Where to start?

[Clarus]

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I was wondering where to start with my pre-dental reqs? I already have my undergraduate degree in psychology and biological sciences but haven't taken the DAT (which ill be putting a great deal of focus into for the next couple of months). My undergrad cGPA was a 3.18 and sGPA was a 2.8. I did a post bacc and that cGPA was a 2.58. I know at this point that my DAT, volunteer/shadowing hours and letters of recommendation will be a make or break for me going towards dental school.

Any tips, suggestions or timelines I should follow? I'm trying to apply for the upcoming application cycle that happening this year for Fall 2017 start date.

 

[JLT223]

Your post bac gpa was 2.58 ? What....happened?

 

[Clarus]

My first semester was rough because I moved from living at home for the very first time in my life and had to readjust to a new living environment. The place I was living at was with a lot of students (5+) and it wasn't very hospitable. I ended up struggle in managing time and the coursework and trying to find a place to live within the span of 4 months. I ended up living in 4 different places and had to move, pack, unpack each time and deal with landlords and the like. My second semester, I picked up my grades but unfortunately they weren't good enough to what I wanted my overall GPA. I did better, but not the best I can do.

 

[pgex2t]

You're definitely going to need another long post bacc or SMP before being considered for interviews. You'll need to retake any core classes you did worse than a C in as well as take several higher division courses and ace everything (3.9+). A post bacc is supposed to demonstrate improvement; in your case it demonstrated you're becoming weaker as a student. That really doesn't look good. I don't say this often, but unless you get a 27 or higher on the DAT, you will not be considered at all/your chances are zero for the fall 2017 martriculation cycle. I suspect you'll need an absolute minimum of one year of 3.9+s in science courses to make up for your gpa to an extent.