-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
How hard is dental school ?
Started by Kobebucsfan
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
i want to know the basic syllabus or schedule.
how many exams, any research papers ? things like that
dont answer if u dont want
how many exams, any research papers ? things like that
dont answer if u dont want
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I really don't understand why you think this is a dumb question? Lots of people don't know and they're just curious.
You will get midterms randomly throughout the quarter/semester.
How much 1st years study depends on the person. Some skip class and cram the last few days before midterms/finals. They might study on average 1 out of every 5 weeks.
Some people study 8 hours each day of the quarter/semester on top of classes.
There is a HUGE spectrum. Generally, 1st years have 5 hours of class a day and study about 3 hours a day.
I think its a great question.
its not the worst question to ask... but the problem is: where he asked it.... we are mostly pre-dents, we don't have first hand experience with dental school.
Its more wise for the OP to ask this in the dental form, where dental students can answer.
But... since I watched my sister get through dental school I can only recall what her habits were like: Very limited friends, very limited social life, spend most of the time locked up in her room studying, she always yelled at us to turn the TV down so she can study, at times I used to wake up in the middle of the night (2-3 AM) to go pee and the light under her door was still on (she was up on nights studying)..... However she was a top performer, I think finished 3rd or 2nd in her class, she also had a huge part 1 (97% I think).... I don't think many dental students put themselves through this kind of beating
that's the way she went through it. As I said, it depends on the person. For some people, they can be the number 1 student, sleep 10 hours a night, and take weekends off.
And where are you completing your DDS?
WHAT?!@#@#!@# WHO LEFT GIFTS FOR ME UNDER MY TREE THIS PAST CHRISTMAS???
There are a lot of smart people out there, it's very likely you'll meet some in dental school.
I wasn't disputing your post... just sharing an observation.... Besides, I am willing to bet, the type of student you described above is extremely rare and/or had a substantial pre-dental background.
Besides, how do you know for a fact that someone spend 10 hours sleeping, taking weekends off, studying the minimum and still coming out on top after 4 years? How do you know such person actually exists?
this is a bit cocky, don't you think 🙄
I didnt disagree with you. I was agreeing with you. Your sister is in the "huge spectrum" that I was talking about.
And trust me, there are some people who are that smart. They can study a few hours each day and be number 1.
His comment was the cocky one hahaha. I am really asking because I want to know if he knows more about dental school than I do.
i'm still wondering what the daily schedule is ?
is it like u go to microbio lecture for 2 hours, then straight to another lecture for another course?
and how do the labs factor in ?
and for the grades, is it like pass/fail or do hey give out letter grades and we have a whole new GPA in dental school?
is it like u go to microbio lecture for 2 hours, then straight to another lecture for another course?
and how do the labs factor in ?
and for the grades, is it like pass/fail or do hey give out letter grades and we have a whole new GPA in dental school?
Judging by his name, I'm assuming he's going to dental school at the Jersey Shore.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
You can expect to be in class from 8-5 and some days you may get out a little earlier. Some weeks you will have to go study every day after school, other weeks you may only have to study one or two days. If you have a practical or competency you will be in the lab more, but again it depends. Dental school is a b*tch, but not necessarily that hard. Some days I am up at 6 AM and don't stop studying till 10 PM. Other days, I skip morning class, go to lab from 1-5 then come home and chill. It will vary, but you can expect to study A LOT
Labs are separate courses. Operative lab is 5 or 6 credits and Dental Anatomy lab is 3. We also have an operative / DA lecture which is 3 credits. We go to it for an hour or 2 before we head to lab, which can last 3-4 hours. And yes, you will go from one class to the other. Same lecture hall, but with a 10 min break.
Note* This is my experience, schools may vary
The same place you are...o wait
more uses for hair gel then you think..
This personality definitely exists. We have one kid in our class who never comes to class and just rolls out of bed come test day, yet somehow knows more than everyone else
dang.
hahahaha
indeed...predents have a surprise in store for them. They never met those people in undergrad.
To the OP: FutureDent020 described it well. I will add a bit more from my experiences.
Get up at 7, go to class from 8 till 3 or 4 (some days end early at noon). We might cram at lunch if we have a quiz or exam. If midterms are coming up then we probably study till 10ish.
If there are no midterms coming up then we might take the day off and just gym it and relax. There are a few nice weeks during the quarter/semester.
maybe.... but my question stands: How does anyone REALLY know such "people" exist? Are you living with this person? do you get to watch their activities 24/7? Maybe they don't show up to class because they'd rather sit home and read over the lectures themselves? Maybe they show up to class with bad hair and sandals cause they want the pretty girls to think theyr geniuses and possibly get a solo "studying" date with them?
I am not doubting this fact that there are REALLY smart people... I've just these stories from time to time, so I'd like to get some facts.
@dental works: My cousin after finishing med school in Australia came to the US to give her USMLE step 1 and 2. She LIVED with me while she was here for 2 months. And I saw her daily. She studied around 3-4 hours a day. we went out for dinner mostly on weekdays and on the weekends we would go to the mall watch movies. Come exam time and she was saying I don't think I studied enough and off-course I was like yeah I think so too...people put in a lot more effort into their steps thank what you did. Result? 99% step 1 and 97% step 2. So yes, geniuses do exist. And I happen to know one personally.
