade but made the naive mistake of taking a 5 week class for chemistry and I ended up failing. Now almost more than halfway through this semester, my semester GPA is a 3.77. I understand that I'm just at the beginning but seeing all of the requirements for dental school is making me question if I have a chance.

I have much better study habits this go round, but had to drop the known weed-out class I was doing extremely well in because of a horrible TA for lab. For once I was doing well in lecture by getting A's on exams but flunking lab. Anyway. I have plenty of classes to go but will me dropping A&P seem worse even though my grades have gone up significantly? I had no idea that you could drop classes my first year so I feel pretty stupid as is. The class I failed over the summer I'm retaking and unfortunately I only see myself getting a B. At the moment I feel as though I won't be able to compete against any other applicants once my time comes to apply.

Has anyone had an experience along the same lines and would like to share? I feel very discouraged seeing as I have an F on my transcript and two D's.

 

[DocDoom]

.

 

[schmoob]

You're not DOA. Keep up the hard work and it will show. ADCOMS look at your performance qualitatively, not just quantitatively.

 

[dhy01265]

Same situation as you, so I fell ya. I started harsh with C's and D's with a 2.1 gpa 1st year, 2.8 gpa 2nd year, 3.6 gpa 3rd, 3.9 gpa 4th resulting in 3.2 overall. Got an interview this cycle mate. ya got this homie.

 

[NewDent02]

Same situation as you, so I fell ya. I started harsh with C's and D's with a 2.1 gpa 1st year, 2.8 gpa 2nd year, 3.6 gpa 3rd, 3.9 gpa 4th resulting in 3.2 overall. Got an interview this cycle mate. ya got this homie.

What did you get on your DAT if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[dhy01265]

What did you get on your DAT if you don’t mind me asking?

Got a 23AA/21PAT mate!

 

[NewDent02]

Got a 23AA/21PAT mate!

Where at if you don’t mind me asking and how many schools did you apply to?

 

[Flynt]

I'm with dhy01265, my aadsas gpa rounded to a 2.5. First 2 years of undergrad failed out with a 1.4, got back on track and ended my last with a 3.75. Got 23AA/23TS on the DAT and have already been interviewed by 2 schools (ECU and UNC...and thats after not even applying until the end of september) and the 3rd I applied to (Howard U) has been really slow but I think ill get one there too. Applying to more next week when I can afford it. Bottom line is that they take notice of the trajectory, just let them know that you learned and grew from it. I'd show you my old transcript with all the F's on it I'm sure it would make you feel better lol. But keep your head up and keep pushing, you'll succeed, let me know if there's anyway I can help!

 

[dhy01265]

Where at if you don’t mind me asking and how many schools did you apply to?

From NYU. I only applied to like 5 schools cuz they were the only schools that I actually wanted to study at (due to location mostly in big cities), Tufts, NYU, Penn, USC, UoP. This is probably a bad idea but hey, got one and we'll see if I make it or not soon.

 

[CornIsMyJob]

Same situation as you, so I fell ya. I started harsh with C's and D's with a 2.1 gpa 1st year, 2.8 gpa 2nd year, 3.6 gpa 3rd, 3.9 gpa 4th resulting in 3.2 overall. Got an interview this cycle mate. ya got this homie.

That definitely makes me a lot less stressed out about my situation. Thank you for the response!

 

[CornIsMyJob]

I'm with dhy01265, my aadsas gpa rounded to a 2.5. First 2 years of undergrad failed out with a 1.4, got back on track and ended my last with a 3.75. Got 23AA/23TS on the DAT and have already been interviewed by 2 schools (ECU and UNC...and thats after not even applying until the end of september) and the 3rd I applied to (Howard U) has been really slow but I think ill get one there too. Applying to more next week when I can afford it. Bottom line is that they take notice of the trajectory, just let them know that you learned and grew from it. I'd show you my old transcript with all the F's on it I'm sure it would make you feel better lol. But keep your head up and keep pushing, you'll succeed, let me know if there's anyway I can help!

Wow! What all did you do to get back on track if you don't mind me asking? Did get more shadowing time or anything along those lines?

