Finance Major applying to Dental School

[Finance_Dentist]

Hi All-

A little about me - I'm entering my senior year of my finance degree and have taken no prerequisites for dental school. I became interested in health after I developed an autoimmune condition, which caused me to look into dentistry more. I've been shadowing my dentist for the summer and I absolutely love it. I need advice on the best way I can approach getting my prerequisites done. I'm trying to find a way to apply for dental school next year so I can be admitted in 2016, is there any chance this can happen?

- I have 2 semesters left of undergrad and will have 5 or 6 free electives to use for my last year, which I can use for science classes. I have taken calculus and statistics but no science classes.
- I am willing to take science classes at a local state school in the fall and spring semester (in addition to my remaining business classes) if it gets me prepared for to take the DAT next June.
- I could apply to Post-Bacc programs when I graduate in May 2015 but that would prevent me from being admitted in 2016 and I would need to push it out an additional year.
- If I stopped pursuing my finance degree and started taking science classes for the fall/spring, is this a bad idea as I will not have my finance degree? I don't want to waste any more time...

I wish I realized my interests and passion for density sooner. I'm nervous about taking the DAT as I have not had any science classes since HS. I don't want to rush the process and overwhelm myself during my senior year but I do want to get this process started and not delay it any more than I already have. If there's any possible way for me to apply to dental school next year for entrance in 2016, please let me know. Any advice or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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[Demilaax]

As long as you have a DEGREE, all your prerequisites, DAT scores, personal statement, some dental shadowing, LOR, some volunteering hours... you're all set. Very few schools accept applicants without a degree, but most require some sort of a degree. You should also mention what science courses you've taken so far...
I really don't think it's possible to get all ur pre-req in 1 year... because for the 1st semester you need Chem I, Bio I, Physics I ASAP. 2nd semester Chem II, Bio II & Physics II. You need to get either Cal I & II or Cal I and stats. Get your Ochem I & II asap as well. Some schools require 1 semester of MicroBio which u can take after bio I and II. You might also need Psychology for schools like UMICH. Idk what i missed, but you should really look at what some of the schools ask for in terms of pre-req. My advise would be don't rush and risk your GPA.. skipping stair steps could lead to injuries. Anyways best of luck 😛

 

[Finance_Dentist]

As long as you have a DEGREE, all your prerequisites, DAT scores, personal statement, some dental shadowing, LOR, some volunteering hours... you're all set. Very few schools accept applicants without a degree, but most require some sort of a degree. You should also mention what science courses you've taken so far...
I really don't think it's possible to get all ur pre-req in 1 year... because for the 1st semester you need Chem I, Bio I, Physics I ASAP. 2nd semester Chem II, Bio II & Physics II. You need to get either Cal I & II or Cal I and stats. Get your Ochem I & II asap as well. Some schools require 1 semester of MicroBio which u can take after bio I and II. You might also need Psychology for schools like UMICH. Idk what i missed, but you should really look at what some of the schools ask for in terms of pre-req. My advise would be don't rush and risk your GPA.. skipping stair steps could lead to injuries. Anyways best of luck 😛

Thanks for your help with this. I have taken calculus and statistics but no science classes. I want to take the DAT next summer and apply next year but not sure if it's possible to get all my science prerequisites done. I do have room for about 4-5 free electives over the next 2 semesters and can take additional classes at a state school. Any way you see this being possible or is it best to just apply in 2016 for 2017 admittance? Thanks again for your help.

 

[Demilaax]

Actually I think I made a mistake in my last post, I miscalculated and thought you only had 3 semesters. Here's what can do, take Chem I, Physics I and Bio I this fall. Summer take Chem II and Bio II, Spring take Ochem I and physics II, Fall take Ochem II and Microbiology (with or without lab) and see if you can get Biochem I approved while taking ochem II vs. completing it. You'll need to squeeze A&P I and or II where you feel like it and psychology for the schools that ask for it. You also need 6 Credit hours of English Composition / Technical Writing. Remember that you can still apply for dental school while completing the pre-req, you just need to have them completed by the time u get in.

