What would you do?

[lindell12a]

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So I'm graduating this May and I've applied to dental schools who are currently showing no love. This would be due to the fact that my cum GPA right now is around a 2.8-2.9 (with a dramatic upward trend!) and my DAT score was around a 16, which is not so hot.

I'm definitely re-taking the DAT in April/early May.

The thing is, I'm not quite sure what to do. I don't want to spend more than a year in a program (this is actually not because I am stubborn, but for family purposes that are seemingly complex). I don't think an SMP would accept me, and if they did -- what kind of DAT score would I have to have to make up for my terrible GPA? And would they wait until early May to receive the scores?

I was thinking about the Harvard Extension post-bac but would one semester of courses really do much for my GPA? I mean, how many courses does one take during one semester of post-bac? And if I'm correct, post-bacs aren't viewed as a new GPA to medical schools but as averaged into the undergrad GPA. Is that accurate or do medical schools actually see a separate post-bac GPA?

What would you advise would be a good course of action for me to take? Anything would be great. 😳

 

[caffeinehigh]

As much as people try to spin it around, getting into graduate school initially is a game of numbers. Try to raise your DAT score as high as you can, try to get as much genuine hands on experience as you can, and do anything you can to raise the GPA. With those stats, I would be surprised to see you get in to be honest. Try to raise the stats for a year, and then maybe re-apply?

 

[lindell12a]

As much as people try to spin it around, getting into graduate school initially is a game of numbers. Try to raise your DAT score as high as you can, try to get as much genuine hands on experience as you can, and do anything you can to raise the GPA. With those stats, I would be surprised to see you get in to be honest. Try to raise the stats for a year, and then maybe re-apply?

Well, I'm definitely planning on retaking the DAT and scoring 20+ (the first time around, I studied for maybe a week)....as for raising the GPA...I know it's what I have to do but my question is in regards to how you would advise that to happen. If I get a high enough DAT score do you think it would help me get into a SMP? Or do you think one semester of Post-bac (taking 3 science courses) would do it?

After my senior year is over, my undergrad gpa will finally be 3.0+. Finally.

 

[btizzels]

Yeah you are going to need to raise that GPA, and a post bac or a Masters program might be the best way..... if you can't raise the GPA then you need like 24+ on your DATs which doesn't seem that likely..... But where there is a will there is a way... you need to try to raise your stats, and it might take a few years or more to do so..... stay patient and stay focused and you can make it happen....

 

[lindell12a]

Yeah you are going to need to raise that GPA, and a post bac or a Masters program might be the best way..... if you can't raise the GPA then you need like 24+ on your DATs which doesn't seem that likely..... But where there is a will there is a way... you need to try to raise your stats, and it might take a few years or more to do so..... stay patient and stay focused and you can make it happen....

So if I did a masters program, adcoms would see an entirely new GPA, right? Separate from my undergrad?

 

[jigabodo]

So if I did a masters program, adcoms would see an entirely new GPA, right? Separate from my undergrad?

Yes. There will be a separate column for graduate GPA.

 

[lindell12a]

Yes. There will be a separate column for graduate GPA.

But if it was a post-bac, they wouldn't? They'd only the GPA averaged with the undergrad?

Sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate your responses.

 

[Suren911]

How many postbac classes do people usually take?

I think that if you nailed the DAT and got... say, 25 on all sections. You may have a chance with that GPA if you apply to like 20+ schools. It's primarily your GPA holding you back. I'm on your boat, more or less.

 

[jigabodo]

But if it was a post-bac, they wouldn't? They'd only the GPA averaged with the undergrad?

Sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate your responses.

Postbac would go with your undergrad GPA so no, there wouldn't be a separate column for it. 🙂

 

[jigabodo]

How many postbac classes do people usually take?

I think that if you nailed the DAT and got... say, 25 on all sections. You may have a chance with that GPA if you apply to like 20+ schools. It's primarily your GPA holding you back. I'm on your boat, more or less.

Good enough to raise your GPA to a semi competitve range like 3.2-3.3ish?

 

[Suren911]

Good enough to raise your GPA to a semi competitve range like 3.2-3.3ish?

Yeah, I'll have like a 3.2ish when I graduate and apply. But I am seriously going to kill the DATs. Aiming for as high as I can. Hopefully 23 across all sections. And I'm applying to like 22 schools.

 

[jigabodo]

Yeah, I'll have like a 3.2ish when I graduate and apply. But I am seriously going to kill the DATs. Aiming for as high as I can. Hopefully 23 across all sections. And I'm applying to like 22 schools.

Sounds a lot like me! But you aren't an international student so I am sure you'll have an easier time getting into dental schools! 😀

 

[Suren911]

Sounds a lot like me! But you aren't an international student so I am sure you'll have an easier time getting into dental schools! 😀

Well kudos to you certainly, for overcoming that barrier. I'm a permanent resident so I don't know if that would be a problem or not.

 

[jigabodo]

Well kudos to you certainly, for overcoming that barrier. I'm a permanent resident so I don't know if that would be a problem or not.

It wouldn't be. I think you will be treated just like other US citizens - according to my official guide to dental schools.

 

[lindell12a]

How many postbac classes do people usually take?

I think that if you nailed the DAT and got... say, 25 on all sections. You may have a chance with that GPA if you apply to like 20+ schools. It's primarily your GPA holding you back. I'm on your boat, more or less.

Hmm, I'm wondering this also. How many post-bac courses are taken in one semester? If I applied for a post-bac that started Fall 2008 but was wanting to matriculate into dental school Fall 2009, dental schools would only see my first semester of post-bac courses (granted, it's a 1 year post-bac)...so yeah, back to my original question (sorry): How many classes can you take in one semester for post-bac?

 

[blankguy]

If you can't get into a SMP or postbacc program you could take courses as a nondegree student for an extra year.

 

[lindell12a]

So what classes would you take if you had one semester to prove to adcoms that you are competitive?

 

[caffeinehigh]

So what classes would you take if you had one semester to prove to adcoms that you are competitive?

Why don't you retake the courses that got your GPA so low???

 

[Cinnabans]

Even if you re-take the classes that brought you down in the first place, both grades will still be asked for by AADSAS, right? If not I will be extremelyyyy happy. Wouldn't it look better to take upper level/more advanced science courses to prove you can handle the load in dental school?

 

[NewMexDent]

Grades for courses that you re-take do not replace the old grade. But, retaking a class can show dedication and it's essentially the same for your GPA as taking a different science course.

I would suggest just taking courses as a non-degree seeking student. Just do really well in them. I raised my science GPA froma 3.17 to a 3.26 in one semester - and I am a science major, so it can be done.