Where do I explain "D" on my transcript in the application?

[OGNn]

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Hey guys,
I tried to defer the 50% worth final exam but the faculty denied it so I ended up getting 0 in final and got a D.
I heard that there is a section in AADSAS application where I explain the reason for getting a D and I couldn't find it.. could someone explain it to me? 🙁 Thanks!

 

[cacajuate]

A 0 on a 50% of class final and only got a D?

If you're going to make an excuse at least have a good one. Just retake the class or explain if it's get brought up in an interview.

 

[OGNn]

A 0 on a 50% of class final and only got a D?

If you're going to make an excuse at least have a good one. Just retake the class or explain if it's get brought up in an interview.

Well I was sick for the exam so I had to defer it. I didn't know our school faculty was very strict about this.. and also my school doesnt allow students to retake a course unless they failed it

 

[Dent_2016!]

I love the crazy curves most schools must be using when I see the posts like this on here... If you did not take a 50% final at my school you most definitely would get an F regardless of the curve.

 

[studentdental8]

I love the crazy curves most schools must be using when I see the posts like this on here... If you did not take a 50% final at my school you most definitely would get an F regardless of the curve.

My Orgo lab had the strictest curving system of all sciences where 98-100 gets you an A, 93-98 gets you an A-, and so forth, and 5% of people ended up getting above a 90. But the good part about that course was that if you did really really poorly you would be curved up at least to a D+ or C- by the system. Basically it is a special type of bell curve where they try to eliminate the amount of density that do really well or do really poorly, and try to squeeze everyone closer to a B-/C+

 

[fogorvostan]

There isn't anywhere to explain it. It's possible that you might be asked in an interview, but I have an F on my transcript and I was never once asked about it.

 

[Dr. Dan]

I'm so fascinated by the American schooling system.. so you guys get an A if it's 90+? That's crazy! Here in Canada, we get an A if it's 80+. Although, I heard that there are approximately the same amount of A's given out between both countries, but still, it's absolutely nuts that you guys need a 90 for an A. I mean, to put it in perspective, my friend and I were the only 2 people in our Organic Chem class to get above a 90, and that was with like 200+ students

 

[cacajuate]

I'm so fascinated by the American schooling system.. so you guys get an A if it's 90+? That's crazy! Here in Canada, we get an A if it's 80+. Although, I heard that there are approximately the same amount of A's given out between both countries, but still, it's absolutely nuts that you guys need a 90 for an A. I mean, to put it in perspective, my friend and I were the only 2 people in our Organic Chem class to get above a 90, and that was with like 200+ students

There's an easy explanation to this. Americans are just smarter.

 

[Dr. Dan]

You think so? That's an interesting theory, could you forward the proof to my inbox for peer-review?

 

[studentdental8]

I'm so fascinated by the American schooling system.. so you guys get an A if it's 90+? That's crazy! Here in Canada, we get an A if it's 80+. Although, I heard that there are approximately the same amount of A's given out between both countries, but still, it's absolutely nuts that you guys need a 90 for an A. I mean, to put it in perspective, my friend and I were the only 2 people in our Organic Chem class to get above a 90, and that was with like 200+ students

Does that explain partly why, in addition to the low amount of seats compared to applicants, why something like U of T Dental doesn't look at less than 3.8 gpa

 

[Dr. Dan]

It's not just UoT dental, it's every dental school in Canada (10 of them). They all require a 3.85 GPA.
And probably not, because when AADSAS calculated my GPA, it was almost the exact same as the calculated GPA for Canadian schools. Universities are all balanced with specific conversion parameters for each one, so I honestly don't believe the level of education is very different between Americans and Canadians.

That being said, the troll above me thinks otherwise.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Here in Canada, we get an A if it's 80+

Damnnnnnnnnnn. I should've lived in Canada

 

[studentdental8]

It's not just UoT dental, it's every dental school in Canada (10 of them). They all require a 3.85 GPA.
And probably not, because when AADSAS calculated my GPA, it was almost the exact same as the calculated GPA for Canadian schools. Universities are all balanced with specific conversion parameters for each one, so I honestly don't believe the level of education is very different between Americans and Canadians.

