Missing Lab Requirement and Applying this Cycle, What do I do?

[firstgen.dentalqueen]

Hi everyone,

I feel like I messed up so badly. I'm applying to dental school this cycle, but I just realized I never fulfilled the biology requirements for every single one of the schools on my list. Basically, every school requires you to take two biology courses with labs. I've taken General Bio I (my school doesn't offer a lab with this course), General Bio II with Lab, and Microcellular Biology I (no lab offered for this course). I already graduated last year, May 2023, and I don't know what I can do since I'm applying this cycle.

I looked up some courses that I can take online (the university of new england has a few microbiology courses with lab that can fulfill this requirement) and reached out to my school for advice, but does anyone know what I can do?

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[Ryxndek]

Well, it’s a prerequisite to apply so you need the class. You could try just taking the lab course at your local community college. Most schools will accept these credits. And this is probably your easiest option.

I’d avoid online labs because almost all schools require prerequisite courses to be done in person. And an online lab isn’t something you’d learn a whole lot in considering you wouldn’t get to do all the experiments.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi everyone,

I feel like I messed up so badly. I'm applying to dental school this cycle, but I just realized I never fulfilled the biology requirements for every single one of the schools on my list. Basically, every school requires you to take two biology courses with labs. I've taken General Bio I (my school doesn't offer a lab with this course), General Bio II with Lab, and Microcellular Biology I (no lab offered for this course). I already graduated last year, May 2023, and I don't know what I can do since I'm applying this cycle.

What did the schools suggest? Did your undergrad program have a prehealth advising office?

 

[firstgen.dentalqueen]

Well, it’s a prerequisite to apply so you need the class. You could try just taking the lab course at your local community college. Most schools will accept these credits. And this is probably your easiest option.

I’d avoid online labs because almost all schools require prerequisite courses to be done in person. And an online lab isn’t something you’d learn a whole lot in considering you wouldn’t get to do all the experiments.

Thank you so much for your reply. You are totally right and I was just freaking out a little bit. I am going to take a lab course at my local community college, and I emailed every school that I'm applying to to see if they take their credits. So far, two replied that they would!

Edit: It is not a community college; it is a four-year college

 

[firstgen.dentalqueen]

What did the schools suggest? Did your undergrad program have a prehealth advising office?

Hi yes, they do! I emailed them, asking for their advice, and they said this:

"Firstly, we want to assure you, the lab experience associated with Principles of Biology Lab features pedagogically advanced exercises and covers topics addressed in the lecture of Principles of Biology I and II. The one-semester lab is adequate preparation for most medical schools, but we always expect future applicants to explore their programs of interest to ensure that entrance requirements are met.

Beginning with academic year 2013-2014, there is no longer a lab section attached to either section of the Principles of Biology sequence. Both the fall and spring semesters feature a new attached “recitation” that meets 1.25 hours/week. The recitation is a small, weekly group session led by a graduate teaching assistant where students review concepts and problems from lectures. The Principles labs have been re-designed into a one-semester, one-credit course offered every spring: Principles of Biology Laboratory, BIOL-UA 123. This lab (2.75 hours/week) is only taken by prehealth students who are not planning to major in biology; it features pedagogically advanced exercises and a comprehensive exploration of topics taught in the lectures of Principles of Biology I and II. More information about the content of the course can be found in the online edition of the course syllabus.

Lastly, with regards to taking an additional Biology lab should you need to, this will need to be an in-person lab, you can take courses at a nearby four-year college or at ____ as a visiting student. "

So essentially, they told me that they changed the curriculum for general biology to only having one lab session associated with both general biology I and II, and that if I need to, I should take another lab course with them or at another college.

 

[macsak]

Hi everyone,

I feel like I messed up so badly. I'm applying to dental school this cycle, but I just realized I never fulfilled the biology requirements for every single one of the schools on my list. Basically, every school requires you to take two biology courses with labs. I've taken General Bio I (my school doesn't offer a lab with this course), General Bio II with Lab, and Microcellular Biology I (no lab offered for this course). I already graduated last year, May 2023, and I don't know what I can do since I'm applying this cycle.

I looked up some courses that I can take online (the university of new england has a few microbiology courses with lab that can fulfill this requirement) and reached out to my school for advice, but does anyone know what I can do?

please note that almost all schools require you to complete prereqs before you start dental school, NOT before you apply...

 

[Ryxndek]

please note that almost all schools require you to complete prereqs before you start dental school, NOT before you apply...

only one I know that requires before you apply is stony

 

[Mr.Smile12]

So you're good on the requirement here. Many schools reworked their biology curricula to reduce expensive didactic labs.

 

[firstgen.dentalqueen]

So you're good on the requirement here. Many schools reworked their biology curricula to reduce expensive didactic labs.

Thank you! I double checked with the schools just in case. So far, UPenn is the only one that replied. They said I'll need another lab course unfortunately, but it's okay because I'm taking an anatomy course with lab over the summer at a local 4-year college. Thank you so much for your help and your reply though!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you! I double checked with the schools just in case. So far, UPenn is the only one that replied. They said I'll need another lab course unfortunately, but it's okay because I'm taking an anatomy course with lab over the summer at a local 4-year college. Thank you so much for your help and your reply though!

Well, at least you know. As long as your anatomy lab works.