How to take pre-reqs at a 4-year?

[CarnageLane]

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I already graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and want to switch to dentistry but need to take bio/chem/org chem. I called UCLA to see if I can register for those classes, but they said I need to be admitted (which is not possible for me since they don't admit students who already have a bachelor's degree). Are all 4-year unversities like this? Does this mean I need to take all my pre-reqs at a CC?

 

[wwdaffodils]

I already graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and want to switch to dentistry but need to take bio/chem/org chem. I called UCLA to see if I can register for those classes, but they said I need to be admitted (which is not possible for me since they don't admit students who already have a bachelor's degree). Are all 4-year unversities like this? Does this mean I need to take all my pre-reqs at a CC?

Nope, you just have to find the schools that do accept non-traditional students. Google is your friend; just google some schools around your area to see if they do. You'll need to be admitted though, usually through the transfer application. I'm enrolling in my state school (Rutgers) as a non-degree student just to take biochem. Since you need to take all your prereqs from scratch, you might want to consider a postbacc program. My undergrad, NYU, had one, and it's nice because those students get extra support from advising, can get a committee letter for applications, get to know other students who are doing the same course work, etc.

 

[Moo beaR]

i'm not entirely sure, but maybe you could apply to summer school at UCLA? i think they allow people who have already graduated into that.

 

[AnInconvntTooth]

Some universities have a non-matriculated option, which allows students who are not seeking a degree to be added to a class if there's room after the first few days of school. You may have to get the professors' signatures, and you risk the chance of not being able to get into the class you want (especially the biology and chemistry series), but it's worth looking into.

 

[sketo43]

If possible, I would recommend taking the classes at a university, not at a community college. You could do a formal postbac program, or you could go through a university's extension school. Check out the postbac forum on SDN for ideas on where you can take the classes:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[DrKumar43210]

I already graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and want to switch to dentistry but need to take bio/chem/org chem. I called UCLA to see if I can register for those classes, but they said I need to be admitted (which is not possible for me since they don't admit students who already have a bachelor's degree). Are all 4-year unversities like this? Does this mean I need to take all my pre-reqs at a CC?

you should apply to a post-bac program or go as a non-degree seeking student and try to fulfill the pre-reqs. UCLA should allow that...talk to someone there to see if there is anything you can do.

 

[eric1]

I already graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and want to switch to dentistry but need to take bio/chem/org chem. I called UCLA to see if I can register for those classes, but they said I need to be admitted (which is not possible for me since they don't admit students who already have a bachelor's degree). Are all 4-year unversities like this? Does this mean I need to take all my pre-reqs at a CC?

I'm in the same boat as you. I know CSULA and Cal Poly Pomona accept 2nd Baccalaureate students but Winter & Spring Quarters for 2010 are already closed. With the budget cuts in California it is pretty hard not to take your pre-reqs at a community college. I still I have a ways to go as I studied Finance.