Applying to dental school without Bachelor's

[ChiefsIntern]

I have a 4.0 and am curious if as long as I complete my pre-reqs should I apply to dental school without Bachelor's degree?

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[MaxSnast]

Will you have your bachelors degree by next spring? I do believe most dental schools require a bachelors to be under your belt before you matriculate


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[cooliyak]

I say yes. I was able to do it successfully. As long as you have a strong application across the board (not just 4.0, but high DAT, good extracurriculars/shadowing/volunteering,etc), then it should be fine. Make sure to apply to schools that don't require a bachelors so you don't waste your money.
Others have different opinions as to whether or not you should (some have cited residency programs requiring bachelors degrees so consider that if you want to specialize), but I have yet to regret my decision. I saved 1.5 years of undergrad and was able to get out without being forced into a pointless (in my opinion) degree.

 

[ChiefsIntern]

I say yes. I was able to do it successfully. As long as you have a strong application across the board (not just 4.0, but high DAT, good extracurriculars/shadowing/volunteering,etc), then it should be fine. Make sure to apply to schools that don't require a bachelors so you don't waste your money.
Others have different opinions as to whether or not you should (some have cited residency programs requiring bachelors degrees so consider that if you want to specialize), but I have yet to regret my decision. I saved 1.5 years of undergrad and was able to get out without being forced into a pointless (in my opinion) degree.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Do you remember how many credits you had when you applied by chance?

 

[cooliyak]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Do you remember how many credits you had when you applied by chance?

I think I had 80 when I applied, but had another 20-30ish that I completed during the application process. My school required 90 credits minimum with at least 30 being upper division and I didn't go too much above that.

 

[setdoc7]

Although you do not need a bachelors degree to enter dental school, it may come in handy one day in the future. Consider this..my colleague and I are both residency directors at a large urban medical center. One year some grant money comes through for faculty development. We both decide to go for another degree. We both considered law school. I got in, as I had a BA. He did not, as he only took pre req courses in college and went to D school without a degree. ABA certified law schools require a bachelors degree for admission. Just an example, I'm sure there are more.