What are my options?

[chr1chan]

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So I applied this cycle and haven't heard back from any schools yet. I majored in political science because I was originally pre-law and wanted to change after my sophmore year, but realized I couldn't be a bio or chem major anymore because of a unit cap. Can someone give me feedback on what i need to do to improve my chances?

College: UCLA
Major: Political Science
Overall GPA: 3.4
Science Gpa 2.95
DAT: 19/19/19
Extracurriculars: Lab Assistant 3 years
Completed UCLA Dental Clinic volunteer program 80 hrs
Shadowed in UCLA Orthodontics and Hospital Dentistry 20
hrs
Shadowed private practice 50 hrs
Participated in UCLA Pre-dental Tech Course
Participated in UOP Pre-dental course
Researched for one summer



Thanks all. Really appreciate it.

 

[bodiddely]

What was your BCP GPA? Only thing that really stands out in a bad way is your sGPA. Extracurriculars look good. Maybe there was an issue with your letters of recommendation. Also, how many schools did you apply to?

 

[Danny0230]

Especially as a non-science major, your science gpa could hurt you. D-schools need to see that you can handle an intensive course load in science.

 

[Lopyswine]

you need a DAT of 22s or 23s to make up for a sub 3 gpa.

 

[Calculus2008]

if I were you, i would definitely retake the DAT and do really well this time. also, you should take some science courses and do well in them...👍

 

[harjay]

, but realized I couldn't be a bio or chem major anymore because of a unit cap.

Hehe. I'm at UCSD and I've had friends who wanted to bypass the unit cap for any odd reason and they didn't find any obstacle, or anything blocking them from taking courses for that matter

If you haven't already, ask a counselor about a major change (if you think thats what you'd like to do). A masters program is also an option

 

[dentaldude8]

You need to get that science GPA up. Either take some more science classes, do a one year masters program, or rock the DAT..............

 

[Regmata]

You could always become a lawyer... 😛

 

[domonas]

Your DAT's are fine. I would suggest a post-bac program in the sciences.

 

[chr1chan]

I thought of a master's program, but won't it be hard for me to get accepted to a program especially since I'm not a science major. How often do you get a political science major applying to a master's in bio anyways?

 

[Ehhhh]

UC Berkley has a program for people in your situation... Google : "UC Berkeley medical postbac"... It'll be the first link. goodluck

 

[jigabodo]

Hehe. I'm at UCSD and I've had friends who wanted to bypass the unit cap for any odd reason and they didn't find any obstacle, or anything blocking them from taking courses for that matter

If you haven't already, ask a counselor about a major change (if you think thats what you'd like to do). A masters program is also an option

You can always petition to drop your AP course credits. That's the most common way to do it in Davis.

 

[blankguy]

Since the OP is a nonscience major he probably hasn't used up the full slate of upper level biology courses. Try to take more upper level biology courses to boost your science GPA. The science GPA may be an easier fix if the OP has just taken the required prereqs with very little or no upper level science courses.. Retake the DAT.

Hence:
Take upper level biology courses.
Retake the DAT.

It may not be as bad as it sounds. If you have to graduate register as a nondegree somewhere else and take the courses.