What are my chances of being accepted to dental school?

[Student__65]

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Hi everyone I'm new here, I'm sure this question has been asked several times but I know everyone has different paths they've taken based on there situation so I'd really appreciate some advice.
That being said, I graduated from undergrad in 2019 with a 2.7 cum gpa and a 2.5 science gpa.
I went back to school as a post bacc non degree seeking student in 2021 and started re taking some prerequisites and taking new ones for dental school. I ended up with finishing 30 post bacc credits spring 2025 with an overall 3.4 gpa as a post bacc. (All upper level either junior or senior undergrad courses). I haven't taken the DAT but I plan to this fall 2025. My application would be for the year 2027, but I am wondering if I should even consider applying for dental school since I'm not sure if I have any chance of being accepted with that undergrad gpa and how the post bacc would count towards my stats.
Does anyone know if you can apply with your post bacc gpa or if they will still use the undergrad goa?
Also what are my chances? Should I reconsider and do a masters instead?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Please complete a WAMC template. It takes more than just your metrics.

That said, your path probably still must include an SMP. I should have admissions teams look at your transcripts before applying to see if they agree. They can tell you how they handle GPAs for nontrad applicants, but what you took is important to giving you advice.

 

[macsak]

your postbacc counts as undergrad gpa
you will likely need to do an SMP and have a HIGH GPA in it to have a chance...

Hi everyone I'm new here, I'm sure this question has been asked several times but I know everyone has different paths they've taken based on there situation so I'd really appreciate some advice.
That being said, I graduated from undergrad in 2019 with a 2.7 cum gpa and a 2.5 science gpa.
I went back to school as a post bacc non degree seeking student in 2021 and started re taking some prerequisites and taking new ones for dental school. I ended up with finishing 30 post bacc credits spring 2025 with an overall 3.4 gpa as a post bacc. (All upper level either junior or senior undergrad courses). I haven't taken the DAT but I plan to this fall 2025. My application would be for the year 2027, but I am wondering if I should even consider applying for dental school since I'm not sure if I have any chance of being accepted with that undergrad gpa and how the post bacc would count towards my stats.
Does anyone know if you can apply with your post bacc gpa or if they will still use the undergrad goa?
Also what are my chances? Should I reconsider and do a masters instead?

 

[Student__65]

Please complete a WAMC template. It takes more than just your metrics.

That said, your path probably still must include an SMP. I should have admissions teams look at your transcripts before applying to see if they agree. They can tell you how they handle GPAs for nontrad applicants, but what you took is important to giving you advice.

Date of submission: 2027
Overall GPA: 2.649
Science GPA:2.5
DIY Post Bacc gpa: 3.538
DAT score (include AA and all sections): N/A taking it fall 2025
State of Residence: Texas

Major: Human Nutrition & Foods
Minor: N/A
Minority? Yes, Hispanic
Reapplicant? No, first time applicant
Nontrad? Yes, 26 post bacc non degree seeking hours
Shadowing Experience: 10, planning on finishing 100 by 2027 application year
Volunteering Experience: 35, also planning on completing more
Employment: Full Time, research interviewer for 5 years
Research: N/A
Other Extracurriculars:
First Generation program - 5 years
Challenger program- 5 years
ASDA-3 years
sorority -6 months
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No, have not attended any dental school events.
Relevant Honors or Awards: N/A
LOR type and strength:
2 prospects for 2 academic letters
1 Professional letter- Manager knows me well good work relationship
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:

DIY Post Bacc:
Human Anatomy: A
Human Anatomy Lab: A
Human Physiology: A
Human Physiology Lab: A
Orgo 1: B
Orgo 1 lab: A
Gen Chen II: B
Immunology: C
Immunology Lab: A
Medical Microbiology: A
Medical Microbiology Lab: A
Parasitology: A

Undergrad
Math:
Precal: D
Calculus: F
Intro to probability & statistics: C
Logic: B

Sciences:
A&P: C and C- for lab
A&P repeated: C
Elementary Microbio: C-
Elementary Microbio Lab: C-
Foundations of Chemistry: C
Fundamentals of chemistry & lab: C
Orgo 1: D-
Orgo 1 Lab: C+
Orgo 2: C-
Orgo 2 Lab: C+
Physics: B
Physics Lab: B
Physics 2: C+
Physics 2 lab: C-
Biochem: C
Genetics: B-
Elementary Microbio: C-
Elementary Microbio lab: C-

Into Biological science 1: B
Intro Biological science 2: B
Intro Nutrition: A
Nutritional pathophysiology: A
Community nutrition: A
Nutrition Assessment: B+
Medical nutrition therapy-cardiovascular: B-
Nutrition obesity epidemic: A-
Research in nutrition: A
Medical nutrition therapy-metabolic: B+

School list:
University of Puerto Rico
University of Oklahoma
Oregon health & Science university
Arizona school of dentistry & oral health
UT Health Houston
UT Health San Antonio

 

[Student__65]

your postbacc counts as undergrad gpa
you will likely need to do an SMP and have a HIGH GPA in it to have a chance...

