What should I do???

Started by studyhardemj
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studyhardemj

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Hi, everyone

I am a biology major, junior having 2 more semesters of some intensive course work left.
Science courses I have taken so far:
Gen Bio I / II: B / (D) and retook and got C
Gen Chem I / II: B / C
Ochem I / II: C- / D
Biochem I / II: B+ / A-
Research Analysis: B+
BioDiversity: B-

I still have to take Physics, Anatomy, Genetics, Cell&Molec, Immunology, Virology, etc. Next two semesters I have about 30 or so credits left for Science Classes, and I calculated that I could make up to 3.2 GPA if I get all A's.
Now I have 2.78 GPA, Science GPA about 2.0.... I know it is low.. I have had some family problems in my Freshman year, and I did not start out well.. I am trying to make up my not-too-strong foundations in Science courses, and it is extremely hard.... and discouraging. I do not want to give up my life-long dream of being a dentist. I have shadowed general dentist, an oral surgeon, periodontist, etc, and I have about 100 hrs of shadowing experience, and I've gone on a dental volunteer trip to South America last summer.

My question is... Should I just shoot for the highest score possible for DAT and study my butt out for next 3 months, and take it and apply to d-schools? Or should I take the different route to enhance my GPA - such as post-bacc or masters in oral biology (<- this is what I have been looking for these days.. UCLA and NYU have MS in Oral Biology program..)

What do you think? Give me an advice, please...
 
Last edited:
studyhardemj said:
Hi, everyone

I am a biology major, junior having 2 more semesters of some intensive course work left.
Science courses I have taken so far:
Gen Bio I / II: B / (D) and retook and got C
Gen Chem I / II: B / C
Ochem I / II: C- / D
Biochem I / II: B+ / A-
Research Analysis: B+
BioDiversity: B-

I still have to take Physics, Anatomy, Genetics, Cell&Molec, Immunology, Virology, etc. Next two semesters I have about 30 or so credits left for Science Classes, and I calculated that I could make up to 3.2 GPA if I get all A's.
Now I have 2.78 GPA, Science GPA about 2.0.... I know it is low.. I have had some family problems in my Freshman year, and I did not start out well.. I am trying to make up my not-too-strong foundations in Science courses, and it is extremely hard.... and discouraging. I do not want to give up my life-long dream of being a dentist. I have shadowed general dentist, an oral surgeon, periodontist, etc, and I have about 100 hrs of shadowing experience, and I've gone on a dental volunteer trip to South America last summer.

My question is... Should I just shoot for the highest score possible for DAT and study my butt out for next 3 months, and take it and apply to d-schools? Or should I take the different route to enhance my GPA - such as post-bacc or masters in oral biology (<- this is what I have been looking for these days.. UCLA and NYU have MS in Oral Biology program..)

What do you think? Give me an advice, please...
Click to expand...

Don't give up the dream then. I am not an expert by any means, but I would recommend doing the post-bacc or masters programs. You definitely need to boost your GPA and it might not be worth it (money-wise) to apply this cycle with low stats. A strong DAT would absolutely help your chances, but the GPA and sGPA are pretty key. If you can get a 3.6-4.0 in post-bacc or masters program your chances of getting in (with a strong DAT) would increase drastically. Keep at it. I think you realized that things need to change. The grades have to go up, and the dream can still be reached. Also, i would recommend you visit the under 3.0 forums. Might provide a little hope and some more opinions from people that have actually been through it (I am applying this cycle, so I am no vet).

Good luck though! I have seen so many people get in with lower stats. Keep in mind that stats aren't everything, and you still have a chance!
 
I don't think anywhere would even debate accepting you with a 2.0 sGPA. I would get that up with a masters or post bacc before you try and apply.

Also, retake the classes that you can, a D in ochem won't fly.


KentUT said:
Don't give up the dream then. I am not an expert by any means, but I would recommend doing the post-bacc or masters programs. You definitely need to boost your GPA and it might not be worth it (money-wise) to apply this cycle with low stats. A strong DAT would absolutely help your chances, but the GPA and sGPA are pretty key. If you can get a 3.6-4.0 in post-bacc or masters program your chances of getting in (with a strong DAT) would increase drastically. Keep at it. I think you realized that things need to change. The grades have to go up, and the dream can still be reached. Also, i would recommend you visit the under 3.0 forums. Might provide a little hope and some more opinions from people that have actually been through it (I am applying this cycle, so I am no vet).

Good luck though! I have seen so many people get in with lower stats. Keep in mind that stats aren't everything, and you still have a chance!
Click to expand...

Who have you seen get in with a sGPA lower than 2.0?
 
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You won't get in anywhere with a 2.0 science GPA nor a 2.8 overall GPA! You'll have to do a graduate program to even be considered. Average GPA's would be around a 3.5. Good luck...
 
samueltak said:
If I were you, I'd first get my act together and then complete a post bacc. or Master's.

Reconsider how you spend your time and invest in learning a different study method because your current one does not seem to be effective.
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Yes, I should. What are some average stats for those people who get into postbacc program? I have looked into CSU in los angeles and they require min of 2.5 or so... So do I even have a hope to get into post bacc program??
 
Seahawk said:
I don't think anywhere would even debate accepting you with a 2.0 sGPA. I would get that up with a masters or post bacc before you try and apply.

Also, retake the classes that you can, a D in ochem won't fly.




Who have you seen get in with a sGPA lower than 2.0?
Click to expand...

Wow.. Don't know how I didn't register that. Still do post Bacc but follow the advice about retakes. My Bad! 🙂
 
Your GPA is pretty low and it is highly unlikely to be accepted as is. You will need to retake the O Chem series because a C- or D is not accepted you must have at least a C to meet the pre-req requirement. Some retakes will greatly increase your chances. Good Luck
 
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