Advice for a non-traditional applicant

[Reachtek]

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Hey, I'm new to the forum and a long-time reader of the forums. Anyway, I'm a non-traditional student back in school to fulfill my pre-reqs. I graduated from UCSD with a Poli Sci degree, and next thing I know I'm back in the dental lab I worked in for years, so dentistry seems right at home for me.

My ability to take pre-reqs at a 4-year is pretty much out of the question, so I've been taking them at a CC and so far my sGPA is sitting at a 4.0 and I'm planning on taking the DAT before the next application cycle. I just have a few questions for those who've been through this as well...

I want to take the DAT with what I learned in class still fresh in memory, is it wise to take it after finishing ochem 1 and bio 1 or should I wait till I finish the full year of each? I've already completed the gen chem requirement.

As I mentioned, I work at a dental lab full time and also intern at a dental office, will taking a lighter load of classes per semester (2 lab courses instead of 3) do me more harm than good?

Thanks in advance 😀

 

[Geeger]

I was in the same boat - non traditional applicant, working full-time, having to take prereqs at CC (actually loved my classes at my CC), family with two kids, etc. Due to such a busy schedule I had to take a lighter course load, around 6-9 credits per semester. Took me around 3 years to finish prereqs and some upper level science classes. I got accepted to my first choice school, GHSU CoDM, in december. So from my experience I would not say taking a lighter course load at a CC will hurt you, only as long as you do well in those courses.

 

[Msmouth]

I would wait until you are done with Organic 2, unless you can teach it to yourself.
As far as if it will hurt or harm you. This is just my opinion.... ( you would be best off calling the schools you will be applying to). Most schools will want to see that you can handle a full-time course load while juggling family and work to demonstrate that you can handle the vigors of dental school.

I am sort of in same boat as you except I all but gave up my full-time job. I now work 1-2 days/week as a RDH and I attend a University full-time as a biology major. I have 2 young boys. I am sometimes torn with my decision to do this. I want to be a dentist but at the same time I feel so guilty for taking so much time away from my children.
As far as taking the DAT while it's all fresh, I think you are on the right track, except you will need to study. Think of all the traditional students with more free time to study their buts off for 8 weeks straight and score very well. There is a ton of competition.....so study hard!
Good luck and I hope you get in.

 

[RemiLunaDDS]

Non-trad also. Graduated in 2002. I took my prereqs in 5 semesters at CC. I took 10 units per semester on top of working full time. I took the DAT without taking OChem 2 or Zoology. Chad's videos really helped me learn OChem and I got a 21. It can be done if you put your mind to it. Good luck.

 

[Reachtek]

Non-trad also. Graduated in 2002. I took my prereqs in 5 semesters at CC. I took 10 units per semester on top of working full time. I took the DAT without taking OChem 2 or Zoology. Chad's videos really helped me learn OChem and I got a 21. It can be done if you put your mind to it. Good luck.

Thanks for all the info!

What are and where can I find "Chad's videos"?

 

[RemiLunaDDS]

I can't post the URL here.
I only subscribed for 1 month. I only watched the videos once but when I did I also took a lot of notes. It was really good review for GChem, I got a 30!

 

[RemiLunaDDS]

Sorry. Not sure what is up with the SDN app.

 

[RemiLunaDDS]

Google it.

 

[white fang]

I think you should take gen bio 2 before the DAT, that is heavily tested upon. However, I don't think you need O-Chem 2. I did not take O-Chem 2 before the DAT and got 27 in O-chem thanks to Chad's videos, O-chem as a 2nd language (2nd semester topics) and DAT Destroyer.