Hello,
I dumb-goofed this semester. I am a sophomore in college and currently have a 3.3 GPA. This semester, I took a light course load for several reasons. I pledged into a professional pre-health fraternity, my mom got diagnosed with Hepatitis B, my father was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimers, my close friend from home passed away from cancer, I was in a 5 year relationship and just went through a break up, and I was so socially lonely that I didn’t manage my time between my social and academic life. I am receiving an F in Molecular Genetics (4 credit class). My professor is not understanding which I suppose I understand, it’s his job to teach it’s my job to study and execute my knowledge. I want to get into dental school. I am most likely receiving a C or C+ in Orgo 2 (4 credit class). An A in a 2-credit classes, my internship class and an A- in my 2 credit Orgo lab. I have 2 internships ready for me next semester, one being a dental one. I am also a resident assistant, as well as Judicial Board representative for my Fraternity. I am also taking summer classes such as Physics 1 and then a few other classes for my Health and Wellness minor which at least the minor are easy As. I can probably fit Molecular Genetics in my senior year to retake it but I am not confident that I will Ace it. It was a very difficult class that is fast paced, no textbook use, and only grades are out of 4 exams. If I miraculously receive a D in the class I can retake it, but the D is added into my GPA not my new grade. If I do, which is my realistic scenario, I will be able to retake it and the F and new grade will be added into my GPA. At the moment I am concerned that a) will this prevent me from getting into dental school as my GPA is so low at the moment b) even if I do retake it I know it looks promising if I Ace it but I assure you I am not capable of acing that class. Do my extra curricular and involvement make up for my terrible grades? What should I do?
Dental students, Dental schools please advise. I am also too discouraged to tell my parents because they hear I got a Dental internship and think I really am doing so well, but I am not at all.
First, tell your parents what’s going on ASAP. Parents want the truth. They may be a little disappointed now, but they will be even more disappointed/ annoyed/angry later when they find that you “misrepresented” your academic performance. Your internship won’t help you if your GPA is low. ECs are nice, (just to show you are a sociable person) but will not not make up for low grades. An internship won’t make you stand out–it is practically a requirement. And many applicants have much more hands-on dental experience. Your best hope of fixing your situation would be to get a 4.0 for the next two years which could bring your GPA up to about 3.65 or so depending on the number of hours. But if you want to apply to dental school early in your senior year (as most do), your best GPA at that point might be 3.5ish. If you can’t get straight A’s (you’re struggling with some classes), your GPA will (likely) be lower, maybe 3.4. That C in Orgo and retaking Molecular Genetics could be your downfall–because they look at science grades in particular. It is very hard to get into dental school with a GPA under 3.5 unless you have a lot of other things going for you. Especially top DAT scores. Not “good” scores. Excellent scores. You need to study like crazy for the DAT, and reach for a 4.0. Focus on those 2 things. Forget socializing . DAT scores above all else, because, realistically, your GPA is probably going to be weak. You have to put your time into the thing that will give your application the biggest boost: DAT. Also, you need to have a Plan B. Because you might not make it. Be realistic. Do you want to go for a master’s or post-bac program to improve your chances? Or give up on dental school and do something else?
My D was a failed dental applicant a few years ago. Similar struggles. Grade deflation school didn’t help. Had some bad luck, too. She ended with a 3.4. Good but not great DAT. Lots of dental experience/skills. Other interesting ECs. Outgoing personality, excellent verbal/social skills. Applied to many schools. Got only ONE interview, which she thought went perfectly. She was waitlisted/rejected. I said to D–Yes, you’ve had some hard things to deal with, and some bad luck. But there were other applicants out there, who, in spite of their own struggles, were able to focus on the two necessary goals: high GPA and high DAT scores. They might not even be as bright or skilled as you, but they wanted it more, and made the necessary sacrifices. They didn’t lose focus, mess up, or make excuses. (D moved on to plan B and is now graduating from art school.)
I wish you the best. Talk to your parents