Getting into Dental school after 3 years possible?

[ThePreDentLife]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone! I'm currently in my second semester of my freshman year.

I wanted to know, what is the possibility of getting into a dental school after 3 years? Although having completed a bachelors is beneficial, is it still possible to get in after having completed 3 years on undergrad course work.

Are there certain school who are more lenient on this?

Anyone here get accepted, or get interviewed, or at least try?

Your input will by highly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[joeliu0112]

I have an interview.

 

[DentPursuer88]

Yes, it is possible but it's a very difficult route. Most schools will advise you to get a BS or BA but if you have outstanding credentials and EC, you apply correctly, and score well on your DAT (20+) I don't see why you won't have a chance to get an interview. I too am taking this route and I honestly think I can do it. I've talked to many pre-dental students who have gotten accepted too so don't worry about it too much. Make sure you concentrate on your grades and take things one step at a time. If you doubt your self, then don't take the chance, but if you believe you have the potential to do this, then you can do it. Plain and simple. Good luck to you.

 

[kug]

Hi everyone! I'm currently in my second semester of my freshman year.

I wanted to know, what is the possibility of getting into a dental school after 3 years? Although having completed a bachelors is beneficial, is it still possible to get in after having completed 3 years on undergrad course work.

Are there certain school who are more lenient on this?

Anyone here get accepted, or get interviewed, or at least try?

Your input will by highly appreciated. Thanks.

I would say it will be very very difficult to get in. With larger number of aplicants, the competition is just enormous. Even people with BA, high GPA and DAT sometimes have hard time getting in. I have tried it and I did not get in.🙁

 

[ThePreDentLife]

although it is a tough path, like taking Bio, orgo, and chem in two years, and do good in them, AND score well on the DAT...

For the DAT, are both semesters of Orgo necessary, or is one enough?

I know its a prereq for dental schools, but before I take the DAT, would one semester be enough?

Also where are you people applied to? those who are trying the 3 year route?

Private, Public? any names...

 

[axum]

why not just try getting your bachelors in 3 years by taking summer classes? That is certainly possible, at least at a school with quarters rather than semesters.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

One of my buddies from Adelphi got into dental schools and she is a junior 😀.

 

[NewMexDent]

Hi everyone! I'm currently in my second semester of my freshman year.

I wanted to know, what is the possibility of getting into a dental school after 3 years? Although having completed a bachelors is beneficial, is it still possible to get in after having completed 3 years on undergrad course work.

People have obviously taken this path before - so it is possible. It does mean that you will have to be way more competitive (GPA, DAT score, extracurriculars, shadowing, volunteering) and you'll have to reach that competitive point in a shorter time.

Although there are many that may not agree with me, I think that rushing through your undergrad just to get into dental school one year earlier is unwise. What's the rush? You'll have to work your butt off in undergrad, work hard in dental school and then you'll be stuck in your career until you retire. Why not take an extra year to enjoy being young and having fewer responsibilities? Do a study abroad, travel the world, hang out with friends, waste a year of your life playing video games - do something now that you won't be able to do later.

Anyway, that's my advice on the issue.

 

[SoCalDent]

although it is a tough path, like taking Bio, orgo, and chem in two years, and do good in them, AND score well on the DAT...

For the DAT, are both semesters of Orgo necessary, or is one enough?

I know its a prereq for dental schools, but before I take the DAT, would one semester be enough?

Also where are you people applied to? those who are trying the 3 year route?

Private, Public? any names...

I got in this year w/o a degree. I looked at the ADEA guide to dental schools, which specifically lists how many students were accepted to a school w/o a degree. I only applied to those schools that accepted at least 4 degreeless applicants per year.

I ended up getting 3 interviews (including my top choice).

My GPA is not stellar (3.35 Overall, 3.25 Science)

My DAT was a little better (21/22/23)

OH, and also I took the DAT w/ only 1 semester of Ochem and it seemed to be sufficient. I got a 21 on the Ochem section.

Good luck.

 

[Bicuspid Bonita]

I was considering doing the same thing. So when i was a sophomore, i went to the dean of my dental school and she said that they prefer people with a degree only because they want to make sure that you are mature enough to handle whatever will be thrown at you in dental school. One of my classmates DID get in this year with only three years, but he does MANY extracurriculars along with research and academics. I'm not sure what your situation is, but there is a possibility.

 

[rkamsterdam]

why not just try getting your bachelors in 3 years by taking summer classes? That is certainly possible, at least at a school with quarters rather than semesters.

this is what I was gonna say. Take summer courses and this should be feasible - and I wouldnt worry about minoring either since dentistry will be your end goal.

