Need Advice For Graduation classes and years?

[honeynut45]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a bigggg question...

I graduated high school in 04, but got engaged in 06, married in 07, moved, and pregnant in 08, and so on. I have 3 classes left for a BS in psych, but i'm not sure if I can handle them on this semester.

I really did want to graduate now, in 09, so that I won't be considered in 2010, been in school for 6 years. But really thats not the not case. There were times like last year for instance all I took was 1 semester the entire year. Since of the things that were happening. Last time I was in school was Fall of 08'. My question is, if I do end up taking 2 classes this semester, and another class next semester for 2010, because of having a 7 month old baby, and being married. Would that be a problem for dental school in any case?

The thing is I technically can be done now with these 2 psych requirements. But I have Bio 2 that I dropped sophmore year, and got a W, and would like to repeat before I graduate. What would be u guys advice? Graduate now, and take bio else where after graduation? Anyways, bio in our school is extremely hard. I prefer to take it elsewhere in my opinion. Srry this is long. But I NEED ADVICE!!!!

 

[Pampam]

I have a bigggg question...

I graduated high school in 04, but got engaged in 06, married in 07, moved, and pregnant in 08, and so on. I have 3 classes left for a BS in psych, but i'm not sure if I can handle them on this semester.

I really did want to graduate now, in 09, so that I won't be considered in 2010, been in school for 6 years. But really thats not the not case. There were times like last year for instance all I took was 1 semester the entire year. Since of the things that were happening. Last time I was in school was Fall of 08'. My question is, if I do end up taking 2 classes this semester, and another class next semester for 2010, because of having a 7 month old baby, and being married. Would that be a problem for dental school in any case?

The thing is I technically can be done now with these 2 psych requirements. But I have Bio 2 that I dropped sophmore year, and got a W, and would like to repeat before I graduate. What would be u guys advice? Graduate now, and take bio else where after graduation? Anyways, bio in our school is extremely hard. I prefer to take it elsewhere in my opinion. Srry this is long. But I NEED ADVICE!!!!

IMO I think dental schools might see this as a problem. Raising a family and going to school is definitely not an easy thing to do, but if dental schools see that you are not able to take a full load of classes for your undergrad, they will most likely assume that you will not be able to handle their program. I think you should at least take a full load one quarter with at least one science to show that you are ready for dental school. And as for biology, I think it will be the same wherever you take it. It is a broad subject with lots of info to learn. Good Luck!

 

[honeynut45]

IMO I think dental schools might see this as a problem. Raising a family and going to school is definitely not an easy thing to do, but if dental schools see that you are not able to take a full load of classes for your undergrad, they will most likely assume that you will not be able to handle their program. I think you should at least take a full load one quarter with at least one science to show that you are ready for dental school. And as for biology, I think it will be the same wherever you take it. It is a broad subject with lots of info to learn. Good Luck!

The thing is I did take back in the beginning 2 years, full loads with a least 1 science. But however, now trying to adjust to a new different lifestyle, I've been taking less because of the things happening. I am just worried that I if do end up taking a full load with 3 classes, but not do well in Bio in the end. And I can't afford that since this will be my 2nd time taking this class. God, I hate BIO!!!!!

 

[slm266]

I would maybe look into taking out more student loans. I assume you have been doing school part time because you have been working to support a family. If your can't handle at least 3+ core science courses/ semester you will die in dental school.
To echo what has been said, schools definately want to see that you have demonstrated handling a heavy science load. I hope I'm not coming off as a negative Nancy, it just seems to me that dentistry isn't for you unless you can put school first along with your family. Hope all goes well.

 

[honeynut45]

I would maybe look into taking out more student loans. I assume you have been doing school part time because you have been working to support a family. If your can't handle at least 3+ core science courses/ semester you will die in dental school.
To echo what has been said, schools definately want to see that you have demonstrated handling a heavy science load. I hope I'm not coming off as a negative Nancy, it just seems to me that dentistry isn't for you unless you can put school first along with your family. Hope all goes well.

You weren't even giving me advice. You were critcizing me. Its funny because haters like you make me more motivated. You seem like your in predental yourself so how would u know what they would want. GPA and DAT scores are basically what matter in the end. They wouldn't want to take someone whose taking 16-18 credits (including sciences semester) and barely maintaing a 3.0, as long as you can prove to them you can handle 1-2 sciences classes, that's all that is important. But getting a low gpa in prereq's with a high overload has the opposite effect of getting in. I've maintained a 3.6-3.7 with having other prorities in my life. I HAVE A FAMILY, and was living elsewhere while travelling back and forth for school. So I do believe school is important to me just as much. Please do not go around telling people to switch fields, b/c they aren't taking 3 sciences. That's the worst advice anyone can get. Good Luck!

