So I just got my undergraduate degree in nutrition and planning to apply to dental schools. However, I have not taken Ochem and general biology. I only took math (cal 1 and 2), physics (1 year), human anatomy and physiology. I also took a biochemistry class which is in my nutrition program. I would like to know if I should apply this year or wait till next year to apply. Another question is I also took a little bit long to graduate from college (7 years) due to three times changing my major. Will my application look bad because I took too long in undergraduate? Thanks everyone for your reply.
Please help! Should I apply this semester?
- Thread starter DngU2013
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Well a lot of dental schools require biochemistry, but nutritional biochemistry doesnt count. It needs to come from the chemistry or biology departments which generally require ochem 1 and 2. To take the DAT you need ochem 1 and it's a very good idea to take ochem 2 and that general biology class. I'd say wait till next year because the classes you still need to take are needed for taking the DAT IMO. I don't think it will matter that much but 7 years is pretty long but it's a good reason.
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Ok, I'll try to say this in the nicest way possible. First, all dental schools require 8 credits of Ochem w/ lab and 8 credits of gen bio w/ lab for you to be accepted. So if you don't have those by now, definitely take them very, very soon (this semester or next at the latest, but seeing as you graduated, idk what your plans are for this). Next, you need to take the DAT, which requires knowledge from Ochem and bio, and even with these classes, will take at least 1 to 2 months of extensive studying to do well in. Finally, do you have LORs from your professors/shadowed dentists? If I were you, I would definitely not waste the money in applying this late in the current cycle if you haven't taken the DAT or those pre-reqs and wait for at least next year. Good luck.
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Hi,
Apply next year. You need to take those missing prereqs to prepare for the DAT. It's mid-way into the cycle already. Applying without a DAT and without those listed prereqs is probably resources not well exhausted. The DAT is about twice the cost of taking the MCAT. Applying via AADSAS is not cheap and, not to mention, the cost of traveling to your interviews. Also, general chemistry is a prerequisite for organic chemistry. You'll probably have to explain your 7-year plan at the interview. Focus on doing well on those prereqs and obtain relevant LORs for next cycle.
Good luck.🙂
Thanks for the reply! I do not have any LORs yet. I can get one from my dentist whom I worked for for 2 years. However I still need 3 or 4 more I think. I know it's kinda late for the cycle, I just wanted to see you guys opinions because I did not really know what my best choice was at this time. So I am already registered for Ochem and gen bio this fall at my local community college and will finish the other Ochem and gen bio next semester. During this time I will volunteer more to increase my extracurricular. What do you think? And what is the best time to study for the DAT next year? Sorry for asking too many questions... I just do not know how to plan these steps...🙁
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Thanks!
No problem man. If you ever have any more questions feel free to PM me.
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The biochem that the dietetics/nutrition majors have to take at my school does not fulfill the biochem requirement for dental schools. Yours might fulfill the requirement, I'm not sure, but I just wanted to bring it to your attention. Also, some schools might let you take orgo II with biochem and others might not since (at my school at least) orgo I and II are prereqs for biochem. Just some things to look at so you'll know for sure how many semesters you'll have left if you decide to take the dental prereqs. Hope this helps!
