Non-Traditional student wondering if to apply with just pre-requisites . . .

[groovychik601]

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Hi, I would like to give some background information. I attended college my first time at 28, and now have 72 credits under my belt and currrently 30 years old. I need 4-6 more classes to meet the pre-reqs of some dental schools.
I would like your opinion, if most schools prefer or require a bachelors, should I just finish that and then apply?
Or if I apply with just the pre-req's to the schools that do not care and take my chances?
Are the expectations for the gpa very high if I do not have a bachelor's?
I have yet to take the DAT and my overall gpa is 3.5 and science is 3.2
Thank you in advance for the advice and sorry for the multitude of questions. I am new to this forum and it is very comforting to find the advice and stories here.

 

[SuperTank]

Hi, I would like to give some background information. I attended college my first time at 28, and now have 72 credits under my belt and currrently 30 years old. I need 4-6 more classes to meet the pre-reqs of some dental schools.
I would like your opinion, if most schools prefer or require a bachelors, should I just finish that and then apply?
Or if I apply with just the pre-req's to the schools that do not care and take my chances?
Are the expectations for the gpa very high if I do not have a bachelor's?
I have yet to take the DAT and my overall gpa is 3.5 and science is 3.2
Thank you in advance for the advice and sorry for the multitude of questions. I am new to this forum and it is very comforting to find the advice and stories here.

Most students apply to dental school before graduating from college. You don't even have to have finished all your pre-reqs, you just have to have finished them prior to matriculation. If I were you, I would start studying for the DAT soon, and take it in March, giving yourself 90 days to retake it if necessary and still be an early applicant this next cycle. I would also finish up my undergrad and get the bachelor's, it will look better if you didn't "drop out." Some schools require that you have 90 hours under your belt before applying, you'll just have to look into it a little and see where you want to apply. I think you have a great shot for next year, assuming you can do well on the DAT. Hope that helps, good luck!

 

[gimmecaffeine]

Props to another non-traditional student! 👍

Don't forget about the shadowing hours, volunteering, and of course, prepping for the DAT well and doing well in your classes (as suggested by the above poster). 🙂

 

[SiemReap]

Hi, I would like to give some background information. I attended college my first time at 28, and now have 72 credits under my belt and currrently 30 years old. I need 4-6 more classes to meet the pre-reqs of some dental schools.
I would like your opinion, if most schools prefer or require a bachelors, should I just finish that and then apply?
Or if I apply with just the pre-req's to the schools that do not care and take my chances?
Are the expectations for the gpa very high if I do not have a bachelor's?
I have yet to take the DAT and my overall gpa is 3.5 and science is 3.2
Thank you in advance for the advice and sorry for the multitude of questions. I am new to this forum and it is very comforting to find the advice and stories here.

Dental schools require at least 90 hours of college credit. I don't mean to discourage you from applying, but a large majority (>95%) of dental students have their bachelors degree. Generally speaking, the small remainder are the exceptional students with 4.0, and 23+ DATs. I, personally, think It'd serve you well to receive your bachelors degree. That being said, you only risk losing money if you apply now and who knows what could happen. Plus, it'd give you a better chance of admissions the next time around.

 

[dmoney2010]

Dental schools require at least 90 hours of college credit. I don't mean to discourage you from applying, but a large majority (>95%) of dental students have their bachelors degree. Generally speaking, the small remainder are the exceptional students with 4.0, and 23+ DATs. I, personally, think It'd serve you well to receive your bachelors degree. That being said, you only risk losing money if you apply now and who knows what could happen. Plus, it'd give you a better chance of admissions the next time around.

Why would her not applying this year aid in her application next year? If anything applying this year, being rejected, and applying next year would show them that she is dedicated to dentistry...Not that im saying that its a lost cause to apply, but as stated earlier the people that get in with pre reqs only are usually pretty outstanding. I applied my first time with only pre reqs, I got an interview but got rejected. Besides bumming me out I feel that the experience gained from my first interview was an invaluable help. I applied again the next year and got in.

 

[alanan84]

Why would her not applying this year aid in her application next year? If anything applying this year, being rejected, and applying next year would show them that she is dedicated to dentistry.

I think you misread what SiemReap said.

 

[dmoney2010]

I think you misread what SiemReap said.

yes, yes i did. oops sorry

 

[lphiewok]

Dental schools require at least 90 hours of college credit. I don't mean to discourage you from applying, but a large majority (>95%) of dental students have their bachelors degree. Generally speaking, the small remainder are the exceptional students with 4.0, and 23+ DATs. I, personally, think It'd serve you well to receive your bachelors degree. That being said, you only risk losing money if you apply now and who knows what could happen. Plus, it'd give you a better chance of admissions the next time around.

+1 very well said

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=649117
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602095

 

[Emmie]

Hi, I would like to give some background information. I attended college my first time at 28, and now have 72 credits under my belt and currrently 30 years old. I need 4-6 more classes to meet the pre-reqs of some dental schools.
I would like your opinion, if most schools prefer or require a bachelors, should I just finish that and then apply?
Or if I apply with just the pre-req's to the schools that do not care and take my chances?
Are the expectations for the gpa very high if I do not have a bachelor's?
I have yet to take the DAT and my overall gpa is 3.5 and science is 3.2
Thank you in advance for the advice and sorry for the multitude of questions. I am new to this forum and it is very comforting to find the advice and stories here.

If I were you, I would apply after completing your B.S. With a 3.2 sGPA, I'd prob get a M.S. as well.

 

[SiemReap]

If I were you, I would apply after completing your B.S. With a 3.2 sGPA, I'd prob get a M.S. as well.

True, A 3.2 is below average, but I dont think the OP needs to get a graduate degree in order to be competitive. That seems alittle excessive. keep in mind, he/she only has 72 college credit hours--- still plenty of time to bring that sGPA up by taking some upper level courses and/or retaking the classes which the OP got a C in. This can still be overcome with an awesome DAT score. No need for an MS, yet.