Pre-reqs completed at a CC!!!

[Driller23]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Guys,

I was just looking up admission requirements at Tufts and noticed that they do not accept anyone who has completed any of their pre-reqs at a community college!! Thats just crazy...

Do you guys know if these are hard and fast rules that they follow? or are these just 'preferences' they have? OR maybe they mean that they cannot accept CC credits IF they are not ACCREDITED or accepted by 4 year institutions. Any ideas???

I mean a LOT of people have completed all or SOME of their pre-reqs at a CC. Can that by itself make an applicant unacceptable regardless of GPA and EC work?

 

[cdpiano27]

Tufts DEFINITELY DOES NOT TAKE CC CREDITS!!! THEY ARE THE EXCEPTION!!!! They are the only ones with a hard and fast rule like that!

DO NOT APPLY TO THEM IF THAT IS THE CASE!!!!
THEY WILL MAKE YOU TAKE EVERY COURSE OVER!!
IF YOU HAVE ALL A's in the prereqs that you took at CC, they will make you replace each one of those with an upper division course. In that case, they will tell you not to take those classes over again!


THEY ARE VERY CLINICALLY BASED!

However, they are one of the best schools for general dentists in terms of clinical experience. But other schools might be better for research.

 

[peRsEVERENCE]

Tufts DEFINITELY DOES NOT TAKE CC CREDITS!!! THEY ARE THE EXCEPTION!!!! They are the only ones with a hard and fast rule like that!

DO NOT APPLY TO THEM IF THAT IS THE CASE!!!!
THEY WILL MAKE YOU TAKE EVERY COURSE OVER!!
IF YOU HAVE ALL A's in the prereqs that you took at CC, they will make you replace each one of those with an upper division course. In that case, they will tell you not to take those classes over again!

Hey if you get all A's in prereqs at CC, you say that they make you take the classes over again? What do you mean by this? like take it over again at tufts dental school? or over again at the undergrad university....

 

[cdpiano27]

No, they will tell you that you will have to take an upper-level course to replace each of the courses you got an A in.

Here is an extreme example:
I went to CC for one year back in 2001-2002 and took general chemistry and physics there and I am now a PhD candidate in a mathematical area with high GPA in both undergrad and graduate, with undergrad being higher.

So this is what I mean:

They will make you take it again at the undergrad university!!!!
But different courses! So if you took physics I and II with A's like me they want higher physics. They would want physical chemistry or analytical chemistry to replace my general chemistry, for example.

You may as well apply to another school if that is the case.
Tufts is very clinical anyhow and if you are interested in research, I would say there are many better options, especially if you get into your state school, and that is very good. It depends upon what you want.

It is a policy just to weed out the number of applicants, and can eliminate exceptions to the rule. Med schools do this all the time.

And another notice: It seems that Tufts prefers science majors over non-science majors. I am not sure of this as a fact, but I think from the website there is a hint of that.

I think they may really prefer biology and biochemistry majors.

Tufts is the only school that I know of with such a strict rule.

Good luck!

My opinion: I would not want to take CC courses over again if I got A's and felt like I learned the material. I would take upper division courses that would be helpful for the next stage such as histology and physiology rather than physical chemistry, which is not as helpful.

 

[howui3]

No, they will tell you that you will have to take an upper-level course to replace each of the courses you got an A in.

Here is an extreme example:
I went to CC for one year back in 2001-2002 and took general chemistry and physics there and I am now a PhD candidate in a mathematical area with high GPA in both undergrad and graduate, with undergrad being higher.

So this is what I mean:

They will make you take it again at the undergrad university!!!!
But different courses! So if you took physics I and II with A's like me they want higher physics. They would want physical chemistry or analytical chemistry to replace my general chemistry, for example.

You may as well apply to another school if that is the case.
Tufts is very clinical anyhow and if you are interested in research, I would say there are many better options, especially if you get into your state school, and that is very good. It depends upon what you want.

It is a policy just to weed out the number of applicants, and can eliminate exceptions to the rule. Med schools do this all the time.

And another notice: It seems that Tufts prefers science majors over non-science majors. I am not sure of this as a fact, but I think from the website there is a hint of that.

I think they may really prefer biology and biochemistry majors.

Tufts is the only school that I know of with such a strict rule.

Good luck!

My opinion: I would not want to take CC courses over again if I got A's and felt like I learned the material. I would take upper division courses that would be helpful for the next stage such as histology and physiology rather than physical chemistry, which is not as helpful.

to op: or dont apply to Tufts. this way you don't have to retake anything.

good luck.

 

[colt]

I assume this also includes English taken at CC.

 

[Driller23]

I assume this also includes English taken at CC.

Yep, all the standard pre-reqs. Fun isnt it?

