Pre-req schedule

[tbiv21]

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I'm a non traditional student looking to finish pre-reqs. By fall 2013 I will still need o chem, physics, microbio, biochem, and anatomy/physiology. I want to study for DAT when school ends in April and apply Summer 2014 and then finish up with classes during that next year. How would you recommend going about finishing up those classes during those two years? Is taking ochem, physics, microbio, and anatomy together too much? Should I put one of those classes off until the following year to take with biochem?

 

[VDR]

You def want to take anatomy and physio right before taking your DAT. These two classes should prepare you well for the bio portion. Physics and microbio can wait.

 

[sacapuntas]

You def want to take anatomy and physio right before taking your DAT. These two classes should prepare you well for the bio portion. Physics and microbio can wait.

While phys and anatomy could cement concepts for the dat, everything you need to know for the dat bio is in the scope of gen bio 1&2. Don't feel like you need any classes beyond that to do well in bio, because you don't.


As far as taking ochem, physics, micro and anatomy at the same time, that will be a difficult semester. Don't underestimate how much time anatomy can take, at least at my school it was very time consuming.

 

[tbiv21]

Ya, I've read that bio alone could prepare you for the DAT. I guess I'm more concerned with what dental schools would prefer you to take before you apply. Is it better to have taken upper division science classes or physics since physics is basically a requirement at all schools? That semester does seem very difficult and getting good grades would be more important.

 

[sacapuntas]

Ya, I've read that bio alone could prepare you for the DAT. I guess I'm more concerned with what dental schools would prefer you to take before you apply. Is it better to have taken upper division science classes or physics since physics is basically a requirement at all schools? That semester does seem very difficult and getting good grades would be more important.

I was non-trad that did pre-reqs alone as well, and opted to take some upper level bios before applying at the expense of not doing any physics until after I applied. It worked out fine, not a single school asked me about my lack of physics classes but several schools liked the fact I had exposure to upper level content. I would recommend that route, but its probably not a deal breaker either way.

 

[Illfavor]

I agree that schools like you to have upper level courses. I've asked a DoA about it and they want to see a real commitment to biology, though it's not terrible if you don't have it. I'll be applying with only one upper level bio course but I'm not really worried about it. Sometimes you can't help it.

 

[tooth knockn]

Yea I plan in taking the the DAT's early also and take the the pre-reqs during the year wait if accepted !


So far I have completed these pre-reqs for DS:

I already took anatomy physiology 1&2,
English 1&2, math ( two in total, non calculus), and

I am scheduled for general chem 1 for spring 2013.

I feel confident I can be accepted without a bachelor degree.

I do have experience in the field as an dental assistant.

What do y'all think

 

[tooth knockn]

I'm a non traditional student looking to finish pre-reqs. By fall 2013 I will still need o chem, physics, microbio, biochem, and anatomy/physiology. I want to study for DAT when school ends in April and apply Summer 2014 and then finish up with classes during that next year. How would you recommend going about finishing up those classes during those two years? Is taking ochem, physics, microbio, and anatomy together too much? Should I put one of those classes off until the following year to take with biochem?

I say taking bio and physics one semester with other courses,

Then take summer school for general chem 1 and 2

Then in fall take bio 2 and physics 2

Try to take a winter course such as nutrition or bio-chem

Then in spring 2014 take math with English

Summer 2014 your second math and English

Good luck and I think you can do it, especially if this is for you .

 

[sacapuntas]

Yea I plan in taking the the DAT's early also and take the the pre-reqs during the year wait if accepted !


So far I have completed these pre-reqs for DS:

I already took anatomy physiology 1&2,
English 1&2, math ( two in total, non calculus), and

I am scheduled for general chem 1 for spring 2013.

I feel confident I can be accepted without a bachelor degree.

I do have experience in the field as an dental assistant.

What do y'all think

Why are you confident you can be accepted without a bachelors? You would be the exception, and I don't know why anyone would be confident they could be the exception.

 

[tooth knockn]

Bump

 

[tbiv21]

I was non-trad that did pre-reqs alone as well, and opted to take some upper level bios before applying at the expense of not doing any physics until after I applied. It worked out fine, not a single school asked me about my lack of physics classes but several schools liked the fact I had exposure to upper level content. I would recommend that route, but its probably not a deal breaker either way.

I think that is what I will do then. I don't really want to take physics with those other classes so I will just put it off until after applying. I will just focus on organic chem and upper bio classes.

