Where To Go From Here...

[DentalCM]

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Hello everyone.

I heard a lot of good things about this web site from a few people from school and thought I should post some things that have been weighing on my mind lately to see what kind of input you all have.

I decided I wanted to go into dentistry in the 9th grade and have had a strong interest in the sciences since I started school. I entered college and like some took a while to get used to things as a college student. I did poorly and completed my freshman fall semester with a 1.83 (great start huh 🙄). As a result I was on Academic Warning (next step is probation). I had to retake a few major classes and finished the spring semester with a 3.0 which brought my cumulative GPA to a 2.78. I pulled myself out of academic warning. That summer I shadowed a dentist for 60+ hours and loved it!

So, sophomore year starts and once again I don't do so hot. I ended this past fall semester with a 1.47 and as a result it brought my cumulative GPA to a 2.34 and I am on academic warning again. This was because I failed calculus and got C's in Organic I and Biology II (I and II cover different material so it doesn't matter what order you take them in). I also plan on joining the pre-dental society when I return to school in the spring.

What worries me is that I am in a little too deep. I truly felt that I studied my hardest this semester and that I actually knew the material (except math obviously). I will be taking Calc I over, Biology I, and Organic II this spring semester and I am afraid of getting the same marks over again (minus the Calc because it is my second time around). I guess I just am not studying right.

My question is whether or not it is possible to pull my grades up to a respectable level by the time I graduate so that I can apply to dental schools. I really do try hard and don't party much (especially not during the week anyways). I cant see myself doing any career but dentistry and would like any input or advise on my situation.

Thanks I really appreciate it!
🙂

 

[jigabodo]

Your situation sounds very much like mine.

And yes, it's definitely possible to raise your GPA to a competitive range by the time you graduate. You just gotta make sure that you perform very well from now on.

Good luck!

 

[djeffreyt]

You're definitely not hopeless, but you'll need to pull better than 3.0 for the rest of your college career to get your GPA back up. Even if you got Bs in everything from here til graduation, your GPA would still be below 3.0 when you graduate, which isn't a dental school killer, but it doesn't help much.

Your drive is admirable, but I always worry when I see people who say things like "I can't see myself doing anything but _________." I mean, it's great to have dreams and strive for them, but being so one minded so early (and I still think being in college is early) really cuts you off from other opportunities you MIGHT find interesting as well. But everyone finds their own way.

 

[makushin]

If you are at least average intelligence among your classmates and you want to be a dentist so bad, you can outwork everyone and get 3.7+ from here on out. Professors give out A's, they are there for the taking. If you don't want to do that, you may find it hard to get into dental school.

 

[xdianaax]

Where there's a will there's a way, let me just put it that way. Let's be realistic and say you're not going to get straight A's from now until the end of your college career. Let's say you step it up though and you get he majority A's with a few B's, that indeed will raise your GPA. If it's not enough, you're still not a lost cause because you can do a master's program and kill that.

Moral of the story, focus on the now, do well now, then worry about your chances later. Good luck!

 

[tamkhan]

Moral of the story, focus on the now, do well now, then worry about your chances later. Good luck!

Yes, cross one bridge at a time. If you keep thinking about what may or may not happen in the future, it will most likely demoralize you. Focus your time and energy on today; don't waste it thinking about tomorrow.👍

 

[blankguy]

I second this. You should not dwell on the bad experience. If you keep thinking about the unpleasant past it will make it that much harder to stay motivated.

 

[DentalCM]

Thanks for all the great responses. Nice to hear that there is still hope 😀. You guys are some of the most optimistic people.

One more:
The dentist I shadowed this past summer wrote me a really nice LOR (I guess you could call it that even though it isn't from a professor). I also got to know my Organic I professor pretty well this semester as well. Visited office hours, reviewed material with him, etc. and he got to see how much time I spent on the class and the effort I put into it. However, I only received a C+ in the course. Would it be wise/worthwhile to ask him for a LOR ? I did a few searches already and couldn't seem to find a topic that pertained to my question. I am also kind of in the same boat with my biology class as well. I got a C+ but since the professors weren't all that personable, I ended up visiting the Biology department coordinator's office hours instead (much nicer). Should I ask for a letter from him or wouldn't it make a difference since it wasn't from the professor himself?

Thanks again!