 

[colt]

Yep, all the standard pre-reqs. Fun isnt it?

Yep 👍

 

[NA4242]

Tufts does NOT accept any pre-reqs taken at CC, and they don't make any exceptions. So, save your money.

 

[colt]

Tufts is the worst school ever!!

 

[KOM]

Hmmm-

I think Tufts has a good rule going. Everyone knows CC courses are easier than the real deal. Pretty soon, with all the explosions of CC's anybody under the sun will have their degree and everyone will have 4.0 GPA's. People can get their degree just by sitting at home, watching a computer screen and surfing the net. Bachelor's degrees nowadays are starting to be about as good as a High school diploma and that's why we're seeing more and more people having to go into masters programs or do post-bacc work. Everybody is looking for the easiest and quickest route to their degree with a high GPA. With that kind of demand, that's why we're seeing the CC explosion.

I know...everyone of you who has taken a CC course will retaliate and say no, they're not easier, and bla bla bla. Fine. Great. But I'm telling you, it's this CC boom that is putting more and more underqualified students to the starting line with inflated GPA's and is driving competition thru the roof. Not that there's anything wrong with a bit of competition.

I've spoken with two dean's and both told me they didn't want to see me take any courses from CC's to sugar coat my GPA. I'm glad schools are taking control over these scenarios and recognizing their deficiencies.

GOOD JOB TUFTS - now accept me for the 2007 cycle.

 

[armorshell]

words

You're a ***** buddy. I took my chem prereqs at a comm. college and it prepared me better for my upper level chem courses then 90% of the people at my university who took it here.

I had my gen chem class with 15 other people, the professor could interact with each of us on a personal level. How many hundreds were in YOUR genchem class???

Last time I checked comm. colleges are accredited teaching institutios too, so **** you and your elitism!

 

[KOM]

You're a ***** buddy. I took my chem prereqs at a comm. college and it prepared me better for my upper level chem courses then 90% of the people at my university who took it here.

I had my gen chem class with 15 other people, the professor could interact with each of us on a personal level. How many hundreds were in YOUR genchem class???

Last time I checked comm. colleges are accredited teaching institutios too, so **** you and your elitism!

Tsk Tsk. They are accredited...yes. I guess I shouldn't have gone so far as to say that classes are easier at CC's. There are always exceptions and yes, I agree that it is easier to learn material in smaller class sizes, but you're also competing with a smaller student body...i.e less competition. No, there is not as much pressure on CC's to give a curved set of scores for each class. Example...it's a lot easier for a professor to give a class of 5 students 5 A's as opposed to a class of 500 students 500 A's.

You don't have to get so defensive. I understand one of the major benefits for CC's is cost and that is enough incentive for anyone to want to choose a CC. I wish you the best of luck and it is not my intention to raise havoc. 👍

 

[tinman831]

I took biology 1 at a CC and they made an exception for me since that was the only class. I would call them if you have any concerns. They do make exceptions on a case by case basis, but you need to call them and have them look at your application. 🙂

 

[1FutureDDS]

You're a ***** buddy. I took my chem prereqs at a comm. college and it prepared me better for my upper level chem courses then 90% of the people at my university who took it here.

I had my gen chem class with 15 other people, the professor could interact with each of us on a personal level. How many hundreds were in YOUR genchem class???

Last time I checked comm. colleges are accredited teaching institutios too, so **** you and your elitism!

Um, KOM explained that easy C.C courses are not always the case. You should have never opened your mouth in the first place. I don't care how hard or easy C.C courses are, they shouldn't be allowed for ANY dental school. Suck it up and go to a real college, "buddy".

 

[armorshell]

Um, KOM explained that easy C.C courses are not always the case. You should have never opened your mouth in the first place. I don't care how hard or easy C.C courses are, they shouldn't be allowed for ANY dental school. Suck it up and go to a real college, "buddy".

Hey "pal", are you saying that people who can't afford a full four years of univerisity education shouldn't be allowed in professional schools?

I for one wouldn't have been able to afford that and as I said before community colleges are accredited, and the "real school" that I go to now transferred all of the credits I earned at the comm. college here. Meaning that they recognize the courses I took as equivalent to the ones they offer, effectively giving me the "real" college education you tell me I should have.

People don't go to community college becasue it's easy, they go there becasue for one reason or another they have to...

 

[LNinlove]

Armorshell,

I guess you and I don’t deserve to go to dental school because we have attended an “unworthy” CC. I spoke with the dean at CU and he said that it doesn’t matter if we go to a CC. The only restriction is that we don’t take our pre-reqs online due to the lab component. There is another student in my Gen Chem class that is also pre-dental. She went to the same CC as I, and transferred just like I did. I don’t think she should be allowed to even apply to dental school, let alone be accepted. Hell, I am surprised we can even read the text!

