Must I Complete the degree

[TeachME]

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Here is my situation I already have Bachelor's in a non-related field. There are no post-bacc programs in my area. So I decided to get a 2nd Bachelor's to fulfill my requirements but I realized that I might complete my degree the summer before I would like to martriculate into D-school.

Would it look bad if I just completed the required courses and not get the degree? Or do I have to get the degree?

 

[TeachME]

Anybody?

 

[Shunwei]

Anybody?

If you are worried about looking bad, best to talk to your D-School and get the Dean's opinion on this. If the degree is not important to you and all you want it to go on to Dentistry and the School does not care for it, then you don't need to get the diploma.

 

[blankguy]

Anybody?

Patience. People tend to be busy so they may not respond on the same day.

As to your question, if you have a bachelors in a unrelated degree it is fine so long as you complete the prereqs. I'm wondering why you chose to get a 2nd bachelors when all you needed is to register as a nondegree taking courses a la carte to fulfill the requirements. You don't have to have a bachelors in sciences nor have to be officially registered in a postbacc program. Ultimately it is the grades that will determine your success along with the DAT. I majored in Economics and registered as a nondegree at a local university taking courses a la carte to fulfill the requirements.

 

[gijohn529]

If you got into D school then who cares. Enjoy these last few months. You'll be getting a DDS or DMD degree so I think that makes up for it.

 

[Bizznet]

It is my understanding that people rather apply to a 2nd bachelors program.. or an official post bach program because then they will qualify for financial aid.

Otherwise.. doing it a la carte... you will either have to take out private loans with higher interest or pay it up front.

 

[blankguy]

It is my understanding that people rather apply to a 2nd bachelors program.. or an official post bach program because then they will qualify for financial aid.

Otherwise.. doing it a la carte... you will either have to take out private loans with higher interest or pay it up front.

You could do it part time while working. I know it sucks but at least you won't be saddled with the obligation of perhaps having to finish that 2nd degree and have additional loans to pay off later on. I've been told it may look awkward having to go laterally with the same type of degree on a different field instead of going ahead with a masters on the desired field.

 

[OhioStBuckteeth]

I just did the remaining prereqs a la carte after my BA and had no problems.

 

[TeachME]

It is my understanding that people rather apply to a 2nd bachelors program.. or an official post bach program because then they will qualify for financial aid.

Otherwise.. doing it a la carte... you will either have to take out private loans with higher interest or pay it up front.

You could do it part time while working. I know it sucks but at least you won't be saddled with the obligation of perhaps having to finish that 2nd degree and have additional loans to pay off later on. I've been told it may look awkward having to go laterally with the same type of degree on a different field instead of going ahead with a masters on the desired field.

That comes as big surprise because I didn't know that I wouldn't be eligible for Financial Aid the other way.

Well after reading these boards I come to realize a lot people don't get in the first time around even with decent stats. I applied for the second Bachelor's because I would complete the degree before I would martriculate. Additionally, I have no Biology, Chemistry, Organic, or Physics courses so I am essentially starting from scratch. I was just asking because sometimes classes get full and or conflict and some classes are offered only fall or spring (especially the upper division Bio courses) and that could be a factor in delaying the completion of the degree.

I have mapped out my schedule from this summer all the way thru to Spring 2010, martriculation in the Fall of 2010 (if I get in the first time around). I'm just planning ahead and trying to find out if something like that happened would I be forced to complete it.

 

[TeachME]

Ooops.