Did you complete your second bachelor or just pre requisites?

[Marie19393]

I'm thinking about going back to the school I graduated and start a B.S in Natural Sciences. At first, I was thinking about this just to get financial aid and a discount as a previous student but now I'm thinking about finishing the degree. This B.S in Natural Sciences is very flexible and most classes are electives and with my previous degree in non-science I'm pretty sure I will have a lot of convalidated courses. And this will allow me to finish my pre requisites in two years and also another degree.

What are your thoughts about this? I feel bad to go back to school as an undergraduate because I'm currently doing a Masters Degree in Public Health Education were I realized my true passion is working as a community dentist with a public health approach. Long story short...

Do you think it looks bad to do a bachelors degree in a non-science major, then took a master in public health education and then took a second bachelors in natural sciences? I know that what is most important are the grades and DAT results and extracurriculars but I still want to know If this is okay.

As a non-traditional student many of you have thought about taking the pre requisites as a non-degree seeker, second degree or postbac pre med program. In my case, is this a good option? Thanks.

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[GreenDuck12]

Whether or not a second degree "makes sense" entirely depends on your circumstances. If you already have a high GPA / history of high academic achievement, you may not have must to "prove" to an admissions committee. On the flip side, if your prior academic history is a bit more convoluted, completing another degree (in the sciences) may help you to increase your stats and prove to an admissions committee that you can handle the rigors of medical school. As for does it look bad to complete another degree, the short answer is no. As long as you can explain your reasoning and your evolution, it will all be fine.

 

[Ad2b]

my true passion is working as a community dentist

Need to post this in Dental School section.

This is MD/DO premeds. We can't really input on the dental process as 99% of us would not know.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Marie19393]

Whether or not a second degree "makes sense" entirely depends on your circumstances. If you already have a high GPA / history of high academic achievement, you may not have must to "prove" to an admissions committee. On the flip side, if your prior academic history is a bit more convoluted, completing another degree (in the sciences) may help you to increase your stats and prove to an admissions committee that you can handle the rigors of medical school. As for does it look bad to complete another degree, the short answer is no. As long as you can explain your reasoning and your evolution, it will all be fine.

Yes, I do have a history of high academic achievement but depending on how much credits from my past bachelor I can transfer to the new one I will finish the natural science degree. Thank you for your response. I was feeling bad to go back to undergraduate school since I have a Master Degree. But its cheaper than going to a postbacc program.

 

[Marie19393]

Need to post this in Dental School section.

This is MD/DO premeds. We can't really input on the dental process as 99% of us would not know.

Best of luck to you!

Hi, I understand but at the end of the day we are all non traditional students. I wanted to know peoples insights about finishing a second bachelors degree or not. But I do appreciate your suggestion. Is there a forum for non traditional dental students also?

 

[GreenDuck12]

If it is any consolation, I also have a masters degree and am back taking classes with 18/19 year olds (some of whom kick my ass in chemistry). After the first day, no one really cares or is surprised that you are older than they are. Best of luck to you!

Yes, I do have a history of high academic achievement but depending on how much credits from my past bachelor I can transfer to the new one I will finish the natural science degree. Thank you for your response. I was feeling bad to go back to undergraduate school since I have a Master Degree. But its cheaper than going to a postbacc program.

 

[Rickybobby856]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I completed my first degree in mechanical engineering in 2012 with a 3.1 uGPA. Initially I was planning to do a post-bacc to complete my missing science prerequisites. However, I am now leaning towards a second degree in Biology for a few reasons. It will cost less at my in-state university than the typical $30K post-bacc. It could only take an extra semester or two longer than the typical 1 year post-bacc, and it will give me an opportunity to significantly raise my uGPA. Based on my research this seems like the best choice for me. However, I would be grateful for any opinions that might dispute or support these thoughts.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Need to post this in Dental School section.

This is MD/DO premeds. We can't really input on the dental process as 99% of us would not know.

Best of luck to you!

Actually, the nontrad section is open to all nontrad pre- health profession students as we often face a similar set of unique challenges as nontrads. While it does tend to be mostly premed the intention is that it serves all nontrads.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Don't forget folks that you don't have to do a formal postbac. You can take your pre reqs on your own informal post bac at a lot of places much cheaper than a formal postbac. It just can get tricky with respect to financial aid. But you don't necessarily need to complete a whole new bachelor's either.

 

[Shotapp]

Just as Miami-Postbac stated, there is no registration priority for non-degree seeking students. I am about to start my postbac this summer and I had to apply for a second degree (not planning on finishing it. Just going to retake the classes I didn't do so well in and bounce) so I could be eligible for financial aid.

 

[DrMikeP]

Did second bachelors in Bio, didn't complete it and still accepted.

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[Marie19393]

If it is any consolation, I also have a masters degree and am back taking classes with 18/19 year olds (some of whom kick my ass in chemistry). After the first day, no one really cares or is surprised that you are older than they are. Best of luck to you!

Thank you so much. I hope I can do well.

 

[Marie19393]

Did second bachelors in Bio, didn't complete it and still accepted.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Thank you for your response.

 

[Marie19393]

Thank you so much everyone for your responses. Your advices are really helpful.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Non-degree gets screwed on scheduling and advising and financial aid, and often on tuition.

This is definitely true at some schools. But just wanted to throw it out there that I did almost all of my prereqs through the School of Continuing Ed. at a private university in my area. I didn't have to compete with degree students for scheduling and was still able to access their premed advising and get a committee letter. All of the courses met in the evenings to accommodate folks who work. Didn't qualify for fin aid, obviously, but I found the tuition to be pretty reasonable.

Not sure if you'd be able to find a program like this where you live but it worked out really well for me!

 

[LingoLaine]

I was in a similar situation. Had a Master's degree already and needed to take med school prereqs. Applied and registered as a second-degree candidate but only completed the necessary prereqs. A second bachelor's degree isn't going to help you get into med or dental school.

 

[Marie19393]

This is definitely true at some schools. But just wanted to throw it out there that I did almost all of my prereqs through the School of Continuing Ed. at a private university in my area. I didn't have to compete with degree students for scheduling and was still able to access their premed advising and get a committee letter. All of the courses met in the evenings to accommodate folks who work. Didn't qualify for fin aid, obviously, but I found the tuition to be pretty reasonable.

Not sure if you'd be able to find a program like this where you live but it worked out really well for me!

I don't know if I have a similar program but I will verify. Thanks!

 

[Marie19393]

I was in a similar situation. Had a Master's degree already and needed to take med school prereqs. Applied and registered as a second-degree candidate but only completed the necessary prereqs. A second bachelor's degree isn't going to help you get into med or dental school.

Thank you. Having someone in the same shoes makes me feel better. I will only complete the pre requisites.

 

[Marie19393]

Thank you for everything. This thread is closed!