 

[Flynt]

Wow! What all did you do to get back on track if you don't mind me asking? Did get more shadowing time or anything along those lines?

Oh no worries I'm an open book. For me it was never a question of intelligence, (which I'm sure is the same case for you) but rather the lack of motivation and no school knowledge. I was a pharm tech my senior year in undergrad (2016) when I decided to change (wanted to do pharmacy), I shadowed about 90 hours, then upon graduation went to my hometown (rural and underserved) and taught biology for a year and volunteered throughout the community. You have PLENTY of time to fix your gpa, but also focus on sincerely wanting to give back and help. Most applicants have high a gpa but you also want to show that you're the type of person they want. To answer your initial question, I know trajectory shows growth as long as you're consistent..but you can (as I did) call any dental school admissions counselor, explain your situation and ask them if you're already DOA..I bet their response makes you feel way better.

 

[Flynt]

Oh and also when its time, murder the DAT! Amazing how one test can change the trajectory of your entire life for the better!

 

[dhy01265]

Oh no worries I'm an open book. For me it was never a question of intelligence, (which I'm sure is the same case for you) but rather the lack of motivation and no school knowledge. I was a pharm tech my senior year in undergrad (2016) when I decided to change (wanted to do pharmacy), I shadowed about 90 hours, then upon graduation went to my hometown (rural and underserved) and taught biology for a year and volunteered throughout the community. You have PLENTY of time to fix your gpa, but also focus on sincerely wanting to give back and help. Most applicants have high a gpa but you also want to show that you're the type of person they want. To answer your initial question, I know trajectory shows growth as long as you're consistent..but you can (as I did) call any dental school admissions counselor, explain your situation and ask them if you're already DOA..I bet their response makes you feel way better.

^ this same for me. No motivation to study for the initial 2 years, and also bad study habits (attending lecture 3 times enire semester for general bio/gen chem/orgo/molec all being 8am classes) But as I hit 3rd year I had more options to choose from and scheduled my classes after 12pm so i actually attended lecture and this helped a lot. Attend ur classes mate this is the best advice i can give ya.

 

[CornIsMyJob]

Oh no worries I'm an open book. For me it was never a question of intelligence, (which I'm sure is the same case for you) but rather the lack of motivation and no school knowledge. I was a pharm tech my senior year in undergrad (2016) when I decided to change (wanted to do pharmacy), I shadowed about 90 hours, then upon graduation went to my hometown (rural and underserved) and taught biology for a year and volunteered throughout the community. You have PLENTY of time to fix your gpa, but also focus on sincerely wanting to give back and help. Most applicants have high a gpa but you also want to show that you're the type of person they want. To answer your initial question, I know trajectory shows growth as long as you're consistent..but you can (as I did) call any dental school admissions counselor, explain your situation and ask them if you're already DOA..I bet their response makes you feel way better.

Thank you once again! I'm a rambler so bare with me. There's no doubt that I'll be able to go up from here. I started out as pre-vet since I wanted to do research regarding disease in reptiles and such (huge change, I know) but my problem was it wasn't helping the group I wanted. I was interested in dentistry before but didn't know where to start. I definitely want to study some form of pathology hence my major in microbiology but I'm just not sure where to start. My main goal is to work in geriatrics and help the elderly because the way they're treated is despicable. I'm just not sure where to go!

 

[Flynt]

Thank you once again! I'm a rambler so bare with me. There's no doubt that I'll be able to go up from here. I started out as pre-vet since I wanted to do research regarding disease in reptiles and such (huge change, I know) but my problem was it wasn't helping the group I wanted. I was interested in dentistry before but didn't know where to start. I definitely want to study some form of pathology hence my major in microbiology but I'm just not sure where to start. My main goal is to work in geriatrics and help the elderly because the way they're treated is despicable. I'm just not sure where to go!

You're good! Just be honest and consistent with your reasoning for everything, and you're reasoning is very noble just make sure you back it with alot of volunteering with old folk. And you'll decide where you want to apply based off particularly what you want, like geriatrics..that'll be the fun part! Best of luck to you and if you ever need advice lmk!