Pre-Req, DAT, and Admission questions

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beitar97

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Hi everyone, i am trying to get into a dental program for august 2010. I have a B.S. degree in architecture and currently taking the
pre-requisites now. i have both physics done, and chem 1 with lab complete as well...

I plan to take this summer both bio's and chem 2. In the fall I plan to take organic chem I with microbiology and genetics. and in the spring biochemistry and organic chem II. i know this is a heavy course load but i dont want to waste another year. i also plan to take the DAT toward end of august, before i take organic chem I. Is this not smart at all? should i just hold back one more year? or should i give it a shot? i bought organic chemistry dimistified to attempt teaching it to myself, any other suggestions? if anyone knows how do schools look at it when 5
pre-reqs have yet to be taken? am i putting myself at a huge disadvantage.
any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.
 
I would say it would be incredibly risky to take the DAT before you've taken O-chem. Organic Chemistry is a very tricky subject that involves a lot of learning small principles and making them part of your thinking process, and that takes time. It's definitely not impossible, but like I said, probably risky. See how you're doing on practice tests and then take it from there.

Many will say that August is somewhat late to take the DAT's, and that's true because it means your scores won't go in until early September, and by that time Adcoms have already started looking at applications. I took my DAT's in November and I still got in, so it is possible.

Also, that fall with Ochem I, Microbio and genetics will be tough, but if you've already learned Ochem well for the DAT it won't be too bad. Also, what schools are you wanting to apply to? Most schools don't require Microbio, but just have it as reccomended - you should call up the schools you're interested in. And on your other questions, from what I've heard, as long as you have the classes as planned, and you end up completing them, the schools don't mind if you don't have the pre-reqs done with you apply.

I would say it might be a good idea and wait a year (do you already have a bunch of shadowing?), but what the hell, give it a shot this year - the worst that happens is you lose the application money and get turned down. In the long run, it's not very much money compared to the total cost of dental school. Also, you can always take the DAT again next summer after you've finished Ochem and everything if you don't like your first test scores.

Don't worry, good luck, and keep on keeping on. If you want to be a dentist badly enough, and you do your best, you'll get in eventually.
 
I have a B.S. degree in architecture and currently taking the
I plan to take this summer both bio's and chem 2. In the fall I plan to take organic chem I with microbiology and genetics. and in the spring biochemistry and organic chem II. i know this is a heavy course load but i dont want to waste another year. i also plan to take the DAT toward end of august, before i take organic chem I. Is this not smart at all? should i just hold back one more year? or should i give it a shot? i bought organic chemistry dimistified to attempt teaching it to myself, any other suggestions?

thanks.

As an architect, you do appreciate having the foundation finished before starting on the roof (?). Some chemistry departments will want you to finish organic II before enrolling in biochem. Is there a book on demystifying/ do-it-yourself architecture?
 
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Thanks for all your help any advice helps but i will go to my schools pre-professional commitee and see what their input on my situation is as well. i appreciate you guys taking time to help me out. I am leaning toward applying anyway just to take the chance and see what happens.
thanks again.
 
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