urgent please help :[

[holmeswatson]

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My BCP is 2.72 and my science GPA is 2.85 and overall is about a 3.2. I know my GPA sucks major, but I really want to be a dentist. I have 6 more science classes to take before I graduate, and I'm praying those go better and will raise my GPA.

I am currently a junior and am finishing all my degree requirements by summer, so technically I will be graduating a year early. I don't want to return to my school because it is way too expensive. Also, I was planning on taking my DATs in summer and applying to dent schools, but I know with my GPA no dent school is going to accept me, so I am going to postpone applying to Summer 2013.

Could anyone please offer any advice on what paths I could take to improve my GPA and overall just make me a more competitive student in terms of volunteering, extracurriculars, etc. I was thinking of taking science classes at the nearby state school during my "senior year" and then applying to dent school. I know after that I would still have one year off after applying, but hopefully if my GPA is in line and all, I could go travel or do something besides just taking classes.

Any help would be really appreciated! I'm really stressed and worried right now!

 

[wired202808]

My BCP is 2.72 and my science GPA is 2.85 and overall is about a 3.2. I know my GPA sucks major, but I really want to be a dentist. I have 6 more science classes to take before I graduate, and I'm praying those go better and will raise my GPA.

I am currently a junior and am finishing all my degree requirements by summer, so technically I will be graduating a year early. I don't want to return to my school because it is way too expensive. Also, I was planning on taking my DATs in summer and applying to dent schools, but I know with my GPA no dent school is going to accept me, so I am going to postpone applying to Summer 2013.

Could anyone please offer any advice on what paths I could take to improve my GPA and overall just make me a more competitive student in terms of volunteering, extracurriculars, etc. I was thinking of taking science classes at the nearby state school during my "senior year" and then applying to dent school. I know after that I would still have one year off after applying, but hopefully if my GPA is in line and all, I could go travel or do something besides just taking classes.

Any help would be really appreciated! I'm really stressed and worried right now!

You're gonna need a one year Masters program to boost up that weak sGPA and BCP. Soft factors like volunteering and extracurriculars wont make you stand out.

Do the Masters, aim for a high GPA, as close as possible to 4.0 GPA and that should boost up your grades significantly. Then take the DAT and score at least a 20 AA / 20 TS and 20 PAT for a shot. The higher your GPAs will be, the more your chances increase.

Be careful and study hard, a sGPA or BCP of 3.2 or less makes it less likely for admission to schools unless you're a minority.

 

[holmeswatson]

what about post-bac programs? and could you suggest some schools that offer one year master's programs?

 

[coolbeans123]

My BCP is 2.72 and my science GPA is 2.85 and overall is about a 3.2. I know my GPA sucks major, but I really want to be a dentist. I have 6 more science classes to take before I graduate, and I'm praying those go better and will raise my GPA.

I am currently a junior and am finishing all my degree requirements by summer, so technically I will be graduating a year early. I don't want to return to my school because it is way too expensive. Also, I was planning on taking my DATs in summer and applying to dent schools, but I know with my GPA no dent school is going to accept me, so I am going to postpone applying to Summer 2013.

Could anyone please offer any advice on what paths I could take to improve my GPA and overall just make me a more competitive student in terms of volunteering, extracurriculars, etc. I was thinking of taking science classes at the nearby state school during my "senior year" and then applying to dent school. I know after that I would still have one year off after applying, but hopefully if my GPA is in line and all, I could go travel or do something besides just taking classes.

Any help would be really appreciated! I'm really stressed and worried right now!

That sounds like a okay plan. Do well on the DAT this summer (20+ is a must). Graduate early from your expensive school right now. Take two full loads of upper level science classes at the cheaper state school during your senior year and make A's in them. While you're taking classes, do some volunteering and a few extracurriculars.

You should be okay by the time you apply next summer. It's still no sure thing that you're going to get in though. You might have to think about applying to special masters programs if you don't want to waste time.

 

[mi2ni]

You're gonna need a one year Masters program to boost up that weak sGPA and BCP. Soft factors like volunteering and extracurriculars wont make you stand out.

