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tldr background: I am a rising senior first gen student about to graduate a semester early (Dec 2020). I study economics, and originally planned to minor in political science. I have never considered anything in healthcare (besides my experience at PPFA but corporate nonprofit side), and given my weakness in chemistry (never took ap chem in high school). This summer interned at a bank, thinking a career in finance was the best thing ever, lied to myself these past two years and realized I will not succeed because while economics is exciting to learn, finance is soul sucking and will make me miserable. Did some research and want to give my all into dentistry. (pm if you want to hear more, took it out because a wall of text is offputting haha)
Timeline
So clearly, a rising senior who intends to graduate early and plans to change career paths now is a risky move. I'm more confident this time after being honest and thorough with myself and researching the career, and will be more or less after shadowing this upcoming semester. As an economics major I haven't taken any pre-reqs. I have taken math courses like calc including stats which is recommended, but none of the required bio, chem, orgo, or physics classes.
I understand there are post-bac programs for people who need pre-reqs but at the moment I don't think it's financially wise to do a post-bac. I'm not sure if this works, but I plan to take my first pre-req in gen chem (ditch political science minor), graduate early as intended, then go to my state uni to take all the pre-req courses as a non-degree student. My goal is to go to my state dental school, which won't put me with $400K+ in loans! I've read to not take gen chem and orgo chem at the same time, which is why I've spread out the courses. I've also read physics isn't tested on DAT so I can take that sequence after my application is submitted.
Questions
I looked at adea.org's timeline and modelled my timeline after it. I am pretending to be a "sophomore" in the process.
Thank you for your help! I would also love to hear your story as well if similar!
Timeline
So clearly, a rising senior who intends to graduate early and plans to change career paths now is a risky move. I'm more confident this time after being honest and thorough with myself and researching the career, and will be more or less after shadowing this upcoming semester. As an economics major I haven't taken any pre-reqs. I have taken math courses like calc including stats which is recommended, but none of the required bio, chem, orgo, or physics classes.
I understand there are post-bac programs for people who need pre-reqs but at the moment I don't think it's financially wise to do a post-bac. I'm not sure if this works, but I plan to take my first pre-req in gen chem (ditch political science minor), graduate early as intended, then go to my state uni to take all the pre-req courses as a non-degree student. My goal is to go to my state dental school, which won't put me with $400K+ in loans! I've read to not take gen chem and orgo chem at the same time, which is why I've spread out the courses. I've also read physics isn't tested on DAT so I can take that sequence after my application is submitted.
Questions
- Is it alright to take pre-reqs at local uni instead of my private college? I don't want to graduate from my current undergrad two years later just for the pre-reqs and pay full tuition since I will no longer be scholarship eligible then...
- Would you change anything about the timeline? Speed up pace of courses taken?
- Would it make sense to take gen chem and orgo chem at the same time with bio?
I looked at adea.org's timeline and modelled my timeline after it. I am pretending to be a "sophomore" in the process.
Fall '20 | Spring '21 | Summer | Fall '21 | Spring '21 | Summer | Fall '22 - Spring '22 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
instead of taking last class for my political science minor: | local uni as nondegree student and take: | local uni and take a summer course: | local uni: | study and prepare application! | local uni and prepare application: | local uni |
take gen chem I as my first pre-req | bio I; gen chem II | orgo chem I | bio II; orgo chem II | study and take the DAT | physics I; submit application | physics II; upper level electives |
graduate from undergrad! | shadow & volunteer | " | " | " | " | continue application process |
Thank you for your help! I would also love to hear your story as well if similar!
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