That being said, the troll above me thinks otherwise.

but when it gets down to nitty gritty there is absolutely no way to compare gpa between two different majors within the same school, let alone two different applicants from two different schools

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...pla-over-high-admission-stats-part-ii.910566/

 

[Rambunctious]

I'm so fascinated by the American schooling system.. so you guys get an A if it's 90+? That's crazy! Here in Canada, we get an A if it's 80+. Although, I heard that there are approximately the same amount of A's given out between both countries, but still, it's absolutely nuts that you guys need a 90 for an A. I mean, to put it in perspective, my friend and I were the only 2 people in our Organic Chem class to get above a 90, and that was with like 200+ students. 90's are kind of rare here

So let me get this straight. It's much easier for you Canadians to get A's. Then you apply for dental school here in the states, competing against us where we have a more difficult time getting A's. So doesn't this give you guys an unfair advantage when applying to our dental schools?

 

[Dr. Dan]

But that's the thing, it's not easier for us to receive A's (apparently). I'm pretty sure our GPA is standardized by AADSAS so it's all fair. I mean our class averages in most science courses is approximately 62%, and that was just for my university. Not sure what it's like in the states, but getting an 80% in a science course is usually pretty damn difficult.

 

[ncide]

I mean our class averages in most science courses is approximately 62%, and that was just for my university. Not sure what it's like in the states, but getting an 80% in a science course is usually pretty damn difficult.

Sounds like all my science and math classes. They routinely averaged around that. 80% would be around a 3.0.

 

[Dr. Dan]

Sounds like all my science and math classes. They routinely averaged around that. 80% would be around a 3.0.

Okay let's be honest here, people who get accepted to dental school are all intelligent, hardworking people; American or Canadian. I refuse to believe that 7 years of university and a certification to teach high school in Ontario in math and bio somehow mean less than someone who did the same thing in America. Regardless what we think, there's no way to compare the educational systems and their complex methods of assessment and evaluation (even curriculum could be slightly different).

Let's just agree that everyone on this forum is here for one reason; to be the best and most well-informed dentist they possibly can.

 

[doc toothache]

But that's the thing, it's not easier for us to receive A's (apparently). I'm pretty sure our GPA is standardized by AADSAS so it's all fair. I mean our class averages in most science courses is approximately 62%, and that was just for my university. Not sure what it's like in the states, but getting an 80% in a science course is usually pretty damn difficult.

AADSAS does a lot of things, but standardizing gpas is not one of them.

 

[Dr. Dan]

AADSAS does a lot of things, but standardizing gpas is not one of them.

I stand corrected

 

[ajj70]

But that's the thing, it's not easier for us to receive A's (apparently). I'm pretty sure our GPA is standardized by AADSAS so it's all fair. I mean our class averages in most science courses is approximately 62%, and that was just for my university. Not sure what it's like in the states, but getting an 80% in a science course is usually pretty damn difficult.

In my "easiest" class, 94% is the bottom of the A range, so an A- if you get 94%. I have never had a class curved, unfortunately. 62% in any of my classes would be an F, and there are plenty that fail or close to it.

Sounds like all my science and math classes. They routinely averaged around that. 80% would be around a 3.0.

Yep

Okay let's be honest here, people who get accepted to dental school are all intelligent, hardworking people; American or Canadian. I refuse to believe that 7 years of university and a certification to teach high school in Ontario in math and bio somehow mean less than someone who did the same thing in America. Regardless what we think, there's no way to compare the educational systems and their complex methods of assessment and evaluation (even curriculum could be slightly different).

Let's just agree that everyone on this forum is here for one reason; to be the best and most well-informed dentist they possibly can.

