My chances?

[bilbany12]

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Hello, I recently thought about applying to dental school. I was wondering if I could get some opinions. I'll be applying in the 2016 cycle, my stats are:

overall GPA: 3.8
science GPA: I still need to calculate it, but I've gotten all A's except for a B+ in Basic Anatomy I, and a B in General Physics I. I got an A in both of their proceeding classes.
college: Community, but transferring to Rutgers this fall
major: I have an associate degree in chemistry and my bachelor's will be in biology
outside activities: I have a job working on a psych unit 24 hrs/wk. It's a pretty intense job, but I gain real healthcare experience. I've been there for nearly 2 years, and when I apply it'll be 3 years.
Last summer I volunteered for therapeutic riding with special needs children in the summer, and this summer I'm applying to volunteer at a children's hospital. I also have volunteering from high school with special needs children in baseball.
high school GPA: 95.6, I also went to a vocational-technical high school for medical science
DAT: haven't taken it yet

So far, I have taken all my prereqs at my community college except biochemistry. I know that probably looks bad, but like I said, I did get A's. Would I be competitive? Also, could I be considered a non-traditional student since I'm working and went to a CC?

Moreover, since Rutgers does have a dental school and I'm in-state, do you guys think I'd have a good shot at going there?

If there's anything I can improve on, I would definitely appreciate the constructive criticism.

 

[asusundevilll]

Make sure you check how much CC credits the schools accept. Some schools accept no cc classes for pre reqs such as tufts and BU

 

[bilbany12]

Do you think the CC will hinder my chances?

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

yes, most schools flat out state that they do not accept community college credit for pre-reqs.

I suggest doing a little research to see which schools you can apply to

 

[bilbany12]

If I studied hard and got a good DAT score, do you think I'd have a chance?

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

requirements are requirements. If they don't accept your credit then your DAT score doesn't matter.

 

[bilbany12]

But some of them do...

 

[DentalDoge]

The majority of the schools will prefer 4-year hours over CC hours any day. Some school will not accept CC for pre reqs whatsoever, aka my school. So yes, that will absolutely hinder your application.

Anything short of escaping from North Korea will not offset requirements (even then, Im not sure).

Depending on what you got in Biochem (the only real yard stick they can use), your CC pre reqs will almost always carry less weight than those from a 4 year university.

My advice? Look for a school that doesnt favor 4 year pre reqs as much. There arent very many of them out there. But theyre out there.

 

[darknightzzz]

The majority of the schools will prefer 4-year hours over CC hours any day. Some school will not accept CC for pre reqs whatsoever, aka my school. So yes, that will absolutely hinder your application.

Anything short of escaping from North Korea will not offset requirements (even then, Im not sure).

Depending on what you got in Biochem (the only real yard stick they can use), your CC pre reqs will almost always carry less weight than those from a 4 year university.

My advice? Look for a school that doesnt favor 4 year pre reqs as much. There arent very many of them out there. But theyre out there.

lol I find it weird how dental schools stop accepting classes from CC since Pharmacy and Medical schools (both types) take any prereq from CC or 4-year as long as the name of the classes match.

 

[bilbany12]

So if I apply to schools that accept CC credits, do you think I'll have a shot since I have a job in healthcare and I volunteer? Will that count for something?

 

[danchoi03]

Don't worry too much about the classes you did in CC. You did well so that is good. Now just focus all energy in your next two years at Rutgers. Don't show any GPA downtrend after you transfer to Rutgers and you will be a solid candidate. I know Rutgers dental school loves students from Rutgers undergrad based on the dental students that I talked to. Good luck.

 

[I want to go to there]

Take the DAT first. You are asking for your chances when you are missing one of the most important part of the application. Besides, nothing else you can do will improve your chances anyway. Why don't you email admissions and see how your cc education will affect your application? They can tell you a lot more accurately than people here can.

 

[bilbany12]

Okay, I was hoping I'd have a reasonable shot at Rutgers. And I wanted to get an idea so I don't waste hundreds of dollars if I don't have a chance.

 

[DentalDoge]

@bilbany12 Dont misunderstand my post. Depending on your circumstance and how many CC credits you have, you are still in the running. If you are specifically interested in Rutger's, call them, ask about what you should do to make your application competitive for their school.

Or do a little googling. You have the world's knowledge at your fingertips. http://sdm.rutgers.edu/admissions/predental-requirements.htm

lol I find it weird how dental schools stop accepting classes from CC since Pharmacy and Medical schools (both types) take any prereq from CC or 4-year as long as the name of the classes match.

It's weird because dental schools are still accepting CC credits. Only some schools are strict about absolutely no pre reqs at a CC: http://dental.tufts.edu/admissions/dmd-program/

I've applied to med schools before too and as far as Im concerned they view CC credits similarly.

