is it ok to get prereqs at community college

[PoorSanDiegan]

i have BS in electrical engineering. looking forward to pursuing dentistry.

i've only worked 2 years, and don't have much to spend to go back to school.

so, my question is - can i get my prereq classes (bio, ochem, anat, etc) completed at a community college and still be ok? if so - would i have a chance at the top dental schools?

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[psiyung]

no

 

[IcemanDDS]

You could but I do not recommend it if you want to get in dental school. Adcoms frown upon prereqs at community college.

 

[PoorSanDiegan]

ok thanks for the info. any californians in this forum find a cheap way to fund a respectable post-bac education? looks like i won't qualify at the UCs - they seem to only take disadvantaged/underrepresented minorities in their 2nd/post-bac programs.

not as flashy as UCSD, UCLA - but SDSU seems to have a good program...

 

[Mr.E]

Some of the schools I contacted said that so long as the prereqs are taken at an accredited institution they would accept them--so as long as the community college is accredited then it should be okay. Some dental schools, however, have a cap on how many units they will accept from the community college. I would check with each school you are interested in applying to before taking the courses.

 

[Biogirl361]

I know this defeats the purpose of posting here, but I would call the schools you're interested in and ask them. I have seen several people on here claim that they or someone they know have taken all their prereqs at CC and been fine. But I know for sure some of the schools I applied to say that they discourage or flat out don't allow this. if it would save you a significant amount of money to take them at CC, I'd get an official answer from your schools before deciding what to do.

 

[dexadental]

Your pre-reqs at the community college won't be "frowned" upon, they will by all means be looked at with your grades from a 4 year institution. If you can prove you can do the university level work, and get good grades, your community college grades probably will not be frowned upon. I took both of my baby bio classes at a community college and every school I've contacted has told me not to worry...I really wouldn't worry...most people have good reasons as to why they attend community college (financial, family, relationships, or just not knowing what they truly wish to pursue yet)...don't let people here scare you about getting comm. college credits...

 

[Sprgrover]

Some of the schools I contacted said that so long as the prereqs are taken at an accredited institution they would accept them--so as long as the community college is accredited then it should be okay. Some dental schools, however, have a cap on how many units they will accept from the community college. I would check with each school you are interested in applying to before taking the courses.

Yes, several dental schools (e.g. MUSC,UMn, and OHSU) have a cap on the amount of time at or number of credits taken from a community college while some (e.g. UOP) will accept all of your credits (if you can provide them with a letter documenting equivalency at a four-year university). As Biogirl361 stated you should contact each school to be sure about their community college policy.

 

[wimmcs]

I also have a degre in business and I was in your situation a couple of years ago. I too was worried whether taking my pre-reqs from a CC would be "frowned upon", but I took the chance and completed ALL my pre-reqs from my local CC. Both Bios, both Physics, both Gen Chems and both OChems. I initially applied to 10 schools, withdrew my app from 5, interviewed at 5 and got into 4, so it's totally doable. As long as you have a degree, it's really not a big deal. No one questioned this matter at any of my interviews. I also had read a couple of posts where people had indicated they were accepted to a number of d-schools having completed all their pre-req work from a CC and this gave me confidence to continue and not worry about it. So glad I did, as I was able to save a bundle of $$. Now, you have to do decent on your DAT in order to "validate" the knowledge you got from the CC classes.

Good luck and if you have further ?s, let me know or PM me.

 

[edkNARF]

Now, you have to do decent on your DAT in order to "validate" the knowledge you got from the CC classes.

This really hits home the point about taking prereqs at a CC. I took all my prereqs at a CC, but I also took alot of upper-level science classes at my 4-year as well as doing well on the DAT. Your CC credits will be fine, as long as you can prove that you can excel when competing at a 4-year level.

On a side note: I started out at a CC for financial reasons, so I know that it is not always possible to begin at a 4-year school. Don't let ANYONE push you around for taking CC credits.

 

[ryche22]

I have a friend that took started off his college career at a community college. He took all of his science pre-reqs there, then transferred to a 4 year college. He got into every school he applied to, without having his bachelors. Im guessing he had around 90 credits.

He got into a competitive California school, was president of his class, ranked #1 in his class, and matched into ortho. Now he is a successful orthodontist.

He actually did this in the San Diego area, I will private message you with more details if you want.


So, kick ass, and you will do fine.

 

[luder98]

i have BS in electrical engineering. looking forward to pursuing dentistry.

i've only worked 2 years, and don't have much to spend to go back to school.

so, my question is - can i get my prereq classes (bio, ochem, anat, etc) completed at a community college and still be ok? if so - would i have a chance at the top dental schools?

Hi there,
It's good to see another EE in this forum. Don't worry about having taken classes at JC, esp with Cal schools. Cal universities in general have very good relationship with JC and CC in their areas. Check out assist.org. It will show you exactly what courses are accepted at which university.

In addition, it is very unreasonable to expect a grad with career to finish pre-req at a 4-year college. Most universities offer those pre-dent classes during the days, how is it possible for us to take those classes? I had to commute 4+ hours per day to finish my OC and Bio.

