Full time post-bac

[sublimegd]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So by next semester I will have completed gen chem1,2 physics1,2 and bio1. I planned on taking Bio2, orgo1, and the 2credit physics lab which I couldn't fit into my schedule this semester. This isn't full time student status, and it doesn't seem as though I can take any upper level bio courses without bio2. I would like to show that I can handle a full course load of hard science courses and still do well. However it doesn't seem like I can fill my schedule. Do you guys think that this matters? I don't want adcoms to think I only did well in the science pre-reqs because I had so much free time to study. I suppose I could take Ochem2, biochem, and some other stuff over the summer as a full time, and take the DAT late August? What are your opinions suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Can you fit an Anatomy class into your schedule? That class doesn't require any pre-reqs and it is good knowledge to have prior to d-school.

Taking Bio Chem without completing Gen Bio 2 could be tough.....

 

[Acceptance King]

Taking Bio Chem without completing Gen Bio 2 could be tough.....

Depending on how the professor teaches Biochem, you can get away without having any biology.

 

[sublimegd]

I never considered taking biochem before finishing orgo1 and the bio series. Do I need ochem2 before biochem... thats the question. I like the anatomy suggestion.

 

[crrees]

def orgo2 before biochem

its the development of thinking and maturation of your own person that you get with organic that allows for the complexities of biochem.

Not to mention when you get to carbohydrates, its nice to be able to recognize D and L sugars that you should get by the end of orgo 2 (kind of an intro)

 

[dr bojangles]

def finish up bio2 and orgo before biochem. i also agree with taking a basic anatomy course (others like histo or immuno might be tougher, not sure where you're taking these). after biochem and anatomy, hit the DATs hard then apply.

good luck

 

[sublimegd]

So apparently my school offers an anatomy & physiology class... but I need bio2 as a prereq. Seems as though I can't fill my schedule with bio courses. I've completed the gen chem series so I could take analytic or upper level inorganic... I don't see how that would be useful for dental school though. This is really annoying. Maybe I'll just stack in huge amounts of volunteering/shadowing next semester to show I didn't just sit in my room studying orgo.

 

[makushin]

.

 

[small]

You should be good with only a partial load. I would focus more on getting A's in your prereq. courses than on impressing adcoms with high level classes.

If you're a good student and won't be satisfied unless you take more classes, I bet you'd be fine in some higher level classes without bio2 (if you can get someone to let you in). I have yet to take a bio class in which I felt lost because I hadn't had the prereq. class. It's more like bio1&2 are general, higher level classes more specific (well, it is like that). They never seem to build like Calculus or O-Chem, where you'd be lost without the previous class. I'd even take biochem without the prereq.: you might be hearing some things for the first time, but I don't think the broad, general knowledge you get from bio2 is really going to help you understand specific biochemical structures and reactions any better. Then, you'll be that much more prepared for bio2! Warning: this probably would take a little more work and might not be the best advice for everyone.

I studied for the DAT while taking O-chem 1&2 over the summer. Had Bio1&2, Phys/Anat. done. Studied regularly (everyday, 3 hours?) for a month, took a one week break right before taking the test. Good luck

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Sublimed,
Next semester, if you take three science classes with lab, do some community volunteering, dental shadowing, get involved with a student dental organization, and start studying for the DAT, you will be plenty busy. As long as you pull all A's and B's in these classes and rock the DAT, I don't think the ADCOMMS will really notice or care that you took three classes, especially if you keep taking classes through the summer.

You could start studying for the DAT throughout Spring semester since you can get going on all the sections, including orgo since you will be taking orgo 1 at the same time. I would just reserve studying the orgo section until late spring. By the time that summer starts, you will already be well prepared to take the test.

In addition, studying for the DAT during spring could actually help you learn Bio 2 and Orgo. You can apply for D-school this summer, and finish all you classes the following fall.

Good luck.

 

[sublimegd]

This is easier said than done. I also did all my organic last summer. I had plans of this, and didn't take the DAT until mid-October. You need 6 weeks at a minimum to study for it.

Yea, I am a little afraid of going in to take the DAT unprepared. I'm doing my best to do a little studying of all the material that I will see again on the DAT. I took genchem 1 and 2 this past summer, and I've been going through making sure I can still do the problems and know the concepts. I plan on doing the same with bio 1 as i'm taking bio 2. I figure as long as I am continually reviewing I won't have to take 6 weeks to re learn and cram all this material. I'll only have to cram for ochem, which I'll have to do anyway because taking a 6 week science courses is pretty intense.

Mr Jeremy, you said "Next semester, if you take three science classes with lab..." I think I'm only going to be taking bio2 with lab, ochem1 (probally w/o the lab b/c it fills so quickly), and the physics 2 lab only. This semester I'm only taking physics 2 lecture and bio1 with lab. This is why I'm afraid I'm not taking enough courses, but thanks for the advise.