Post Bacc - Is a full course load 2nd time important?

[Predocmom]

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Hi fellow pre-dents,

Just would like to get some feedback/opinion on whether having a full course load while I am just fulfilling my pre-reqs important? I understand that dental school would like to see that I can handle a full course load with as many science classes as possible, and I got grilled by my pre-health advisor who implied that I have no chance unless I take at least three science and/or math classes per semester. Let's assume for simplicity sake LOR, EC, shadowing, DAT and GPA are all good, will taking just one/two classes per semester single-handedly kill my application?

I already had Gen Bio I,II, (A-,B) Calculus (A) in undergrad (I thought that was good enough showing from my undergrad records - science classes with electives per semester) Now, I only need Chem I,II, OrgChem I,II which need to all happen one after another, which means I am only taking one class per semester. Even if I take physics I and II with one of the Chem or OrgChem classes, I still only have two classes per semester, and my pre-health advisor was not happy about that either. Given that dental school won't care if I am a mom with a toddler which I I see it as a f/t job. Do dental schools prefer f/t students to p/t students which includes people who work in a f/t or p/t job?

I hear people say I need genetics and Anatomy. Do dental schools really want to see higher level Bio classes other than Gen Bio?? I mean I don't mind taking them if I need them, but won't want to waste my time which I could otherwise spend with family or study for DAT. I will do what's necessary but I just want to be realistic about my chances given my limitations.

Welcome any opinion.

 

[dentaldawg32]

Yes, upper level biology courses are important. I would say three should suffice, which may include biochemistry, genetics, histology, cell biology, microbiology. Having only general biology would be a detriment to your application, in my opinion.

 

[uncbestyet]

Since the 1st two years of dental school will be about 30 credit hours of upper level science classes ... I think they want to get an impression of how you will do with a heavy workload that is comperable to that.

I think they might understand a (1) fulltime job and 8 credit hours better than (2) family stuff and 8 credit hours because the fulltime job will disappear once dental school starts .... but the family will still be there once school starts.

If they have 5 people applying with equal stats .... I am guessing they would take them preferentially in this order .... fulltime student (15+ hrs) > fulltime job plus 8 credit hrs > part-time job plus 8 credit hours > family plus 8 credit hours (family last because this will still be there in dental school)

I think the upper level biologies will help you with the Bio part of the DAT. I would recommend anatomy/physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, etc. because they will help you with the biology part of the DAT and you will see them again in dental school ... except it will be coming at you twice as fast in dental school. I have heard ... that part of the reason certain people do well in dental school is because they have been exposed to some of the material before ... so it is partially a refresher when they have it in dental school and less new material to cover.

I am 30 and took the pre-reqs two classes at a time .... but I was also working fulltime in a biochem laboratory and commuting an hour each way to classes. (so my view may be skewed)

In my opinion a full course load and family would be viewed better by admissions committees ... but my best advice would be to email the dental school you will be applying to and get their opinion. (since they will be making that decision)

 

[s2agrado]

Like other's said, check with the school; I did that as I started my post-bacc and was told emphatically that I had to take a full-time course load and earn A's. Now, I had bad grades my first 2 years of undergrad, so that could be why they emphasized the course load and grade factor for me, however, given how competitive dental school has become, my personal advice would be to take a full-time course load to make yourself more competitive. Also, like other's said, most gen bio courses are not enough for the bio section on the DAT. I took numerous bio classes in my post bacc and thought I was gonna kill the bio section on the DAT but there were several questions on topics I felt I never saw before. I did focus a little less on bio during DAT prep, since I thought it was my strong subject, so maybe that has something to do with it too--but I honestly felt like my genetic, biochem, cell bio courses helped immensely on the bio section--and even with that, there were still topics that were new to me.

Bottom line, if you're going to come back to school and you want to ensure your dental school plans will be realized, I would do what you can to make yourself as competitive as possible. Good luck!

 

[dentalWorks]

Well, if you start packing 15 credit hours and start earning low grades, then your kinda shooting yourself in the foot.

So I think the best thing to do is to take the MOST science courses that you can handle... don't worry about how bad/good this looks upon you... I think the most important thing is to keep your grades high.... once you establish yourself with strong studying habits, you can start to bulk up your semesters.

Which ever adviser tells you that the ONLY way to get into dental school is by taking huge amounts of upper level sciences all the same time doesn't know wtf theyr talking about because high grades > high semester credits always. I imagine that when an adcom picks up an application, the first thing he is going to see is the front-end GPA/DAT numbers... not how many credits were taken each term.

 

[uncbestyet]

Well, if you start packing 15 credit hours and start earning low grades, then your kinda shooting yourself in the foot.

So I think the best thing to do is to take the MOST science courses that you can handle... don't worry about how bad/good this looks upon you... I think the most important thing is to keep your grades high.... once you establish yourself with strong studying habits, you can start to bulk up your semesters.

Which ever adviser tells you that the ONLY way to get into dental school is by taking huge amounts of upper level sciences all the same time doesn't know wtf theyr talking about because high grades > high semester credits always. I imagine that when an adcom picks up an application, the first thing he is going to see is the front-end GPA/DAT numbers... not how many credits were taken each term.

I agree with this in bold. I think many schools have a cutoff of numbers (GPA/DAT) ... in that .. numbers below that cutoff might not get a second look. Although extremely high numbers in either section may get a second look to understand the disparity.

 

[Predocmom]

Great advises. Thanks so much!!!!

 

[crew09]

As previous posters have said: Contact dental school(s) in your state and don't be shy to talk to the Dean of Admissions.

For the most part they are approachable and seeing a non traditional, mature applicant they can give an accurate assessment of your situation that you can trust, vs. an advisor at your school, friends, etc. good luck!