Just Some Questions

[mnoriega]

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Hey guys, I am in between classes & I spend my free-time in these forums and i have some questions.

1) What kind of physics classes should i take (to have the best chance at getting into UOP)? Non-calculus based or calculus based? I live in California & I am planning on staying here. UCLA requires calculus-based physics while UCSF does not.

2) I am a freshman right now & I will have 44 semester units going into my sophomore year(fall 2009). I have a pretty good GPA still and during holidays or days of leisure i spend a whole day in the library studying the DAT. I WANT to go to dental school for my 4th year of college. That is.. i will not get my BS. My question (FINALLY) is... when should i apply for the things i need to apply? I know this takes some research & that my goals are sooo sooo ideal, but just pretend with me that this is possible, which it is. Please just reply if you guys can. Thanks!

 

[drillbit]

i do not think UCLA requires calculus-based physic....

 

[somethinpositiv]

I don't think any school cares whether you take calculus-based or non calculus-based physics. Physics isn't even on the DAT. Take whichever one you can get A's in would be the better choice.

Hey guys, I am in between classes & I spend my free-time in these forums and i have some questions.

1) What kind of physics classes should i take (to have the best chance at getting into UOP)? Non-calculus based or calculus based? I live in California & I am planning on staying here. UCLA requires calculus-based physics while UCSF does not.

2) I am a freshman right now & I will have 44 semester units going into my sophomore year(fall 2009). I have a pretty good GPA still and during holidays or days of leisure i spend a whole day in the library studying the DAT. I WANT to go to dental school for my 4th year of college. That is.. i will not get my BS. My question (FINALLY) is... when should i apply for the things i need to apply? I know this takes some research & that my goals are sooo sooo ideal, but just pretend with me that this is possible, which it is. Please just reply if you guys can. Thanks!

 

[mnoriega]

UCLA does require engineers' physics...but ok. You guys answered my question. Thanks.. Anyone care to answer the other one?/

 

[jhoag87]

Dental school after junior year? That sounds very ambitious... Good luck with that. Anyways, I don't think spending your holidays and free time studying for the DAT is a good strategy. First off, that sounds terribly boring. Also, D-schools want to see extracurriculars, volunteering, shadowing, etc. It's definitely good that you are studying for the DAT early, but make sure you show that you have a personality and are involved in stuff that requires people-skills. As far as a timeline, just make sure you get your pre-reqs done early and keep your GPA up. Given your goal, apply in May before your junior year and take the DAT not too long after that. I could be wrong, but I would think that if you apply as a junior without a degree, you would need a great GPA and some pretty stellar DATs. Anyone have more input on that or any corrections to my suggestions?

 

[ramforte]

1) does not matter what kind of physics classes you take, take whatever is required for your major.

2) there are some people who get accepted to dental school after 3 years of undergrad, however, for people who are planning to do what you want to do the school's requirements becomes much harder, you should have a 3.9 GPA and above both science and general, and a DAT score of 23 and above, plus lots of shadowing and volunteer work then you have good a shot. However, if you wait and finish your degree, you can get in with a 20 DAT and GPA of 3.5. Also make sure your PAT score is High, UOP cares a lot about PAT and being well-rounded. Good luck

 

[mnoriega]

Thanks. I have all the volunteer work & shadowing in mind. My mom has worked under many people who have become her friends & I will not have a hard time finding a clinic to work under. Studying the DAT & things like that is fun to me... If i don't do that i read but ha ha i do have friends... This is something that would make me very happy!!

 

[jhoag87]

Studying the DAT & things like that is fun to me... If i don't do that i read but ha ha i do have friends...

Sorry, I wasn't implying you didn't have friends! Hopefully no offense taken! I just meant its always good to show Admissions committees that you are involved in things other than studying. I play lots of intramural sports, and I am involved in some culture shows at school, and my interviewer seemed interested in both of those topics when she asked me questions. Just get involved in something that you enjoy doing and show commitment to a career in dentistry (ie, volunteering, shadowing), and you should be fine! Good luck!! 😀

 

[mnoriega]

Thanks i knew what you meant though! =) I play softball for a city team & i don't think i can fit it in while attending a Division 1 school. I love sports, new topics, kids, health!

 

[mnoriega]

not to mention. Ok ill mention. . . i shadowed under my mom & cousin in the philippines & ALL were extractions... hundreds & hundreds.. just DISGUSTING!

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=424914

 

[water88]

UCLA does not require calc-based physics.

 

[mnoriega]

hey thanks for the links.

 

[mnoriega]

about UCLA and physics.. i was looking at the requirements to graduate as a biology major, so sorry on my part. though...i still wouldn't consider UCLA. id consider going out of state before UCLA.. but who knows..

 

[Jake8]

Well as far as not getting the degree, I know for a fact that NYU requires a bachelors degree but I don't know if this is a requirement at other schools. Also if you forgo your undergrad degree and then later on decide to specialize there could be problems. I was talking to my dentist that I work for and he told me that many programs will force you to complete your undergrad degree before you can begin to specialize. I still don't understand why this is the case, but never the less something to consider.

 

[harrygt]

Well as far as not getting the degree, I know for a fact that NYU requires a bachelors degree but I don't know if this is a requirement at other schools. Also if you forgo your undergrad degree and then later on decide to specialize there could be problems. I was talking to my dentist that I work for and he told me that many programs will force you to complete your undergrad degree before you can begin to specialize. I still don't understand why this is the case, but never the less something to consider.

I doubt this. Sure, it would be a problem if you were going to seek a PhD besdies your DDS, but I can't see how specializing would require a bachelor's degree.

 

[gryffindor]

Well as far as not getting the degree, I know for a fact that NYU requires a bachelors degree but I don't know if this is a requirement at other schools. Also if you forgo your undergrad degree and then later on decide to specialize there could be problems. I was talking to my dentist that I work for and he told me that many programs will force you to complete your undergrad degree before you can begin to specialize. I still don't understand why this is the case, but never the less something to consider.

Not true at all. Once you get your DDS/DMD, the prior degrees or lack of degrees don't matter anymore.

 

[Jake8]

Not true at all. Once you get your DDS/DMD, the prior degrees or lack of degrees don't matter anymore.

Hope you're right because that is what makes sense, but I was just passing on what I was told.

 

[mnoriega]

yea. i know that most dental schools require the undergrad degree & if i don't get in for my 4th year, i will continue & get my degree because i want my reward for working my @ss off for years!!! maybe find a job & wait to get into dental school... im not tooo tooooo naive guys. Lol