Advice Needed

[jaypea65]

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It has been seventeen years since I have taken some of my science classes(chemistry&biology). I also have O-Chem 1 scheduled for Fall of 07. I want to take the DAT in August. Waiting another admission cycle is not an option for me because of my age. How can I get decent scores on the DAT if I have not even taken O-Chem?

 

[jackbauer!]

i'm not going to lie: it's going to be very very difficult to get a good ochem score without having ever taken an ochem course. if you already had ochem 1 under your belt, then it would be a different story--ochem 2 is basically a continuation of ochem 1 with lots of reactions + spectroscopy.

it would probably be beneficial to pick up an ochem for dummies book this summer. go through that book then move on to a DAT geared book for ochem practice. ochem is generally one of the easier sections to do well on, so it is within your grasp...you will just have to work very hard. i would also recommend a tutor, as he/she will be able to help you understand the parts of ochem that will be foreign to you such as barebone carbon structures, mechanisms, spectroscopy.

best of luck,
jb!🙂

 

[jfitzpat]

It is going to be tough. I took it with only Orgo I and it was fine, but I can't imagine doing it with no Orgo at all.

I know waiting another year sounds terrible (I'm a nontrad myself), but it's better to do it right the first time than to get denied this year and still be required to explain your bad scores next year. Plus, most schools are going to want to see those Orgo scores before they decide on you anyways. They are going to be really skeptical of seventeen year old sciences grades.

 

[SugarNaCl]

It has been seventeen years since I have taken some of my science classes(chemistry&biology). I also have O-Chem 1 scheduled for Fall of 07. I want to take the DAT in August. Waiting another admission cycle is not an option for me because of my age. How can I get decent scores on the DAT if I have not even taken O-Chem?

I'm not sure if I understand you correctly, but you are applying THIS cycle (enrolling 2008)? I don't know your GPA, but you may have a tough time if that is true. Next cycle, it is possible (for enrolling in 2009) Application submission already came out May 15 and if you apply into August, you may even have some trouble getting in because a lot of schools send out their first interview invites that month.

Furthermore, OChem is a prereq for dental school. I don't believe most schools consider people who don't have their prereq grades in when they apply. I could be wrong on that.

You still may be able to do well on OChem if you can teach yourself very well and put a lot of time into it with books and programs like DAT destroyer (from what I hear), Kaplan and TopScore (computer based testing practice). That isn't a huge concern. Also, some schools require that you have observation and an LOR from a dentist. You may have this, but if not, it sounds like you have too much work to do to be put into the class of 2008.

What is one more year? Who cares if you are 37 or 38 when you enroll? It is getting REALLY competitive. This year, I think about 36% of applicants nationally enrolled. I'd get everything straight and then try... but that is just me. Good luck.

 

[jfitzpat]

Furthermore, OChem is a prereq for dental school. I don't believe most schools consider people who don't have their prereq grades in when they apply.

I just finished Orgo II this semester and start at Creighton in the fall so some schools are willing to do it. Creighton is the only school I know about though, so your mileage may vary at others.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I just finished Orgo II this semester and start at Creighton in the fall so some schools are willing to do it. Creighton is the only school I know about though, so your mileage may vary at others.

Creighton is probably a good school to apply to also because they are very good, and willing to take some other factors into account... not just raw GPA/DAT. Congratulations btw jfitzpat.

 

[xdianaax]

I just finished Orgo II this semester and start at Creighton in the fall so some schools are willing to do it. Creighton is the only school I know about though, so your mileage may vary at others.

How many credits did you apply with if you don't mind me asking? Thanks.

 

[xdianaax]

For the OP, listen I was thinking of applying this cycle too, but here's the thing. I too will have applied late, because i want Orgo under my belt, you have to also consider that after orgo many schools require classes such as Biochem or Micro. If it doesn't say that they require them, then they def. probably want to see them. So instead of rushing I figured I may as well get it done, and get it done right. So I know this is not what you want to hear but you waited 17 years already, wait one more year and do it right. Wait until next cycle and knock their socks off! Good luck!

 

[jfitzpat]

How many credits did you apply with if you don't mind me asking? Thanks.

My story is a little different than most. BSBA in 1999 from Creighton. JD in 2004 from Creighton. Took postbac science classes at Creighton and started my application in November. Took the DAT on January 6th (scored a 19/20/21), and was admitted (without interview) on January 16th. So Creighton probably threw me some love because of my history with the school.

 

[xdianaax]

Oh wow!!! Creighton gives admission without interviews? You are lucky!

 

[reapply2007]

I was in a similar position when I applied the first time to d-school. With prereqs 17 yrs old you'll need to do well on the DAT to demonstrate currency. You'll also need to know whether you have done/will be done with all of the prereqs this school year for the schools you are currently applying to. Some schools require you to have taken prereqs w/in x yrs of applying. Check the schools' website.

https://aadsas.adea.org/aadsas2008/supplemental/ins_designations_supp.htm

If the rest of your DAT is solid and can offset a low orgo score then all you'll need is the minimum required for orgo (usually a 16 for most schools) which you could probably do if you study up for it. Remember you'll need to do very well on the other areas of the DAT to bring up your TS and AA. Other than this, you will need to apply early. Submit AADSAS as soon as you can as without the documented prereqs and an unknown DAT you'll need all the help you can get. You should also know that you'll need LORs from three science professors for most schools. Give your old professors a call. You'll also need a dentist LOR.

 

[yorkiepoo]

taking the DAT without orgo is not a good idea. i had to learn the bio from my review books because my university bio sequence doesn't cover practically any of the bio from DAT, but I think that is a general consensus for pre-dents. Take orgo, wait a year and then apply. one year off before applying is better than applying with a big fat 15 in orgo and not getting in and having to take a year off anyway to reapply. take orgo like the rest of the 1000's of pre-dents that apply to d-school