Admission question

[ToldYouSo]

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Ok so i'm a HS senior that got accepted to a joint bs/dds program and the req. is the usual good gpa (3.5) req. courses and all that stuff, but another requirement is that I have to do an interview with the dental school and have it deemed "satisfactory" and I also have to take the DAT. Isn't all that basically the same as going to college and applying to go to dental school just like anyone else? I don't see the advantage except that its 7 years instead of 8 but I mean its not that hard to finish college in 3 years.

 

[doc toothache]

Ok so i'm a HS senior that got accepted to a joint bs/dds program and the req. is the usual good gpa (3.5) req. courses and all that stuff, but another requirement is that I have to do an interview with the dental school and have it deemed "satisfactory" and I also have to take the DAT. Isn't all that basically the same as going to college and applying to go to dental school just like anyone else? I don't see the advantage except that its 7 years instead of 8 but I mean its not that hard to finish college in 3 years.

They are the same if you believe that eliminating one year is of no significance. In the BS/DDS program with the requisite gpa/dat you are guaranteed an interview. The same cannot be said for someone with the same stats in an apply-as-you- go program. In the former you have to work hard to keep yourself from getting an acceptance while in the latter you have to work hard to gain one.

 

[ToldYouSo]

They are the same if you believe that eliminating one year is of no significance. In the BS/DDS program with the requisite gpa/dat you are guaranteed an interview. The same cannot be said for someone with the same stats in an apply-as-you- go program. In the former you have to work hard to keep yourself from getting an acceptance while in the latter you have to work hard to gain one.

Yeah, you're right. I forgot that nothing is rly guaranteed, not even an interview. It makes sense now, thx toothache

 

[ToldYouSo]

And wow my question made u post ur 2000th post, how cool is that? lol

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[Jake8]

Take the program and run with it. Lots of SDN'ers sweat the fact that they might not even get interviewed. Also one year that you graduate sooner is one year sooner you make a paycheck and establish yourself.

 

[ToldYouSo]

Take the program and run with it. Lots of SDN'ers sweat the fact that they might not even get interviewed. Also one year that you graduate sooner is one year sooner you make a paycheck and establish yourself.

U made a rly good point, i'll take ur advice, thx!

 

[Stephie3]

its not that hard to finish college in 3 years.

i recommend majoring in physics, biochemistry, or physical chemistry. be sure to take 23 hours a semester too in order to finish in three years





that early acceptance thing is a good idea, b/c then you can get like a 17 on the DAT and not lose your acceptance. a 3.5 isn't that hard to maintain if you work reasonably hard. PLUS you don't have the added stress of applying, interviews, scheduling stuff around etcs. freaking out about acceptances, etc. your senior year. not to mention, it could possibly save you thousands of dollars by bypassing traditional aadsas and interviews

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[ToldYouSo]

i recommend majoring in physics, biochemistry, or physical chemistry. be sure to take 23 hours a semester too in order to finish in three years





that early acceptance thing is a good idea, b/c then you can get like a 17 on the DAT and not lose your acceptance. a 3.5 isn't that hard to maintain if you work reasonably hard. PLUS you don't have the added stress of applying, interviews, scheduling stuff around etcs. freaking out about acceptances, etc. your senior year. not to mention, it could possibly save you thousands of dollars by bypassing traditional aadsas and interviews

U made rly good point too, but I have a bunch of aps that I want to use for gen. ed req (not dental school pre-req.) So i figure if I take a slightly higher courseload its not hard. Alot of my friends finished their bachelors in 3 years but for a pure science it would be harder?

Ty for ur advice though, and u were also right about the min. score of 17 on the DAT. That is alot lower then the scores I see on SDN so I guess it gives u a little more room to relax but ov. taking the easy path is nvr smart in the 1st place, thx stephie!

 

[thethethe]

Take the program and run with it. Lots of SDN'ers sweat the fact that they might not even get interviewed. Also one year that you graduate sooner is one year sooner you make a paycheck and establish yourself.