You do realize that no matter what I say, you can always respond with: "how do you really know?"
I don't have proof and there is no reason to show it. Just accept it.
fair enough. Good example I suppose.... one of my oldest friends is finishing their MD from wayne state in 2 months... He got a 245/95% on his USMLE1, pretty huge score from what I hear and only spend like 4-5 weeks on it.... but he is no where near at the top of his class, hes in the top 25% I think.... Again I am not disputing anyone's post, I am just having hard time gathering REAL evidence of people barely putting in time into their studies, yet surpass everyone else.
I'll re-visit this topic again in few years once I have experience with dental school...
ahhhhh now wer getting somewhere.
all i know is acknowledge the fact that dental school is HAM, will not let us underestimate the first sem.
These people are few and far between. I've known some stealth gunners who act is if they never study but actually spend hours on end engaged in heavy reading. There are SOME true geniuses out there, but for the great majority, finishing high in the class takes a lot of hard work.
Isn't that Mark Geragos' default argument 😀
first year is rough because you're dealing with a huge influx of material. classes and labs can be from 8-5. luckily, lab projects are not that big a deal. 2nd year, you're dealing with a huge influx of material (pathology mainly) AND you have big lab projects. 3rd year you have a slightly smaller influx of material, slightly smaller lab projects, but you have clinic.
I'm a slacker, big time. I also have a family. I don't study everyday. In fact, I only study the night before exams. But I'm ok with getting C's if it means I have more time with my kids or more slacking time. As long as my patient care doesn't suffer, then I'm happy with how I'm progressing through dental school.
dental school is HARD. make no bones about it. you have no idea until you actually start. I can say this over and over but you will not be prepared.
I'm a slacker, big time. I also have a family. I don't study everyday. In fact, I only study the night before exams. But I'm ok with getting C's if it means I have more time with my kids or more slacking time. As long as my patient care doesn't suffer, then I'm happy with how I'm progressing through dental school.
dental school is HARD. make no bones about it. you have no idea until you actually start. I can say this over and over but you will not be prepared.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Dentalworks,
Did your sister end up specializing? If not (and assuming she is doing general dentistry), does she regret putting so much time concerning grades in dental school, and not enjoying other aspects (making new friends, going out, be involved with other projects, etc)?
Did your sister end up specializing? If not (and assuming she is doing general dentistry), does she regret putting so much time concerning grades in dental school, and not enjoying other aspects (making new friends, going out, be involved with other projects, etc)?
She is GP and loves what she does.... does she regret working so hard during DS? I don't know, maybe not, shes a nerd.
I do remember asking her sometime ago if she ever considered specializing... her answer (paraphrasing) was "Hell no... I don't wanna go through more schooling"
anybody know if exams are multiple choice?
I think it's more so the way he asked it. Yes it's just a forum, but his grammar/spelling is similar to a middle schooler texting to his friends.
Anyway, as far as grades, different schools have different grading systems. You can find out a lot of this information by just looking up specific schools and seeing how they do things. Every school will be slightly different.
Pretty much all written exams will be multiple choice.
You want to know the truth,
I feel like I get kicked in the n*** every day. It is challenging in a sense of the workload. You will be at school for 12 hours some day. You are basically an academic student, a dental technician, and a dentist all in one. So, if you ask me it's like 3 full time jobs.
Yup, the truth hurts!
I feel like I get kicked in the n*** every day. It is challenging in a sense of the workload. You will be at school for 12 hours some day. You are basically an academic student, a dental technician, and a dentist all in one. So, if you ask me it's like 3 full time jobs.
Yup, the truth hurts!
Yea, they will basically be all multiple choice. Otherwise dental school would not be hard, but impossible. You will find yourself many times 'remembering the answering', not 'knowing the answer'.
DesiDentist
G. S. Khurana, DMD, MBA
Moderator Emeritus
Vendor
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Dental school is tough, but very manageable.
The first two years are didactic work (science courses, biochem, dental anatomy, physiology, gross anatomy.....) and preclinic lab.
The second two years are mostly clinic with seminars and a few clinical courses in the specialties.
Expect lots of reading every night. If you are organized and can read ahead and take good notes it is quite straight forward.
Dental school is easier than undergrad (or was for me) because the school wants you to pass, the tests are not tricky, and everyone helps each other (for the most part).
Don't go in with a negative attitude. Anything worth having is worth working for.
DesiDentist
The first two years are didactic work (science courses, biochem, dental anatomy, physiology, gross anatomy.....) and preclinic lab.
The second two years are mostly clinic with seminars and a few clinical courses in the specialties.
Expect lots of reading every night. If you are organized and can read ahead and take good notes it is quite straight forward.
Dental school is easier than undergrad (or was for me) because the school wants you to pass, the tests are not tricky, and everyone helps each other (for the most part).
Don't go in with a negative attitude. Anything worth having is worth working for.
DesiDentist
Where did you go DesiDentist?