I think you missed the point, you are getting your GPA calculated as an A compared to what would be a B or lower in most US schools. I could slide by doing nothing in a lot of classes other than attending lectures and get 80%, or work my tail off to get A's like I do. It's not that you did less, it's that your standards are lower for the same grade, thus, putting you at an advantage in applying to schools in the US, not to mention that most people do what you did in well under 7 years....

 

[Dr. Dan]

In my "easiest" class, 94% is the bottom of the A range, so an A- if you get 94%. I have never had a class curved, unfortunately. 62% in any of my classes would be an F, and there are plenty that fail or close to it.



Yep



I think you missed the point, you are getting your GPA calculated as an A compared to what would be a B or lower in most US schools. I could slide by doing nothing in a lot of classes other than attending lectures and get 80%, or work my tail off to get A's like I do. It's not that you did less, it's that your standards are lower for the same grade, thus, putting you at an advantage in applying to schools in the US, not to mention that most people do what you did in well under 7 years....

If you haven't taken a course in Canada, then you have no way to substantiate anything you're saying. Have you ever considered that our courses might be harder and that's why an A is an 80 (which btw is not even considered a 4.0)? Unlike you I don't flat out say this because I have no proof, just like you.

And you obviously have no idea how long it takes to obtain a teachers license in Ontario. We require 4 years undergrad with a double major, 1 in your first teachable subject and one in education along with courses in a second teachable. Then you need to take a year of teachers college and actually teach/be evaluated. On top of this I took 2 more years to get the dental pre-req courses I needed, so 7 years.

I can't believe how offensive people are being towards Canadians. We have high standards too, we don't just sit outside our igloos fending off polar bears all damn day. The next time someone speaks about this matter, you better have attended both a US and Canadian school.. and even that would be a hard comparison to make.

 

[Rambunctious]

If you haven't taken a course in Canada, then you have no way to substantiate anything you're saying. Have you ever considered that our courses might be harder and that's why an A is an 80 (which btw is not even considered a 4.0)? Unlike you I don't flat out say this because I have no proof, just like you.

And you obviously have no idea how long it takes to obtain a teachers license in Ontario. We require 4 years undergrad with a double major, 1 in your first teachable subject and one in education along with courses in a second teachable. Then you need to take a year of teachers college and actually teach/be evaluated. On top of this I took 2 more years to get the dental pre-req courses I needed, so 7 years.

I can't believe how offensive people are being towards Canadians. We have high standards too, we don't just sit outside our igloos fending off polar bears all damn day. The next time someone speaks about this matter, you better have attended both a US and Canadian school.. and even that would be a hard comparison to make.

We aren't being offensive towards Canadians, we love you guys. You made a statement about how it's easier to get an A in Canada and we're merely stating how its an obvious advantage for you guys to apply to US schools.

No, we haven't taken science courses in Canada, but the difficulty of any course is not based on where you take it, but how the course is administered in regards to questions asked and material covered. There is no way of you saying that courses are "harder" in Canada vs the US or vice versa. BUT you did say that an 80% = A in Canada, which is not the case in the US. SO again, you Canadians have an advantage with higher GPAs when applying to dental school in the US.

 

[CLAZO121]

I love the crazy curves most schools must be using when I see the posts like this on here... If you did not take a 50% final at my school you most definitely would get an F regardless of the curve.

God bless the curve! I ended my first semester with a raw 65.5 average in calculus (the second midterm killed me) but i still ended up with a C.

When i saw my grade I started crying so hard because i swear i thought I failed.

 

[Dr. Dan]

We aren't being offensive towards Canadians, we love you guys. You made a statement about how it's easier to get an A in Canada and we're merely stating how its an obvious advantage for you guys to apply to US schools.

No, we haven't taken science courses in Canada, but the difficulty of any course is not based on where you take it, but how the course is administered in regards to questions asked and material covered. There is no way of you saying that courses are "harder" in Canada vs the US or vice versa. BUT you did say that an 80% = A in Canada, which is not the case in the US. SO again, you Canadians have an advantage with higher GPAs when applying to dental school in the US.

