(non-science background) Does Where I do Post-Baccalaureate matter?

[Longcatislong]

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Hi There!

I was a sociology major at UC Berkeley and graduated last year. Decided late in the game that that I want to be a dentist, so I plan on completing all my pre-dental requirements through a post baccalaureate program starting in Fall '11.

My question is: Does prestige of an undergraduate/post-baccalaureate program matter? I ask because I'm not planning on doing my post-bacc work anywhere prestigious--likely just a local CSU campus or a private university close to where I live. As long as I complete my pre-dental requirements at an accredited, 4-year college and get good grades, I'll be in good shape when it comes time for dental school applications? Right?

 

[HeelsFan]

This is a great question.

As a former post-bacc., I would advise you to take your pre-req's. at an accredited 4 year University (which you say you plan to do).

All other application criteria being equal, does one who makes all A's from a "prestigious" post-bacc. pose a competitive advantage over one who makes all A's from a post-bacc. with less prestige?

I would say Yes.

D-School Admissions committees are aware of the more competitive post-bacc. programs (as evidenced from my interview experiences).

However, regardless of wherever you go for Post-Bacc., if you do well in the sciences and reinforce your command of the material through a strong DAT, and portray interest in the field through involvement with ECs - you should have minimal trouble gaining an acceptance.

Good Luck!

 

[zzyyfff]

I agree with everything HeelsFan says. I had the similar experiences during interviews. It was made known to me that they were well aware of the level of rigor I had chosen to put myself through for my postbac coursework.

It was also wonderful to have a cohesive group of postbacs, a defined and accepted place in the university community, and the support of a good pre-health advising department.

I thought it was worth it, but I can imagine how it might not be right for everyone.

 

[toothpaste11]

are you doing a formal post bacc at those colleges you listed? or are you doing your "own" program aka informal

 

[Longcatislong]

Thanks for your responses.

I'm hoping to be admitted to SFSU or Mills, which have formal postbac programs. I just applied so I should hear back soon. If not there, I'll be going the "do-it-yourself" route at either CSU East Bay, or Notre Dame de Namur (neither of which, let's face it, are very prestigious).

 

[Longcatislong]

Also, what sort of EC's do you recommend? Shadowing? Volunteering?

How is clinical volunteer work that's not directly dental related perceived by dental schools, like helping out at a community free clinic?

 

[poki]

I graduated from UC berkeley with a nonscience degree and did an informal postbacc at CSU LA...I don't think completing my science prereqs at what some would consider a less prestigious university was viewed negatively at all because I ended up getting interviews at many competitive schools (Penn, Columbia, UCLA, UCSF etc)...so my advice is as long as you do well in your classes and the DAT, where you take your classes is not a big deal...

also, as a side note, when I went for interviews the schools would put "UC berkeley" on my name tag rather than CSULA

 

[Longcatislong]

Thanks Poki! That makes me hopeful 🙂 What did you major in at Cal?

 

[Impulse155]

Also, what sort of EC's do you recommend? Shadowing? Volunteering?

How is clinical volunteer work that's not directly dental related perceived by dental schools, like helping out at a community free clinic?

All of those are great ideas but dont limit yourself to only outside sources, get involved in ur school too. Pre Med Society, Dental Society, Red cross, etc

 

[poki]

i majored in business at Cal...

EC's wise I think volunteering, research and shadowing are all important...research is especially important for some of the research oriented schools like UCSF

 

[Longcatislong]

Thanks for your help! It's good to know there's others out there who have successfully done the whole no science background---> post-bacc ---> dental school application process 🙂

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi There!

I was a sociology major at UC Berkeley and graduated last year. Decided late in the game that that I want to be a dentist, so I plan on completing all my pre-dental requirements through a post baccalaureate program starting in Fall '11.

My question is: Does prestige of an undergraduate/post-baccalaureate program matter? I ask because I'm not planning on doing my post-bacc work anywhere prestigious--likely just a local CSU campus or a private university close to where I live. As long as I complete my pre-dental requirements at an accredited, 4-year college and get good grades, I'll be in good shape when it comes time for dental school applications? Right?

Its kinda like undergrad, where you do it doesn't exactly matter. The same applies to post-bacc. The most important thing about post-bacc is your grades.

 

[poki]

And one more thing about postbacc programs at cal state universities, I don't know what its like now at CSU east bay or SFSU but here at CSULA they no longer allow an "informal" post bacc where you just take any classes you want...they now require anyone applying to the school to either declare a major or attend the formal postbacc program (for an additional fee of course) probably due to the budget crisis...