Pre-Dentistry Undergrad Programs

[BHCANYC]

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I'm a Junior in High School and I've recently decided that I want to persue a career in dentistry, specifically, orthodontics. As I look into schools, I've noticed that many universities have a "Pre-dentistry" programs for undergraduates. What does this entail? I'm aware that many of these programs can cut off a year of dental school; I would DEFINITLEY be interested in this, because orthodontic education involves 3 years of additional schooling after dental school.
I would like to learn more about the details of these pre-dentistry programs. The school's I have researched most thoroughly are NYU, USC, and UOP because they all seem to have strong pre-dentistry programs for undergraduates and are schools that I would like to attend.

If anyone has experience or knowledge about: Pre-dentistry programs at any of these schools (NYU, USC, UOP), or Pre-dentistry programs in general, please let me know. Comparisons between the 3 schools may also be helpful, thanks!

 

[Jessi4eve]

I know that UOP has a 5 year program which includes predental + dental courses (you get to become a dentist in 5 years without geting a bachelor's degree). But you have to have stellar stats to get into that sore of a program because only one or two schools (not sure if USC has that two) offer it. There is a similar program for phramacy school as well at UOP and USC Good luck, and study hard.

 

[Gone fishin]

Never heard of pre-dent class shaving a year off the real deal. It would have to be one heck of a class! From what I know, most schools just offer a one semester, one credit elective to get your feet wet. You will learn how many teeth are in the mouth and what they are called. You will get to carve a block of wax into the shape of a tooth. You will get oriented with the application process.. etc. It is never a bad idea to plan ahead. For now I would say just keep your grades good in college and choose a field that you are interested in that offers a good back-up plan. Then smoke dat DAT, apply early, and walaw...they will be calling you doc before you know it. If ortho is what you really really want then you are going to really have to dedicate yourself. About half my class started dental school just like you, wanting to make the big bucks as an orthodontist. That all comes crashing down about midterms year 1. Good Luck.

 

[206127]

Marquette has a 7 year dental program. You have to have a 4.0 and a 24+ (99 percentile) to even be considered though... seems kinda impossible...

Go to dental school before you say "I want to specialize in..." because you don't know what you will be good at. Ortho is a very hard specialty to get into but lets say you can get in... Many dental students/dentists have told me that they don't understand why people go into ortho. You spend 4 years in dental school getting really good at many procedures you will never do later. During an interview at Columbia there was a dental student who said he hated most of dentistry, and he couldn't wait to get into an ortho program so he could stop doing all the stuff he is doing now...

 

[ncjdent74]

Congrats on your decision to pursue a career in dentistry.

Just be aware...you dont HAVE to major in pre-dentistry in order to become a dentist. I majored in Biology cause I thought i had too but was sadly mistaken. If you have an interest in something else, major in that. That will NOT hold back your goals of becoming a dentist. You just must have the prerequisites for the different dental school you apply too.

Its good you are looking into future programs. Just also remember...THERE IS NO RUSH! I tried to do a similar program to shave off my time in dental school and undergrad @ Meharry but I decided not to do it because WHATS THE RUSH!

Enjoy undergrad! Enjoy the fun involved in it...cause once your done your done...and thats where the hard part is.

I also want to have a family and what not. But when you look at it you are only young once..after you have kids and what not...you will be living for someone else for 18 years....so why not take one more year for yourself...ITS JUST A YEAR!🙂

I say continue researching programs but do a joint program because you want to...not to speed things up!! ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!!!