 

[Finance_Dentist]

Actually I think I made a mistake in my last post, I miscalculated and thought you only had 3 semesters. Here's what can do, take Chem I, Physics I and Bio I this fall. Summer take Chem II and Bio II, Spring take Ochem I and physics II, Fall take Ochem II and Microbiology (with or without lab) and see if you can get Biochem I approved while taking ochem II vs. completing it. You'll need to squeeze A&P I and or II where you feel like it and psychology for the schools that ask for it. You also need 6 Credit hours of English Composition / Technical Writing. Remember that you can still apply for dental school while completing the pre-req, you just need to have them completed by the time u get in.

- What classes will I need to take before the DAT and when do you suppose I start studying/aim to take the exam?
I was hoping to submit my application at the end of the summer or fall of 2015. I would like to take the DAT twice, if possible.

Fall 2014:
Bio 1
Chem 1
Physics 1

Spring 2015:
Chem 2
Bio 2
Physics 2
Organic Chem 1

Summer 2015:
Organic Chem 2
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, anatomy, etc.

Take DAT end of September 2015
Submit application in October of 2015... is this late or early in the rolling admissions cycle? I want to be early so I can receive an interview.
Retake DAT in December 2015, if necessary.

What changes would you make to the plan listed above? I want to take everything necessary before taking the DAT exam and would like to know a rough estimate as to when I can complete these classes, take the exam, and apply. Thank you so much!

 

[Demilaax]

Why on earth would you plan to take the DAT twice?.. that's really a bad idea. Just do your best the first time. Also I would submit my application ONCE the cycle opens up. I'm not saying waiting few weeks is going to hurt you, but I'm trying to give the you the best advise. October is considered pretty late. I submitted mine last year on 7/16 and felt like it was late. There's so many posts about how ppl studied for their DAT, http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ultimate-breakdown-collection.992975/ . As far as your schedule, I'm not sure if your school will allow you to take Ochem before completing gen chem II. You also need to check if they will offer Biochem during the summer. Lastly, if you really think your going to bomb the 1st DAT, take the first one in April, I don't know how long you have to wait before you can retake. You also got lots of easily-Googlable-questions 😛

http://bit.ly/1sE2AeZ

Just curious, are you a Texas resident?

 

[yatripkaya]

Right,Remember that you can still apply for dental school while completing the pre-req, you just need to have them completed by the time u get in.thanks

 

[Finance_Dentist]

Why on earth would you plan to take the DAT twice?.. that's really a bad idea. Just do your best the first time. Also I would submit my application ONCE the cycle opens up. I'm not saying waiting few weeks is going to hurt you, but I'm trying to give the you the best advise. October is considered pretty late. I submitted mine last year on 7/16 and felt like it was late. There's so many posts about how ppl studied for their DAT, http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ultimate-breakdown-collection.992975/ . As far as your schedule, I'm not sure if your school will allow you to take Ochem before completing gen chem II. You also need to check if they will offer Biochem during the summer. Lastly, if you really think your going to bomb the 1st DAT, take the first one in April, I don't know how long you have to wait before you can retake. You also got lots of easily-Googlable-questions 😛

http://bit.ly/1sE2AeZ

Just curious, are you a Texas resident?

No, I am a Massachusetts resident, why? I wish I was a Texas resident as I am interested in the dental schools that are there. What are the necessary classes I need to take before the DAT? If I understand you correctly, I can finish the rest of the classes after I take the exam but it is most important I take the classes that will help with the DAT scienc section. I feel that I will need organic chem 2 before taking the DAT and I won't have that done until the summer of 2015. When does the application cycle typically open up?

 

[Finance_Dentist]

Right,Remember that you can still apply for dental school while completing the pre-req, you just need to have them completed by the time u get in.thanks

Thank you! What prerequisites should I take first in order to prepare for the DAT?

 

[ayados16]

Is there a particular reason why you need to apply for the 2016 cycle? I think that if you give yourself an extra year to take your prereqs and gain some dental experience it will make you a MUCH better applicant for the 2017 cycle, and possibly even allow you to get accepted into a cheaper school. I know it seems like a long time now but 1 extra year doesn't put you 'behind' in anyway. It will also allow you to take DAT after completing all the prereqs that are relevant to the exam (Bio I & II, Chem I & II, OChem I & II). Also I wouldn't suggest 'rushing' to take your DAT because the less times you take it the better. It looks better to do well the first time around.. I believe every retake slightly depreciates the value of your score.