Do the Masters, aim for a high GPA, as close as possible to 4.0 GPA and that should boost up your grades significantly. Then take the DAT and score at least a 20 AA / 20 TS and 20 PAT for a shot. The higher your GPAs will be, the more your chances increase.

My personal opinion is that it is better to spend one more year at your school and bring up your GPA (although you mentioned it is expensive) instead of goring for a Masters. With a gpa in that range, having a Masters may not be enough to make the cut.

Definitely aim for 22 or more on DAT (score of many applicants accepted on Dec.1st was 21 or better).

 

[holmeswatson]

My personal opinion is that it is better to spend one more year at your school and bring up your GPA (although you mentioned it is expensive) instead of goring for a Masters. With a gpa in that range, having a Masters may not be enough to make the cut.

Definitely aim for 22 or more on DAT (score of many applicants accepted on Dec.1st was 21 or better).

But what if I just enrolled in classes at the state school? Wouldn't those science classes also boost my GPA and count towards dental admission?

 

[wired202808]

But what if I just enrolled in classes at the state school? Wouldn't those science classes also boost my GPA and count towards dental admission?

you can take the classes anywhere you want, but post-bacc is reserved for those students that are non-traditional and have not taken any science pre-reqs. Students that graduate and have low GPAs should do the Masters route. Your other choice as mentioned above is to graduate late and spend a year taking science classes to boost your GPAs. Although one year of science classes might not be enough in your case.

 

[mi2ni]

But what if I just enrolled in classes at the state school? Wouldn't those science classes also boost my GPA and count towards dental admission?

Your undergrad gpa and post-bac. are both available to adcoms. Once that low gpa is set in stone, you'll have a rough road to d-school.
How are your biology chemistry and physics marks?

 

[coolbeans123]

But what if I just enrolled in classes at the state school? Wouldn't those science classes also boost my GPA and count towards dental admission?

What this really depends on is how many science credits you have. If you were a biology/biomedical science major and all you took were science classes, you should definitely think about masters programs. Even with an entire year of upper level science courses, your science GPA might go up 0.15 with all A's.

However, if you were a business major with just the prereqs, I think you should do a year of upper level science courses and the science GPA would rise a decent amount.

 

[ChapelHillT]

But what if I just enrolled in classes at the state school? Wouldn't those science classes also boost my GPA and count towards dental admission?

Yes, absolutely. I would recommend this. Cheaper is better, and it sounds like you've had tough luck at your current institution, perhaps the state school would be a touch easier? Unless it's a CC, dental schools don't differentiate between universities enough to be a major difference.

you can take the classes anywhere you want, but post-bacc is reserved for those students that are non-traditional and have not taken any science pre-reqs. Students that graduate and have low GPAs should do the Masters route. Your other choice as mentioned above is to graduate late and spend a year taking science classes to boost your GPAs. Although one year of science classes might not be enough in your case.

Won't this depend on the post-bac program? No post-bac that I have seen has been reserved for only folks with no sci courses. In fact in my experience the opposite is true, many of them target students who have a science background in undergrad and did poorly, thus the post-bac is a second chance to take additional sci courses and prove themselves. You could definitely do an 'informal' post-bac by simply taking additional courses that you want to pick and choose, or you could do a masters program.


It is definitely doable. My stats were eerily similar to yours. overall 3.2, sci 2.9, BCP 2.65, and I actually got in with those numbers! The catch is that a 20AA and excellent EC's/leadership weren't enough when I applied the first time. I had to retake DAT and made a 23aa/24ts to gain acceptance my second year trying. My GPA REALLY served as a hindrance, so any little bit you can pull it up will help you in the long run. And yes, you'll have to kill the DAT.

That being said, the take home message is IT CAN BE DONE! With lots of work, motivation, and most importantly perseverance you can make it happen. Best of luck...

 

[JdogDMD]

Yes, absolutely. I would recommend this. Cheaper is better, and it sounds like you've had tough luck at your current institution, perhaps the state school would be a touch easier? Unless it's a CC, dental schools don't differentiate between universities enough to be a major difference.



