is it really necessary to take these courses?

[RUpremed]

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Hi guys,

so I was just wondering..is it really necessary to take courses such as embryology, histology, or cell bio? By the looks of it, I won't be able to fit most of these recommended courses in my schedule by the time my application goes out (I am going to be a junior this coming year)..I plan on taking 2 summer classes this summer..parasitology and probably biochemistry. Are these classes sufficient?

Thanks.

 

[JTSLai]

Hi guys,

so I was just wondering..is it really necessary to take courses such as embryology, histology, or cell bio? By the looks of it, I won't be able to fit most of these recommended courses in my schedule by the time my application goes out (I am going to be a junior this coming year)..I plan on taking 2 summer classes this summer..parasitology and probably biochemistry. Are these classes sufficient?

Thanks.

as competitive as the applicant pool is getting i would say it is MANDATORY to take these upper level science classes. it will show the ADCOMS that you are able to perform well in these areas of science. ultimately anything you do to show that you can handle the load in DS will only be a plus on your application. the classes need not be taken before apps go out, but if you cant fit them in before you matriculate i would suggest taking another year of undergrad to complete these courses.

 

[doc3232]

Bio majors end up taking all these upper division courses. Biochem is a common requirement though.

 

[DrReo]

Hi guys,

so I was just wondering..is it really necessary to take courses such as embryology, histology, or cell bio? By the looks of it, I won't be able to fit most of these recommended courses in my schedule by the time my application goes out (I am going to be a junior this coming year)..I plan on taking 2 summer classes this summer..parasitology and probably biochemistry. Are these classes sufficient?

Thanks.

Yes

 

[RUpremed]

well i mean i won't be able to take cell bio and histology particularly, but i am taking microbiology, genetics, and one or two other science classes.

 

[4thMolar]

I would personally take histology and embryology b/c they are classes you take in dschool, and becoming familiar with the material now will only make it easier once you take it in dschool. Plus, those two courses will help you prepare for the bio section on the DAT. The other classes you mentioned are fine as well. As long as you take a good amount of upper level science courses, you will be considered a more competitive applicant (as long as you do well in them of course).

 

[Livineasi]

I only took the required courses and was a Sociology major. Don't worry if you can't take every suggested class. Just make sure you do really well in the required ones.

 

[T Time]

How about psychology? Schools such as UCLA and UCSF say it is required, but I'm graduating this June and I haven't completed an intro to pscyhology class yet. Can this requirement be satisfied by taking it at a community college prior to enrolling in dental school? I think I should have AP credit from high school for it, but it never transferred over...

 

[UCLAzy]

How about psychology? Schools such as UCLA and UCSF say it is required, but I'm graduating this June and I haven't completed an intro to pscyhology class yet. Can this requirement be satisfied by taking it at a community college prior to enrolling in dental school? I think I should have AP credit from high school for it, but it never transferred over...

Required means if its not on your transcript dont bother applying. The original post was regarding the courses they suggest u take. With those, there is leeway if u do or dont take them. If it says required, it means that to them, it is just as important as chem or bio. U can probably take @ cc just as long as u take it before matriculation
.

 

[Vicviper]

Hi guys,

so I was just wondering..is it really necessary to take courses such as embryology, histology, or cell bio? By the looks of it, I won't be able to fit most of these recommended courses in my schedule by the time my application goes out (I am going to be a junior this coming year)..I plan on taking 2 summer classes this summer..parasitology and probably biochemistry. Are these classes sufficient?

Thanks.

I didn't get a chance to take Embryology, histology, or cell bio, even though I had wanted to. Although cell bio conflicted with all of my schedules, I don't even think my school offers histology. I think the two big "recommended" classes that are more *wink*wink* required are Microbio and Biochem - especially biochem, since many schools actually do list it as a requirement.

I wouldn't be worried if you can't fit those other ones in, and then you can always put it in the scheduled part of your application and take it next year, that's just as good.

For my Upper Division Bio's I took Physio, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Neurobiology, Microbio.... some more Neurobio... and a few more derivations of the before listed.

 

[alexa13us]

i just want to have the clear image...for example, I'm a junior applying this june...I have to take one more English class, one more calculus (pre-rec for one of the schools) and microbiology (for another school on my list). They are still going to consider me, right? I have one more year to go so I have all the time in the world to take them...that is why AADSAS has a field where you list your future classes, right?

 

[Vicviper]

i just want to have the clear image...for example, I'm a junior applying this june...I have to take one more English class, one more calculus (pre-rec for one of the schools) and microbiology (for another school on my list). They are still going to consider me, right? I have one more year to go so I have all the time in the world to take them...that is why AADSAS has a field where you list your future classes, right?

Yes, don't worry, I had Micro, as well as another Lab on my list of things that I will do, so don't stress.

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

What Dental Schools told you Embryology and Histology were required? Did your Pre-Med Advisor tell you this? Dental schools require 1 Year Biology w/ lab, and then list some recommended science courses. Recommended does not mean Required. (check the dictionary if you don't believe me 😉)

Between the two semesters of Histology that I took my first year (general 1st semester and oral 2nd semester) and the obscene amount of devo that showed up in Neuro, Histo, and Gross...I would definitely err on the side of taking of taking more upper level bios than less. They can ONLY help you and actually provide you a small TASTE of what is going to be thrown at you at a ridiculous pace in school...