Community College Credits

[burgler09]

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Alright here's the deal, I would like to get some info from people about community college credits. I will have taken well.. ALL of my prereqs at a community college for dental school... I am a biochemistry major and as soon as I was in my second semester of college I knew I wanted to go go dental school. Not only are the prereqs something I need for dental school but they are all of my lower division science courses for my major. Will it look THAT bad if I take all of my prereqs at a community college? I mean I am transferring to a 4 year university (University of Colorado-Boulder) and will be taking classes like p-chem, biochem and I even plan to get into some graduate level courses as an undergrad. If I rock the DAT and pull off good grades in my upper level classes will it really matter that much? I do realize there are schools that absolutely do not accept credits from community colleges (Marquette).

 

[lzbthcox]

Not to jack the thread, but this has been bugging me too. My CC just went 4 year (ABAC in GA). I wonder if my credits will be recognized by some of the schools. What a waste if they aren't. 😱

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I've heard a few won't accept CC but I don't know which ones. Most though just have a limitation on total CC units and say they prefer the prereqs from universities. In the big picture, if you do all the other things you mentioned you will be doing, I don't think it will matter having attended a CC. I did nearly all of mine there too (except Ochem and all my upperdivision bio stuff). I'm getting plenty of interviews so far, including Marquette (which you mentioned). At one interview I was asked why I went to a CC, and they seemed perfectly comfortable w/ my explanation. I think the CC stigma is mostly for those that try to get into D-school b/f they graduate, and therefore don't have an extensive university transcript to show they can handle the load.

 

[burgler09]

yeah that was always how I kind of looked at it too, like someone who did poorly at their university then goes back to the community college for their prereqs to "raise their gpa". I think that is very interesting that Marquette offered you an interview because last cycle someone from a community college actually called the school and they said they don't accept community college credits, who knows... maybe it was just someone who wanted less competition 🙂 One of these days i'll call some dental schools and post back on here about the replies I get. Any other comments/views on this or if you have talked to an adcom please feel free to post on here and give the info 😀

izbthcox: I personally think that it would be smart to transfer to a 4-year university, not because I don't think much of community colleges but because of how they are perceived. Many community colleges have top professors that have come from huge universities and have graduated from schools such as harvard, florida and other prestigious institutions. The problem is competition for grades at some may be easier than a 4 year college and by doing good at a community college and then transferring, it shows that you are a competitive student no matter where you go and you SHOULD be able to handle the course load of a dental student. If you have already completed the credits, go ahead and apply, the DAT will be a big factor and it will be hard to go against you if you are scoring higher on the DAT than many other students from a 4 year university.

 

[diane07]

Do what you want.

But it would be smart to go to the school websites, and take note of the schools that specifically state they prefe pre-requisites done at a 4 year college or university.

Keep in mind that you have a lot of competition. You want to make sure you stand out and aren't on the lower end of the competitive spectrum.

 

[Cymbidium]

I know Tufts doesn't accept any CC work - but there are some people on here that got into their number 1 with CC credits. I think if you rock the DAT and have other outstanding aspects about your application then you'll be fine.

 

[Curious 138]

I looked up the different schools to see what the requirements are, and most of them say that to apply for dental schools, you need say...at least 90 credits and they will only accept about 60 of them at CCs. of course, there are always exceptions...