Few questions, help needed!

[dt34]

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Hi, I'm a first time poster.

I have few questions and if anyone can give their advice, I would appreciate it.

I've got a BS degree in Biochem, but I been out of school for nearly 6 yrs now. I have an interest in becoming a dentist, so my questions are:

1. I plan on going back to school to take the predental required courses over, I wasn't a stellar student back in undergrad and would like to improve my gpa. So, I was wondering how important is the undergrad school that I take classes from? I'm from Cali. and have a choice of going to UC schools or Cal state schools. I'm leaning towards a Cal state school because it is cheaper and I live 5 mins away from one as oppose to the nearest UC school is nearly 1 hour away and much more expensive.

As far as I know, the courses I need are:
1 yr. English
1 yr. O. Chem w/lab
1 yr. G. Chem w/lab
1 yr. Physics w/lab
1 yr. Biology w/lab

Are there anymore courses or recommend courses to take?

I figure it would take me this whole yr. ('04-'05) and summer to complete all these courses and possibly some of the next school yr.

2. My next question is, in between these future times, when is the best time to take the DAT? Also leaving time to take it twice if I need to. The DAT is also offered almost everyday is that correct? Computer based testing? How long does it take to get the results back?

My applications for dental school would be for the 2006 matriculation.

3. Lastly, is there a website with info on dental schools, like requirements, gpa and DAT scores? or should run out and buy a guide book?

What are some of the easier dental schools to get into to? in-state / out-state, neither matter to me, I will go where ever.

4. Sorry for all the questions, this is the last one, is volunteering and extracuriccular activity important?

Thanks in advance for all the advice and opinions, I'm a little outdated with all this and trying to refresh myself.

 

[Zurik5]

Hi, I'm a first time poster.
So, I was wondering how important is the undergrad school that I take classes from? I'm from Cali. and have a choice of going to UC schools or Cal state schools. I'm leaning towards a Cal state school because it is cheaper and I live 5 mins away from one as oppose to the nearest UC school is nearly 1 hour away and much more expensive.

Doesn't matter, go to the cheapest school and do well (get a's).

Are there anymore courses or recommend courses to take?

If you have time and money a few business classes wouldn't hurt..

2. My next question is, in between these future times, when is the best time to take the DAT? Also leaving time to take it twice if I need to. The DAT is also offered almost everyday is that correct? Computer based testing? How long does it take to get the results back?

Take the DAT the summer before you plan on matriculating. So, in your case, next summer. You'll get the scores that day (it's computerized)

3. Lastly, is there a website with info on dental schools, like requirements, gpa and DAT scores? or should run out and buy a guide book?

Do a search on here, there should be plenty of information. Best of luck on your journey 🙂

 

[shizzleDDS]

Microbio, Biochem, anatomy, and physiology are recommended courses for most schools. It doesn't matter much where you complete the courses, just try to get As where ever you go. I would take the DAT after you've taken your bio, orgo, and chem classes--so probably early next summer. This way you have time to retake it if you want (90 day wait before you can retake the DAT). You can check out the schools websites for their admission requirements and such, or you can call them. They usually give out the average stats of accepted students. Extracurriculars are extremely important, if you haven't shadowed/observed for a decent amount of time in a dental office, your chances of getting in are slim. So make sure you get some hours in a dental office. Also, research experience is a big plus. Do some searches and you'll find a ton more info for yourself--Good Luck!

 

[dt34]

thanks for the quick replies.

"I would take the DAT after you've taken your bio, orgo, and chem classes--so probably early next summer."

so those are the only courses I need in order to do well on the DAT?

are taking these courses in 1 school yr. and summer do-able? or is it too much to take. (2004-2005 matriculation)

1 yr. English
1 yr. O. Chem w/lab
1 yr. G. Chem w/lab
1 yr. Physics w/lab
1 yr. Biology w/lab

when applications are sent in june '05 (for 2006)? do the dental schools look at your current prereq. class gpa or do they wait until you finish them? I obviously won't finish all the prereq. classes until at least the summer of 2005 or I may even go into the fall 2005 quarter. I can take microbio, biochem, anatomy, and physiology, but that would all fall into the 2005-2006 school yr. What I'm basically asking is, when is the cut off date that they will base their gpa avg. on?

Thanks again. Great forum btw.

 

[phosphorylation]

it seems all your questions have been answered, but please allow me to add this website:

http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~hpo/dstats.htm

I wish you the best of luck...


george

 

[shizzleDDS]

To do well on the DAT you really only need the study materials (kaplan, practice tests, etc...). Taking any bio/chem class will help though. When you apply for D school, they will look at your current gpa as of that point, but will ask you of what future courses you are taking. Any grades you receive after you apply can be sent to the schools directly, if you want. That list of classes might take you until fall 05 to complete cause general chem is required before you take orgo. You should map out your classes so you know when you'll be finished, thats what I did.

Good luck!