I said it was "harder" to make a point.. the fact is, we don't know if there is truly an advantage because you're making an apples to oranges comparison. The fact that you think the 80 = A thing so cut and dry really says a lot. I just called my med school friend. He had transferred to a US school and told me he was getting higher grades in all of his classes, but the GPA worked out to about what he was getting here in undergrad. Again, this is just one example and I wouldn't be so arrogant as to say that Americans have an advantage. Try attending school and taking dental here with all this competition. I'd take the US "disadvantage" any day.

 

[ashyyyjayyy]

I have attended two different Canadian universities, and in both of them a 90% was an A.

 

[Dr. Dan]

I have attended two different Canadian universities, and in both of them a 90% was an A.

Were they in Ontario?

 

[ashyyyjayyy]

Were they in Ontario?

Nope. My brother attended university in Canada for the first two years, then transferred to USC in the states and said it was ridiculously easier at USC

 

[ajj70]

If you haven't taken a course in Canada, then you have no way to substantiate anything you're saying. Have you ever considered that our courses might be harder and that's why an A is an 80 (which btw is not even considered a 4.0)? Unlike you I don't flat out say this because I have no proof, just like you.

And you obviously have no idea how long it takes to obtain a teachers license in Ontario. We require 4 years undergrad with a double major, 1 in your first teachable subject and one in education along with courses in a second teachable. Then you need to take a year of teachers college and actually teach/be evaluated. On top of this I took 2 more years to get the dental pre-req courses I needed, so 7 years.

I can't believe how offensive people are being towards Canadians. We have high standards too, we don't just sit outside our igloos fending off polar bears all damn day. The next time someone speaks about this matter, you better have attended both a US and Canadian school.. and even that would be a hard comparison to make.

Never said it was harder or easier, but again, comparing an 80% on a physics test being an A to a 98% on a Physics test being an A clearly give you an advantage. If we are "offensive" well, you are applying to US dental schools.....

Have you considered that perhaps it's you that is being offensive assuming that it's "easier" in US schools????

 

[ashyyyjayyy]

Never said it was harder or easier, but again, comparing an 80% on a physics test being an A to a 98% on a Physics test being an A clearly give you an advantage. If we are "offensive" well, you are applying to US dental schools.....

Have you considered that perhaps it's you that is being offensive assuming that it's "easier" in US schools????

I have never heard of a university giving an A for 80%. I went to the University of Calgary and University of Alberta and in both schools it was 90 for an A. I have no idea where Dr. Dan went but i sure want to transfer there!

 

[Dr. Dan]

University of Toronto. Just... read this.
http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/newstudents/transition/academic/grading

And feel free to go there if it's so easy.

 

[torontopharm]

I have never heard of a university giving an A for 80%. I went to the University of Calgary and University of Alberta and in both schools it was 90 for an A. I have no idea where Dr. Dan went but i sure want to transfer there!

Off the top of my head, UWO and York does.
But i think in most Canadian schools, 80 is an A-.

 

[studentdental8]

In the end no metric to letter grade scale translation matters. If universities across north america truly wanted to standardize grading, GPA should be given based on a ranking percentile in a bell curve fashion where + 1 standard deviation gives you a 3.3, +2 standard deviation gives you 3.7 ect. That way GPAs will truly be uniform as it tells you your class rank within your university

 

[Rambunctious]

In the end no metric to letter grade scale translation matters. If universities across north america truly wanted to standardize grading, GPA should be given based on a ranking percentile in a bell curve fashion where + 1 standard deviation gives you a 3.3, +2 standard deviation gives you 3.7 ect. That way GPAs will truly be uniform as it tells you your class rank within your university

There is no way to standardize GPAs as I mentioned above, it's subjective on the difficulty of how questions can be asked in each course. The way dental schools have adjusted for this is by the DAT. That's the only way to really find out how much a student has learned, regardless of their GPA.