Need Advice! Applying w/o bachelor's and OOS?

[vlaura0214]

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Sorry if this thread is redundant! I have scoured the sdn forums, but I couldn't find any threads that included both applying without a bachelor's and also OOS friendly schools, etc.

I'm from TN. Submitted my application in 07/06/12. Really wanted to stay on the east coast, but obviously wherever I get accepted, I'll go. Have family in CA too, so I wouldn't mind going to DS there. Only problem is I don't know where to apply. Not only will I be OOS for most of the schools I apply to, but I will also not have a bachelor's by trying to get into DS one year early.

Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 3.9
AA: 24
TS: 22
PAT: 22
BIO: 22
GC: 20
OC: 22
RC: 25
QR: 30

100+ hours of shadowing
50+ hours of volunteer
Also have 100 hrs doing chemistry research

When I submitted my application, I only had 2 schools (UTenn and Louisville), but I wanted to add more now.

So far, I was considering:
UAB
Kentucky
UNC
Buffalo

Are there schools I should add to this list? That I should remove?
Thank you for your help!

 

[DoeAdeer]

Sorry if this thread is redundant! I have scoured the sdn forums, but I couldn't find any threads that included both applying without a bachelor's and also OOS friendly schools, etc.

I'm from TN. Submitted my application in 07/06/12. Really wanted to stay on the east coast, but obviously wherever I get accepted, I'll go. Have family in CA too, so I wouldn't mind going to DS there. Only problem is I don't know where to apply. Not only will I be OOS for most of the schools I apply to, but I will also not have a bachelor's by trying to get into DS one year early.

Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 3.9
AA: 24
TS: 22
PAT: 22
BIO: 22
GC: 20
OC: 22
RC: 25
QR: 30

100+ hours of shadowing
50+ hours of volunteer

When I submitted my application, I only had 2 schools (UTenn and Louisville), but I wanted to add more now.

So far, I was considering:
UAB
Kentucky
UNC
Buffalo

Are there schools I should add to this list? That I should remove?
Thank you for your help!

Having a bachelor's degree would improve your chance more significantly than adding more schools. Also keep in mind that your stats (3.9 GPA and 24AA 22TS 22PAT) are not competitive enough for someone without a bachelor's degree.

 

[Parklife]

You really need the BS degree. I think you'll waste more time and money applying than you would taking the extra classes.

How far do you have to go?

 

[vlaura0214]

I am most definitely going to finish and get my BS degree if I don't get in this year. I am just applying early because my in-state school has a 3-in-1 program, and I was wondering if there were any other schools I could apply to as well. My thinking was "there's no harm in trying." Other than losing money, of course, but I'm okay with spending money to apply to 5 or 6 schools this year. I am going to be a junior this coming Fall, but I already have enough hours to be a incoming 2nd sem junior.

Thank you for the advice and input!

 

[bluesprite13]

Hi. When they say you can apply for dental schools without a degree, they refer to juniors who will be applying so that they will get immediately after they graduate from their undergrad. Although a Bachelor's is not required when you apply, it is mandatory that you have one when you matriculate into dental school. I hope this helps. 🙂

 

[sacapuntas]

Hi. When they say you can apply for dental schools without a degree, they refer to juniors who will be applying so that they will get immediately after they graduate from their undergrad. Although a Bachelor's is not required when you apply, it is mandatory that you have one when you matriculate into dental school. I hope this helps. 🙂

Not always true.

 

[Parklife]

Not always true.

It's true enough to advise against the mentality that you will be fine without a BS. 90%+ of the time. OP has some ballar stats, but I'd still get it.

You spent the money and time on your degree, why not just get it? You've earned it. It's partly ceremonial. Don't you want to graduate from your school? Become an alum?


Selfish dentists. 🙄

 

[bluesprite13]

Ya, I think it's is important to get your Bachelor's. You're almost done anyway. 🙂 What's the 3-in-1 program?

@sacaputas I was just basing that statement from the ADEA guide and from talking to adcons during grad school reviews. I guess there are schools that I weren't aware of that accept people w/o Bachelor's degrees when they matriculate into dental school, but I think it is pretty risky.

 

[vlaura0214]

It's true enough to advise against the mentality that you will be fine without a BS. 90%+ of the time. OP has some ballar stats, but I'd still get it.

You spent the money and time on your degree, why not just get it? You've earned it. It's partly ceremonial. Don't you want to graduate from your school? Become an alum?


Selfish dentists. 🙄

Haha! I see your point. I'm just ready and done with undergrad, I guess. I'm running out of classes (bio, specifically) to take, so it is getting more difficult for me to have a full-time student schedule. But I could just pick up some recreational courses--hiking, rockclimbing, tennis, etc my last year. Will probably only apply to 2 more schools then, since it is looking bleak for me anyway this year w/o BS. Thanks!

 

[bluesprite13]

OOo maybe you can finish your BS early since you are running out of bio classes to take? This way, you have a better chance of getting in w/ a degree! 🙂

 

[vlaura0214]

I would most definitely do this, but it is hard for me to get into these bio courses. I have to register after graduates and seniors, so classes are always full by the time I register. Been trying to get into general physiology for year and a half now. Haha xD

 

[Parklife]

Being a re-applicant may also work against you. Just finish your degree early, and do things you enjoy for the second semester. Dental school is rough, enjoy while you can.


Your ECs are solid. You're competitive even at Ivys. Do something you've always wanted to do. You could take 5 PE classes, or maybe take a semester abroad? You have a lot of options OP.


Enjoy! Good luck!

 

[DDS Perez]

you will not be able to finish your bachelors before august next year? How many credits do you have? I am in a similar situation, but i will be able to graduate before fall for dental school.

 

[vlaura0214]

Being a re-applicant may also work against you. Just finish your degree early, and do things you enjoy for the second semester. Dental school is rough, enjoy while you can.


Your ECs are solid. You're competitive even at Ivys. Do something you've always wanted to do. You could take 5 PE classes, or maybe take a semester abroad? You have a lot of options OP.


Enjoy! Good luck!

Thank you! I will take this all into consideration. Good luck to you as well! 😀

you will not be able to finish your bachelors before august next year? How many credits do you have? I am in a similar situation, but i will be able to graduate before fall for dental school.

I would be able to finish if I took 21 hours fall and spring semester, but I don't think that is possible. Perhaps I could ask my school to allow me to take on the extra hours, but I would have to have special circumstances--which I don't know if this is considered one. And honestly, I don't think I'd want to take on that many hours during undergrad. haha

 

[vlaura0214]

Update! So I found out the 3-in-1 program DOES let me receive a BS after my 1st yr in DS. So that's 2 birds with 1 stone. I had thought this was how the process went, but it just turns out the advisor who recently told me I would not receive a BS was incorrect. Each advisor was telling me different things, but I called Memphis's admissions. (My school's pre-professional advising is obviously very disorganized. Haha) so I will be applying to Memphis. Hopefully I'll get in! Good luck, everyone!