What to do? - low gpa, engineer, top 10 school

[walk2020]

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Hi, I am currently thinking about attempting to go to dental and I really need help thinking about how to make myself a better applicant for dental school. I'm willing to try anything! Thanks in advance.

Here are the important facts about me:
-My undergraduate GPA is a 2.7.
-I graduated last year with a computer science degree and a minor in biology from a top ten school.
-I took a very hard course load including 500 level engineering classes and 300-400 level bio classes including anatomy, physiology, neurology, and biochemistry
-I currently am working in a lab where I am doing advanced work related to computer science and chemistry, and will be published in the next few months
-I've taken the MCAT and scored a 28
-Both my parents are alumni from OSU dental school and have a practice

 

[rpatel8]

What are your extracurricular like other than the research? Unless you really dominate the DAT, the simple truth would be that you will have to take post bac classes or do a masters to bring the GPA up. Also, what is your science GPA? If I were you, I would take a year off, take science classes and make As in them, and also prepare to annihilate the DAT.

 

[amanda9717]

I definitely think that you should take a year off and bring up your gpa. A 2.7 is pretty low, regardless of where you went to school or how difficult your classes may have been. Just rock the DAT and do well in post-bac/ masters classes and you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

[Vicviper]

What is your science GPA (includes math), and your BCP (just bio, chem, physics)?

 

[Oracle DMD]

Hi, I am currently thinking about attempting to go to dental and I really need help thinking about how to make myself a better applicant for dental school. I'm willing to try anything! Thanks in advance.

Here are the important facts about me:
-My undergraduate GPA is a 2.7.
-I graduated last year with a computer science degree and a minor in biology from a top ten school.
-I took a very hard course load including 500 level engineering classes and 300-400 level bio classes including anatomy, physiology, neurology, and biochemistry
-I currently am working in a lab where I am doing advanced work related to computer science and chemistry, and will be published in the next few months
-I've taken the MCAT and scored a 33
-Both my parents are alumni from OSU dental school and have a practice

nothing matters if you dont meet the MINIMUM gpa requirements which usually is about 2.75. you will be automatically denied at most schools that i am aware of. you will get no consideration for course load, school prestige, parents being alumni, etc.etc. until you get your gpa and take the DAT.

is dental school your med school backup? why the MCAT?

 

[walk2020]

My BCP is a 2.72. I took the MCAT 2 years ago when I was still considering med school. Now I'm thinking about going bio-tech or doing dentistry. I just want to stay close to health-care. I'm leaning towards dentistry because it seems a more sure route of job satisfaction. Question about post-bacs or masters:
-How much would it help if I got a traditional BME degree? Or should I do a pure bio program?
-If a post-bac is adequate, what characteristics should I look for in a school?
Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

 

[s2agrado]

Hey Walk2020,
I was in similar situation, minus the top-ten school. I completed my mechanical engineering degree with like a 3.1 gpa as computed by the school but 2.8ish by AADSAS. I did a post-bacc health science certificate program and finished that with a 3.7.

It seems you have already taken the basic health science coursework, so I'm not sure an undergraduate post-bacc will work for you (I did an undergrad program b/c I did not have the basic health science courses). That being said, I think you should try to get into a graduate level certificate program or master's. I'm currently doing a 1yr certificate program with VCU's school of medicine and it has the option for master's if you want to do the second year.

One thing I've realized though in applying to dental school is that it truly is all about the numbers (GPA and DAT score). So, school name and degree do not matter--sure an engineering degree is harder to get than bio, but the dental school doesn't care. They just want to see a good science/overall gpa. So, wherever you go, it is crucial to get A's...don't worry about school name...and rock the DATs.

 

[dentstd]

I'd personally fluff that GPA up as much as possible using undergrad classes, while keeping cost to a minimum. Probably lots of community college classes. Apply when your GPA's above a 3.0.

 

[teh dentist]

2.5 gpa and a 33 on the MCAT?

Dude, if you got a 33 on MCAT, you will DOMINATE the DAT.

Take some sort of postbac and get that 3.5 and I would think your golden. (that is, if you really want it.)

 

[shater]

hello there i really need a real advice on which route i can take to improve my gpa. im international dentist graduated with a gpa of 2.4 and wanted to know what i can actually do to raise such gpa before i apply to dental schools and need ur help in what kind of postbac i can join with my gpa or what is the best route i can take to raise my gpa to be able to appy to dental schools

 

[FutureDent020]

2.5 gpa and a 33 on the MCAT?

Dude, if you got a 33 on MCAT, you will DOMINATE the DAT.

Take some sort of postbac and get that 3.5 and I would think your golden. (that is, if you really want it.)

They are very different tests. But yes, if you are mentally capable of a 33 on the MCAT, the DAT won't be too difficult. What did med schools think of your GPA? Cause I doubt dental schools will feel much different.

 

[UCfan]

Hi, I am currently thinking about attempting to go to dental and I really need help thinking about how to make myself a better applicant for dental school. I'm willing to try anything! Thanks in advance.

Here are the important facts about me:
-My undergraduate GPA is a 2.7.
-I graduated last year with a computer science degree and a minor in biology from a top ten school.
-I took a very hard course load including 500 level engineering classes and 300-400 level bio classes including anatomy, physiology, neurology, and biochemistry
-I currently am working in a lab where I am doing advanced work related to computer science and chemistry, and will be published in the next few months
-I've taken the MCAT and scored a 33
-Both my parents are alumni from OSU dental school and have a practice

It can be easier for you to go to medical school (since you took MCAT and 33 is a very good score). Having engineering degree and graduating from top ten school will not help you that much with a low GPA. IMO just take more classes and bring your GPA close to 3. With that you have a good shot for Carib. Med Schools and DO schools. I think it is also possible for you to get in Allop. Med School after you increase your GPA. If dentistry is your goal, do very well on DAT (20+ in every section) and you may get in. Also your family can give you good direction (since they are dentist). Good luck.

 

[doc toothache]

My BCP is a 2.72. I took the MCAT 2 years ago when I was still considering med school. Now I'm thinking about going bio-tech or doing dentistry. I just want to stay close to health-care. I'm leaning towards dentistry because it seems a more sure route of job satisfaction.

Your gpa may turn out to be the least of your problems; your biggest is the ambivalence.

 

[DatRat86]

Most dental schools have a minimum GPA of 2.75. If you dont have above that for both a cummalitive and science gpa, they wont look at your application.

 

[doc toothache]

Most dental schools have a minimum GPA of 2.75. If you dont have above that for both a cummalitive and science gpa, they wont look at your application.

Got to love those generalizations.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=650441

 

[shater]

hello there i really need a real advice on which route i can take to improve my gpa. im international dentist graduated with a gpa of 2.4 and wanted to know what i can actually do to raise such gpa before i apply to dental schools and need ur help in what kind of postbac i can join with my gpa or what is the best route i can take to raise my gpa to be able to appy to dental schools.thx in advc