New to forum: Would like advice

[JWolski]

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I am 24 years old, graduated undergrad in 3 years cum laude (GPA 3.6) in 2006 with a bachelors in finance and management/organizational behavior. For the past 2.5 years I have worked as a tax accountant for an investment/securities firm, but recently have decided to pursue dentistry. I returned to school in the fall of 2008 to slowly begin meeting pre-reqs while continuing my position as an accountant. My first semester back at school went well, but not as well as I had hoped. As an undergrad I took no science courses so it was very new to me. I also underestimated the difficultly of working full time while returning to school. Last semester I received a B in Biology I, a C in Chem I, and an A in Bio Lab. This semester I am taking Anatomy, Chem II, and I TA for a bio lab class. I am doing well in Anatomy (A), but I am headed towards another C in Chem II. Since I am not a full time student, and I am returning to the same University I received my BA, I am not eligible for a second major. This means that I am a "student at large" paying $2100 per class I take (it is a private university). I’ve considered dropping my Chem II course in fear of receiving another C and greatly affecting my chances of acceptance to dental school, but if I drop, I am out $2100, plus I am going to have to spend another $2100 down the road to retake the course. Should I continue with the class? Will a C in both Chem I and II look terrible?!?! I am considering quitting my accounting career to strictly focus on finishing my pre-reqs, but I am just scared. My goal is to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago dental school (2011). Also…I am terrible at standardized tests. I am really dreading the DAT, which is one reason I would like to keep my GPA as high as possible. I would just like some input on a non-traditional student as myself. Will schools look at me differently, especially if I continue to work full time and attend school? Should I quit and focus strictly on school?

Just some background on me:
- 24
- Married
- BA – Finance and Management/Organizational Behavior
- Tax accountant
- I shadow a general dentist every other Saturday
- Involved with a number of activities: Golf team captain, student government, student athletic advisory committee, business club president, award for outstanding senior in business, etc (all of which were during my undergrad career)


Thanks in adivce for advice! I truly appreciate it!!!!

 

[carbide]

I was also a business major. It is my opinion that you need to absolutely nail you science classes especially with your background. As a "second" career choice the adcoms will need to see you ability and seriousness. However, you are working full time which leaves less gas in the tank for getting around to studying. Do not let yourself get another C even if that means a W on the old transcript.

This would probably belong in the pre dent forum...but they are sometimes a little crazy and harsh over there.

 

[Daurang]

Dental school will take any nontraditional candidate but you will need to show you can handle the difficulty by doing much better on your beginning chem classes. These basic classes are mickey mouse compare to the organic chem classes and the DAT you will have to take later on. As of now your extracurricular activities don't mean a thing because you're already behind most applicants in academic. Take the "W" and start over. I knew two particular individuals who never did well on standardized tests so they somehow got proof from the doctor and got extra time on board exams; that is something you can start looking into.

 

[UCSF2012]

Take your C and move on. It's not that big a deal. There isn't a lick of chemistry and orgo in dental school, aside from basic kinetics. Focus instead on who you are as a person and demonstrating to the schools that you're the type of person they want in the field. Dentistry isn't rocket science, but it is human science. I'll let you ponder on what I mean by that.

Chemistry's all about doing problems. The same type of problems come up over and over again, and there'll come a time when chemistry's too easy. Do the problem sets in your textbook. Buy an AP chem book. Take some AP chem tests, GRE chem, SAT II chem, etc.

 

[knife]

Take your C and move on. It's not that big a deal. There isn't a lick of chemistry and orgo in dental school, aside from basic kinetics. Focus instead on who you are as a person and demonstrating to the schools that you're the type of person they want in the field. Dentistry isn't rocket science, but it is human science. I'll let you ponder on what I mean by that.

Chemistry's all about doing problems. The same type of problems come up over and over again, and there'll come a time when chemistry's too easy. Do the problem sets in your textbook. Buy an AP chem book. Take some AP chem tests, GRE chem, SAT II chem, etc.

I definitely agree. Just take the C--try to do really well now and close out the semester w/ as high a grade as possible. You can always make up for it w/ other (more difficult) courses. Chemistry is not everyone's cup o' tea 😴 . I wouldn't say that W is worth 2 grand.

I'd also say that if UIC is your top choice, it'd be very helpful if you were an Illinois resident. Very. Illinois schools are huge on that. If you are, then the non-traditional aspect of your candidacy seems like an interesting perspective to have on dentistry. I'd say you have a solid shot @ an interview (at least), and the rest is on you.

Working full-time and going to school can be a royal pain! Good luck w/ your pursuits

 

[JWolski]

I definitely agree. Just take the C--try to do really well now and close out the semester w/ as high a grade as possible. You can always make up for it w/ other (more difficult) courses. Chemistry is not everyone's cup o' tea 😴 . I wouldn't say that W is worth 2 grand.

I'd also say that if UIC is your top choice, it'd be very helpful if you were an Illinois resident. Very. Illinois schools are huge on that. If you are, then the non-traditional aspect of your candidacy seems like an interesting perspective to have on dentistry. I'd say you have a solid shot @ an interview (at least), and the rest is on you.

Working full-time and going to school can be a royal pain! Good luck w/ your pursuits

Thank you for the response. I am going to continue with the class until the final drop date at which I will evaluate my situation. I am an illinois resident and UIC is one of my top choices. I am also very interested in the newly proposed dental school at Midwestern University at the Downers Grove campus. Thank again for the insight!

 

[dent2009]

The type of person that d.schools want is someone who's compassionate, motivated, and interested in the dental field and also accels in the academics as well as. Therefore, UCSF2012's advice is only half right. You MUST demonstrate your academic prowess by getting good grades (B or above) in the sciences. This is esp. important since you don't come from a science background and hence have more to prove. 1 C is forgivable but 2 or more is not in any science course.

Take your C and move on. It's not that big a deal. There isn't a lick of chemistry and orgo in dental school, aside from basic kinetics. Focus instead on who you are as a person and demonstrating to the schools that you're the type of person they want in the field. Dentistry isn't rocket science, but it is human science. I'll let you ponder on what I mean by that.

Chemistry's all about doing problems. The same type of problems come up over and over again, and there'll come a time when chemistry's too easy. Do the problem sets in your textbook. Buy an AP chem book. Take some AP chem tests, GRE chem, SAT II chem, etc.