At your own pace/online/test out pre reqs

[Ryanpoore]

Hey there, I've searched for this topic and found some info reguardjng online courses, but haven't found anything about self-paced or test out options for the science pre reqs. My question for you guys: Is there a school that lets you take the science courses at an accelerated pace? I have a hard time staying with subjects for a whole semester. I get really bored because of add, and discovered my school offers something that suits my needs for math. You tke the courses at your own pace an it's really nice. My father in law also told me about schools where you can take a test at the beginning of a semester to test out of a class if you know all the material.

Do you know of any schools like this? More importantly, do you know of any dental programs that accept these courses? Thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

Sorry for any errors in this, typing on my iphone that I shattered 5 mins ago and can't really see what I'm doing haha

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[Bobby Fischer]

 

[mid]

I think your father-in-law is talking about autotutorials. Cornell has them for select courses, they aren't online (you still have to go in for labs) and all your exams will be in person and proctored. I doubt you'll find a university where you can take all your courses in this fashion.

Additionally, if you can't focus on a course for a semester what are your plans for succeeding in dental school? I'd try and get the ADD under control.

 

[Ryanpoore]

I plan on doing dental school because I don't really have other options. Coming from a family of doctors/dentists they would
He very disappointed if I chose something else. That being said, I want to do dentistry I really like material the problem is they teach it too slow, all that stuff can be learned, by me at least, so much faster. It's not really like you can get add under control per say, I mean you could tweak out on adderall but that's not for me.

I'm just checking out all my options at this point, I'm 21 and have been putting off all serious classes while I was playing soccer at school, and now it's time to start making some big boy decisions. Have you ever heard of any other option other than taking all the pre reqs then all 4 years of dental school and then a specialty on top of that? I'm just trying to hear all possible options out there. Thanks again for your help, I really really do appreciate you taking time from your day to help. Thanks.


-Ryan

 

[Ryanpoore]

For example, has anyone heard of schools offering chem/bio during the summer? I know here they have some 8 week courses instead of 16 weeks. Like I said, I'm just looking at all possibilities; my parents are too long removed from college to be of any help.

 

[LaughingGas]

I plan on doing dental school because I don't really have other options. Coming from a family of doctors/dentists they would
He very disappointed if I chose something else.Atta "BIG BOY" That being said, I want to do dentistry I really like material the problem is they teach it too slow, all that stuff can be learned, by me at least, so much faster. It's not really like you can get add under control per say, I mean you could tweak out on adderall but that's not for me.

I'm just checking out all my options at this point, I'm 21 and have been putting off all serious classes while I was playing soccer at school, and now it's time to start making some big boy decisions. Have you ever heard of any other option other than taking all the pre reqs then all 4 years of dental school and then a specialty on top of that? I'm just trying to hear all possible options out there. Thanks again for your help, I really really do appreciate you taking time from your day to help. Thanks.

So far never heard of anyone taking other option than take prereqs then 4 year of d-school.

-Ryan

For example, has anyone heard of schools offering chem/bio during the summer? I know here they have some 8 week courses instead of 16 weeks. Like I said, I'm just looking at all possibilities; my parents are too long removed from college to be of any help.

I know some UCs offer 2 consecutive 6 week (instead of regular 12 weeks)summer terms. Each term you can take up to 3 classes (if you can get As).

 

[vinnie83]

Have you ever heard of any other option other than taking all the pre reqs then all 4 years of dental school and then a specialty on top of that?

I heard that in India you don't even have to go to dental school, you just spread a mat down on the side of the street, spread out your tools, and get to work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ol-RyYnTD4

University of New England offers a lot of classes that you can take at your own pace, but they are online and not all dental schools accept them.

Dental schools typically don't adjust the curriculum to go at YOUR pace so I would be a little concerned about your ability to handle dental school if you can't stay focused. No matter how much you like the material there will be moments in dental school that you aren't really enjoying it. If you can't make yourself study during those moments you better figure out how.

You may eventually figure this out on your own, but you will save yourself a lot of grief if you just take someone's advice. Make your choices in life based on what is best for you, not what your parents want you to do.

 

[Ryanpoore]

Okay, after some research, I have found exactly what I was looking for. This program allows you to finish each pre req class in 4 weeks time, and they go year-round (http://www.integratedscienceprogram.com). They are are accepted by most dental schools, only Boston and USC have said no so far, and you can get all your pre req's done in like 10 months, even less depending on what you've taken already. There is a thread on this where I met a very nice guy who opened the discussion, and together we emailed schools and called ISP directly to inquire about their program. He was extremely friendly and helpful.

As for the rest of you, mostly the people responding on this thread:

I was expecting more. This is a place where people are supposed to come for help... especially for people unfamiliar with this whole process like I am. Most of you have treated me very rudely and acted as if I was some kind of idiot for asking if there was another way of doing the pre req's. Good news if anyone searches for this in the future, there are other ways, so don't feel bad when some a couple dickheads treat you like an idiot for asking so.


As for the ADD portion of this discussion:

I would expect for people on a health forum to at least know some of the most very basic information about ADD, but I guess that was expecting a little too much. For those of you who clearly don't know, ADD is found in kids/people who get easily bored with something. Not because it's hard, not because they don't understand it, but because it's too easy. Our minds get bored and wander where yours don't. If dental school is as hard as you all say it is, I'm sure I won't be getting distracted by small work load or simplicity of material. I didn't want to waste 2 years learning **** that I could learn in 4 months. So, I went to my schools bookstore last summer, bought Bio 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, and OChem 1 and learned them. I could learn at my own pace, and I knew I would be prepared for the class when I entered them. I thought to myself, "Man, I wonder if I could just test out of this **** because it really shouldn't take me a whole semester to learn this." And thats how I ended up here.

So, I hope I can help someone like me that comes to this forum for help in the future, you might run into some dicks but there are some people here willing to help. 🙂

 

[vinnie83]

Several people gave you info. If it wasn't good enough sorry, if you choose not to pay attention to it that's your fault.

People are giving you **** because you talk about only taking career paths that your parents approve of or looking for alternatives to 4 years of dental school. Be sure to tell any future dental school classmates that you don't like people joking around with you or giving you a hard time.

I'm confused, have you actually been diagnosed with ADHD or is this just a self diagnosis you made yourself because you have trouble focusing? Below are some signs of ADHD according to DSM-IV. I'm sure there are many individuals who have completed dental school and are now successful dentists despite having ADHD, but I doubt many would consider ADHD an advantage and no where in there did it say too smart for dental school. It sounds like you like the science classes you have studied (maybe not taken?) so far, that's great. I'm taking an exam tomorrow that requires me to know a huge number of medications. I really find the mechanisms and interactions of the drugs interesting, but let's face it-no one finds memorizing random numbers for the dosages, epi content, etc exciting. You need to be able to make yourself study stuff that you aren't excited about to get through dental school. Maybe time to look into some "behavioral intervention techniques" (no clue what that is just came up in a quick search) that people with ADHD often use in addition to or instead of drugs to help them be more productive.

From DSM-IV:
Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
Often has trouble organizing activities.
Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
Is often easily distracted.
Is often forgetful in daily activities.