 

[tbiv21]

I say taking bio and physics one semester with other courses,

Then take summer school for general chem 1 and 2

Then in fall take bio 2 and physics 2

Try to take a winter course such as nutrition or bio-chem

Then in spring 2014 take math with English

Summer 2014 your second math and English

Good luck and I think you can do it, especially if this is for you .

I have already completed my bachelors and will have completed bio and chem by next fall so I won't need those classes.

 

[tbiv21]

Yea I plan in taking the the DAT's early also and take the the pre-reqs during the year wait if accepted !


So far I have completed these pre-reqs for DS:

I already took anatomy physiology 1&2,
English 1&2, math ( two in total, non calculus), and

I am scheduled for general chem 1 for spring 2013.

I feel confident I can be accepted without a bachelor degree.

I do have experience in the field as an dental assistant.

What do y'all think

Do you mean accepted without a degree and then finishing your degree the in between year or not getting one at all? I would think that you would have to have some pretty awesome stats to get accepted without getting a degree.

 

[tooth knockn]

Do you mean accepted without a degree and then finishing your degree the in between year or not getting one at all? I would think that you would have to have some pretty awesome stats to get accepted without getting a degree.

I am going to try to get in without a bachelors degree

 

[free99]

I am going to try to get in without a bachelors degree

Look at the costs of the whole application cycle (in another thread)... Don't you want to have a good shot at getting in if you're going to sink that much money into something? A 3.4 without any pre-reqs done and no bachelors won't cut it, you're wasting money. I honestly can't tell if you're just trolling.

 

[tooth knockn]

Yea but if I do good on the dat , which I will , I have a good shot at it ,

What you think .

It is possible

 

[free99]

Yea but if I do good on the dat , which I will , I have a good shot at it ,

What you think .

It is possible

Cool, good luck.

 

[sacapuntas]

Yea but if I do good on the dat , which I will , I have a good shot at it ,

What you think .

It is possible

I think you are arrogant and may not study properly for the DAT.

Even if you do well on it, its no guarantee of anything. See 2pacClones thread.

 

[tooth knockn]

I think you are arrogant and may not study properly for the DAT.

Even if you do well on it, its no guarantee of anything. See 2pacClones thread.

Wow , I appreciate your honesty , but I have planned to study without have taken the pre-reqs of dentistry and then take the DAT AND apply to a DS ASAP.

But I know it is a long shot, but with my background in this field plus the major that I am studying , dental hygiene, I will go for it.

No matter what I will post my progress here on SDN. For those who are interested.

Please any body that has tried this approach to enter dental school please let us know.

 

[free99]

I am studying dental hygiene

Dental Hygiene to DS, Courtesy of doc toothache

 

[sacapuntas]

Wow , I appreciate your honesty , but I have planned to study without have taken the pre-reqs of dentistry and then take the DAT AND apply to a DS ASAP.

But I know it is a long shot, but with my background in this field plus the major that I am studying , dental hygiene, I will go for it.

No matter what I will post my progress here on SDN. For those who are interested.

Please any body that has tried this approach to enter dental school please let us know.

I was too harsh with my previous post. There is nothing wrong with trying. Do your best and it may work out, I know it has for other people.

 

[tooth knockn]

Dental Hygiene to DS, Courtesy of doc toothache

Thanks , very resourceful.

 

[RaeRae0903]

I am going to try to get in without a bachelors degree

I will just give my own knowledge here...I'm a dental hygienist and have been practicing for 8 years. I did some light assisting/helping around an office before then. I've basically been in the dental field for 11 years now. I wanted to be a dentist back then but didn't want to commit myself to the length of schooling. Anyway, when I decided to go back I thought I would try to get accepted without my bachelor's degree as well. I knew it wasn't a requirement but "highly recommended." (I have 2 young children and am working as well so I didn't want to have to do more than necessary if I could get in with just the prerequisites.) I started taking all my prerequisites and was lucky enough to land a research spot in my dental school with a professor who turned out to be the head of the admissions committee. We had several conversations about the process. But the moment I told him I was going to apply and try to get accepted without a bachelor's degree he shut that idea down really fast. Now, let me clarify - I had a ~3.8 overall GPA and science GPA that was pretty close to that. I had/have a strong dental background and it was obvious that I was certain about dentistry. Even still, he pretty much said "It SAYS on our website that a bachelor's degree is not required, but it really is. We USED to be more relaxed about this years ago and let people in without it...like hygienist and such...but then we realized that it took more than that to be successful in dentistry. Also, dentistry has gotten SO competitive in the last 5+ years that you essentially NEED your bachelor's to even be considered a competitive applicant. So...you'll need your degree no matter how wonderful you are in other areas."