DesiDentist
G. S. Khurana, DMD, MBA
Moderator Emeritus
Vendor
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
I went to University of Pennsylvania for Dental School and Johns Hopkins for my MBA.
Undergrad: University of Washington
finally someone said it 🙂
Do you mean its easier than undergrad if you buck up and stay organized and on top of things?
DesiDentist
G. S. Khurana, DMD, MBA
Moderator Emeritus
Vendor
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
For me it was easier. My undergrad had 30,000 kids and my chem class had 500 kids and the prof had no remorse in failing quarter of the class.
The hard part is getting in. If you follow the syllabus, read the requirements you will do fine. Now, if you have dexterity problems and can't hold a drill without shaking that my hinder your clinical skills.
You party hard and you work hard. Trust me, you will build good relationships in dental school. You will love it one day, hate it the next ..... Drama, craziness, it is like high school all over again.
DesiDentist
.... Nevermind
Last edited:
@ Pitt (I have asked a few year1 and year 2 students about this matter and how difficult it really is)
Here is what you will get hit with year 1/2 according to them:
--> Class 8-5
--> Often remain at the school until 8 or 9 at night studying with other people, going over anatomy in the anatomy lab, or working on any lab tasks
--> The day doesn't even end there: you will get home and have to study some more
--> Pitt is only 1 of 5 schools that has actual human cadaver labs. In year 1 spring semester you spend I think 15+ weeks in there, 3 hours a day M-F. The med students will prosect the general organ systems for you but the head and neck anatomy you will dissect yourself over the course of a few weeks. Most of the students take advantage of the 24 hour access (cadavers at night would scare the **** out of me)...hell they were still there Friday afternoon when I was there.
--> In year two you will balance your pre-clinic learning in the sim clinic (lots of hands-on and lab stuff) with the book learning.
--> I think they said the test days were like Monday starting at 8am so you could kiss pre-test weekends goodbye for having a life.
--> Summer break /spring break/ other breaks = Dedicated to studying or preparing for boards.
The general consensus was that it was "stressful" but managable.
Also, all the students I talked to were non-military scholarship students. They said that Pitt will give you an idea of what type of money you will need but they all mentioned that they ended up taking out more loan money for better tools, loops, study stuff, etc. So they said plan ahead for that. None of them regretted the financial burden - they all seemed pretty damn confident they'd make the money back.
I think if you're applying to dental school you should expect at least stress it seems like. No one said the days were short and easy.
Here is what you will get hit with year 1/2 according to them:
--> Class 8-5
--> Often remain at the school until 8 or 9 at night studying with other people, going over anatomy in the anatomy lab, or working on any lab tasks
--> The day doesn't even end there: you will get home and have to study some more
--> Pitt is only 1 of 5 schools that has actual human cadaver labs. In year 1 spring semester you spend I think 15+ weeks in there, 3 hours a day M-F. The med students will prosect the general organ systems for you but the head and neck anatomy you will dissect yourself over the course of a few weeks. Most of the students take advantage of the 24 hour access (cadavers at night would scare the **** out of me)...hell they were still there Friday afternoon when I was there.
--> In year two you will balance your pre-clinic learning in the sim clinic (lots of hands-on and lab stuff) with the book learning.
--> I think they said the test days were like Monday starting at 8am so you could kiss pre-test weekends goodbye for having a life.
--> Summer break /spring break/ other breaks = Dedicated to studying or preparing for boards.
The general consensus was that it was "stressful" but managable.
Also, all the students I talked to were non-military scholarship students. They said that Pitt will give you an idea of what type of money you will need but they all mentioned that they ended up taking out more loan money for better tools, loops, study stuff, etc. So they said plan ahead for that. None of them regretted the financial burden - they all seemed pretty damn confident they'd make the money back.
I think if you're applying to dental school you should expect at least stress it seems like. No one said the days were short and easy.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Easy, if I had to do it all over again. I'll go back to my old job!
I'm fairly certain that isn't accurate.
Yeah, I read that too and I'm pretty sure that's off. If there's only 5, can you list the other 4 that you believe are the only ones to have actual cadaver labs? I thought all the schools except NYU had cadaver labs.
nearly all dental schools use cadavers, whether they be embalmed corpses or plastinated bodies (e.g. NYU). the only school that does not have either is UNLV SDM.
i cannot speak for the USN as it's so new.
ironically this is an appropriate topic for this thread as anatomy is easily one of the most stressful parts of D1. pray to <insert deity here> that you don't get a fatty cadaver. it's stressful when you are still digging for the superior mesenteric artery under layers of adipose tissue while the rest of your classmates are packing up since they had skinny bodies.
i cannot speak for the USN as it's so new.
ironically this is an appropriate topic for this thread as anatomy is easily one of the most stressful parts of D1. pray to <insert deity here> that you don't get a fatty cadaver. it's stressful when you are still digging for the superior mesenteric artery under layers of adipose tissue while the rest of your classmates are packing up since they had skinny bodies.
Yea, i'm pretty sure there are more than 5 schools with cadavers... The only one without cadavers I am familiar with is NYU.
