Courses beyond basic bio,chem,physics

[Yellow Snow]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I will be applying to d-school this summer. I am a post-bac student with a non-science degree and I will only have time to take the general biology, general chemistry/organic chemistry, and physics classes ( have already completed all but the final two terms of physcis and ochem).

It seems to be becoming more common for d-schools to require classes beyond these. Has anyone had success gaining acceptance to schools which require courses beyond the four basic series w/o taking these courses and w/o planning on taking them prior to dental school? Should I forego applying to schools with these extra prereqs with the understanding that they won't budge on these?

If it makes any difference (ie if the school will make exceptions for students with high qualifications) I currently have a 3.6 overall and 3.7 science gpa and have historically done well on standardized tests. I will be taking the DAT around June.

I have to go to Japan around July (coming back just for interviews) and will be there until starting dental school should I be accepted so I don't really have a great option for taking additional courses. I understand Japanese but I don't have confidence in taking a science course and transferring international credits seems to be a pain for a lot of schools.

If schools don't make exceptions then I am disqualified from applying to many schools I am interested in (OHSU <---OR resident, UoP, UNLV, NOVA, Tufts, BU).

 

[Utes]

You need biochem for Tufts and they don't seem to budge on anything, so you may need to rethink that one.

Maybe I missed your point, I think you may have been pointing out that those schools have extra requirements... if so, ignore my post!

 

[Yellow Snow]

Yeah, I always have a hard time getting my point across on internet boards.

I listed the schools that I wanted to apply to that have requirements beyond the general bio, gen chem/ochem, and physics. I am trying to determine how often, if ever, schools waive these requirements (just the ones beyond the traditional four).

 

[dn6603]

Yeah, I always have a hard time getting my point across on internet boards.

I listed the schools that I wanted to apply to that have requirements beyond the general bio, gen chem/ochem, and physics. I am trying to determine how often, if ever, schools waive these requirements (just the ones beyond the traditional four).

As far as i know Tufts is the only one that require additional course (Bio-Chem). All other d-schools just want you to take upper level science courses to prepare you for d-school. If you don't take them it won't hurt you but if you take them and get a good grade it looks good.

 

[sheldonthebird]

As always, check with the schools you want to apply to. Some, like University of Minnesota, have other requirements like psychology. It would be most unfortunate to miss the details...

 

[coral2005]

As far as i know Tufts is the only one that require additional course (Bio-Chem). All other d-schools just want you to take upper level science courses to prepare you for d-school. If you don't take them it won't hurt you but if you take them and get a good grade it looks good.

Not true. Nova and UNLV both make you take biochem. And I'm sure tons of other schools require other classes, too.

Just check the schools on an invidual basis. And like this dude above me says, take them anyway...not just cause they look good, but because they'll give you a nice background and mix up your class lineup so it won't be so boring.

 

[Pelotari]

As far as i know Tufts is the only one that require additional course (Bio-Chem). All other d-schools just want you to take upper level science courses to prepare you for d-school. If you don't take them it won't hurt you but if you take them and get a good grade it looks good.

UTHSC - Houston Dental Branch also reuqires Biochem.

 

[SuperC]

UF requires both Genetics and Biochemistry. I was told, in my interview, that there is NO WAY AROUND these classes... Period.

Saying that, I know that UF is not a school you plan on applying to, so ultimately you will have to call each school and ask them how stiff they are in their prereqs.

I know that schools like NOVA say "The dean may evaluate an applicant’s qualifications and modify requirements in unusual circumstances." However because it is getting more and more competitive, unless you have a 4.0 and a 25 DAT, I would doubt that they would waive these requirements.

-C

 

[Rajan247]

Most schools now are pushing that students have anatomy, biochem and microbio, in the efforts of better preparation for d-school. Also most schools require you have 2/3 of your pre-reqs done in order to apply and that is 2/3 of school specific pre-reqs. I am a Finance major and took the min reqs also, if you are in quarters make sure that adds up to correct amount of semester hours.