How will community college courses affect my chances at Dental School?

[seji]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I will graduate from a 4 year university in the following year, and I have come to the decision of possibly deciding to start my path to dental school. Will it reflect negatively on my admissions if I take community college courses to fullfill my prerequisites?

My gpa at the 4 year is 3.3-3.4 with a liberal arts degree. (I also transferred to my 4 year from a community college, but didn't decide to look into dental school until now). The reason I'm choosing to take my courses at community college is because I won't be able to register for the prerequisite courses at my UC because many students register for these classes, and the cost of staying a few years to take these courses doesn't seem logical in an economic sense and I will be in excess of units. Community college is much more affordable and I will be attending a highly populated one with extremely high transfer rates if that helps.

So is it a bad idea to try this? Its basically my only path. Has anyone done this before? Also, if i decide to take other courses (Psych, Sociol, Poli Sci) at a community college out of interest, will that help my chances if i do well in them?

 

[seji]

I will graduate from a 4 year university in the following year, and I have come to the decision of possibly deciding to start my path to dental school. Will it reflect negatively on my admissions if I take community college courses to fullfill my prerequisites?

My gpa at the 4 year is 3.3-3.4 with a liberal arts degree. (I also transferred to my 4 year from a community college, but didn't decide to look into dental school until now). The reason I'm choosing to take my courses at community college is because I won't be able to register for the prerequisite courses at my UC because many students register for these classes, and the cost of staying a few years to take these courses doesn't seem logical in an economic sense and I will be in excess of units. Community college is much more affordable and I will be attending a highly populated one with extremely high transfer rates if that helps.

So is it a bad idea to try this? Its basically my only path. Has anyone done this before? Also, if i decide to take other courses (Psych, Sociol, Poli Sci) at a community college out of interest, will that help my chances if i do well in them?

 

[coolslugs]

I will graduate from a 4 year university in the following year, and I have come to the decision of possibly deciding to start my path to dental school. Will it reflect negatively on my admissions if I take community college courses to fullfill my prerequisites?

My gpa at the 4 year is 3.3-3.4 with a liberal arts degree. (I also transferred to my 4 year from a community college, but didn't decide to look into dental school until now). The reason I'm choosing to take my courses at community college is because I won't be able to register for the prerequisite courses at my UC because many students register for these classes, and the cost of staying a few years to take these courses doesn't seem logical in an economic sense and I will be in excess of units. Community college is much more affordable and I will be attending a highly populated one with extremely high transfer rates if that helps.

So is it a bad idea to try this? Its basically my only path. Has anyone done this before? Also, if i decide to take other courses (Psych, Sociol, Poli Sci) at a community college out of interest, will that help my chances if i do well in them?

Plenty of people do their pre-reqs at a CC. There is no problem with that, especially when cost is an issue. Just be aware that some east coast schools won't accept pre-reqs from a CC. Do a search in this forum and you will find more answers.

 

[shemshad6682]

I am in the same situation. I took a lot of pre-dent courses in cc and then transferred to a 4 year university. I have seen students who have gone to cc get into d school, so it is certainly not impossible. it is also true that some d school strongly prefer students who take all their courses at a 4 year university, some of them don't even accept any cc credits, some have a limit (from 10 cc credits to 60), so you have to get that info before taking your courses at a cc to see if it's worth it. if there is only one school you really want to get in, like your state school, and they don't accept ANY cc credits, then you have to pay the extra and take the courses at a university, which is a pain but it will payoff when you become a dentist for sure!!! Hope that helps.

 

[RedDevilDDS]

I am in the same situation. I took a lot of pre-dent courses in cc and then transferred to a 4 year university. I have seen students who have gone to cc get into d school, so it is certainly not impossible. it is also true that some d school strongly prefer students who take all their courses at a 4 year university, some of them don't even accept any cc credits, some have a limit (from 10 cc credits to 60), so you have to get that info before taking your courses at a cc to see if it's worth it. if there is only one school you really want to get in, like your state school, and they don't accept ANY cc credits, then you have to pay the extra and take the courses at a university, which is a pain but it will payoff when you become a dentist for sure!!! Hope that helps.

There are only few d-schools require pre-req to be done at 4 year uni. (Tufts, BU, and NYU I can think of)

Majority of d-schools accept CC pre-reqs I believe... so I agree, no worries!

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527335

 

[SuperC]

As long as all of your prereqs are not completed at a CC you will be fine.

I went the CC route, practicing now.

Good Luck,
-C

 

[Onix]

That was my dilemma as well.
Find out the schools that absolutely don't accept CC courses (ex. Tufts).
Take courses at CC but not every one of them. I did not do ochems at CC. Neither you should take A&P or Biochem at a CC.
Do well in the courses you take at CC, I mean try for "A". Do not settle for Bs or Cs.

I did take courses at CC and I got multiple acceptance. Never lose hope.
GL