Need advice/ info

[stevsie]

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So I applied last cycle and didn't get in. (Most likely the low DAT score) I and taking a year off to re access to decision to go to dental school and work for a year. I feel a little burned out on being a full time student and think a year off working full time, taking a couple classes and shadowing/volunteering would do me a lot of good in the motivation department. I am wondering what would be a good use of my time in my year off for dental school.

My main concern is:
-Do I have to take any general prereqs over. I'm pretty sure there is a time limit on how often you have to retake courses. for example. I took gen bio and gen chem in 2009-2010 school year. Would I have to retake them so they are "valid" again. I heard something like a 5 year rule for that.

-What are the Dos and donts of the following year for dental school.

 

[asne0407]

Some schools have a 5 year cut off for classes. I would call up the ones who do and ask them for advice on if you should retake them or if getting a bachelors will make up for that. Are you going to retake the DAT? What were you scores when applying last time? I would also call the schools you applied to last time and ask why you were not accepted to see if it really is the DAT or if you need to improve on other areas of your application. Good luck.

 

[JAWSSS]

I took gen chem in 05... Had no problem with any school.

 

[arria]

I took gen bio and gen chem in 2009-2010 school year. Would I have to retake them so they are "valid" again. I heard something like a 5 year rule for that.

We're following similar timelines, though I haven't applied previously. To me, a strict 5 year rule would make no sense, particularly if you're taking upper-level science courses in the next year. Like you, I took both Gen Bio and Gen Chem during the 2009-2010 school year. Perhaps it's something that I'll call a few schools about too, but I honestly can't imagine that they'd require me to retake Gen Bio if I just graduated with a B.S. and will be taking several upper-level biology classes in the coming year...if they do require it, I'll weep a lot.

As for this year, I'd suggest focusing on improving your application. I understand you need a mental break, but not seriously working on improving your DAT and GPA (depending on what is it) might backfire and cause you more time and money in the end. Like I said, we do have different situations, but I know I'm taking as many BCP classes as I can afford, studying like crazy for the DAT and working where I can fit it in.

 

[stevsie]

I would have to look up my scores but they were something along the lines of

bio:15
chem:18
Ochem:19
PAT:19
reading:20
math:17
AA:18