fulfilling prereqs?

[leehrat]

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hey everyone-first post. i've really learned a lot about the application process by reading this forum..thanks everyone!!

onto my case, and i'd appreciate any advice. i was an econ major at UNC (2 years out) and didn't take any courses in bio, chem, or physics since they weren't required (found other easier courses to fulfill those reqs). i thought i'd be going to law school and got into a top 10 school but have since learned more about that profession and don't really want to enter it. on the other hand, i've always found medicine pretty appealing and dentistry seems to be a rewarding field, both financially and, more importantly, personally.

i graduated PBK with a 3.6 GPA. would it be necessary for me to enroll in a formal postbacc program to complete all the requirements? or could i just complete them at the local JUCO or state school since the admissions committee would see that i had a pretty strong undergrad GPA (albeit in another field). my plan would be to get the reqs done over the next 1.5 years while shadowing some dentists on the side and working part-time. and i DO have the calculus reqs (along with some statistics) completed since this was required for my major

i want to make sure that admissions committees won't frown on my completing all my science work at smaller schools since i'd like to get a lot of acceptances! thanks for any advice!

 

[Darksunshine]

hey everyone-first post. i've really learned a lot about the application process by reading this forum..thanks everyone!!

onto my case, and i'd appreciate any advice. i was an econ major at UNC (2 years out) and didn't take any courses in bio, chem, or physics since they weren't required (found other easier courses to fulfill those reqs). i thought i'd be going to law school and got into a top 10 school but have since learned more about that profession and don't really want to enter it. on the other hand, i've always found medicine pretty appealing and dentistry seems to be a rewarding field, both financially and, more importantly, personally.

i graduated PBK with a 3.6 GPA. would it be necessary for me to enroll in a formal postbacc program to complete all the requirements? or could i just complete them at the local JUCO or state school since the admissions committee would see that i had a pretty strong undergrad GPA (albeit in another field). my plan would be to get the reqs done over the next 1.5 years while shadowing some dentists on the side and working part-time. and i DO have the calculus reqs (along with some statistics) completed since this was required for my major

i want to make sure that admissions committees won't frown on my completing all my science work at smaller schools since i'd like to get a lot of acceptances! thanks for any advice!

Hello Leehrat! Welcome! 🙂 😀

I know you are going to get a lot of opinion on this subject so I will try to stick to the facts as they happened to me. Speculation regarding your question won't really help you anyway.

I did most of my pre-requisites at a community college level. I did some at university level too, but since I already had a bachelor degree from a university (that included some of the required pre-req’s) I didn't stress to much about all the ones I needed not being from a university only.

The advice that I was given (from a university pre-dental counselor of course) was that dental schools looked down on pre-req’s from comm. colleges. Her words not mine.

I didn't have any trouble getting in this year (7 school acceptances) with the classes I did take from community colleges. This was never brought up or an issue for me.

Good Luck with your future plans!!!

 

[beard]

hey everyone-first post. i've really learned a lot about the application process by reading this forum..thanks everyone!!

onto my case, and i'd appreciate any advice. i was an econ major at UNC (2 years out) and didn't take any courses in bio, chem, or physics since they weren't required (found other easier courses to fulfill those reqs). i thought i'd be going to law school and got into a top 10 school but have since learned more about that profession and don't really want to enter it. on the other hand, i've always found medicine pretty appealing and dentistry seems to be a rewarding field, both financially and, more importantly, personally.

i graduated PBK with a 3.6 GPA. would it be necessary for me to enroll in a formal postbacc program to complete all the requirements? or could i just complete them at the local JUCO or state school since the admissions committee would see that i had a pretty strong undergrad GPA (albeit in another field). my plan would be to get the reqs done over the next 1.5 years while shadowing some dentists on the side and working part-time. and i DO have the calculus reqs (along with some statistics) completed since this was required for my major

i want to make sure that admissions committees won't frown on my completing all my science work at smaller schools since i'd like to get a lot of acceptances! thanks for any advice!

you could enroll in a juco or state school and finish those req. i really don't think it would that big of deal if you completed dental req at a junior college. there are many pre-meds and pre-dents that go to juco's and then go off to study medicine. the main thing you need to worry about is excelling on the DAT after you have completed dental school req.--not a problem. students get a great grasp on material from a juco due to the closer student-teacher relationship. go where ever is easier for you. good luck.

 

[Generallee]

Welcome to the forum! I too changed my career path.....from business to dental. I had the exact same questions as you did and from what I know and heard, you'll save some money going to community college and finishing your prereqs. I think the most important thing is to do well on the DAT. Except for some schools like Case Western, most schools won't care where you did your prereqs. Just take your required courses and do not attempt a post bac degree since your GPA is good. I think post bacs are attempted only if your GPA is suffering and need to prove you can perform academically. You'll be good to go if you just take Gen Chem I&II, Organic Chem I&II, Biology I&II, PhysicsI&II, and at some schools you'll need all or some Microbiology, Biochem, and Anatomy & Physiology. HOpe this helps. 😀

 

[leehrat]

thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[Mz Shaikh]

hey everyone-first post. i've really learned a lot about the application process by reading this forum..thanks everyone!!

onto my case, and i'd appreciate any advice. i was an econ major at UNC (2 years out) and didn't take any courses in bio, chem, or physics since they weren't required (found other easier courses to fulfill those reqs). i thought i'd be going to law school and got into a top 10 school but have since learned more about that profession and don't really want to enter it. on the other hand, i've always found medicine pretty appealing and dentistry seems to be a rewarding field, both financially and, more importantly, personally.

i graduated PBK with a 3.6 GPA. would it be necessary for me to enroll in a formal postbacc program to complete all the requirements? or could i just complete them at the local JUCO or state school since the admissions committee would see that i had a pretty strong undergrad GPA (albeit in another field). my plan would be to get the reqs done over the next 1.5 years while shadowing some dentists on the side and working part-time. and i DO have the calculus reqs (along with some statistics) completed since this was required for my major

i want to make sure that admissions committees won't frown on my completing all my science work at smaller schools since i'd like to get a lot of acceptances! thanks for any advice!

Hi! I just asked a smiliar question couple of weeks ago. I just graduated with my bachelor's in psych and am currently taking Chem I at a comm college. I will be taking all my other pre-reqs here as well. If you still have more questions on this topic type in "community college courses" under search and you will find everything you need. hope this helps.... good luck.