Couple questions from a newbie!

[Sanducan]

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Hello all,

I am a nontraditional pre-dental student hoping to get some guidance on the dental school application process.

By way of background, I spent 4 years in the Army and then went straight to college after separation. I graduated in 2011 and spent 1 year and some change in the corporate finance sector. I finally decided that the corporate world wasn't for me so I quit my job in order to pursue a post-bacc and apply to dental school.

I'm taking Bio1, Chem1, and Phy1 this semester and was hoping to take second semester of the same courses next Spring.

Question # 1. I looked at some dental schools requirement and it seems as if Anatomy would be a very useful course to take while in college. Do you recommend taking A&P 1 next semester instead of Bio 2 in order to cover the Bio requirement?

Question # 2. The plan is to take both Ochem 1&2 over the course of next summer 2013. Therefore, I will finish with the core of my requirements by then, leaving Biochemistry and other courses to be taken during the upcoming two semesters (Fall 2013 & Spring 14). Do you think it's possible to finish the two Ochem courses by the end of July 2013, then take the DAT by the start of the Fall 2013 semester, and then apply to Dental school around the beginning of September? Or would it be possible to apply in June 2013 before taking the DAT and finishing the two Ochem courses? Would schools still consider my application?

I apologize for the long winded questions, just trying to be clear. BTW, I'm 28 this year, which kind of justify the reason why it might seems as if I'm rushing things a little bit.

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[Swifty181]

I'm not sure how it is in your school but mine required both semesters of bio as well as chem, o-chem, physics etc. Also take the DAT after you have completed bio, chem, and o-chem because those will be fresh in your mind. A&P is not necessary for most schools but it definitely looks good in your transcript since you are going to take that first year of Dental school. If you have time for it take it, if not it won't hurt you much. Good Luck.

 

[carlfusco]

I think trying to apply in the next cycle (after the summer of 2013) would be a little preemptive. As for Orgo I and II and the DAT all in one summer, I think it's doable. I just did Orgo I & II this past summer and wished I had jumped right into DAT study the moment I finished so it wasn't looming over my head these next 2 semesters. If I were you, I'd plan my schedule something like this:

Fall 2012 -
Bio I
Chem I
Phy I

Spring 2013-
Bio II
Chem II
Phy II

Summer 2013-
Orgo I
Orgo II
DAT

Fall 2013-
Biochem
Upper level bio (micro, phys, anatomy?)
Shadowing, Volunteering, LOR search

Spring 2014 -
Upper level bio
Upper level bio
Shadowing, Volunteering, Application prep

June 1st, 2014 - apply first batch

 

[Sanducan]

Thanks a lot for providing this schedule Carlfusco. I know applying 2013 would be a bit pushing it, but I wanted the opinion of you SDNers and to see if anyone have ever been in my shoes who actually made it happen.

 

[DaPug]

Ochem 1 and 2 can be taken concurrently??

 

[Sanducan]

Ochem 1 and 2 can be taken concurrently??

DaPug, my intention is to take Ochem 1 in the first period of the summer, and 2 the second period.

 

[Sanducan]

I was reading a couple threads earlier and a lot dental students are saying that they applied to dental school in the summer (June 1st), then took the DAT mid Aug - mid Sept, made ADCOM aware that they would finish the rest of their pre-reqs before attending school and it all worked out for them. Has anyone experienced this?

 

[Sanducan]

Bump

 

[KittySquared]

I second what carlfusco said. Rushing things means you might have to commit academic suicide. You want to successfully finish these courses instead of rushing it all just to apply and end up with nothing which in the long haul costs you more money and time. I would apply June 2014 if I were you, and do carlfusco's track as listed above.

They love military people. Be sure to apply to UNLV and work your army-ness. They're real big on military people. Did I mention UNLV is big on military people?

