BS/BA/DDS/DMD Programs Worth it?

[guitarkid94]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to SDN but I wanted to get some opinions on these guaranteed dental programs that are out there. I'm a high school senior and the ones I've applied to are UPitt 8 year (accepted to the program, but requirements are very high), NYU 7 Year, VCU 8 Year, Villanova/UPenn 7 year, SUNY Stony Brook 8 year, and SUNY Buffalo 7 year. Now I know with accelerated and guaranteed medical programs, usually one does not have to take the MCATs; however, from what I've seen with these dental programs is you're still required to maintain a certain GPA BUT you also must get a certain score on the DAT (average requirements are a 3.5 GPA and 19 DAT although Pitt is asking me to maintain a 3.8 GPA and get a 22 DAT) unlike Medical programs with no MCATs. Based on this, my question is whether these programs are even worth it? It seems as though you have to take the DATs and fill out applications no matter what so then what is the advantage of the program? How is better to go to a program like this where you cram everything into 7 years vs a good 4 year college (UMich, UNC, USC, Columbia, Northwestern) and would then apply to dental school when for both situations you have to get a good GPA and DAT?

If anyone could shed some light, that would be great.

I also have two specific school questions:

NYU - I've heard some not so great things about the dental school (huge class, not a lot of attention, etc.). Any reviews/advice on this school?

Temple - I heard Temple used to have both medical and dental accelerated programs and (i've already been accepted for just undergrad) I called them and said once you enroll in temple and come to campus they work out the program with you. Does that mean the program no longer exists? Because I have a family friend who just graduated from Temple undergrad and is now starting Temple Med through this program.

Sorry for the long, kind of rambling post. If you want me to clarify something, let me know.

Thanks!

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[qnzbabi91]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to SDN but I wanted to get some opinions on these guaranteed dental programs that are out there. I'm a high school senior and the ones I've applied to are UPitt 8 year (accepted to the program, but requirements are very high), NYU 7 Year, VCU 8 Year, Villanova/UPenn 7 year, SUNY Stony Brook 8 year, and SUNY Buffalo 7 year. Now I know with accelerated and guaranteed medical programs, usually one does not have to take the MCATs; however, from what I've seen with these dental programs is you're still required to maintain a certain GPA BUT you also must get a certain score on the DAT (average requirements are a 3.5 GPA and 19 DAT although Pitt is asking me to maintain a 3.8 GPA and get a 22 DAT) unlike Medical programs with no MCATs. Based on this, my question is whether these programs are even worth it? It seems as though you have to take the DATs and fill out applications no matter what so then what is the advantage of the program? How is better to go to a program like this where you cram everything into 7 years vs a good 4 year college (UMich, UNC, USC, Columbia, Northwestern) and would then apply to dental school when for both situations you have to get a good GPA and DAT?

If anyone could shed some light, that would be great.

I also have two specific school questions:

NYU - I've heard some not so great things about the dental school (huge class, not a lot of attention, etc.). Any reviews/advice on this school?

Temple - I heard Temple used to have both medical and dental accelerated programs and (i've already been accepted for just undergrad) I called them and said once you enroll in temple and come to campus they work out the program with you. Does that mean the program no longer exists? Because I have a family friend who just graduated from Temple undergrad and is now starting Temple Med through this program.

Sorry for the long, kind of rambling post. If you want me to clarify something, let me know.

Thanks!

It's the worst time to ask a question of this nature since we all find out where we got into tommorrow for dental school. Personally, I think those programs are a waste of time. Just major in a science like biology or chemistry (personally, I'm a bio person) in whatever institution. Stay focused like you are, and you will one day be a dentist. Don't bother with those programs. GL

 

[adambennett92]

Do whatever is going to make you happy and is most cost effective. In my opinion, you're going to get in if you're going to get in. Work hard and get your grades, do well on the DAT, and enjoy college before it passes you by.

 

[kmcw]

These programs are more for them than you. If you do good enough that you stay in their program, you would get in on your own anyways. But then you can't apply to other schools and they know they have you. If you 100% don't want to go anywhere else, do the program, but otherwise it can hold you back. My school has a 7 year program. I did not join but I took the same classes that you would need to take and now am graduating in 3 years and was able to apply to other schools

 

[sportfan6197]

bump. what programs have good reviews but are not UPENN level selective

 

[sgv]

Theyre all bad ideas...unless its a state school

 

[hellopeople]

How does one decide they want to fix teeth all day right out of high school? Other people are so much more on top of things than me. I wanted to hook up and drink my freshman year. No way I could have laid out my life plans like that.

In all seriousness though, what if you wanted to become something else? What if you want to be a doctor or something? Can you still walk away with a regular BS degree if you change your mind? That's the only way I'd want to do it, and only if it saved me a year. I really don't get the point of the 8 year programs. For the restricted career choice and school choice you only get an increased chance of acceptance in return. It just isn't hard enough to get in to justify that kind of sacrifice IMO.

Don't pay me too much attention though. I'm not really invested in this advice - I'm just surfing the web during a presentation courtesy of a particularly slow-paced lecturer.

 

[sgv]

edit

 

[znny19]

I was in one of the listed programs above. I decided not to go through with it because I wanted to apply else where. I ended up going to the same school...and I could have saved a year of school but I am still one of the younger ones here 😎. One of my friends who did the program is 20 y/o and is in dental school.

I would definitely recommend these types of programs. Its basically a guaranteed admission into the school as long as you meet their requirements (3.5gpa/20AA). I know buffalo has one (state school) so its not only private schools. Also, I knew I wanted to be a dentist since high school, but like I mentioned you were not locked in the program.