What should I do?

[predent9]

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I've interviewed at only one school, and on Dec. 1st, I didn't hear anything from them. Also nothing changed on my AADSAS for any of my schools, I submitted my application in early June but didn't have everything in until August. Here are my stats:

DAT 19AA /19TS /23PA
oGPA 3.3, sGPA and BCP 3.0, nsGPA 3.9
Decent ECs, 300+ shadowing hours

I didn't do well in my last two semesters because of a personal issue, and that really brought down my previously good GPA. I am currently taking a full semester of upper level science courses, and I can raise my GPA up to 3.35 overall and 3.19 science/BCP. If I choose to take classes next semester, I can raise my GPA up to 3.4 overall, and 3.3 science/BCP. The problem is, I don't have many more classes left that I haven't taken, so I would have to take some classes that are really easy. Should I take classes next semester, and how should I spend it? Should I retake the DAT?

Do you think I can still make it this cycle? Do schools take fall grades into a lot of consideration?

 

[wizi]

With a bcp of 3.0, I would suggest you to retake. Aim for 21+.
If you can raise your sgpa up to 3.3, you will have better chance. Take those classes make sure you ace them all.

Good luck with your app.

 

[wired202808]

I've interviewed at only one school, and on Dec. 1st, I didn't hear anything from them. Also nothing changed on my AADSAS for any of my schools, I submitted my application in early June but didn't have everything in until August. Here are my stats:

DAT 19AA /19TS /23PA
oGPA 3.3, sGPA and BCP 3.0, nsGPA 3.9
Decent ECs, 300+ shadowing hours

I didn't do well in my last two semesters because of a personal issue, and that really brought down my previously good GPA. I am currently taking a full semester of upper level science courses, and I can raise my GPA up to 3.35 overall and 3.19 science/BCP. If I choose to take classes next semester, I can raise my GPA up to 3.4 overall, and 3.3 science/BCP. The problem is, I don't have many more classes left that I haven't taken, so I would have to take some classes that are really easy. Should I take classes next semester, and how should I spend it? Should I retake the DAT?

Do you think I can still make it this cycle? Do schools take fall grades into a lot of consideration?

Whats the individual section scores on your DAT? Also if you can raise your sGPA and BCP to a 3.4 then I can see you being safer.

sGPA is probably the most important factor of an application so its best to have a strong one. A Dat retake might or might not help, but a sGPA booster will def help.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Well by easy classes I'm hoping you don't mean basket weaving or swimming.

Load up on science classes in the spring. Retake the DAT over the summer and kill it with a 21+ in everything.

If you haven't had any more interviews, I wouldn't hold out for this cycle. One school's waiting list is a lot to bank on and I wouldn't recommend depending on it.

 

[flourish09]

I agree with AwesomeTeeth. Try to take science course next semester. If you aren't accepted this cycle then this will definitely help aiding in raising your GPA and making you more competitive for the next cycle. Also if you retake the DAT and raise those scores it will also increase your chances. If you are accepted this year, then the science courses you enroll in will simply help prepare you even more for dental school. So either way, taking science courses in the spring seems like a win/win to me.

 

[molar3]

OP means he'd have to take SCIENCE classes that are really easy, bc hes (or she) has already taken the majority of sciences classes so he's running out.
op, which sciences classes exactly are u dubbing as easy? and if theyre "easy" i wouldnt necessarily say thats bad, but if its a repeated course youve already taken, thats not too grand....but anyway, if its an easy science that u havnt taken yet then i say do it. at the end of the day its a numbers game....u want them to LOOK at your app, aka u want to do whatever u can to have your sci/bcp higher, to try and prevent them from disregarding you due to a low bcp (which i feel like most schools u applied to, have done this cycle, which is why u probably only got one interview). if u have to take a few "simple" bio classes to get it there bc thats your ONLY desperate option then...do it ! obviously if u could find better/upper level courses, clearly you would take those. if not, do wat u gotta do
also i would retake your DAT as well. 19AA isnt enough imo for a low gpa.

 

[predent9]

Well by easy classes I'm hoping you don't mean basket weaving or swimming.