I say all this not to burst your bubble but to be real with you. The competition these days is so great that having prerequisites, dental experience, high GPA and decent/high DAT really doesn't cut it. I had all of that and was still told that I'd need to complete my degree or not to bother applying.

Turned out that even after 4 years of full time school and having all prerequisites completed, it was still going to take me another 2 years to complete my biology degree and I would have had to quit my job to take the classes (due to the way they were offered). Big time dilemma! I dug a little deeper...found out that by transferring to another school I could finish a "BA in General Studies" by this spring so that I could apply this cycle (an extremely odd degree considering all the classes I've taken)...but nonetheless, I was accepted to the one school I applied to. It's a conditional acceptance, meaning that I have to complete my degree before I begin or my acceptance will be rescinded.

Sorry for the long winded story. My point is that even the "best of the best" applicants are pretty much required to complete a bachelor's degree. I personally would not plan my schedule with the assumption of getting in with just prerequisites. I'd advise you to take classes as if you're working toward your degree. This way, if you get an acceptance and they require you to complete it before entering dental school, you'll already be on track.

Good luck!

 

[tooth knockn]

I will just give my own knowledge here...I'm a dental hygienist and have been practicing for 8 years. I did some light assisting/helping around an office before then. I've basically been in the dental field for 11 years now. I wanted to be a dentist back then but didn't want to commit myself to the length of schooling. Anyway, when I decided to go back I thought I would try to get accepted without my bachelor's degree as well. I knew it wasn't a requirement but "highly recommended." (I have 2 young children and am working as well so I didn't want to have to do more than necessary if I could get in with just the prerequisites.) I started taking all my prerequisites and was lucky enough to land a research spot in my dental school with a professor who turned out to be the head of the admissions committee. We had several conversations about the process. But the moment I told him I was going to apply and try to get accepted without a bachelor's degree he shut that idea down really fast. Now, let me clarify - I had a ~3.8 overall GPA and science GPA that was pretty close to that. I had/have a strong dental background and it was obvious that I was certain about dentistry. Even still, he pretty much said "It SAYS on our website that a bachelor's degree is not required, but it really is. We USED to be more relaxed about this years ago and let people in without it...like hygienist and such...but then we realized that it took more than that to be successful in dentistry. Also, dentistry has gotten SO competitive in the last 5+ years that you essentially NEED your bachelor's to even be considered a competitive applicant. So...you'll need your degree no matter how wonderful you are in other areas."

I say all this not to burst your bubble but to be real with you. The competition these days is so great that having prerequisites, dental experience, high GPA and decent/high DAT really doesn't cut it. I had all of that and was still told that I'd need to complete my degree or not to bother applying.

Turned out that even after 4 years of full time school and having all prerequisites completed, it was still going to take me another 2 years to complete my biology degree and I would have had to quit my job to take the classes (due to the way they were offered). Big time dilemma! I dug a little deeper...found out that by transferring to another school I could finish a "BA in General Studies" by this spring so that I could apply this cycle (an extremely odd degree considering all the classes I've taken)...but nonetheless, I was accepted to the one school I applied to. It's a conditional acceptance, meaning that I have to complete my degree before I begin or my acceptance will be rescinded.

Sorry for the long winded story. My point is that even the "best of the best" applicants are pretty much required to complete a bachelor's degree. I personally would not plan my schedule with the assumption of getting in with just prerequisites. I'd advise you to take classes as if you're working toward your degree. This way, if you get an acceptance and they require you to complete it before entering dental school, you'll already be on track.

Good luck!

I just read your response, thanks for your insight, even if it is a downer , 🙁 but 🙂 ,

I am pretty sure you are right, but I feel like I can do it , I guess it is a lot of hope.


I will still continue to try.

I plan on buying my DAT study material next week.

Was the dental school you were accepted to required a bachelor degree ? (Online )

Thank you once again.

I wish you luck on your voyage .

 

[RaeRae0903]

My dental school makes the statement that "The American Associate of Dental Schools encourages all applicants to earn a bachelor's degree before enrolling. The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry supports this recommendation."

Again, good luck. And thanks!