CC dilemma

[woohoo]

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I have a question and since our "advisor" is no help, I thought I'd post it here. I'm a junior and need to take some upper level bio for when I retake the DAT this summer. Our school's schedule just came out and I realized that it isn't offering any of the classes that I need (biochem, histology, etc). So my question is, given the scheduling conflicts, would it be alright to take some classes at a community college? Or should I wait until summer (which is when I'll be studying for the DAT) to take these classes? Do dental schools really care one way or the other?
PLEASE HELP

~Woohoo

 

[Thaxil]

From what I know about community colleges, they would not have the upper division course you are looking for.
I think you should take the classes if they are offer at a community college. I devoted the whole summer only to my application and studying for the DAT. Taking those difficult courses would most likely detour you from doing your best on the DAT. This is just my opinion.

 

[jred378]

Yeah, community colleges won't have upper division courses. Anything that is 300 and above is upper, so you can judge the classes that way.

 

[arns51]

while biochem and histology cant hurt you when taking the DAT, they cover much more material than what is covered in the DAT. I would review lower level bio and physiology courses if you are taking the courses specifically to help prepare you for the DAT.

 

[ShawnOne]

I am not sure where you are from, but around here in LA, Santa Monica College offers many courses that you would not expect to find at an average CC. I know for a fact they offer biochemistry.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I think biochem is offered at most community colleges, but I also think it's a lower biochem (the type of which is required for nursing students, etc.)

 

[critterbug]

I would not recommend taking Biochem at a CC.

 

[ShawnOne]

and why is that critter?

 

[Balki]

I agree with many people here. Courses do differ. My school offers two Biochems:
For Biochem majors ( a graduate course, some undergrads are allowed to take it) and Biochem for everyone else. C Colleges around me don't have Orgo, so you can forget about Biochem. Then Again I do realize that there are differnt CC and some are better than others.
Also, as for taking science courses in the summer. MY advisor has specificaly told me to stay away from science courses offered during the summer. They tend to be much easier than the ones offered in the fall and the ADCOMs know that.
Biochem is a great course and will help you study for the GENETICS part of the DAT, there is still going to be that silly taxanomy and lots of physiology which biochem doesn't help.
Hope this helps, Good luck

 

[ShawnOne]

I dont know, around here they offer both microbio and biochem, and both are for health science majors (pre-dental/medical etc.)

 

[woohoo]

maybe I worded it wrong in my post: Yes I want the class to help me for when I retake the Dat, but also I wanted to take them before I get to dental school and kind of show the adcoms I "know my stuff."
As for the other questions, I know for a fact that a nearby CC offers upper level bio like microbiology, biochem, etc. but I'm not sure if its 300 level or not. Do you guys think I should ask a dental school directly about this? I'm afraid they'll say something like "do what you think is best" and then I'll be right back where I started 🙄

 

[Thaxil]

I got a good education at my community college. The classes are not easy. In all the classes at CC, I never had a curved class. All grades were based on a straight 90% 80%70% scale. I would never choose or suggest for any one to go straight to 4-year university. The learning environment at CC is richer, and the teachers are warmer.

Definitely taking Bio-chem and any other bio, chem., Ochem related upper division will help you on the DAT, but probably not during the DAT. You most likely would not be done with the class. If you take these classes at CC during the fall or winter, you will get the full benefit of them. I took endocrinology before the DAT, and I did not even have to review for the DAT for that subject.

 

[init4damoney]

This subject about classes being easier at a CC is hard for me to believe. I think it all comes down to what type of teacher you have. I took anatomy at a CC, and I talked to a peron who took the same class at my CC and at a university and said the CC class was harder. It all comes down to who you have teaching the class. The humerus will still be in the same place in the body no matter where you take the class.