Load up on science classes in the spring. Retake the DAT over the summer and kill it with a 21+ in everything.

If you haven't had any more interviews, I wouldn't hold out for this cycle. One school's waiting list is a lot to bank on and I wouldn't recommend depending on it.

Nope I'm enrolled in all science courses, 3 of them are upper division biology courses, and as for the last two I'll be taking a health course and a statistics course

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

OP means he'd have to take SCIENCE classes that are really easy, bc hes (or she) has already taken the majority of sciences classes so he's running out.
op, which sciences classes exactly are u dubbing as easy?

nvm, read it wrong.

 

[wired202808]

I can name you plenty of "easy" science courses. Most schools have them. Dinosaurs, Introduction to Astronomy, Volcanoes, Oceans, etc. etc. There's also biology classes that are lower then Bio 101 that are geared towards non-science majors.

i can see this BLOWING up in the OPs face as schools see he took a bunch of BS classes to artificially inflate his sGPA. A Masters is the only thing that can help that sort of a GPA.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

i can see this BLOWING up in the OPs face as schools see he took a bunch of BS classes to artificially inflate his sGPA. A Masters is the only thing that can help that sort of a GPA.

lol nooo, i wasn't telling OP to take those classes. I'm just replying to the other guy who was wondering what easy science classes i was talking about.

DON'T take easy science classes. Take actual upper level classes that will actually help you through dental school and ace those. That will raise your science, BCP, overall GPA.

 

[predent9]

lol nooo, i wasn't telling OP to take those classes. I'm just replying to the other guy who was wondering what easy science classes i was talking about.

DON'T take easy science classes. Take actual upper level classes that will actually help you through dental school and ace those. That will raise your science, BCP, overall GPA.

Lol yeah that's what I will do, I thought stat and health are considered easy, I only know of 3 bio classes that I can take that's why I need others that still count as science. In all of my prerequisites I have nothing lower than a B, it was just some electives that brought down my GPA which was previously 3.5

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

If you run out of bio classes to take, there's also the entire chemistry, physics, math, and etc departments to explore!

 

[Demps]

Keep your head up. Not hearing on December 1st does not mean you are rejected.

If you don't get in this cycle though, I think retaking DAT and nailing 20+s across the board will help your cause. There is no reason to retake now. Maybe like next June? or so. I also recommend not taking those "easy science courses" as AwesomeTeeth mentioned. 1 year master program would do the trick, not those easy science courses.

The race has just begun hopefully you will hear back from the school you interviewed at!

 

[predent9]

Keep your head up. Not hearing on December 1st does not mean you are rejected.

If you don't get in this cycle though, I think retaking DAT and nailing 20+s across the board will help your cause. There is no reason to retake now. Maybe like next June? or so. I also recommend not taking those "easy science courses" as AwesomeTeeth mentioned. 1 year master program would do the trick, not those easy science courses.

The race has just begun hopefully you will hear back from the school you interviewed at!

Thanks!! I am definitely looking into 1 year masters programs and I'm going to do the best I can this semester and next, which can hopefully help me for this cycle too

 

[wired202808]

Thanks!! I am definitely looking into 1 year masters programs and I'm going to do the best I can this semester and next, which can hopefully help me for this cycle too

1 yr masters will probably be the best bet for success. A 19AA and 19TS is good enough for admission, (I personally have a 20AA but an 18TS and I still got tons of interviews and a few acceptances) but a 3.0 sGPA is not (my sGPA is a 3.5 and my BCP is a 3.6) Hence I can see you moving up in the world if you ace that Masters program with a super high GPA i.e. 4.0GPA will probably do the trick and ensure some interviews.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I think 19 is good enough for admission if you have a ~3.7 GPA. With OP's GPA, it would be better if he retakes DAT and shoot for something in the 20's. And start the masters. If he does all that, I believe he would be in good position next year.