Won't this depend on the post-bac program? No post-bac that I have seen has been reserved for only folks with no sci courses. In fact in my experience the opposite is true, many of them target students who have a science background in undergrad and did poorly, thus the post-bac is a second chance to take additional sci courses and prove themselves. You could definitely do an 'informal' post-bac by simply taking additional courses that you want to pick and choose, or you could do a masters program.


It is definitely doable. My stats were eerily similar to yours. overall 3.2, sci 2.9, BCP 2.65, and I actually got in with those numbers! The catch is that a 20AA and excellent EC's/leadership weren't enough when I applied the first time. I had to retake DAT and made a 23aa/24ts to gain acceptance my second year trying. My GPA REALLY served as a hindrance, so any little bit you can pull it up will help you in the long run. And yes, you'll have to kill the DAT.

That being said, the take home message is IT CAN BE DONE! With lots of work, motivation, and most importantly perseverance you can make it happen. Best of luck...

Well put... Good luck!

 

[molar3]

Yes, absolutely. I would recommend this. Cheaper is better, and it sounds like you've had tough luck at your current institution, perhaps the state school would be a touch easier? Unless it's a CC, dental schools don't differentiate between universities enough to be a major difference.



Won't this depend on the post-bac program? No post-bac that I have seen has been reserved for only folks with no sci courses. In fact in my experience the opposite is true, many of them target students who have a science background in undergrad and did poorly, thus the post-bac is a second chance to take additional sci courses and prove themselves. You could definitely do an 'informal' post-bac by simply taking additional courses that you want to pick and choose, or you could do a masters program.


It is definitely doable. My stats were eerily similar to yours. overall 3.2, sci 2.9, BCP 2.65, and I actually got in with those numbers! The catch is that a 20AA and excellent EC's/leadership weren't enough when I applied the first time. I had to retake DAT and made a 23aa/24ts to gain acceptance my second year trying. My GPA REALLY served as a hindrance, so any little bit you can pull it up will help you in the long run. And yes, you'll have to kill the DAT.

That being said, the take home message is IT CAN BE DONE! With lots of work, motivation, and most importantly perseverance you can make it happen. Best of luck...

are u urm?

 

[wired202808]

Yes, absolutely. I would recommend this. Cheaper is better, and it sounds like you've had tough luck at your current institution, perhaps the state school would be a touch easier? Unless it's a CC, dental schools don't differentiate between universities enough to be a major difference.



Won't this depend on the post-bac program? No post-bac that I have seen has been reserved for only folks with no sci courses. In fact in my experience the opposite is true, many of them target students who have a science background in undergrad and did poorly, thus the post-bac is a second chance to take additional sci courses and prove themselves. You could definitely do an 'informal' post-bac by simply taking additional courses that you want to pick and choose, or you could do a masters program.


It is definitely doable. My stats were eerily similar to yours. overall 3.2, sci 2.9, BCP 2.65, and I actually got in with those numbers! The catch is that a 20AA and excellent EC's/leadership weren't enough when I applied the first time. I had to retake DAT and made a 23aa/24ts to gain acceptance my second year trying. My GPA REALLY served as a hindrance, so any little bit you can pull it up will help you in the long run. And yes, you'll have to kill the DAT.

That being said, the take home message is IT CAN BE DONE! With lots of work, motivation, and most importantly perseverance you can make it happen. Best of luck...

No one will stop you from going post bacc but from what I hear on SDN is that schools want to see you perform well on higher level science courses in order to prove you belong in d-school. If the OP took a ton of science courses at the undergrad level, what will he/she take at a post bac undergrad institution? Meanwhile when taking Master level courses its acceptable to have overlap and success in a Masters program will help the OP.

Congrats on getting into d-school, but please dont preach that it can be done for anyone. Its very hard to dig yourself out of a 3.00 and below GPA and your DAT scores are in the 99th percentile, meaning there's a high chance the OP will not score as high as you did. With enough work and dedication there is a chance that the OP could make it, but if I were in his/her shoes I would start looking at backups like PA schools, RDH, or maybe Nursing. Just in case the GPA can't be fixed to the necessary level of d-school admission.

