Class schedule and CC reservations

[tokunoren]

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Hola,

So had a couple of other questions. As I've stated in a previous post, I'm a non-traditional student transitioning from a finance/accounting career to embark on the dentistry path.

1.Attached below is a tentative schedule of prereq classes for the next two years (geez, long time...but worth it). The plan is to give myself two opportunities at the DAT- end of Spring 2014 and end of Summer 2014- for 2015 matriculation. Appear realistic?

2. Still having some reservations about community college for prereqs as I spoke to a lady from VCU and she consistently reiterated "To make your application package more competitive, I'd advise you to go to a four-year university." I work FT and the only college I've seen that offers night/weekend classes is the local community college. That, and the per credit tuition is 4x as high at a four-year university, somewhat restrain me. That being said, would I really be that much more at a competitive disadvantage should I enroll in CC? Any people who took ALL their science prereqs at a CC who would care to share their story?

Thanks!!

 

[Jbrowndds]

Bump

Sent from my LG-LS970 using SDN Mobile

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=938759

 

[dchoi]

Search for previous posts. You can get into dental school by taking all your pre reqs at a CC. However, I did do a one year post bacc afterwards to take upper division classes.

 

[dans105]

First off, nobody knows what will happen with you and your situation. But if it's any consolation I got accepted this cycle with all of my pre-reqs coming from cc. I took the pre-reqs over a 3.5 year span, while working full time, shadowing, volunteering, and having a family at home. I also have a bachelor's in a non-science discipline, so they know I can handle a full class load. To comment on your proposed plan, I took a quarter off to study for the DAT and I'm glad I did. I was able to focus on it entirely and get a score I was happy with. It would have been extremely discouraging to score poorly and have to ramp up my studying and take it again. Good luck.

 

[wcombs]

Hola,

So had a couple of other questions. As I've stated in a previous post, I'm a non-traditional student transitioning from a finance/accounting career to embark on the dentistry path.

1.Attached below is a tentative schedule of prereq classes for the next two years (geez, long time...but worth it). The plan is to give myself two opportunities at the DAT- end of Spring 2014 and end of Summer 2014- for 2015 matriculation. Appear realistic?

2. Still having some reservations about community college for prereqs as I spoke to a lady from VCU and she consistently reiterated "To make your application package more competitive, I'd advise you to go to a four-year university." I work FT and the only college I've seen that offers night/weekend classes is the local community college. That, and the per credit tuition is 4x as high at a four-year university, somewhat restrain me. That being said, would I really be that much more at a competitive disadvantage should I enroll in CC? Any people who took ALL their science prereqs at a CC who would care to share their story?

Thanks!!

You will hear different things from different people and I do believe it is definitely possible to get accepted with all your prereqs from a CC.

That said, here's my experience. I took almost all my prereqs (bio, gen chem and orgo) at a CC and even proved that I received a quality education during my stay there by doing well on the DAT in all of those subjects, and I haven't been invited to interview yet.

So many factors are involved though. I failed out my first year but have held a rock solid near-4.0 upward trend for the past 3 years. My situation is a little unique but this is my honest opinion: If I hadn't taken those CC classes I would be sitting on an acceptance right now.

If you take the CC route just make sure the rest of your application is air-tight; mine wasn't and it cost me. If your current degree came from a 4 year university with a good GPA, you're probably be fine. If not, you might be in for the long haul.

Good luck!

 

[predent12]

If you are going to do summer classes, consider doing all of Gen Chem over the summer, and then doing Bio, Phys and Orgo during the year. If you think 3 classes is too much on top of work (which it would be for me!) then do Bio and Orgo, and Phys the following summer. You can work on the DAT before Physics starts.

Anyway, that was how I did it! It worked well for me but I did not have a job.

 

[klopez42]

I would advise to take as many as possible at a four year university. There is a difference in the level and how the classes are taught. No one ever says it aloud on these forums, but 4 year university does give you a better chance. How much of a better chance? thats up for debate. I myself received 7 interviews this cycle and I heard that in almost all of them.

To get into dental school is a heck of a sacrifice, heck even applying is a good $5 K. You do not want to spend both your time and money and not give yourself the best possible shot at an increasingly competitive field. If you have to you may even have to step down to part-time. You know yourself and what you are capable of but trust me the sciences classes are a whole different beast. I am a double major in Finance and Biomedical sciences.