In Need of Advice...

[GIJoeMoe]

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Thanks in advance to everyone who contributes to this thread...

I am finishing up my undergrad work with a major in Public Health, however, I have not completed my pre-dental req's. I decided on dentistry late but luckily some of my classes overlapped. So, I am left to do Bio, Chem (both organic and inorganic), and physics. My question is, do admission committees care where I complete these final courses (i.e. either through a post-bac program or community college, etc.)? Also, in terms of a time line, what would be the best time to prepare for the DAT and subsequently, apply to dental school?

I know this is a loaded question, but I am really curious as to what others in the field suggest, and whether there is any advice I could be given that you all wish you received before starting this daunting process.

Again, thanks to anyone who replies, I really appreciate the advice...

 

[finwon]

Except for a very few schools, d schools mean general chemistry when they say inorganic chem

 

[jigabodo]

1. Generally speaking, prereqs taken at a 4 year university are looked more favorably upon by adcom as opposed to CC. Few schools (like Tufts) do not want classes from CC at all, and there are also a number of schools that have a unit cap on how many CC units you can take.

2. The best time to apply is as soon as the cycle opens up, which should be on May 15th each year.

3. The best time to take the DAT is probably somewhere in June or July, since people can take time off school to study for it.

Thanks in advance to everyone who contributes to this thread...

I am finishing up my undergrad work with a major in Public Health, however, I have not completed my pre-dental req's. I decided on dentistry late but luckily some of my classes overlapped. So, I am left to do Bio, Chem (both organic and inorganic), and physics. My question is, do admission committees care where I complete these final courses (i.e. either through a post-bac program or community college, etc.)? Also, in terms of a time line, what would be the best time to prepare for the DAT and subsequently, apply to dental school?

I know this is a loaded question, but I am really curious as to what others in the field suggest, and whether there is any advice I could be given that you all wish you received before starting this daunting process.

Again, thanks to anyone who replies, I really appreciate the advice...

 

[Regmata]

Do a post bac or complete the courses at a 4 year university, not a CC. Did your public health degree have any actual upper level science courses? At my undergrad that degree didn't have a whole lot of substance...if that is true in your case as well, I would take some upper level sciences in preparation too (e.g. anatomy, biochem, histology, physiology, micro)

 

[nolese]

The essentials are bio through molecular biology and lab, and the chem's you've already mentioned. Other than that all I took was phys and anatomy (though I would not say anatomy would be worth it post-doc). I am also taking biochem but this is after the DAT and even acceptance. Just take what is necessary, the rest will help but is probably not worth it. I just studied my brains out with a prep course and did very well on the DAT that way.

 

[GIJoeMoe]

Where would be the best places to take these courses if I am graduating from undergrad with some not completed? Is there a preference?

For instance, I see the range of ages for the entering classes and some have people at the age 30 something. In that person's case, where would they have completed their req's if they had been out of school for so long?

I just want to make sure I go the right route...I don't want to be disadvantaged in the application process simply because at 18 I wasn't sure about dentistry. I decided 'late' at 21...I know I'm not the first...

 

[jigabodo]

You can probably take those classes at your local state schools. Consider doing an informal postbach.

 

[Regmata]

The essentials are bio through molecular biology and lab, and the chem's you've already mentioned. Other than that all I took was phys and anatomy (though I would not say anatomy would be worth it post-doc). I am also taking biochem but this is after the DAT and even acceptance. Just take what is necessary, the rest will help but is probably not worth it. I just studied my brains out with a prep course and did very well on the DAT that way.

Sure you can study your brains out and do well on the DAT, probably even get admission...However, the application process is long and you will have time to kill anyways, upper level science courses are worth it...they are a huge help when you are actually a dental student