 

[holmeswatson]

No one will stop you from going post bacc but from what I hear on SDN is that schools want to see you perform well on higher level science courses in order to prove you belong in d-school. If the OP took a ton of science courses at the undergrad level, what will he/she take at a post bac undergrad institution? Meanwhile when taking Master level courses its acceptable to have overlap and success in a Masters program will help the OP.

Congrats on getting into d-school, but please dont preach that it can be done for anyone. Its very hard to dig yourself out of a 3.00 and below GPA and your DAT scores are in the 99th percentile, meaning there's a high chance the OP will not score as high as you did. With enough work and dedication there is a chance that the OP could make it, but if I were in his/her shoes I would start looking at backups like PA schools, RDH, or maybe Nursing. Just in case the GPA can't be fixed to the necessary level of d-school admission.

Thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it! The school I currently attend is a small private school so the number of biology courses offered are very few, so I know if I do go into a post bac then there will definitely be many upper div classes I have not taken.

Also, does a special master's program look better on an application than a a post-bac program? Could you please suggest some special master's programs?

 

[holmeswatson]

Your undergrad gpa and post-bac. are both available to adcoms. Once that low gpa is set in stone, you'll have a rough road to d-school.
How are your biology chemistry and physics marks?

so do you mean that even if my undergrad GPA is low, and say I go into a post bac and get straight A's (hypothetically), dent schools won't really take that into much consideration because I already did bad in undergrad? Because I was under the assumption that post-bacs were meant give you a second chance per say

 

[molar3]

so do you mean that even if my undergrad GPA is low, and say I go into a post bac and get straight A's (hypothetically), dent schools won't really take that into much consideration because I already did bad in undergrad? Because I was under the assumption that post-bacs were meant give you a second chance per say

dont believe everything u read on here. if ds is what you really wanna do, then dont listen to ppl who tell u otherwise, just realize youll have to do alot of work on your end. do your postbacc wherever u want (besides cc) and keep it moving. your sci gpa is something that can be fixed, it will just take time, and dedication. raise it to at least a 3.2 and apply. get a great DAT. PM me if u have ?s
gluck.

 

[wired202808]

Thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it! The school I currently attend is a small private school so the number of biology courses offered are very few, so I know if I do go into a post bac then there will definitely be many upper div classes I have not taken.

Also, does a special master's program look better on an application than a a post-bac program? Could you please suggest some special master's programs?

Checks schools around your area, every city or state has its own programs.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it! The school I currently attend is a small private school so the number of biology courses offered are very few, so I know if I do go into a post bac then there will definitely be many upper div classes I have not taken.

Also, does a special master's program look better on an application than a a post-bac program? Could you please suggest some special master's programs?

The good thing is that you still have your senior year ahead of you, which if you Ace the rest of your classes, especially science, it will save you time in post bac. I am personally a fan of doing at least a year of informal postbac before enrolling in a masters program. Here is my personal logic:

1. It is usually the cheapest option vs a graduate program.
2. If you are accepted to dschool in the middle of an informal postbac, there is no need to complete it. Usually not true for an MS program.
3. I your GPA is really terrible, the 30-45 credits of masters level course work might not be enough to boost your GPA to the needed range. Once you have an MS, postbac is really not an option. So you could always do 30 credits of upper div sciences to boost your GPA and apply, then if you absolutely need to, do the MS to tip the scales.
4. If you do bad in an SMP... there is basically no chance of you getting into dschool.

There are lots of SMP's, but really what you want to look for is a 30 credit science based masters programs. These are usually one year, sometimes a thesis is not required, and are offered at many state schools. An SMP is a little different because you are usually taking the same or similar biomedical science classes as professional students.

Its hard to tell you a list of SMPs without knowing the region you live and if you are willing to travel. Many Med/Dent/Pharm schools have a type of SMP. Some even offer MS degrees in Pharmocology, oral biology, etc.

A few that come to mind are Midwestern, Western, UMDMJ, and Barry. Best of luck!!!