 

[doc toothache]

Hi everyone! I'm currently in my second semester of my freshman year.

I wanted to know, what is the possibility of getting into a dental school after 3 years? Although having completed a bachelors is beneficial, is it still possible to get in after having completed 3 years on undergrad course work.

Are there certain school who are more lenient on this?

Anyone here get accepted, or get interviewed, or at least try?

Your input will by highly appreciated. Thanks.

It can be done. e.g. One formal year (2 summers, 2 sem) with a good DAT, 3 interviews and 1 acceptance. (With AP total number of credits at enrollment~ 125).

 

[doc toothache]

Although there are many that may not agree with me, I think that rushing through your undergrad just to get into dental school one year earlier is unwise. What's the rush? You'll have to work your butt off in undergrad, work hard in dental school and then you'll be stuck in your career until you retire. Why not take an extra year to enjoy being young and having fewer responsibilities? Do a study abroad, travel the world, hang out with friends, waste a year of your life playing video games - do something now that you won't be able to do later.

Anyway, that's my advice on the issue.

For some, $25-50K saving for one year of undergraduate may qualify as a good reason to "rush". If one feels entrapped in a career choice maybe a re evaluation is in order. Travel the world advice is great if money is not a problem and mom and dad have cut the umbilical cord.

 

[SHC1984]

Yeah, Its possible if you have a 4.0 and a 25+ on the dat...🙄

 

[doc toothache]

Yeah, Its possible if you have a 4.0 and a 25+ on the dat...🙄

Actually ~3.6/20/20/21 may be sufficient.

 

[NewMexDent]

For some, $25-50K saving for one year of undergraduate may qualify as a good reason to "rush". If one feels entrapped in a career choice maybe a re evaluation is in order. Travel the world advice is great if money is not a problem and mom and dad have cut the umbilical cord.

Like I said, there will be people that don't agree, but sometimes the journey is more interesting than the destination. There is a lot to be experienced in undergrad and I wouldn't trade my 5 years of undergrad for anything (although I may not be in as good a financial position).

Maybe I should have chosen different wording when I said "stuck in your career" but the point is that once you graduate dental school and you have student loans hanging over your head you will have to work. Working as a dentist will probably be very fulfilling and rewarding but also very demanding. Why not take some time for yourself now to do something that you won't be able to do when you are a practicing dentist? That's all I'm saying.

Also, you can travel the world, if you want, for much less than you might expect.

 

[rkamsterdam]

Also, you can travel the world, if you want, for much less than you might expect.

I agree. Travel is an investment with immeasurable returns. Do it now, or before you know it, you'll be too focused on your career, family, and other boring mature responsibilities.

 

[Composite A2]

If your marks are high enough anything is possible, I know people who have gotten into dental school with two years under their belt and people who have gotten into med school after two years. However in both cases they had GPAs at the 3.9 level and high MCAT and DAT scores.

 

[Frederico Albin]

I am also taking this route, but I am a little confused.
Ok, so people that are getting accepted into dental school after their 3rd year are applying in their 2nd year right?

In my case, since I started my undergraduate in the spring semester (1 semester late), if I get accepted I will only have 2.5 years of undergrad instead of 3 years. Does that matter? I will have bio, chem and one semester of orgo and physics under my belt before at the time I apply to dental schools, I know you need to have all of them finished before you enter dental school, but does the amount of pre-requesites when you apply matter?

Another questions to the other students taking this 3 year route, how many credits and how many pre-requesites do you guys have at the time when you apply to dental school?

Thanks Fred

 

[Smills91]

Possible, yes, Improbable most certainly.

 

[ThePreDentLife]

I got in this year w/o a degree. I looked at the ADEA guide to dental schools, which specifically lists how many students were accepted to a school w/o a degree. I only applied to those schools that accepted at least 4 degreeless applicants per year.

I ended up getting 3 interviews (including my top choice).

My GPA is not stellar (3.35 Overall, 3.25 Science)

My DAT was a little better (21/22/23)

OH, and also I took the DAT w/ only 1 semester of Ochem and it seemed to be sufficient. I got a 21 on the Ochem section.

Good luck.

I just want to say you are doing great! Got into dental after 3 years, AND got into UoP! Whats better than that! Congrats!

May I ask, where else did you apply?

Any other helpful information for a Pre-dent considering a 3 year option?

 

[jigabodo]

Some schools will want you to have a bachelor before you matriculate, so it would be best to check on that before you apply.

In general, it's possible but the bar is set even higher, I believe.