Would a special masters program be the only option? Or does any masters work?
I did a DIY post bacc because I work full time since I help support my parents and it allowed me to take classes in the based on my work schedule. The special masters would be full time and unfortunately I cannot quit my job at the moment.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks. Why aren't you applying to Texas A&M? Is it their prereqs? You need feedback on whether the med micro class supersedes your intro microbio courses.

Ask the Admissions Expert: Alicia Spence, DDS, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Abstract: Dr. Alicia Spence discusses Texas A&M University College of Dentistry's admissions process and program features. Key insights include the

www.studentdoctor.net

Why Oregon and Puerto Rico?

You should go for a proper predental/premed special master's program. Any other master's program may be too focused on research or other science careers. It is high-risk, high-reward, but it is the closest experience to show you are ready for dental school. You need to show yourself and other faculty that you bet on yourself and you're ready. Honestly, your best chances are going to be your three in-state options and maybe privates (okay with the two Arizona schools) unless you reach out to Oklahoma and get their feedback. I am curious why you had a grade discrepancy between med micro and immunology. Is med micro for non-science nursing or allied health majors? (The syllabus will reveal the answer.)

I would check on the requirements/preferences for microbiology among schools you wish to attend.

DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses

dentistry.tamu.edu

Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) | School of Dentistry

uthscsa.edu

doctor of dental surgery

The UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery program with a strong foundation in biomedical and behavioral sciences alongside an outstanding clinical education.

dentistry.uth.edu

 

[Student__65]

The reason for not including Texas A&M is the Gpa requirements.
Oregon and Puerto Rico for similar reasons there are higher possibilities of being accepted with lower GPA.
I considered doing masters since I am not able to fully quit my job and go full time for a special masters program. So do you recommend I not apply this year and wait until I can do the special masters or apply to the private schools anyways?
The medical micro is for allied health majors. I did take immunology first and medical micro was incorporating the material learned in immunology so I understood it better, I think that may be the reason for the discrepancy.
I am not sure what to do at this point, I don't want to give up but quitting and going full time in person to the special masters is just not an option right now for me.

 

[Student__65]

The reason for not including Texas A&M is the Gpa requirements.
Oregon and Puerto Rico for similar reasons there are higher possibilities of being accepted with lower GPA.
I considered doing masters since I am not able to fully quit my job and go full time for a special masters program. So do you recommend I not apply this year and wait until I can do the special masters or apply to the private schools anyways?
The medical micro is for allied health majors. I did take immunology first and medical micro was incorporating the material learned in immunology so I understood it better, I think that may be the reason for the discrepancy.
I am not sure what to do at this point, I don't want to give up but quitting and going full time in person to the special masters is just not an option right now for me.

Thanks. Why aren't you applying to Texas A&M? Is it their prereqs? You need feedback on whether the med micro class supersedes your intro microbio courses.

Ask the Admissions Expert: Alicia Spence, DDS, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Abstract: Dr. Alicia Spence discusses Texas A&M University College of Dentistry's admissions process and program features. Key insights include the

www.studentdoctor.net

Why Oregon and Puerto Rico?

You should go for a proper predental/premed special master's program. Any other master's program may be too focused on research or other science careers. It is high-risk, high-reward, but it is the closest experience to show you are ready for dental school. You need to show yourself and other faculty that you bet on yourself and you're ready. Honestly, your best chances are going to be your three in-state options and maybe privates (okay with the two Arizona schools) unless you reach out to Oklahoma and get their feedback. I am curious why you had a grade discrepancy between med micro and immunology. Is med micro for non-science nursing or allied health majors? (The syllabus will reveal the answer.)

I would check on the requirements/preferences for microbiology among schools you wish to attend.

DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses

dentistry.tamu.edu

Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) | School of Dentistry

uthscsa.edu

doctor of dental surgery

The UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery program with a strong foundation in biomedical and behavioral sciences alongside an outstanding clinical education.

dentistry.uth.edu

I also have seen several places do not accept online course and even if I do online masters would that even be accept to my in state schools?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I also have seen several places do not accept online course and even if I do online masters would that even be accept to my in state schools?

What do your in-state schools say? They should tell you.