 

[predent9]

I will have a strong upward trend with the academic update, last semester was sub 3.0 semester GPA, while this semester I believe is much, much better

 

[dentalWorks]

I've interviewed at only one school, and on Dec. 1st, I didn't hear anything from them. Also nothing changed on my AADSAS for any of my schools, I submitted my application in early June but didn't have everything in until August. Here are my stats:

DAT 19AA /19TS /23PA
oGPA 3.3, sGPA and BCP 3.0, nsGPA 3.9
Decent ECs, 300+ shadowing hours

I didn't do well in my last two semesters because of a personal issue, and that really brought down my previously good GPA. I am currently taking a full semester of upper level science courses, and I can raise my GPA up to 3.35 overall and 3.19 science/BCP. If I choose to take classes next semester, I can raise my GPA up to 3.4 overall, and 3.3 science/BCP. The problem is, I don't have many more classes left that I haven't taken, so I would have to take some classes that are really easy. Should I take classes next semester, and how should I spend it? Should I retake the DAT?

Do you think I can still make it this cycle? Do schools take fall grades into a lot of consideration?

You can retake the DAT all you want, but unless you can swing a SERIOUS DAT score (especially in TS), nothing you will do recover from a 3.0 BCP

The good news is, 3.0 BCP is sorta recoverable if you take (or find enough) BCP type courses and load up a bunch of 4.0/A's.

IMO, BCP is what will hold you back

 

[predent9]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it's really been helpful. I've received my grades for the semester and sent the update through AADSAS, and was able to raise my stats:

From
oGPA 3.3, sGPA and BCP 3.0, nsGPA 3.9

To (new stats)
oGPA 3.4, sGPA and BCP 3.17, nsGPA 3.92

If I take a full semester (18 credits) in the Spring, I can to raise it to these stats max:
oGPA 3.44, sGPA and BCP 3.3, nsGPA 3.92

Do you guys think I should take the 18 credits, since the schools won't be seeing them?

 

[vellnueve]

Yes. If you don't get in this year (or don't get the school you really, really want) then showing continued improvement and a willingness to challenge yourself will serve you well in subsequent cycles.

 

[molar3]

Yes. If you don't get in this year (or don't get the school you really, really want) then showing continued improvement and a willingness to challenge yourself will serve you well in subsequent cycles.

+1 defly take the classes to raise ur bcp👍

 

[BrutalViking]

is it possible for you to take honor classes? in some schools, an A in an honor class counts as ~4.2 in GPA which will help raise your GPA faster

 

[UltimateHombre]

i can see this BLOWING up in the OPs face as schools see he took a bunch of BS classes to artificially inflate his sGPA. A Masters is the only thing that can help that sort of a GPA.

The OP said "easy" classes, not BS classes. If they were lower division science classes i don't see why it would be a problem. I mean classes are so university dependent anyway. Here at ASU... ochem, a+p 1 and 2, and micro are all lower division classes, where at many universities they are upper.

In the end of it all... the adcoms will see your actual numbers (GPA, DAT) before they take a look at your actual transcript.

I would not recommend enrolling in a MS this semester, just finish this semester with any easy science classes you can get and boost up that GPA. I would also retake the DAT and aim for a 21 or higher. IF that doesn't work go for an MS. But at this point in the game you need to be preparing for next cycle, just in case, which would entail a full course load this semester.

Wired... you have to consider that the MS and undergrad GPAs are calculated separately. And the MS grades wont actually boost his undergrad science GPA, just be a separate section of GPA. So the OP should still do postbac to get the undergrad GPA up.

 

[wired202808]

The OP said "easy" classes, not BS classes. If they were lower division science classes i don't see why it would be a problem. I mean classes are so university dependent anyway. Here at ASU... ochem, a+p 1 and 2, and micro are all lower division classes, where at many universities they are upper.

In the end of it all... the adcoms will see your actual numbers (GPA, DAT) before they take a look at your actual transcript.

I would not recommend enrolling in a MS this semester, just finish this semester with any easy science classes you can get and boost up that GPA. I would also retake the DAT and aim for a 21 or higher. IF that doesn't work go for an MS. But at this point in the game you need to be preparing for next cycle, just in case, which would entail a full course load this semester.

Wired... you have to consider that the MS and undergrad GPAs are calculated separately. And the MS grades wont actually boost his undergrad science GPA, just be a separate section of GPA. So the OP should still do postbac to get the undergrad GPA up.