 

[mi2ni]

so do you mean that even if my undergrad GPA is low, and say I go into a post bac and get straight A's (hypothetically), dent schools won't really take that into much consideration because I already did bad in undergrad? Because I was under the assumption that post-bacs were meant give you a second chance per say

They definitely take that into consideration, and for sure it will increase your chances. I am trying to maximize your chances and suggest the easiest path, all based on my personal opinion. Many students wish they could go back and improve their undergrad gpa. At moment, you do have that chance. I would sit down an calculate what your gpa would be if you ace all your remaining courses, and whether staying two more semester has any significant effect on your gpa.

 

[wired202808]

so do you mean that even if my undergrad GPA is low, and say I go into a post bac and get straight A's (hypothetically), dent schools won't really take that into much consideration because I already did bad in undergrad? Because I was under the assumption that post-bacs were meant give you a second chance per say

a post bacc is a second chance to improve your sGPA but its not like adcoms will ignore your previous grades. AADSAS will simply combine all your grades together and create a total GPA, sGPA and BCP for schools to analyze.

If you ace your post bacc it will def help you, but you past is never fully erased and adcoms will still look at the total GPA, sGPA and BCP. They wont only look at the recent grades.

 

[vellnueve]

My overall GPA from undergrad was only slightly higher than yours and I got into three schools (Pitt, Tufts, MD).

What you want to do is show improvement and continued effort/dedication towards your goal. I agree with the others that this means you need to challenge yourself, take more science courses and maybe a Post-Bac masters, and show them that you can improve on those undergrad grades. If they see consistent and continued improvement it will really help your case. A good DAT is also a must, and I would start shadowing more.

If this sounds like a lot of work, it's nothing compared to what school will be like. Do not be discouraged, but understand that this will be a lot of work to make yourself stand out.

 

[ChapelHillT]

are u urm?

No, I'm not

 

[ChapelHillT]

No one will stop you from going post bacc but from what I hear on SDN is that schools want to see you perform well on higher level science courses in order to prove you belong in d-school. If the OP took a ton of science courses at the undergrad level, what will he/she take at a post bac undergrad institution? Meanwhile when taking Master level courses its acceptable to have overlap and success in a Masters program will help the OP.

Congrats on getting into d-school, but please dont preach that it can be done for anyone. Its very hard to dig yourself out of a 3.00 and below GPA and your DAT scores are in the 99th percentile, meaning there's a high chance the OP will not score as high as you did. With enough work and dedication there is a chance that the OP could make it, but if I were in his/her shoes I would start looking at backups like PA schools, RDH, or maybe Nursing. Just in case the GPA can't be fixed to the necessary level of d-school admission.

You make a good point that the OP may have exhausted the science courses available to him/her in undergrad, and in that case a master's may be they only viable route. I'm sure they will be able to make this determination for themselves.

And I'm not preaching my friend, just staying positive. I truly believe nearly anyone who has had moderate success at a decent university can make it in. There were times when I thought I couldn't do it myself and very nearly gave up. It was blind optimism and reaching deep down in myself that got me back on the horse again. I am no idiot, but by no means am I the sharpest crayon in the box. There are many people at my university that were naturally more intelligent than I am. I feel like if I can make 99th percentile on the DAT, any one of my peers should be able to do the same. It's all about hard work and not giving in.

You are correct that having a backup plan is sound planning, but if dentistry is the OP's dream then by all means go all out for it. It can be done. "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right." Keep the optimism up OP and go get it if that's what you want.

 

[TwentyTwelve]

Have you thought about doing something like this?...

Withdrawal from your current expensive school right now. Why?...you mentioned that your current school does not offer many biology classes leaving quite a few that you could take at a larger state university. If you withdrawal before completing your degree and transfer to the state school, switch majors, say to biology and ace all the upper level bio you need for the new major this may help you save money AND get a higher GPA. This semester while you are not taking classes you could either work full time and save money to pay back your school debt, or study and totally rock the DAT, or do both. You could start from scratch at the new state school and take maybe 3 semesters at the new school and get your degree. Then apply and see who bites...if needed do a masters...

This may or may not be possible given certain transfer rules...

Anyway...Good luck!!