very low gpa, need a real advice.

[LaughingGas]

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I had posted this question at pre-dental forum but can't find a definite answer yet

I did go through the forums almost everyday to find the answer but couldn't find the appropriate one for my situation.
So here is my story:
I have oGPA 2.62 and sgpa of 2.4. I have taken all the prereqs, but NO upper division bio courses. I started an informal postbac, retaking all the prereq courses again, not to raise my gpa to apply for dental school, but raising it to apply for either a postbac or master program. Due to my location and money limit (saving for postbac/master) I had taken some classes at CC and extension at 4 year university, I am finishing the prereqs this winter in 1 year from when i started this informal postbac. Once again my limitation to program is either a postbac or master in Cali.
What I need advice on is:
-Since I hadn't taken upper division biology classes is it better to apply for a postbac program where I would be taking all the upper division biology classes( biochem, physio, neuroscience, endo, etc) (1 year or more) Or
-Apply to the masters where it's THESIS BASED(only master available for me due to location limit) and I would be spending 1 and half year~1 taking graduate level biology+seminars(I don't have an idea how grading works for seminar classes, sorry for my ignorance).

Thanks in advance.

 

[jslo85]

What does your GPA calculation come out to be on AASDAS' coursework sheet?

I'm going out on a limb here as my knowledge of dental admissions is hardly extensive, but I do have friends in dental school and I have taken the DAT. From what I have heard, retaking courses for dental school has a low efficacy provided these grades are Cs (of course retake any course lower because they won't meet requirements). As your problem is in the science coursework, I personally don't feel that a traditional Masters would be effective for your specific situation as the graduate courses in those curriculums are specifically tailored towards that area of study and often have a heavy research basis. You are limiting yourself heavily by looking strictly at California but you already know that. I favor the post-bacc program route if those are the only two options with places like SFSU's AET program specifically targetting those who wish to enhance their application by taking extensive upper division science classes. The other option would be Western University's M.S. program which does have a few seats for linkage into their dental school while offering dental/medical school-esque classes to their Masters students. The downside to this is I believe they accept students with pretty competitive resumes though DbDan did get a linkage seat for the medical school with a 2.75-2.8 GPA and a high MCAT score.

 

[LaughingGas]

anyone else please?

 

[deleted248403]

Did you not deem jslo's advice good enough?

 

[LaughingGas]

Did you not deem jslo's advice good enough?

I'm only trying to take as many advices as possible before I make the final decision for which path to do, which would change some coursework and standardized test I need to take for each program.

 

[deleted248403]

I would go to an SMP with a dental component to it - BU has one, as does UMDNJ.

Limiting yourself to Cali is going to seriously handicap you. I dont think a postbac is enough for you to become competitive

 

[lmesina]

It's true that thinking "only CA" is very limiting..

With your situation, I can see you moving to a non-competitive state in terms of Dental school and gaining residency of that state while completing a formal post-bacc program there while working if at all possible.

I would.

 

[avatarftw]

Its "need advice" not "need a real advice." Dude, not cool.

If I were you I would just take extra classes in an informal post-baccalaureate course of study. You would be wise to rock the DAT as well.

I had posted this question at pre-dental forum but can't find a definite answer yet

I did go through the forums almost everyday to find the answer but couldn't find the appropriate one for my situation.
So here is my story:
I have oGPA 2.62 and sgpa of 2.4. I have taken all the prereqs, but NO upper division bio courses. I started an informal postbac, retaking all the prereq courses again, not to raise my gpa to apply for dental school, but raising it to apply for either a postbac or master program. Due to my location and money limit (saving for postbac/master) I had taken some classes at CC and extension at 4 year university, I am finishing the prereqs this winter in 1 year from when i started this informal postbac. Once again my limitation to program is either a postbac or master in Cali.
What I need advice on is:
-Since I hadn't taken upper division biology classes is it better to apply for a postbac program where I would be taking all the upper division biology classes( biochem, physio, neuroscience, endo, etc) (1 year or more) Or
-Apply to the masters where it's THESIS BASED(only master available for me due to location limit) and I would be spending 1 and half year~1 taking graduate level biology+seminars(I don't have an idea how grading works for seminar classes, sorry for my ignorance).

Thanks in advance.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Its "need advice" not "need a real advice." Dude, not cool.

If I were you I would just take extra classes in an informal post-baccalaureate course of study. You would be wise to rock the DAT as well.

"You would be wise to rock the DAT as well."

It's funny that this has to be stated. I just laughed thinking that people are going, "Well.......whatever......striving for mediocrity it is!"