For all the students that got into dental school thru post-bacc programs

[kxb4777]

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I'm looking into going into a post-bacc program this upcoming year, but I'm not quite sure what it entails.

So far, my limited knowledge of post-bacc programs is that it enables you a greater chance to get into professional health schools if you do well. So if any of you can answer the following questions, it would greatly help me.

1) If you are planning on enrolling into a post-bacc program, should you apply to the same school you want to attend dental school, or does that matter at all?

2) Exactly how long does it take to complete a post-bacc program?

3) What coursework should I be expecting if I attend a post-bacc program?

4) What are some of the "better" post-bacc programs in the nation?

5) How do I get any information about post-bacc programs?

Thanks everyone.

 

[food4thots]

1) If you are planning on enrolling into a post-bacc program, should you apply to the same school you want to attend dental school, or does that matter at all?

It would help if you want to go there, but it doesn't necessarily have to be your only choice.

2) Exactly how long does it take to complete a post-bacc program?

I think they are generally 1 year.

3) What coursework should I be expecting if I attend a post-bacc program?

Upper division science courses.

4) What are some of the "better" post-bacc programs in the nation?

UCSF claims a 99% acceptance rate.

5) How do I get any information about post-bacc programs?

Visit their website and obtain #'s and email and contact them.


I'd like to add a few things..

Most formal postbac programs are geared towards disadvantaged students and require residency in that state. Dental schools that do have postbacs do tend to accept their postbac students, but it is not a guarantee, although there are some that guarantee them if you maintain a certain GPA and score high enough on the DATs.

 

[Grasshoper]

1) If you are planning on enrolling into a post-bacc program, should you apply to the same school you want to attend dental school, or does that matter at all?
If you want to, I don't think it matters
2) Exactly how long does it take to complete a post-bacc program?
Depends on how many courses you need to complete and what your undergrad GPA is. I did 6 courses in 3 semesters. This could have been completed in 2 semesters if I wasn't working.
3) What coursework should I be expecting if I attend a post-bacc program?
Your pre-dental requirements (i.e. physics, orgo, bio, etc.)
4) What are some of the "better" post-bacc programs in the nation?
I went to Harvard Extension's program. The only reason I attended this program was because it was the cheapest and I live close by.
5) How do I get any information about post-bacc programs?
I'm sure your advisor could help, but I basically just went to the university nearsest me. That happened to be Harvard. I guess I could have gone to B.U., but they suck! Just call different schools and ask lots of questions.

Good luck!

 

[OrinScrivello]

I've never heard of formal, organized post-bac programs. I always thought it was just a catch-all classification that schools use to describe people who hold a bachelors' degree but are not seeking a higher degree.

You haven't said what your academic background is. Are you a liberal arts major who needs to take the science prereqs for dental school? Or do you already have the science courses done, and just aren't competitive enough to get into dental school this year? If you still need the prereqs, then your course is pretty much laid out for you already. It's possible that you can pick up a second bachelors' degree while you take the sciences. If you already have the prereqs complete, I suggest you look into a graduate-level certificate program, such as a Certificate in Public Health. It will show the dental schools that you can complete (hopefully successfully) graduate-level coursework, and that you like a challenge. Plus, the credits you earn for the certificate can usually be transferred into a master's program, such as an M.P.H.

EDIT: I almost forgot... if you want to try to get into a state school other than the state where you are now, you should do your postbac work at a school in the state where you want to go to dental school. By the end of the year, you will qualify as a resident of that state.

 

[kxb4777]

Basically, it seems as if the consensus for alot of schools rejecting my application is that my GPA is too low. I've taken all the necessary pre-req courses and scored well on the DAT.

Originally, I was just going to take extension courses and improve my GPA, but after scrolling through some of the topics in this msgboard, it seems as if alot of students attended a post-bacc program to improve their standing and got in after a year of study.

Basically, I'm just trying to find the best opportunity to improve my standing for future years (hopefully within the next couple years). My academic counselors and dental school representatives really haven't given me any advice on what to do, so it feels as if this msgboard is my only source for information. I really don't know any schools that offer these programs (I searched around my area in southern california and there was only one at CSULA for underpriviledged students) and I'm still not quite sure I understand what the process is to apply to these programs.

I guess a better way to address this post is what would be the best route for a student in my situation (graduate of a 4-year university with a BS in Biological Sciences, good DAT scores, low GPA, 2 years experience in the dental field) to get into dental school and where can I find more information regarding this other than this forum?

 

[food4thots]

if you are underpriveledged u can apply to UCSF's postbac. i think CSFullerton either has postbac or they let u take enroll as a 2nd bac.. otherwise you can enroll at a UC through their extensions program. the latter, would me more expensive from what i know.

 

[makushin]

m

 

[tom3]

i don't know how other schools do it, but for me, the post-bacc program wasn't only about taking the courses. i got preferential placement and treatment for the courses and times i wanted, had meetings, information packets, mock interviews, etc. the committee and professors were much more inclined to help those non-traditional students it seemed. i had my gripes with the program and talked to some committee members about them, but without it i feel i would have been completely lost in the application process.

 

[kxb4777]

Okay, maybe I need to clarify what information I want.

