Enlighten A Youngster...

[HSenior]

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I'm a senior in high school who has been lazy up until now. I'm starting community college summer '09 and will transfer to a 4 year University ASAP.

I need to know how to make it into Dental School. I've been reading around these forums, and noticed some people [also on a dental school's website I visited] saying that PreReqs should be taken at a 4 year university. Is that true, why?

Also, is a bachelor's degree necessary? If I do excellent in the PreReqs and DAT, how well are my chances of being accepted into a Dental School?

Holler back.

 

[DentinTubes]

If starting from year one in college with dental school your ultimate goal then I would suggest that you make many, many visits to the dental schools that you want to go to. Meet with their admissions staff, observe on their clinic floors, see if you can volunteer for them. If you start building a relationships now you will be in a much, much better position that your competition. Getting in is all about good scores AND CONNECTIONS ....good luck!

 

[DrReo]

Grades and DAT help get you in the door for an interview. Volunteering and shadowing are needed, too.

Check out hSDN: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=466

 

[Jimmy Choo]

If starting from year one in college with dental school your ultimate goal then I would suggest that you make many, many visits to the dental schools that you want to go to. Meet with their admissions staff, observe on their clinic floors, see if you can volunteer for them. If you start building a relationships now you will be in a much, much better position that your competition. Getting in is all about good scores AND CONNECTIONS ....good luck!

WORST ADVICE EVER.😱

All you have to do is keep your GPA up. You should focus about 90% of your effort into keeping your GPA up. The other 10% you can use for the DAT, volunteering, shadowing, etc. DAT is as important as your GPA, but you can retake it many times. If you blow your GPA, you are finished.

 

[Aceofspades]

Unfortunately many dental schools have taken up the position that CC courses are not equal to that of 4 year schools. Someone wanting to do 2+2 at a community college and 4 year might have some problems. I would suggest you contact the dental schools you are interested in about CC courses and how they are looked upon. Also, make sure that ALL your credits will transfer to a 4 year school.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=598696
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=424914
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527335
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602216

 

[Frederico Albin]

Most schools have a maximum amount of Community College credit that you can take, most in which are 60-90 credits. Just research the schools that you are interested in and see whats good. In the long run, a few CC credits won't hurt you. Thats what Im doing 🙂

 

[Vicviper]

I think dental schools understand that many students go the CC path, and if you are taking those pre-reqs at the same time that you would be at the 4 year school, (ie, Gchem your freshman year, Ochem Sophomore year) they won't look down at you about it. But, if you have one or two schools you're interested in specifically, I'd just give them a call and ask.

 

[219122]

If you can do it, just go to a 4 year university straight off so you don't have to worry about credit limits/transferring etc. If you take it seriously from the beginning and do well consistently you should be in a good position when you are ready to take your DAT and apply for school. Major in something you like (and make sure you cover the pre-reqs as well of course) - you're more likely to be motivated to study and do well. University is a fun 4 years so don't miss out on that either; it is possible to balance being a good student with having a fun undergrad experience and you'll probably be happy you did when you look back.

 

[HSenior]

^I can't go directly to a 4 year university. I partied in high school when I should have been studying. Anyways...

Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it. I guess once I have my Pre-Reqs complete, and take the DAT and all that good stuff I'll begin applying. If I'm accepted, great; if not then I'll go for the bachelor's.

 

[Hordel]

I'm a senior in high school who has been lazy up until now. I'm starting community college summer '09 and will transfer to a 4 year University ASAP.

I need to know how to make it into Dental School. I've been reading around these forums, and noticed some people [also on a dental school's website I visited] saying that PreReqs should be taken at a 4 year university. Is that true, why?

Also, is a bachelor's degree necessary? If I do excellent in the PreReqs and DAT, how well are my chances of being accepted into a Dental School?

Holler back.

Most say that a bachelor's is pretty much required, although there are some exceptions. I attended a CC and only took a few minor science classes there to prepare me for the four year school, but I didn't take my chem series, bio series...etc. Thus, the classes that I took were like an intro 1 quater class to chem and a human bio class. I would advise getting all of the math, english, humanities...etc done at the CC. Definatly kill these courses at the CC because they are about as easy as it is going to get and they will really help your overall GPA down the road.

As others have said, the EC's are big as well. Do a ton of volunteer time and get a lot of exposure to the dental profession. Research may also be a nice addition to your app, but I would do this at your four year (that way you may get a letter from that professor as well).

If you have a decent GPA, both science and overall, (3.5 or better) and kill the DAT (20's or better) then you should have a strong chance. Yet, be assured that there is NO way of 100% assuring yourself of getting in.

Best of luck to you!!

 

[coolrunner]

Going to a CC is not really a bad thing but it def is not viewed as favorably as a 4 year univeristy. But like I was told when i visited UF last summer, what dental schools look at is your grades in that 1st year after CC and they evaluate how well you adjust to the workload of a 4year institution.

 

[Vicviper]

You might as well finish the BS, after you've done all the pre-reqs, it's just some Upper Dev classes (for bio), and that's easy street. The numbers of people who are accepted without a degree can be counted on one hand is most occasions. The schools all SAY you don't need a degree, but it's like *nudge nudge* *wink wink*. Plus, in those last years of college is when you can do some of your more meaningful EC's like Research and Leadership positions.

Also, take it from me, it costs A LOT to apply, (though in the grand scheme of tuition not that much), and applying just for the hell of it without planning on finishing your degree might just be throwing some useful cash away. That cash can be better spent stocking up on dozens of palets of Ramen noodles that you'll need to eat during dental school!