How Do Dental Schools Handle Community College Credit Limits?

[mazenshehab]

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Hey everyone,

I’m currently navigating the dental school admissions process and had a question about community college (CC) credits. I completed almost 100 units at a CC before transferring to a four-year university. I’ve noticed that some dental schools state they accept a maximum of 60-70 CC credits.

My main question is: If an applicant exceeds that 60-unit limit, are they still eligible to apply, but only 60 of those units are considered in GPA calculations? Or does having more than the allowed CC units create any issues with eligibility?

For those who have been through the application process or have insight into how admissions committees handle this, I’d really appreciate any clarification. Thanks in advance!

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[Mr.Smile12]

Hello. Welcome to the forums.

Tell us more about what courses you took at CC that are relevant to your dental school application. What were you studying before your transferred?

 

[mazenshehab]

Hello. Welcome to the forums.

Tell us more about what courses you took at CC that are relevant to your dental school application. What were you studying before your transferred?

Hi! Thanks for the welcome.

During my time at community college, I initially majored in biology, so I completed the Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Physics series there. I did switch my major to computer science for about a year before ultimately returning to biology, which led to accumulating some unnecessary credits along the way. Now that I’ve transferred to a four-year university, I’m planning on taking many upper-division biology courses to strengthen my academic foundation for dental school.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi! Thanks for the welcome.

During my time at community college, I initially majored in biology, so I completed the Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Physics series there. I did switch my major to computer science for about a year before ultimately returning to biology, which led to accumulating some unnecessary credits along the way. Now that I’ve transferred to a four-year university, I’m planning on taking many upper-division biology courses to strengthen my academic foundation for dental school.

I can't speak for every admissions team. Usually the 60-credit limit is to make sure you aren't going to apply to dental school on your community college credits alone. When looking at accepting transfer credits from CC to undergrad, articulation agreements often limit the number of credits that can count towards a science bachelor's degree at the university; sometimes organic chemistry cannot be transferred from CC to undergrad (I've seen that happen).

You can ask admissions teams if they can "pick" which courses count in the 60-credit limit. I am inclined to consider only BCP or other required courses taken at CC in the limit, but others may be restricted by adcom policy.

 

[mazenshehab]

I can't speak for every admissions team. Usually the 60-credit limit is to make sure you aren't going to apply to dental school on your community college credits alone. When looking at accepting transfer credits from CC to undergrad, articulation agreements often limit the number of credits that can count towards a science bachelor's degree at the university; sometimes organic chemistry cannot be transferred from CC to undergrad (I've seen that happen).

You can ask admissions teams if they can "pick" which courses count in the 60-credit limit. I am inclined to consider only BCP or other required courses taken at CC in the limit, but others may be restricted by adcom policy.

Got it, I will definitely contact the admission teams that I am interested in. Thanks for your help.