 

[Lephisto]

.

 

[jini]

i have BS in electrical engineering. looking forward to pursuing dentistry.

i've only worked 2 years, and don't have much to spend to go back to school.

so, my question is - can i get my prereq classes (bio, ochem, anat, etc) completed at a community college and still be ok? if so - would i have a chance at the top dental schools?

Don't worry. Taking prereg at CC is fine. I was in the same situation and dental schools didn't seem to mind. I do agree with other posters that you might need to get high grade on those CC courses and perform well on the DAT too.

Good luck!

 

[PoorSanDiegan]

thanks for the feedback and encouragement everyone! got a long road ahead of me - having this advice is really helpful.

 

[BUBBLICIOUS]

Hi there, of course you can! I transferred from a Community College to a University but took most of my science pre-reqs at the com. college. I got interviews at every school I applied including Harvard(interviewed in Dec so still waiting), UCLA (Jan), U Penn, Columbia(Jan), USC and UCSF.... and I got accepted to U Penn, USC, and UCSf so far. It is not frowned upon and you will learn it just as well. In fact, classes are smaller so you could actually ask questions in class without three hundred heads turning to smirk at your question. I have many friends who took the same route to dental school and ended up and UCLA, U Penn and many great schools. If schools see that you did worse at a university level they might questions your ability to do well in dental school. But usually people do just as well. Just be sure to keep your gpa up and do well on your DAT. Good luck!

i have BS in electrical engineering. looking forward to pursuing dentistry.

i've only worked 2 years, and don't have much to spend to go back to school.

so, my question is - can i get my prereq classes (bio, ochem, anat, etc) completed at a community college and still be ok? if so - would i have a chance at the top dental schools?

 

[gabrielmeraz]

Your pre-reqs at the community college won't be "frowned" upon, they will by all means be looked at with your grades from a 4 year institution. If you can prove you can do the university level work, and get good grades, your community college grades probably will not be frowned upon. I took both of my baby bio classes at a community college and every school I've contacted has told me not to worry...I really wouldn't worry...most people have good reasons as to why they attend community college (financial, family, relationships, or just not knowing what they truly wish to pursue yet)...don't let people here scare you about getting comm. college credits...

I am also from San Diego and obviously we now the tremendous toll we have on rent, utilities, etc. My advice is to take the Orgo at a 4-year school. Check on SDSU, they have a great faculty in the department. Everything else you can definitely take it at JC. I recommend you Southwestern College; they have a great faculty. As it was mentioned, try to have similar JC grades and 4-year school grades.

 

[t12kim]

Don't worry. Taking prereg at CC is fine. I was in the same situation and dental schools didn't seem to mind. I do agree with other posters that you might need to get high grade on those CC courses and perform well on the DAT too.

Good luck!

your GPA with Computer Engineering major at Berkeley KICKs ass. Very impressive.

 

[jini]

your GPA with Computer Engineering major at Berkeley KICKs ass. Very impressive.

Thanks for you comment. Are you from Berkeley too?

 

[Biogirl361]

luder, i love your avatar. ain't it the truth.

 

[burton117]

Anybody have a bad experience taking pre-req's at a community college?

My story goes something like this...

I am currently working at a hospital in the pharmacy, and taking classes at night (M-Th) at a community college. Right now, that means Chemistry and Physics with hopfeully Organic Chemistry over the summer. I have gotten straight A's in all my classes so far. I already have my undergraduate degree as I graduated in 2003 with a 3.0 GPA.

So, I am also planning to apply to a one year Masters in Biomedical Sciences degree or something along those lines before applying to dental school for the following year. With this game plan, how do you guys think I'll do? Do you think my lower undergraduate GPA will hurt me or what?

 

[eddiescott]

I honestly think that pre-reqs at a community college will significantly hurt you. Obtaining a seat in dental school these days is so competitive that I just wouldnt risk it.

You have to realize, when you are applying to a dental school that takes 50 people and has over 1,000 applying that by going to a community college could simply get you in the denial stack right off the bat.

Just my opinion, however.

Sorry.

 

[eddiescott]

I just wouldnt waste my time with community schools for pre-reqs for dental.

Its just too competitive out there. Call the schools your interested in and tell them you want an answer and not to be politically correct that this is your life and you want answers !

hope that helps.

ERS2

 

[aceking]

i think we all know that getting into dschool is harder and harder. i believe that this years was harder than last year because there are like a 1000+ applicant more for the same amount of seats.
i think that stories of how someone in sometime did this and that does not quite apply to us anymore. talking about a guy that already became a specialist (common) i think that is only good for encouragement.
i am from california too and i know how much harder it is to get into a UC now than 5 years ago. Therefore, if i were to give you an advice i would say that take classes a CC it is cool just get all A or A-, and then take some bio classes at a UC or calstate as an extension student.(it is like $400/class) and do well in DAT. even though it cost some money try to get the best resources for the DAT like kaplan and stuff.
i dont think there is a need to a postbac or masters at all. postbac is cool but you would have to move from SD. just ambush those required classes asap.
good luck