 

[oldschool99]

My friend did it and he is in his 2nd year. He had a 4.0 and a 23,22,22 on the DAT. He was also into everything that had to do with school. SGA president, honor societies, community involvement, school clubs, etc. Bottom line is you can do it but the school he is currently attending, he was the only one accepted under these circumstances in the last 5 years! Study hard and good luck!

 

[Frederico Albin]

bump

some1 answer my questions please 😛

 

[DentalGrl102]

I got in after 3 years. I didnt have to take summer courses. I came into my undergrad with AP credits. I had a 22 AA and approx 3.7 gpa.

It is possible. But you have to have good stats and during the interview, you have to show them that you are mature and that you can handle Dental school a year earlier.. I guess.

And to Frederico Albin,
I started studying for the DAT in my second year. And Got my LORs in my second year. And did the application the summer btwn 2nd and 3rd.
And I had most of my prerequisits done, except for physics and biochemistry. (which I am still taking now)

 

[rkamsterdam]

Don't you need at least 90 hrs by the time you matriculate? I think thats the minimum, though i'm sure it depends on the school.

 

[garcia10]

I'm currently a junior and got into dental school at WVU next year. I did fairly well in school...3.7gpa....DAT 19 20 19....Did alot of shadowing and volunteer activities...I looked at it as a way to be able to apply 2 times if needed and not have to work a year if I graduate...Also...my tuition for undergrad isnt exactly cost friendly....I just had to have 90 credits finished by the end of this year, which is easy...If you want to apply after 3 years, go for it..It wont hurt you...Too each their own though...good luck

 

[SoCalDent]

I just want to say you are doing great! Got into dental after 3 years, AND got into UoP! Whats better than that! Congrats!

May I ask, where else did you apply?

Any other helpful information for a Pre-dent considering a 3 year option?

I applied to Midwestern, NYU, UOP (those are my 3 interviews), Case, Creighton, Arizona, UNLV, and Marquette. They all accepted 3 years w/ some degree of frequency.

 

[blankguy]

If you have stellar GPA, DAT and can get the prereqs and volunteering/shadowing out of the way by junior year it can't hurt to try then. If not there's always senior year.

 

[Frederico Albin]

Thats true blankguy, but the thing that worries me the most is that I will only have bio 1-2, chem 1-2, one semester of orgo and physics at the time I apply.
Do you think that they will look down on my application because I dont have most of my pre-reqs done or do they just care about you finishing them before you get to dental school?

 

[andyjl]

unless you will be able to get your degree by the end of the third year I would imagine it being fairly difficult. Even if you do fairly well in school and test scores it would be somewhat difficult beccause dental schools are getting a lot of applicants and thus is getting more competitive. Dent schools would want someone with a BS, BA degree. Unless you have a very high gpa, dat score, lots of shadowing/assisting hours, some great letters of rec it would be difficult. Still possible to get an interview and get acceptance. But it would be hard.

 

[bbakersc]

Hi everyone! I'm currently in my second semester of my freshman year.

I wanted to know, what is the possibility of getting into a dental school after 3 years? Although having completed a bachelors is beneficial, is it still possible to get in after having completed 3 years on undergrad course work.

Are there certain school who are more lenient on this?

Anyone here get accepted, or get interviewed, or at least try?

Your input will by highly appreciated. Thanks.

get a "barons" guide it'll tell you the % that dental schools do that and what % of the class actually gets in early. Also get a really good GPA especially Science and don't plan on getting in early unless you ROCK the DAT. My cousin got in after 2 years, with a 3.3 GPA, but it was at a school where our family has a HUGE connection and he also applied when there was literally half the applicants we have now a days.

 

[ThePreDentLife]

How many credit hours should I have completed by the end of my second year, while applying?

 

[Frederico Albin]

If you are applying in your sophmore year, I guess the more the better... I will be taking classes in spring/fall/summer of all 3 years in undergrad. Im a little lucky that I can take orgo and phys all in the same year if I want hehehehehe 😛, makes it a lot faster.

 

[bbakersc]

How many credit hours should I have completed by the end of my second year, while applying?

70's or 80's and go year round, show that your committed and capable. More so though I would say it is all about WHAT you take. Take Histology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, pathophysiology, microbiology etc. They will not take you if you only have taken gen bio 1&2, gen chem 1&2 etc. If they are going to take a chance on someone it is going to be someone who has taken courses that are a part of dental school curriculum now, so you can prove the them that you a person that will fill a seat... and keep that seat, which is all they care about. Take your physics and stuff afterwards, also don't put all your eggs in that basket, don't cut ties with your school and do some GE's so your not stuck with an impossible schedule later on.
Good luck

 

[ThePreDentLife]

Thanks for the info everyone!