 

[Finance_Dentist]

No particular reason besides the fact that I feel like I should have chosen this career sooner and I'm trying to make up for lost time. I totally understand and respect your advice, I think I will most likely end up doing that. It will be less stressful and I will be a stronger applicant. I just hate coming out of dental school being 29 in 200+K in debt.

 

[ayados16]

No particular reason besides the fact that I feel like I should have chosen this career sooner and I'm trying to make up for lost time. I totally understand and respect your advice, I think I will most likely end up doing that. It will be less stressful and I will be a stronger applicant. I just hate coming out of dental school being 29 in 200+K in debt.

You should take a look at some pre-dental threads from some of the non-traditional applicants on this board. It'll help you realize that you're nowhere near late with deciding your career choice. The average dental student age isn't 22, it's actually 24, and I'm guessing you'd be around that age by the time you begin school in 2017. If anything, you're basically on par with everyone else. And debt is definitely a harsh reality of this career choice. However, the more time you spend making yourself a strong applicant and scoring high on your DAT, the more likely you'll be able to get into a cheaper school and minimize your financial burden in the end.

 

[Finance_Dentist]

You should take a look at some pre-dental threads from some of the non-traditional applicants on this board. It'll help you realize that you're nowhere near late with deciding your career choice. The average dental student age isn't 22, it's actually 24, and I'm guessing you'd be around that age by the time you begin school in 2017. If anything, you're basically on par with everyone else. And debt is definitely a harsh reality of this career choice. However, the more time you spend making yourself a strong applicant and scoring high on your DAT, the more likely you'll be able to get into a cheaper school and minimize your financial burden in the end.

Very helpful, I really appreciate your time and help. Do you feel that the DAT is an exam that you can teach a lot of the material to yourself using the materials that are discussed here? I will have some science classes under my belt by next year but it definitely won't be as strong as some other people who have studied bio or chem for 4 years. I am hopeful that I can get bio1,bio2, chem1,chem2, and organic chem1, and organic chem 2 done before I take the DAT and will be studying for it while I am taking those courses as well.

Also off topic question but what do you think about finding a way to take these prerequsites in a school where I would like to receive in-state tuition for dental school like Texas? Or do you feel that most schools will offer in state tuition after the 1st year? Just curious if you know anything about this.

Thanks again!!

 

[ayados16]

Very helpful, I really appreciate your time and help. Do you feel that the DAT is an exam that you can teach a lot of the material to yourself using the materials that are discussed here? I will have some science classes under my belt by next year but it definitely won't be as strong as some other people who have studied bio or chem for 4 years. I am hopeful that I can get bio1,bio2, chem1,chem2, and organic chem1, and organic chem 2 done before I take the DAT and will be studying for it while I am taking those courses as well.

Also off topic question but what do you think about finding a way to take these prerequsites in a school where I would like to receive in-state tuition for dental school like Texas? Or do you feel that most schools will offer in state tuition after the 1st year? Just curious if you know anything about this.

Thanks again!!

The material on the DAT exam doesn't go beyond the basic concepts you learn in gen Bio, Chem, and OChem I & II. If you can master the material in those classes then you should be able to review and study effectively for your exam with no issues. A lot of the materials ppl talk about on this site are great review materials for those who have already taking their prereqs, so you should be fine using them as a study source. People who have studied science for 4 years 'might' have a slight advantage in certain areas only because the related concepts have been repeated to them over various courses. But the new/more complex information that they learn in the higher level sciences don't directly correlated to the DAT.

I'm not entirely sure about Texas schools but I know that on the east coast there are specific schools that usually allow you to get instate after a year, these include UMD, Buffalo, UConn, Rutgers and Pittsburgh. The schools that definitely will NOT allow you to get instate are VCU and Temple. However, if you're willing to relocate a year ahead of time to take more prereqs and establish residency Texas would probably be the best place to do so. They have a heavy in-state preference when it comes to admissions and their in-state tuitions are amazing. But you would have to find out all the logistics about legally establishing residency in such a short time and whether or not Texas schools would consider you a Texas resident after only one year.