Need your advise on additional corsework required at some schools

[Schnitzels]

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So my situation is this:

I applied to a whole bunch of schools (18) and overlooked prerequisite courses at 4 of the schools. If I decide to take the additional coursework this winter (only 2 courses), how does that affect the processing of my application? Will schools hold off on reviewing it if they see I have more coursework to complete? I'd have to update my AADSAS app, right?

I want to complete the coursework, esp. since I can take it for free through my current job. I just don't want to hinder my 14 other applications for the benefit of the other 4. Am I better off just withdrawing my application from those 4 schools (I haven't paid the school app fees yet)? 🙁 😕

Advise P-p-p-please!

 

[lemoncurry]

Call them up and ask. Obviously you will be updating your AADSAS during the Academic Update period, but you have nothing to give evidence that you're going to take these courses. Depending on the school, they may have a secondary app wherein you would outline your courses for the next year, but they may not. You should call the schools. These are exactly the kinds of questions they are there to answer, and I'm sure they prefer them to "what's my status?" questions.

 

[cariesarebad]

If you check the school's website it often says when you need to have your coursework completed. I think for most schools you need to have all coursework done by the summer prior to your first year of dental school. I'm 95% sure they don't hold off looking at your application if you haven't completed everything. Now, if you haven't taken any of the prereqs and are applying that's a different story, but one or two classes is no big deal.

 

[tinman831]

Most schools require you to finish your prereqs before you matriculate. The only reason why schools would hold your application is due to missing lors, transcripts, dat scores, or secondary applications. Go ahead and keep those 4 applications open if you want.

 

[Schnitzels]

Call them up and ask. Obviously you will be updating your AADSAS during the Academic Update period, but you have nothing to give evidence that you're going to take these courses. Depending on the school, they may have a secondary app wherein you would outline your courses for the next year, but they may not. You should call the schools. These are exactly the kinds of questions they are there to answer, and I'm sure they prefer them to "what's my status?" questions.

I think you've misunderstood my question. I've already completed my secondaries without any conflicts. I even have an interview at one of the schools that is asking for additional coursework. Unless I take these 2 courses, I will not be updating my AADSAS application. I already have my undergraduate degree.

My concern is that by adding the coursework for this Fall I will be sacrificing my chances for the December 1st acceptances since my planned coursework would suddenly be incomplete. I understand there is a Provisional Admittance, however, I do not want to risk schools choosing another similar candidate over me simply because my intended coursework is incomplete.

I am looking for people's opinions. Should I sacrifice my stance at the other 14 schools and complete the additional coursework? Or do I say goodbye to 4 schools (one of which I have an interview for)?

 

[lemoncurry]

I thought I understood you quite well. You've finished your degree, but found you haven't taken some courses required by certain schools. You have a year until matriculation, so why not take them? If you're not sure, call the schools.

 

[NewMexDent]

Hey Shniztels, I think you may misunderstand your situation. Most of us who are applying to enter dental school in fall 2008 have coursework that has not been completed yet, but we are still applying to dental school. Why - because it is ok to not have everything done before you apply, you just need it done before you enter. If you take the required coursework within the next year you will be fine and you will in no way harm your application.For example: I still have to take biochem, a requirement at several schools. I will not take it until spring semester, but I've already recieved interview invitations to 3 schools who require biochem. I can still be accepted Dec. 1 with the intention of taking biochem after that and if I am accepted they will not fill my spot with another candidate unless I fail to complete my coursework.

 

[Schnitzels]

Hey Shniztels, I think you may misunderstand your situation. Most of us who are applying to enter dental school in fall 2008 have coursework that has not been completed yet, but we are still applying to dental school. Why - because it is ok to not have everything done before you apply, you just need it done before you enter. If you take the required coursework within the next year you will be fine and you will in no way harm your application.For example: I still have to take biochem, a requirement at several schools. I will not take it until spring semester, but I've already recieved interview invitations to 3 schools who require biochem. I can still be accepted Dec. 1 with the intention of taking biochem after that and if I am accepted they will not fill my spot with another candidate unless I fail to complete my coursework.

Thanks for the clarification. So, if I decide to add some classes this year will the schools that I have already completed the requirements for need to re-review my application and in turn delay processing my app.? What is the general consensus among the schools? I applied to 18 schools so it's not really practical for me to call each and every one (not that I'd get a straight answer from them anyway.)

 

[lemoncurry]

If the schools don't require the additional courses, don't worry about it. If they do, call them and check, especially if you have already completed your secondaries or interviews.

In December or so, AADSAS allows for a one-time "Academic Update" where you can add the classes you have completed in the fall and update the classes that you plan to take in the winter/spring. This gets mailed out to all your schools at no additional cost. Just bear that in mind. You might also need to send in an updated transcript.