Why is everything about money. What about taking time off between dental and undergrad to enjoy your youth. Take your time and enjoy life. (If you think the fast track program will make you happy, then go with it)

 

[Stephie3]

let's suppose that by not taking a year off, you'd be in practice an extra year. this would could yield you $100,000 for that year. by not taking a year off now, i certainly will have a fun year later with that bundle. i might even be able to afford me a candy bar and a new bicycle

 

[ToldYouSo]

Why is everything about money. What about taking time off between dental and undergrad to enjoy your youth. Take your time and enjoy life. (If you think the fast track program will make you happy, then go with it)

It's 1 year off undergrad, not a big deal. I would have wanted to finish my bachelors early anyway, stephie's point just reinforces it

 

[ToldYouSo]

And also I just feel that the interview is the hardest part, it just seems so iffy esepcially since dental school admission is getting harder and harder, but thats the way it is, ty everyone for ur responses =)

 

[Jake8]

And also I just feel that the interview is the hardest part, it just seems so iffy esepcially since dental school admission is getting harder and harder, but thats the way it is, ty everyone for ur responses =)

More so be honest and yourself, too many people make the mistake of saying what they think the interviewers want to hear. They can see through BS real quick. Definitely practice but still be honest in your responses.

 

[whateveryoulike]

you are exactly right. it sounds like a sales tactic to make sure you choose their school (if theyre willing to take you). its the equivalent of scholarships offered to stellar students. you get a year of your life back in exchange for choosing their school (over waiting an extra year to go somehwere else). most of those programs are designed so you can finish even quicker. my school (UCF) has a program like that with USF's medical school and I know a couple people who are pushing through the 3 years in 2 years so they can be done in 6 instead of 7 or 8.

 

[Kneecoal]

i recommend majoring in physics, biochemistry, or physical chemistry. be sure to take 23 hours a semester too in order to finish in three years

i know that as far as the 7 year programs go in my school, you just need to take a regular courseload - just need to take bcp, an extra required class or two, and the regular graduation requirements - the kicker is that they don't need to have an official major and take all of those classes - their major is the four bcps's aka "premedical sciences" - a joke, if you ask me.

 

[tooth hurty]

Yeah, I'd only go to the 7 year program if I really liked the undergrad school and would go there anyway. Otherwise...being a year older when you graduate from dental school is only going to help you, not hurt you (in terms of patients trusting you), and since you're a good student now, you're fully capable of doing well on the DAT and getting a good GPA and being very competitive when you apply for dental school.

I almost did a 7-year BA/MD program, and now I'm glad I didn't, because I would have been turning down my dream school for undergrad to go to that one, and I don't want to be an MD now anyway!

 

[ToldYouSo]

you are exactly right. it sounds like a sales tactic to make sure you choose their school (if theyre willing to take you). its the equivalent of scholarships offered to stellar students. you get a year of your life back in exchange for choosing their school (over waiting an extra year to go somehwere else). most of those programs are designed so you can finish even quicker. my school (UCF) has a program like that with USF's medical school and I know a couple people who are pushing through the 3 years in 2 years so they can be done in 6 instead of 7 or 8.

Omg ur DAT scores are amazing

 

[ToldYouSo]

Yeah, I'd only go to the 7 year program if I really liked the undergrad school and would go there anyway. Otherwise...being a year older when you graduate from dental school is only going to help you, not hurt you (in terms of patients trusting you), and since you're a good student now, you're fully capable of doing well on the DAT and getting a good GPA and being very competitive when you apply for dental school.

I almost did a 7-year BA/MD program, and now I'm glad I didn't, because I would have been turning down my dream school for undergrad to go to that one, and I don't want to be an MD now anyway!

thx 4 the advice! I wanted to go to my particular undergrad school b4 i even knew they offered joint programs, it is close to home and I have a full ride. and the allied dental school is in the same state and close so that rly sealed the deal for me.

 

[Dent44]

CONGRATS! It sounds like a great deal! The only thing I would suggest is to make sure you allow yourself to have some life experiences in the process. For example, if you can do it financially, spend a semester studying abroad. You're from NY... I know NYU used to and still might offer Organic Chem in London. Spending the semester in another country is an amazing experience that really matures you... not to mention a ton of fun... and definitely helps puts life into perspective. Take advantage of opportunities like that while you can - before starting your dental classes. Congrats again and good luck! 🙂

 

[ToldYouSo]

CONGRATS! It sounds like a great deal! The only thing I would suggest is to make sure you allow yourself to have some life experiences in the process. For example, if you can do it financially, spend a semester studying abroad. You're from NY... I know NYU used to and still might offer Organic Chem in London. Spending the semester in another country is an amazing experience that really matures you... not to mention a ton of fun... and definitely helps puts life into perspective. Take advantage of opportunities like that while you can - before starting your dental classes. Congrats again and good luck! 🙂

Yes I will be sure to have some good experiences, no good being inside studying all the time, thx!

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

You would be a FOOL not to do the joint program on a full ride. 3.5 isn't too hard to maintain when you know its worth $300,000 (NYU) not including your undergrad.