Pre-req Shelf Life?

[Ferneezy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I was wondering if anyone knew if dental schools put a statute of limitations on the valid age of pre-req coursework.

For example: Dental School X will not accept pre-req courses greater than Y years old.

Somewhat relevant to me as mine will be over a decade old by the time I apply.

 

[BBSLM]

It probably varies by school; UNC for example doesnt accept prereqs > 5 years old.

 

[herkulease]

call the schools and ask. It varies.

I called UOP 2-3 years ago I can't remember. They told me they didn't exactly have a time limit but they suggested that since I have not taken a single science course over the last 6 years, it would be a good idea that I retake them to get myself "current" on materials (there wasn't exactly anything new, except more expensive books) and for better prep for the DAT.

 

[FreeFallin]

I asked a few schools, and some said as long as the pre-reqs aren't like 15 years old or something like that, that they would be okay. And, some schools are strict about the 5-year rule, which kinda stinks considering there's a bunch of applicants who waited a few years after undergrad to apply to dental school.

 

[UBDent19]

Loma Linda's website says prerequisites have to be within last five years. An applicant I met said they called in about it and was told that the school will take prerequisites as long as the most recent one is within five years.

 

[redchesus]

I think it's on a case by case basis. It can also depend on your DAT scores. It's more likely that a school will be okay with old pre-reqs if you score well on that particular DAT section (and the DAT only lasts 3 years anyway, so it's guaranteed to be recent)

My first English pre-req was like 6 years old, but I got a 23 on my RC on the DAT, and at least UIC did not have a problem with this. They even said that if I had gotten a 16 or something, they might have required that I go back and take another English class, but since I did well on RC they know that I am competent in that area.