I am a graduate of a 4-year university with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. I have a low GPA (overall: 2.8, sci: 2.7) and my DAT scores are pretty good (PAT: 21, AA:20, TS: 19). I've been working in a dental office for about a year now, so I have a good amount of clinical experience. I've taken all the necessary pre-req courses required by most dental schools. As of right now, I haven't received an interview, just rejections and other notices that my application is going to be re-reviewed from like 5-6 schools.

Basically, I'm trying to avoid taking extension courses b/c of the cost of taking at least 6 more classes (apparently that's what it's going to take to improve my GPA to a level where its going to be competitive).

I have very limited knowledge about post-bacc programs. From what I know, it's a program where students can take courses to improve their standing as an applicant and receive guidance in their pursuit of attending a professional health school, which is pretty much why the idea of attending a post-bacc looks so attractive. So if someone can give me any information as to what exactly a post-bacc is, what it offers, and how much it costs, that would be great.

Now I'm hearing that post-bacc's are generally geared towards helping the underpriviledged get into a professional health school. Is that true, or is it open to all students?

Sorry if I'm repeating myself and sound obnoxious, but I'm just really confused about what I should be doing. None of the dental school reps or my counselors are offering any sound advice at this point. I'd like to get any input from anyone that was in my same position and their advice as to what I should do. Thanks, everyone, for the replies, btw.

 

[AT12]

Post-Bacs are open to all students. Check out the post-bac section on the MD part of the board.

Basically, most schools that have pre-med programs, also have pre-vet and pre-dental post-bacs.

There are a ton of good programs....NYU, Columbia, Harvard, UPenn, Bryn Mawr (obviously East Coast programs....but there are a bunch all over the country).

Prices for classes are generally MUCH cheaper than full-time undergrad courses bc the classes are at night (they generally restrict you to post-bac courses). In my experience, the courses are probably 80-100% post-bac students and the remainder are full-time undergrad. About 90% of your classmates are pre-med, so yes, it is generally pretty competitive.

Be prepared that this process is most likely going to take two years. You will probably take classes for one year and then apply the following summer. If you apply right now, assuming you start with fall courses, you won't get those grades until the end of Dec (by that time, most dental school classes have already many spaces filled.....not all spaces, but a large number). By the time AADSAS updates your new gpa and sends it to the schools, it will be mid-Jan.

There are definitely good pts about going to a post-bac program. If you take the required number of classes at a post-bac, you can get the program to write you a new committee letter, which may greatly help your application. You will have access to an advisor as well as pre-health program (medical, dental school admissions people tend to have formal information sessions for the post-bac students)

My advice would be to go to a post-bac program close to your home so you can save the cost of housing. Also, if you work full-time at some universities, you can get free tuition. Remember, if you are working full-time, it is difficult to take a full course load (and still get good grades), so the process may take 2 years of classes, followed by a third year of applying. However, if you are young (22), starting dental school by 25 is no big deal.

Good luck!

 

[Rezdawg]

BU has a masters in science program for kids interested in dentistry. They take a some science courses with the 1st year dental students (physio, micro, biochem) as well as a few other classes that dental students dont take. I would assume that students who do fairly well in the program can get into BU dental relatively easily, since they actually took some of the first year classes at BU.

 

[jbeaner]

Okay, maybe I need to clarify what information I want.

I am a graduate of a 4-year university with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. I have a low GPA (overall: 2.8, sci: 2.7) and my DAT scores are pretty good (PAT: 21, AA:20, TS: 19). I've been working in a dental office for about a year now, so I have a good amount of clinical experience. I've taken all the necessary pre-req courses required by most dental schools. As of right now, I haven't received an interview, just rejections and other notices that my application is going to be re-reviewed from like 5-6 schools.

Basically, I'm trying to avoid taking extension courses b/c of the cost of taking at least 6 more classes (apparently that's what it's going to take to improve my GPA to a level where its going to be competitive).

I have very limited knowledge about post-bacc programs. From what I know, it's a program where students can take courses to improve their standing as an applicant and receive guidance in their pursuit of attending a professional health school, which is pretty much why the idea of attending a post-bacc looks so attractive. So if someone can give me any information as to what exactly a post-bacc is, what it offers, and how much it costs, that would be great.

Now I'm hearing that post-bacc's are generally geared towards helping the underpriviledged get into a professional health school. Is that true, or is it open to all students?

Sorry if I'm repeating myself and sound obnoxious, but I'm just really confused about what I should be doing. None of the dental school reps or my counselors are offering any sound advice at this point. I'd like to get any input from anyone that was in my same position and their advice as to what I should do. Thanks, everyone, for the replies, btw.

I am in the same situation.
My stats: CGPA: 3.08, SGPA: 3.1, PAT 21, ADAT 19, SDAT 19
I have gotten several rejections, holds, and only 2 interviews (both are late). Admissions officers said the same thing to me... show us next year that you can get straight As. I have looked into good masters and post-bacs, but I think it is too late to apply for next year. I am really discouraged, and as time goes by, I fear I won't be able to attend anything in the fall. I live in So Cal too - L.A. If you figure something out, let me know. I will too. Good luck!