Upward trend - importance of selected classes

[2thsaver]

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Hi everyone, I just want some input on my situation. I'll be very brief!

So I graduated with an honours degree in biochemistry and have decided to pursue a second undergrad in medical sciences to further prepare myself for the science classes in dental school. I took a non-degree year to take some prerequisites (physics and english).

Biochemistry degree:
1st year - 3.2 ogpa
2nd year - 2.13 ogpa (ouch!)
3rd year - 3.6 ogpa
4th year - 3.4 ogpa

Non-degree year:
4.0 ogpa

Medical Sciences degree:
3rd year - 4.0 ogpa
- I was allowed to transfer 60 credits over from my biochemistry degree, so technically I'm in my third year

So there are the stats, but my problem is this: for my medical sciences degree, in order to take the upper level bio's that I wanted, I had to take the prerequisites this year first. So for example, I wanted to take endocrinology, pathology, epidemiology, etc. but I needed anatomy I and II and physiology I and II. So I took those this year but they are only considered 2nd year classes. And the majority of my courses this year were 2nd year, with a few 1st year courses that were required as well. Next year is all upper level bio classes, now that I have the prerequisites after this year.

My question is: although I have an upward trend, will admissions toss me to the side because my upward trend doesn't have upper level bio's? I feel anatomy and physiology were good to take, and I also took medical microbiology this year to, but the fact that they are considered 2nd year courses makes me feel like I won't get much attention 🙁

Any feedback would be appreciated 🙂

 

[periopocket]

Overall gpa's more important then trends

 

[Baba Yaga]

2thsaver, I don't think they'll look down for you for that. What's important is that you do have an upward trend and that your overall gpa is decent. You'll be taking classes while you apply and will get a chance to do an academic update, so schools will certainly know what you are taking and if they really need to they'll wait for your fall grades to come in before accepting you (I've seen this happen to some people on SDN), however I really don't think you have anything to worry about. You have 2 years of solid 4.0's at this point and your 3rd and 4th yr of undergrad are not bad at all (3rd year GPA is great, 4th year is acceptable).

At this point what can you do anyway? Wait another year? If that will make you feel ready, consider it, but I don't think it's necessary.

Overall gpa's more important then trends

I think this is the case if someone has a 3.6+, but certainly not below that.

 

[2thsaver]

Thank you for the replies! My ogpa applying for this cycle was 3.23, but for next cycle it will be 3.35 (as long as I keep my A's after exams), not including my spring course. This was the most I could increase it this year unfortunately (having all A's). After my academic update I could probably get it to 3.4 with another year of straight A's. Still waiting on my DAT scores though. I took it in February. Hoping for the best this upcoming cycle!

 

[joemario]

How do you not have dat score when you took the exam on feb?

 

[2thsaver]

How do you not have dat score when you took the exam on feb?

I'm Canadian, we get our scores mailed to us 4-6 weeks after the exam 🙁

 

[Baba Yaga]

I'm Canadian, we get our scores mailed to us 4-6 weeks after the exam 🙁

Applying to American schools? This is gonna work against you, but apply broadly.

 

[2thsaver]

Applying to American schools? This is gonna work against you, but apply broadly.

Yeah, I'm also applying to Canadian schools, but all they care about are numbers. I have over 1200 hours of volunteering/extracurricular's and over 200 hours of shadowing. So I thought I would give both American and Canadian schools a shot. Going to keep going until I get in, so hopefully I'll land some interviews.