Would it make sense for me to take an extra year of Undergrad? (2.34 Science GPA with 54 credits)

[thisismyacct]

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Basically what the title says. I think it would make more sense because I still have to take 2 prerequisite classes and 2 more retakes. I might as well take an extra year of undergrad so that my sGPA can boost up, since any SMP is going to need something higher than that (some want a minimum 2.5). I'm currently a senior. I switched my major after a poor fall of junior year (GPA that semester was right below a 2.0, in spring of sophomore year I received a 3.26).

I decided after the Fall of junior year to take some time away from science classes and get my head straight, however I lost out on taking a lot of science classes the following spring semester and this past fall. This past fall my only science class was retaking orgo 1, and I received an A in it.

My ECs are alright and I have very little shadowing (will increase), however that is the least of my concerns lol. and I would take the DAT 1 year after graduation.

After the year after graduation is complete, I would apply to SMPs and dental schools at the same time. Does my plan sound solid?

note to mods: please don't move this to the "what are my chances" board; there is more traffic on the actual "pre-dental" board.

 

[zToothinator]

Yes, your plan makes sense. Your GPA is currently very low. Even if you took 45 more credit hours and got all A's, your science GPA will only be a 3.09 so it's very likely you'll need to complete a SMP. Why not apply to SMPs and dental schools leading up to graduation rather than after and then needing to take a gap year while waiting to hear the results back?

 

[asdfhhadsf234]

Yes, your plan makes sense. Your GPA is currently very low. Even if you took 45 more credit hours and got all A's, your science GPA will only be a 3.09 so it's very likely you'll need to complete a SMP. Why not apply to SMPs and dental schools leading up to graduation rather than after and then needing to take a gap year while waiting to hear the results back?

If OP did get straight As for 60 more credit hours would schools look at this similarily to say, taking a 2 year/60 credit SMP and also getting 60 credit hours of As?

 

[zToothinator]

If OP did get straight As for 60 more credit hours would schools look at this similarily to say, taking a 2 year/60 credit SMP and also getting 60 credit hours of As?

Not sure. However, the benefit of the SMP grades would be that they're treated completely differently on AADSAS so there'll be an undergrad GPA and a master's GPA.

So straight As for 60 more credit hours would look like:
No SMP: 3.1
with SMP: 2.34 undergrad. 4.0 masters.

In the case with no SMP, OP may be screened out automatically by some schools for a low GPA whereas with the SMP, the master's GPA will keep him/her in the running.

 

[thisismyacct]

Yes, your plan makes sense. Your GPA is currently very low. Even if you took 45 more credit hours and got all A's, your science GPA will only be a 3.09 so it's very likely you'll need to complete a SMP. Why not apply to SMPs and dental schools leading up to graduation rather than after and then needing to take a gap year while waiting to hear the results back?

Sorry, I don't think I explained it well in the original post.

Right now, I'm a senior and I'm a non-bio major. I can't apply to dental schools and SMPs right now due to my GPA, 4 pre-reqs still need to be taken, and I have not taken the DAT yet. The timeline I made in the original post would be this:

Spring 19 (currently): graduate

Fall 19-Spring 2020: retake 2 pre-reqs, take physics, take a handful of upper level bio classes.

Spring 2020/Summer 2020: study for and take the DAT.

Summer 2020: Apply to both dental schools and SMPs, since now I will have completed all my required courses, hopefully have had a solid post-bacc, and a solid DAT score.

However, I have also considered jumping straight to a regular MS in Bio following graduation, and then taking my pre reqs during that time as well (idk how feasible it is).

 

[zToothinator]

Your plan makes sense and you seem to know what you need to do to improve your app. Congrats on graduating!

 

[thisismyacct]

Your plan makes sense and you seem to know what you need to do to improve your app. Congrats on graduating!

Thank you, but the real challenge is just beginning lol.

 

[Yesnoyes]

Is dentistry 100% what you want to do? If you just want to be in healthcare, there are other options that have a lower grade cutoff. Currently, you would have to either have unbelievably good extra currics or manage to get a 4.0 in every class to have a chance. Best of luck!

 

[thisismyacct]

Is dentistry 100% what you want to do? If you just want to be in healthcare, there are other options that have a lower grade cutoff. Currently, you would have to either have unbelievably good extra currics or manage to get a 4.0 in every class to have a chance. Best of luck!

I've thought about pharmacy too, but the market for that is pretty oversaturated from what I've heard, both on here and in real life.

edit: I would also get bored out of my mind in pharmacy.