I think that was discussed above. BS classes include astrology and some other non-bio based science courses that add no validity to the OPs file.

While MS and UG are separate GPAs, schools will typically consider the overall GPA, overall science GPA and BCP. I doubt they'll segregate Masters vs. UG since they tend to look at an application as a whole. Also to adequately compare applicants, they need to look at totals, since majority of students do not pursue a MS programs. Additionally, you must consider what other courses the OP has left in order to pursue the post bac. Post bac is reserved for non-trads, if the OP took all the necessary courses there might be nothing left except Masters level courses.

All in all, one way or another that sGPA and BCP have to be raised. Meanwhile, the DAT is optional, a 19/19/23 is average enough to be competitive with the right sGPA. I know SDN is nuts about 21+, but honestly when 19.4 or so is the average, there's no need to retake unless the OP gets rejected with a high sGPA. A 21 might not be enough to get in with such a low sGPA.

I see it time and time again, even using predents as an example. Yes I know its not statistically relevant, but just glancing at it you often see one fact. A high DAT is awesome when combined with a high GPA + high sGPA, but a high DAT alone can't quite do the job. The best position is a high sGPA and high DAT, but the second best position is a high sGPA and average DAT.

 

[UCLAzy]

is it possible for you to take honor classes? in some schools, an A in an honor class counts as ~4.2 in GPA which will help raise your GPA faster

must be nice to go to your school.

is an A+ in that class like 4.5?

 

[molar3]

I think that was discussed above. BS classes include astrology and some other non-bio based science courses that add no validity to the OPs file.

While MS and UG are separate GPAs, schools will typically consider the overall GPA, overall science GPA and BCP. I doubt they'll segregate Masters vs. UG since they tend to look at an application as a whole. Also to adequately compare applicants, they need to look at totals, since majority of students do not pursue a MS programs. Additionally, you must consider what other courses the OP has left in order to pursue the post bac. Post bac is reserved for non-trads, if the OP took all the necessary courses there might be nothing left except Masters level courses.

All in all, one way or another that sGPA and BCP have to be raised. Meanwhile, the DAT is optional, a 19/19/23 is average enough to be competitive with the right sGPA. I know SDN is nuts about 21+, but honestly when 19.4 or so is the average, there's no need to retake unless the OP gets rejected with a high sGPA. A 21 might not be enough to get in with such a low sGPA.

I see it time and time again, even using predents as an example. Yes I know its not statistically relevant, but just glancing at it you often see one fact. A high DAT is awesome when combined with a high GPA + high sGPA, but a high DAT alone can't quite do the job. The best position is a high sGPA and high DAT, but the second best position is a high sGPA and average DAT.

no its not. you talk alot about, just curious if you actually are a postbacc/have been? bc what you say about them isnt true. anyone can do a postbacc, even if you were a bio major in undergrad. you just dont do your cores you do upper level sciences.
postbaccs are not "reserved" for nontrads, theyre "reserved" for people who want to increase their undergrad bcps/sciences.

 

[wired202808]

no its not. you talk alot about, just curious if you actually are a postbacc/have been? bc what you say about them isnt true. anyone can do a postbacc, even if you were a bio major in undergrad. you just dont do your cores you do upper level sciences.
postbaccs are not "reserved" for nontrads, theyre "reserved" for people who want to increase their undergrad bcps/sciences.

I have taken a ton of post bac classes and have been accepted to multiple d-schools. Most people that graduate go back and get a Masters degree because getting A's in post bacc classes after you bombed classes on the same level doesnt really show much of anything. Also think about availability, if you've taken all the bio classes at one school for your UG, you cant go back there or elsewhere and retake the same exact classes in a post bacc fashion. They're are a limited number of classes that are available. Again most trads do upper level bio classes in UG, so what would they take in a post bacc program???

And again by definition, post bacs are for non-trads and Masters are for trads. You can google this fact if you like. I'm also not the only person who believes this on SDN, ask around.

And then again whats the difference? you still need more classes so you take it at different levels. By going the post bac route you might only save $$$, you wont save time since most Masters programs are 1 yr anyway.