Non-Traditional Pre-Dental Student seeking some advices.

[deleted810749]

Hello all,

I am 27 years old and I recently decided to change my career path from IT to Dental.

I have gave a 2-weeks notice at work so I can re-take some classes, shadow some dentists, do some dental volunteer works until I apply for dental schools.

I have a degree of biological science that I got in 2011. I have few 'C' science classes:
Bio 1 : C
Organic Chem 1 : C-
Organic Chem 2: C
Ecology : C+
Genetics C
Other Bio elective 1: C
Other Bio elective 2: C-

One semi-required class I did not take: Biochemistry.

My Master Plan is (while studying for DAT/shadowing/volunteer works)

2017 Spring semester: re-take Bio 1 and Orgo 1

2017 Summer Semester: Try to apply for programs (such as VCU SAEP or UNC MED programs)

2017 Fall semester: retake Orgo 2 and Biochemistry.

Now my real concern is if I should take biochemistry first or before I apply for dental schools. It has been about 6 years since I took classes so I wanted to start with some easy classes such as bio 1 or organic chemistry 1 that would beneficial for my studying for DAT and get some knowledge before I take biochemistry.

Dental admission cycle starts on June if I'm correct. I would start my fall semester on August. So when I apply for dental schools on July~ I would have to put biochemistry as planned course.

After some research, school tends to accept(to school or to interview) the students who are planning to take those pre-req courses. However, as a non-traditional student, I'm not sure if this is still eligible case for me since most of students are traditional and they apply schools before graduation.

How is my plan? Should I consider other path? What do you recommend?

Thanks in advance.
JT

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[ncide]

What's your overall GPA? Science GPA?

 

[deleted810749]

What's your overall GPA? Science GPA?

My overal GPA is 2.955 and my science GPA probably lower than that. That is why I want to retake some classes.

 

[doc toothache]

Retaking classes only to improve the gpa is not going to inspire confidence that you can handle upper division courses.

 

[dnp1123]

take upper divison classes and do well in them. that's what doc toothache is trying to say.

 

[deleted810749]

take upper divison classes and do well in them. that's what doc toothache is trying to say.

Retaking classes only to improve the gpa is not going to inspire confidence that you can handle upper division courses.

Thank you for your input.

I do understand that I may need to either apply graduate school or post-bac program. However, those paths start on Fall semester.

If you recommend taking higher level courses, do you think taking one or two graduate level courses would be better than re-taking some courses that I had C on them?

 

[nicholas2]

Thank you for your input.

I do understand that I may need to either apply graduate school or post-bac program. However, those paths start on Fall semester.

If you recommend taking higher level courses, do you think taking one or two graduate level courses would be better than re-taking some courses that I had C on them?

I know of a couple graduate schools with spring start terms that you may be interested in: Barry University and Rutgers.

The Rutgers-Newark application deadline was November 1st, however: https://grad.admissions.rutgers.edu/GraduateProgram/Detail.aspx?code=76132 NH&degree=MS

But the Rutgers-Piscataway application deadline isn't until December 15th: http://rwjms.rutgers.edu/education/gsbs/MSMBSApplicationPage.html

 

[dnp1123]

retake then do upper division

science classes require a strong foundation especially genetics and physiology

other classes you can get away with memorizing

 

[doc toothache]

Thank you for your input.

I do understand that I may need to either apply graduate school or post-bac program. However, those paths start on Fall semester.

If you recommend taking higher level courses, do you think taking one or two graduate level courses would be better than re-taking some courses that I had C on them?

Grades lower than a C in prerequisites are not accepted.

 

[Kungfushun]

I'm gonna have to agree with the doc here. I believe your best course of action is to apply to a post-baccalaureate program.

Don't be depressed, it is never too late to apply and go to dental school. It just requires discipline and dedication to your goals.

I was in your shoes a couple of years ago and I applied to the pre-dental post-baccalaureate program at Creighton. I was a 28 year old non-traditional student with a 2.82 cGPA and a 21AA on the DAT.

I got into the program and ended up completing all the requirements and matriculated into dental school. I am proud to tell you that I am now a second year at Creighton so don't be discouraged!

I think the application opens up sometime next year between January and March. If you are accepted, you will start immediately in June. You can find more information about it here. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me but expect a delayed response as I am super busy here. Otherwise, if you need immediate answers about the program you can also email the program coordinators.

 

[NavyDDS1990]

My overal GPA is 2.955 and my science GPA probably lower than that. That is why I want to retake some classes.

I think enrolling in one of the graduate programs is the best option you have.

 

[Kungfushun]

I think enrolling in one of the graduate programs is the best option you have.

They may have the same problem that I had. My cGPA was so low that it was actually difficult to get into the graduate program at my state school (3.0 minimum GPA requirement). Then again, I didn't look into many other graduate programs that had a lower minimum GPA requirement.

 

[urMDandDDS]

Retaking classes only to improve the gpa is not going to inspire confidence that you can handle upper division courses.

You should make some suggestions as to which classes will inspire confidence amongst admission faculty members, right?