D.5 program VCU?

[dsony2284]

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Has anyone been admitted to this program or have any idea about how they choose candidates? I wonder how many people they choose?

What are people's thoughts about this?

Thanks

 

[burgler09]

what exactly is that?

 

[DMDreaming]

I don't know a lot about this program but I was told you had to:
1. Apply to VCU during the regular cycle
2. Be rejected by them
3. Apply to D5 program
I don't know what the D5 application entails or how many students they select.

Then, if you are admitted to the D5 you will enroll and attend most (or all) of the same classes as the current D1 class. If you do well (I think you have to maintain at least a B average), you will be admitted into the next DS class. I don't know, however, if you have to repeat these classes or if you just advance with the D1 class you started with.

 

[scottyhoop]

D5's take a handful of classes with the D1 students. You must maintain a B or higher in all the classes. If you make it thru the year, you have a seat in the next class, and don't have to retake the classes you took already. Get below a B, and you're booted from the program and are not allowed to reapply there. Sounds cool...but sounds a little scary as well.
Scott

 

[burgler09]

That is something I will apply for if my gpa is a 3.3 or lower when I graduate. I'll take what I can to get into dental school, as long as you are treated as a regular student and not separated from the rest.. dental school is dental school right? If its your only choice take it and work your ass off!

 

[Montserrat]

Sounds like a great way of giving high potential interviewees a shot to prove their ability. Here's an excerpt from an FAQ off their website - you don't apply to the D.5, but are selected by them. The hyperlink to the entire description is beneath it.

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Note: The Dean of Admissions and the Admissions Committee select a very limited number of D.5 candidates from the pool of interviewed applicants.

http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dds/faq.aspx#D5

 

[SugarNaCl]

No no, the D.5 program isnt something you apply to. The people accepted are chosen from those that applied for normal admission to VCU's SOD. If you are a decent applicant but arent selected for the class, you are offered D.5 placement. If you receive a B in all of your classes (not average) you are put into D1 the following year. If you get below a B in any of your classes, you won't be admitted into VCU SOD...I believe...Ever. This past year, 10 people were in it and all 10 got through to D1 but it was the first year that happened in the history of the program. Good luck.

 

[dsony2284]

Thank you everyone for your clarifications..I had another question to ask about this program. So if VCU has 90 seats available, are 10 for this d.5 program? or are they an additional 10 seats ?

 

[teefy16]

Thank you everyone for your clarifications..I had another question to ask about this program. So if VCU has 90 seats available, are 10 for this d.5 program? or are they an additional 10 seats ?

I believe they have 100 seats now and 10 are for D.5

 

[askadds]

i spoke to the deans of admissions 2 years ago when he came to my school and he pretty much said that the program was set up by the previous dean of admissions and he doesnt really believe there should be that many spots for D.5 and he is going to slowly cut down the number.

also, the course load for the D.5 students is a joke. i have a couple of them in my class and apparently they only take graduate phis and do rotations the rest of the day. shoot, i have a MUCH MUCH harder schedule than they do and im only doing a certificate program.

my take is that if your given an oppurtunity to do the D.5, do it. its easy the first year and will make second year easier cuz you will take 2 less classes. BUT if you get accepted to another school, which may not be as highly ranked as VCU, go! dont waste a whole year.

 

[Pyriots]

I'm doing a certificate program at VCU as well and I agree with the above post. The D5 program is MUCH easier than ANY of the MCV science grad programs. Its like the safer alternative to doing a post-bac.

Also, as I've said many times before, you must get a B or better to pass any class in graduate school. Period. Whether you a D5, a Masters, or a PhD student. There is nothing unusual about that policy at all. The biggest benefit by far of the D5 program (in my opinion) is that you don't have to repeat those course. Most other dental/med linked programs you find require you to retake the course, even if you were in the exact same class and took the same tests as the current dental students. This saves you loads of time 1st year and gives you the opportunity to gun it for research/specialization. Actual dental/med students can usually get by with a little lower grades....not really sure why.

 

[SugarNaCl]

The D.5s that rolled over into our class had to take Physio, Micro, Evidence Based Research and Neuroanatomy. While it may sound easy, they had to study their butts off for a full year because if you fall below the B, there is NO CHANCE of gaining admission. It is a stressful big risk... Not a joyride.

 

[Med1992]

I know this thread is really old, but does the D5 program mean that it takes you five years to graduate dental school? Or since you're taking some first year classes during the D5 year, will you still finish on time?

Just curious

 

[O2ShootTheJ]

You take 2 classes each semester the first year. If you earn a B or better you will matriculate as a D1 the following year and won't have to retake the classes you took as a D.5

 

[dantemac]

I'd only do this if it's your only in to dental school and you want to go to VCU. It's basically a consolation prize.