 

[Kingsta2426]

That will be a lot of organic chem for only one summer...move orgo 1 to spring and orgo 2 to the summer and your gonna need orgo lab too must schools require 8 hrs gen bio 8 hrs gen chem 8 hrs physics 8 hrs ochem

 

[Sanducan]

That will be a lot of organic chem for only one summer...move orgo 1 to spring and orgo 2 to the summer and your gonna need orgo lab too must schools require 8 hrs gen bio 8 hrs gen chem 8 hrs physics 8 hrs ochem

I think you have a point here about moving Ochem 1. I was waiting to see how I do this semester and then make a decision on whether I should move it or not. If I decide to do Ochem 1 in the Spring that would free up some study time for the DAT. I'm really considering applying in June 2013 though, instead of waiting until 2014. The money is not an issue. What do you think?

 

[Kingsta2426]

Definitely try to apply in 2013 because most dental schools only require the pre-reqs be complete before you enroll in dental school not before you interview. Your going to have to take the DAT next summer preferably June/July so you won't have much time for classes although taking orgo 2 while studying for the DAT will only help your ochem score.

 

[Sanducan]

Definitely try to apply in 2013 because most dental schools only require the pre-reqs be complete before you enroll in dental school not before you interview. Your going to have to take the DAT next summer preferably June/July so you won't have much time for classes although taking orgo 2 while studying for the DAT will only help your ochem score.

I agree. I'm planning on taking Orgo 2 from May 31 to June 26, and then take the DAT end of July or mid Aug.

 

[Sanducan]

I second what carlfusco said. Rushing things means you might have to commit academic suicide. You want to successfully finish these courses instead of rushing it all just to apply and end up with nothing which in the long haul costs you more money and time. I would apply June 2014 if I were you, and do carlfusco's track as listed above.

They love military people. Be sure to apply to UNLV and work your army-ness. They're real big on military people. Did I mention UNLV is big on military people?

Thanks for the heads up, I'll make sure to apply there!

 

[Sanducan]

I finally decided on how to attack the situation. I won't take Orgo I next semester due to the fact that I will need Chem II in order to take the course at my school. I'll take Orgo I in the first summer session from May 31 - June 26, 2013, and the take Orgo II in the Fall semester so that I get more time to study for the DAT in the summer. As for the application, I'll e-submit to AADSAS in June if it's ready so that way I'll be among the first batch. After which, I will study full time for the DAT and take the test at the end of July or Mid-August. I say full time because I'm going to start studying now for an hour a day so I can be in a comfortable position when I take it next summer. Meantime I'm planning to do some shadowing and rack up some volunteering hours as well. What are your thoughts on this plan?? Thanks.

 

[Sal427]

That's a good plan but you DEF need shadowing hours before you apply in June, otherwise you'll have nothing to put on your application.

Good luck!

 

[Sal427]

That's a good plan but you DEF need shadowing hours before you apply in June, otherwise you'll have nothing to put on your application.

Good luck!

 

[Sanducan]

That's a good plan but you DEF need shadowing hours before you apply in June, otherwise you'll have nothing to put on your application.

Good luck!

Yup, I agree. I'm planning on contacting my dentist next week to start getting some shadowing hours. Thanks.

 

[carlfusco]

I finally decided on how to attack the situation. I won't take Orgo I next semester due to the fact that I will need Chem II in order to take the course at my school. I'll take Orgo I in the first summer session from May 31 - June 26, 2013, and the take Orgo II in the Fall semester so that I get more time to study for the DAT in the summer. As for the application, I'll e-submit to AADSAS in June if it's ready so that way I'll be among the first batch. After which, I will study full time for the DAT and take the test at the end of July or Mid-August. I say full time because I'm going to start studying now for an hour a day so I can be in a comfortable position when I take it next summer. Meantime I'm planning to do some shadowing and rack up some volunteering hours as well. What are your thoughts on this plan?? Thanks.

A few thoughts -

I believe your application may be put on hold if they don't have your DAT scores, though I'm not totally sure about this. Also, I doubt studying 1 hour a day, almost an entire year before you take the exam, would be effective. I would worry about retention and the "if you don't use it you lose it" type information, like obscure bio or orgo rxns, etc. I would focus on destroying your classes, and put studying for the DAT on hold until you can really devote yourself solely to that. Finally, taking the DAT before you take Orgo II is doable, but it means you'll need to teach some material to yourself.