How many classes this fall & other Qs

[BONAFIED]

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Background: I graduated in 2003 with a degree in finance/econ & I have none of the pre-req science courses for D-school. I'm planning to head back to my alma mater (state school) to complete the requirements and deepen my background the sciences. I have a couple of questions I could not find in my searches.

1.In the FAQs it stated that it is best to have at least 14 cr. per semester. Would it be unwise for someone to attempt Bio, gen. chem, physics (12 cr) in the same semester? Having been out of school for a while and having no science background I am wondering if it would be best to take just two classes to begin with. I will have no other obligations (work, social life), so it will be a full time endeavor. Any thoughts or experiences?

2. When computing your science GPA for the admissions process are math and general science course (i.e. geology) computed in this score or is it just BioChemPhys? Would a class titled Stat 2300 -Business Statistics be considered in BCP or science? Why? Well if you must know, yes, C-, three years ago, crack.

I had a 3.36 GPA. First two years of undergad were excellent, last two were mediocre mainly due to a very demanding job that I took to further my career and chances for B-school (they aren't too GPA sensitive). I know that places me at a disadvantage. But I'm hoping with some solid work academically, a strong DAT, and some dental related ECs I may have a shot. Any general advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[pink-rose57]

whoa, 3 in a semester is gonna be difficult! But you say you're motivated so you might be able to pull it off!

GO FOR IT!!!!

but don't take my advice for golden, I'm an undergrad freshman.... 😛

 

[sidewalkman]

Not all 4-credit classes are created equal. For example, at Harvard Extension, Intro to Sociology carries the same credit weight as a semester of O-chem w/ lab. Yet we all know which course should be the more demanding.

Think of any course with a lab as being equal to 1.5 classes, just as a frame of reference. Thus, taking g-chem, bio, and an English elective would equal 4 classes. That's fine. I'd be shocked if this wasn't considered a full-time schedule.

Your proposed schedule would equal 4.5 classes under my system. It's only 1/2 class more than the earlier example, but I know I'd go insane if I took chem, bio, and physics in one semester. However, people on this forum have done so with great success. It's really your call.

 

[jheidenr]

2. When computing your science GPA for the admissions process are math and general science course (i.e. geology) computed in this score or is it just BioChemPhys? Would a class titled Stat 2300 -Business Statistics be considered in BCP or science? Why? Well if you must know, yes, C-, three years ago, crack.

Just to clarify your GPA question, AADSAS actually calculates two separate science GPAs. The first one is more general and includes things like all math courses including statistics, and all science related courses such as engineering and geology. The second science GPA is a little more eclusive to courses directly related to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I don't think that geology or math would be included in that, but you can check here on page 35 of the document: http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/webdocs/AppInstrBooklet.pdf

 

[bpenly]

Bonafied,

I was in the same boat as you. Business degree, no sciences, etc. when I first came back to school. I started slow (2 classes per semester) but I was working full-time with a job that had varying demands, sometimes up to about 70 hours per week plus I was newly married. I won't lie, my life sucked. For example, when I took O-chem II and o-chem lab while working, the lab was a two credit class that took at least 20 hours of my week or more because writing lab reports is flat out labor intensive. I ended up with very high A's in both classes, but I had no life.

I talked to some admissions folks who told me that they like to see a few semesters of lots of science for folks that are not science majors. I finally quit my job and I am taking Physics + Lab, Microbiology + Lab (upper division), Physiology (upper division), and Biochemistry (upper division) this fall. I expect it to suck, but I hear tell that it shows admissions commitees that you can handle the heavy science load in dental school. In addition, the admissions folks told me not to stop at the pre-reqs, but expand into some upper division classes to help increase my chances.

I know some other folks at U of Texas that put my schedule to shame. One returing pre-med guy (finance) had 19 credits last semester while also taking the MCAT, which is no small feat. He scored 4 interviews within 2 weeks of applications. While it is not dental, it still shows you the the power of busting through pre-reqs. I think he only averaged around a 3.5 or a little lower, but his impressive course loads clearly helped him.

If you are really nervous about being crap at the sciences, then take a lighter course load your first semester. Once you get some confidence that science classes don't require more brains, just more study time, then you might want to take a stab at a heavier load.

When I submitted my applications this year, I submitted my business calc class as math, but not my business statistics (as I also had a general stats class, which I did classify as math). I haven't taken my DAT yet (next week), so I have not scored any interviews, so please take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[clevelandDDS]

Take it easy on the sciences classes-at least while you are fresh out of the gate. That's where I made a mistake. I'm from a finance degree as well, and I was so excited after I graduated to get started on my prerequisites that I overwhelmed myself. It was not an easy transition from me, but has improved. You may be different, but you wouldn't want to mess up trying to find that out. I go to OSU and the dental admissions staff here suggest 15 hours of sciences per quarter (which is 3 classes), I'm not sure what that breaks down to in semesters. Good luck!

 

[Bickle]

Bonafied,



I talked to some admissions folks who told me that they like to see a few semesters of lots of science for folks that are not science majors. I finally quit my job and I am taking Physics + Lab, Microbiology + Lab (upper division), Physiology (upper division), and Biochemistry (upper division) this fall. I expect it to suck, but I hear tell that it shows admissions commitees that you can handle the heavy science load in dental school. In addition, the admissions folks told me not to stop at the pre-reqs, but expand into some upper division classes to help increase my chances.

.

Your sched sounds alot like my 2nd year of undergrad. If i remember correctly, I had 4 sci courses, and 1 non science option. Its not the classes that kill you for the science classes, its the labs. I had 4 labs and boy did they fill up my schedule. Its tough, but not impossible. Good luck.

 

[cuspidarrow]

I have a BA in music performance, so ever since sophomore year in high school, I was into music hard-core and as far away as possible from any science or math courses. But when I decided to go for dentistry after graduation, I took Calc and General Chem during last summer, and Chem II, Physics I, and Bio I (including 3 labs) in the fall. It was extremely demanding, especially with all the labs, but I truly worked my behind off and ended up getting all A's. In the spring, I only took 2 course, Bio II and Orgo I, thinking I had to study for the DAT's. I finished Orgo II this summer and planning to take Physics II, Biochem, and Microbiology this coming fall.

So, there you go, DOING is not the problem. Having the motivation and the drive to excel is. You know yourself best. If you think you have the motivation, go for it 100%.

 

[UMDeeMan]

but I know I'd go insane if I took chem, bio, and physics in one semester. However, people on this forum have done so with great success. It's really your call.

i'm one of them, took chem, bio, physics, psychology and another class for my major for a grand total of 22 last semester. got all A's and a B in psych. i will never stop bragging about that performance. i had no social life, but i made up huge ground. it's very doable, but don't think you'll get to party every weekend and Monday thru Friday you eat,sleep, and drink school.

 

[ryche22]

i will never stop bragging about that performance. i had no social life

i know...