Community College During Post-Bacc?

[snipza]

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So, I've applied for a post-bacc. Let's first hope that I am accepted into it.

Now, below is how the course curriculum is laid out. As you can see, Orgo 2 is not taken until Spring 2016! That means I will be very busy Spring 2016 studying for the DAT and keeping my GPA up.

My question is this:

Should I enroll into a Community College Orgo 2 class (assuming I can even get in because of California's budget) during an earlier term in an attempt to have learned the Orgo 2 material prior to actually taking Orgo 2 in my post-bacc?


Is that a waste of money? How hard is the Orgo sections on the DAT; is it possible to be learning Orgo 2 whilst studying for the DAT?

I will have to be working part time during my entire post-bacc, so time is a bit limited between school, work, shadowing, and studying for DAT. I really need to get my app in during the 2016 cycle because I want to matriculate (hopefully!) in Fall 2017.

Thank you.

 

[bc1002]

So if you want to matriculate in Fall 2017, you will need to apply during Summer and Fall 2016. Therefore, most likely you will take DAT without finishing even Organic Chemistry 1. In my opinion, organic chemistry was the toughest section. However, I almost self-taught and ended up scoring 25 in organic chemistry. You will need to study really hard despite the fact that you work part-time while at school. Good luck!

 

[customx]

There are very few schools which actually require calculus, so you may want to consider dropping it. Spend $10 and download the latest ADEA guide to see which ones do ( I believe there are only about 4). I worked about 32-34 hours a week, while taking a full course load of gen chem, bio and physics.

Ochem is difficult, but fun. I would highly advise getting this book and going through it before you take the class: Amazon product ASIN 111801040X
If you have time between semesters, start prepping for the PAT, QR and RC sections. This will lessen the burden you will have in the spring of 2017 while you prep for bio, gc and ochem. Best of luck! I took all my prereqs as a non-traditional student (except biochem) at a CC and received 2 acceptances, 2 waitlists, and 6 total interviews.

 

[snipza]

Thank you for the replies and the book suggestion. I suppose a more logical matriculation date would be Fall 2018.

Taking the DAT during Summer/Fall 2016 doesn't sound like a good idea. I could foot the bill just to see what the DAT is actually like, which might give me a confidence advantage on the next round. How do schools look at a low first-attempt DAT score and then a higher 2nd attempt DAT?

I will inquire about the flexibility of the schedule. This is a formal post-bacc and cohort based, I don't think there is much flexibility. Ideally, I'd be stacking BCP during the first two semesters and self studying Orgo. We'll see. Thanks again!

 

[SableFire]

Thank you for the replies and the book suggestion. I suppose a more logical matriculation date would be Fall 2018.

Taking the DAT during Summer/Fall 2016 doesn't sound like a good idea. I could foot the bill just to see what the DAT is actually like, which might give me a confidence advantage on the next round. How do schools look at a low first-attempt DAT score and then a higher 2nd attempt DAT?

I will inquire about the flexibility of the schedule. This is a formal post-bacc and cohort based, I don't think there is much flexibility. Ideally, I'd be stacking BCP during the first two semesters and self studying Orgo. We'll see. Thanks again!

DO NOT JUST TAKE THE DAT FOR THE HELL OF IT!!! Dental schools pay attention to re-takes and do not particularly like people that just 'test the waters' study for it once and get it over with.

 

[snipza]

Thanks @SableFire. Appreciate the warning.

 

[Holga135]

DO NOT JUST TAKE THE DAT FOR THE HELL OF IT!!! Dental schools pay attention to re-takes and do not particularly like people that just 'test the waters' study for it once and get it over with.

Exactly. If you could nail it the first time, it would not matter much about having some coursework done at a community college.

 

[RxStudentatUB]

Supplement your organic chemistry at community college with Chad's videos on coursesaver.com, you'll get an A in the class and a really great score on the DAT! With that combination, I doubt any adcom will give you side-eye as long as you nail the other sections too

 

[snipza]

Turns out that the schedule above is fixed and the program does not allow for alterations to the curriculum. I'm assuming that I will HAVE to take calculus in order to earn the certificate.

I'd hate to risk not taking the unneeded classes, not complete and earn the certificate, and not be able to receive a committee letter from the college of Extended Learning/Head of the Pre-Health Program. Just an update. Thanks for all your replies!