Post Bac Pre-Dental Course Selection

[caly9027]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am a little confused and would love some advice. I am a post bac student with bachelors and masters in business. I have been taking dental prerequisites for the past year but only 1 or 2 courses at a time since I worked full-time. Well, I have just quit my job to attend full-time and hopefully finish quicker. While planning my first full-time load, I realized I only have science courses and no fillers to add to allow me to maintain full-time status. For Fall, I am taking OCHEM 1 (Lecture and Lab) and Genetics (lecture only). I have heard from a few that it might be better to add another course just to appear I can handle the rigor of a busy, full schedule. I don't want to overload myself and risk lowering my grades in OCHEM and Genetics, but I also don't want to appear lazy or that I am playing it too safe.

My questions are: 1) should add an additional course? 2) if so, which (another science or just a filler course), 3) if science, do you have any recommendations in mind? I plan to take the DAT Spring 2013.

Thanks for any advice or input you can provide. I really need some guidance here!

 

[NonTradHopeful]

I am a little confused and would love some advice. I am a post bac student with bachelors and masters in business. I have been taking dental prerequisites for the past year but only 1 or 2 courses at a time since I worked full-time. Well, I have just quit my job to attend full-time and hopefully finish quicker. While planning my first full-time load, I realized I only have science courses and no fillers to add to allow me to maintain full-time status. For Fall, I am taking OCHEM 1 (Lecture and Lab) and Genetics (lecture only). I have heard from a few that it might be better to add another course just to appear I can handle the rigor of a busy, full schedule. I don't want to overload myself and risk lowering my grades in OCHEM and Genetics, but I also don't want to appear lazy or that I am playing it too safe.

My questions are: 1) should add an additional course? 2) if so, which (another science or just a filler course), 3) if science, do you have any recommendations in mind? I plan to take the DAT Spring 2013.

Thanks for any advice or input you can provide. I really need some guidance here!

1. It's up to you to decide if you can handle the extra load. I only took two to three courses per semester (and I have the same back story as you) with no job. They were all science courses though. Sometimes people on SDN tend to get too focused on how things will "look" to other people at the expense of doing what's best for THEMSELVES. The best thing you can do at this point is to take courses that will aid you with the DAT (courses like biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, etc...). You technically don't need these courses for the DAT, but they (along with the genetics course you are taking) will really help you out when studying.
2. If you decide to take another course, I would recommend microbiology or biochemistry. Biochem is required by a majority of schools now, and micro is required by quite a few.
3. See #2.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[caly9027]

1. It's up to you to decide if you can handle the extra load. I only took two to three courses per semester (and I have the same back story as you) with no job. They were all science courses though. Sometimes people on SDN tend to get too focused on how things will "look" to other people at the expense of doing what's best for THEMSELVES. The best thing you can do at this point is to take courses that will aid you with the DAT (courses like biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, etc...). You technically don't need these courses for the DAT, but they (along with the genetics course you are taking) will really help you out when studying.
2. If you decide to take another course, I would recommend microbiology or biochemistry. Biochem is required by a majority of schools now, and micro is required by quite a few.
3. See #2.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Thank you! I will definitely look into the courses you mentioned but consider whether or not it's a good decision for me to add another. I appreciate your input!