I am now wait-listed to several dental schools, and I have no acceptance so far. Last semester, I took 4 classes and received 1A, 1B+ 1C+ and 1 pass(I took that one as pass/fail). Unfortunately, my cGPA and sGPA dropped after the fall semester of my senior year. Although they are still higher than the average grades in most of the dental schools that I am wait-listed to, I am not sure if I should send my grades. From what I searched, a final transcript is required, but academic update does not seem to be required by dental schools (Please, please, please correct me if I am wrong).
Wait-listed and grades dropped, should I send my academic updates?
- Thread starter Bigbirdo
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Well, they aren't terrible grades. And the schools may be waiting for more information from you before extending an offer of admission. I think updating schools with grades and what you have done since applying/interviewing is a great way for them to see that you're still interested in applying and it gets your name out there.
What if they assume you got into somewhere else, and that's why you're not doing the Update? Then you may never move off the wait list. Its a catch 22. But I really don't think those grades are detrimental to you. Good luck.
What if they assume you got into somewhere else, and that's why you're not doing the Update? Then you may never move off the wait list. Its a catch 22. But I really don't think those grades are detrimental to you. Good luck.
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This.
A lack of an academic update screams "im already in" or "im hiding bad grades"...they know you are still interested if you update. and you said you are still above the averages. id do the academic update if i were you.
Would it be a better idea if I send the activity update instead of grades?
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I think you're being too hard on yourself. Those grades really aren't something that are going to break you at this point, its not like you blatantly bombed the semester. And ADCOMS know classes get more challenging and I would think they would have to understand classes and interview season don't go well together. I think the best thing you could do is do the Update, and then shoot those schools an e-mail saying "Hello! So I finished up these courses [insert courses taken, you don't necessarily have to say your grades if you don't want... your Update will list them]! I also have been really active doing [insert what you've been doing thats considered helpful here] and I wanted to make sure my file was up to date because I'm still interested in your school! Thanks for your time." Something along those lines - just say you completed some more coursework (just send the Academic Update in, your schools can look at see the grades for themselves) and that you've been busy improving your application activities/shadowing/work/etc. because you're determined to become a dentist and that their school is where you can see yourself succeeding. 🙂 Woo! Long-winded post. You got this.
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Like pregnancy, there is a limited time you will be able to hide what is already fait accompli.