 

[wwdaffodils]

You weren't even giving me advice. You were critcizing me. Its funny because haters like you make me more motivated. You seem like your in predental yourself so how would u know what they would want. GPA and DAT scores are basically what matter in the end. They wouldn't want to take someone whose taking 16-18 credits (including sciences semester) and barely maintaing a 3.0, as long as you can prove to them you can handle 1-2 sciences classes, that's all that is important. But getting a low gpa in prereq's with a high overload has the opposite effect of getting in. I've maintained a 3.6-3.7 with having other prorities in my life. I HAVE A FAMILY, and was living elsewhere while travelling back and forth for school. So I do believe school is important to me just as much. Please do not go around telling people to switch fields, b/c they aren't taking 3 sciences. That's the worst advice anyone can get. Good Luck!

He (she?) wasn't being a "hater"-- he was just telling the truth about what it takes to succeed in the field. I feel for your dilemma, because I can't even imagine having a child to take care of while still going to classes. But the fact of the matter is, dental schools directly state that they want their prospective students to take full course loads because it shows that they can handle dental school. For example, this is taken off of UCSF's website:

"We recommend that applicants carry a full academic load (15-16 credits hours) per semester and suggest taking a minimum of 3-4 science courses each term. This gives you a chance to preview what is in store for you in dental school (i.e., a full course load which cannot be taken part time)."

If you can, I would strongly suggest you take a full course load during your remaining semesters, work hard, and get As in your classes. This would be your absolute best case scenario. However, with that said, be realistic about your choices-- if you really think that you are not capable of handling the amount of work, then scale back; it would be indefinitely better to take less courses than to get an F in one of those courses.

I'd also advise you to be realistic about your future plans as well. As UCSF points out, dental school cannot be taken part time, so you need to learn how to manage your family and your school work now, while you have the chance. I empathize with your situation-- family, travelling-- but if you look around SDN, there are many other people who are in the same or very similar situations. One thing is common-- the parents on SDN are extremely motivated to succeed, not in spite of their families, but because of them.

 

[honeynut45]

He (she?) wasn't being a "hater"-- he was just telling the truth about what it takes to succeed in the field. I feel for your dilemma, because I can't even imagine having a child to take care of while still going to classes. But the fact of the matter is, dental schools directly state that they want their prospective students to take full course loads because it shows that they can handle dental school. For example, this is taken off of UCSF's website:

"We recommend that applicants carry a full academic load (15-16 credits hours) per semester and suggest taking a minimum of 3-4 science courses each term. This gives you a chance to preview what is in store for you in dental school (i.e., a full course load which cannot be taken part time)."

If you can, I would strongly suggest you take a full course load during your remaining semesters, work hard, and get As in your classes. This would be your absolute best case scenario. However, with that said, be realistic about your choices-- if you really think that you are not capable of handling the amount of work, then scale back; it would be indefinitely better to take less courses than to get an F in one of those courses.

I'd also advise you to be realistic about your future plans as well. As UCSF points out, dental school cannot be taken part time, so you need to learn how to manage your family and your school work now, while you have the chance. I empathize with your situation-- family, travelling-- but if you look around SDN, there are many other people who are in the same or very similar situations. One thing is common-- the parents on SDN are extremely motivated to succeed, not in spite of their families, but because of them.

I am a motivated person, or else you would not see that in my grades. As far as course loads go, I know many dental graduates, who have taken 1-2 sciences classes a semester, and got in dental school, and did fine. They recommend, not require about the 3+ classes. And like you stated and so have I taking less coures and doing well them is far better in the long run then taking a heavy load and doing bad. You have no pointed out anything I don't already know. I already stated this before and am stating it now. Obviously, it shows I know what I am doing, since it reflects in my GPA!

My question was would it mater if graduate in winter 2010, even though many of those years, I was not taking classes each semester. AGAIN I AM ADJUSTING TO HAVING A 7 MONTH OLD BABY-he's a baby for godness sake. This is only temporary shift, as was the travelling and things in the past life. And should get easier has I adjust and he grows up. The family I have just gives me more motivation to do better.

 

[youknowthedrill]

The time-line shouldn't hurt you, but a bad GPA will. And yes taking care of a young child is lots of work, but it does get a little easier as they get older. Good luck.