 

[bilbany12]

@DentalDoge yeah, from what I can understand med schools do view them in a similar manner.

 

[darknightzzz]

@DentalDoge yeah, from what I can understand med schools do view them in a similar manner.

lol prob for med, beside GPA, there are literally many other factors that with high GPA and high MCAT alone wont make the cut

for dental GPA plays a more significant role that is why the dental schools show signs of boycotting CC credits lol

 

[strep mutans]

lol prob for med, beside GPA, there are literally many other factors that with high GPA and high MCAT alone wont make the cut

for dental GPA plays a more significant role that is why the dental schools show signs of boycotting CC credits lol

Why do you think gpa plays a more significant role for dental admission vs medical ??

 

[darknightzzz]

Why do you think gpa plays a more significant role for dental admission vs medical ??

just my speculation.

a super high MCAT offset an okay GPA. but if you have a low GPA then no chance. Because there is other emphasis on research, mission trips, hospital volunteer, humanitarianism activity.

for dental i just see some dental experience

low GPA + super high DAT, okay GPA okay DAT all get in fine 🙂

 

[DentalDoge]

just my speculation.

a super high MCAT offset an okay GPA. but if you have a low GPA then no chance. Because there is other emphasis on research, mission trips, hospital volunteer, humanitarianism activity.

for dental i just see some dental experience

low GPA + super high DAT, okay GPA okay DAT all get in fine 🙂

Well, having applied to both programs and talked with admissions committee from both, I can tell you that med schools are very strict on their GPA and MCAT cut offs and requirements, where dental schools often make exceptions. I personally find that GPA vs MCAT and GPA vs DAT off sets each other very similarly.

And Ill tell you straight up that dental schools also value volunteer work ... not just med schools.

However, med schools do value research. Having research in applying to med school can only help you, while it doesn't really have an effect when applying to dental programs.

 

[bilbany12]

Since I have a really good GPA at a CC, do you think there's a reasonable chance if I get a good DAT score and continue to do well at my university? I'm still active with volunteering, and I have many hours of pt. contact...

 

[DentalDoge]

Since I have a really good GPA at a CC, do you think there's a reasonable chance if I get a good DAT score and continue to do well at my university? I'm still active with volunteering, and I have many hours of pt. contact...

Well ... it really depends on how many CC you have vs how many 4 year courses you have or planning on taking.

Good DAT scores will absolutely help. But I personally think the focal point of your application will be your GPA and the quality of it.

 

[bilbany12]

I'm really gonna try to push myself and take 5 classes each semester at university.

 

[DentalDoge]

I'm really gonna try to push myself and take 5 classes each semester at university.

That really doesnt answer the question though.

How many 4 year credits do you think you are looking to accumulate, total? And how many CC credits do you have already?

From what I've gathered, 60-70 CC hours seems to be the extreme. Schools that have limitations usually allow 20-30 hours. But you are looking to have as much 4 year credit hours as you can get to offset the CC credits.

 

[bilbany12]

I have 77 CC credits, but if schools only accept "60" credits, then does it matter about the extras? I'd like to have 30-36 credits from university by the time I apply.
Also, could you clarify what "accepting" credits for them means? Because technically it's not like you're transferring in, you're starting a new program entirely. I guess it just seems misleading to me.

 

[bilbany12]

I have 77 CC credits, but if schools only accept "60" credits, then does it matter about the extras? I'd like to have 30-36 credits from university by the time I apply.
Also, could you clarify what "accepting" credits for them means? Because technically it's not like you're transferring in, you're starting a new program entirely. I guess it just seems misleading to me.

 

[bilbany12]

I have 77 CC credits, but if schools only accept "60" credits, then does it matter about the extras? I'd like to have 30-36 credits from university by the time I apply.
Also, could you clarify what "accepting" credits for them means? Because technically it's not like you're transferring in, you're starting a new program entirely. I guess it just seems misleading to me.

 

[bilbany12]

I have 77 CC credits, but if schools only accept "60" credits, then does it matter about the extras? I'd like to have 30-36 credits from university by the time I apply.
Also, could you clarify what "accepting" credits for them means? Because technically it's not like you're transferring in, you're starting a new program entirely. I guess it just seems misleading to me.

 

[DentalDoge]

I have 77 CC credits, but if schools only accept "60" credits, then does it matter about the extras? I'd like to have 30-36 credits from university by the time I apply.
Also, could you clarify what "accepting" credits for them means? Because technically it's not like you're transferring in, you're starting a new program entirely. I guess it just seems misleading to me.

No, you're not. But read carefully, I didn't say accept. I said allow.

What that entails, I do not know. This is out of my depth. If someone has gone through this experience please elaborate.

Otherwise, absolutely call some dental schools and ask them how the CC hours would be divided up and/or ask if this amount of CC hours would effect your application. My bet is yes.