You know Armorshell, it must be some big conspiracy, because all my credits transferred from the CC to the 4 year too. I thought they weren’t equivalent?

The funny thing is that I have the same exact teacher at my 4 year that I had while I was attending the CC. Surely that can’t be fair to all the others, she might remember me and go easy on me because I am “special”.

Some of us don’t have the opportunity to have mommy and daddy pay for our education, rent, cell phone, car, insurance, food, gas… There are, in fact, people in this world that have to work during college to support their family. My wife and I both work 40 hours a week, and go to school full time. CC was the ONLY option for us. We both got our associates degrees and we moved on. It saved us probably $15,000-$20,000 each. That is a very large amount when it is YOU who is paying the bill.

If KOM’s premise were even true, then because I went to an accredited private high school, my diploma is crap. I graduated with 5 other seniors, and the local public school had ~ 350 graduating seniors. At my high school, they weren’t “handing” out 4.0’s just because they were a small school and there were only 6 of us.

The thing that people like KOM forget is that those who are getting these degrees from CCs are contributing to our society in ways that people like KOM wouldn’t ever think of. May it be working a job that might be “beneath” them or, heaven forbid, they might get into a 4 year university and do just as well as everyone else. Whichever it is, I am glad that they have the opportunity!

I guess this is what they mean when they say ignorance is bliss.

 

[colt]

What is the difference between your average CC and a 3rd, 4th-tier 4 yr school?? Probably not much! As far as I know, many teachers from CC have/do teach at 4yr schools and they also use the same books.

If someone does well at CC and also does well at 4yr, they have proved themselves and saved a lot of time/money/hassle in the process. I haven't taken any sci classes at CC, but I do plan on taking micro this summer.

 

[KOM]

OK,

Here's what's real coming directly from two deans. I don't want to reign on anyone's parade or surmise CC's are anything less than the other route. I just want people to be aware how some colleges may specifically frown on CC's and that you should definitely call them to see what they think. This will help you make decisions on what colleges you may or may not want to apply to.

One wrote in big black capitalized letters NO CC's. I only say this to you all because I was planning on taking CC courses before talking to these two. This is not to say that other deans of admissions don't think otherwise and I'm sure many do. If my state school looks poorly on them, then I'm going to take their advice because this is my school of choice. Again, this may or may not be a reflection of what's going on at other schools. I was just surprised to hear one of them say this before I had even mentioned attending a CC. This is where I developed my idea that CC's were something less than adequate and you're right, I probably shouldn't have passed that judgement so quickly. For all you going to CC's I'm sure everything will be great and you have nothing at all to worry about.

Mid May is coming up! Let the games begin.

 

[americanpierg]

What is the difference between your average CC and a 3rd, 4th-tier 4 yr school?? Probably not much! As far as I know, many teachers from CC have/do teach at 4yr schools and they also use the same books.

If someone does well at CC and also does well at 4yr, they have proved themselves and saved a lot of time/money/hassle in the process. I haven't taken any sci classes at CC, but I do plan on taking micro this summer.

...then why even take a cc course..., CCs are no where near 3rd and 4th tier schools, michigan state university is a 3rd tier school and last time i checked its much better than 100% of the CCs out there, at a CC u can just go cry about ur grade and get it changed

 

[americanpierg]

Hey "pal", are you saying that people who can't afford a full four years of univerisity education shouldn't be allowed in professional schools?

I for one wouldn't have been able to afford that and as I said before community colleges are accredited, and the "real school" that I go to now transferred all of the credits I earned at the comm. college here. Meaning that they recognize the courses I took as equivalent to the ones they offer, effectively giving me the "real" college education you tell me I should have.

People don't go to community college becasue it's easy, they go there becasue for one reason or another they have to...

so...u cant afford a 4 year in state 20k university, but u can afford 200k dental school education?

 

[armorshell]

...then why even take a cc course..., CCs are no where near 3rd and 4th tier schools, michigan state university is a 3rd tier school and last time i checked its much better than 100% of the CCs out there, at a CC u can just go cry about ur grade and get it changed

How is it exactly you know so much about community colleges? I'm guessing you've never been near one. 🙄

so...u cant afford a 4 year in state 20k university, but u can afford 200k dental school education?

You know that's spurious logic... With a dental education you can afford to pay back a loan that size.

 

[armorshell]

Also, it's nice to see the compassion that pre-dental students have these days. Let's hope this frothing at the mouth comes out in your interviews, then we'll see who gets in and who doesn't.

Nothing the adcoms would like to see more then a bunch of arrogant jerks 🙄

 

[NVDental]

Ha! I always like reading about these debates of Univ's vs CC's. Having C.c. credits can't help you (except for the mere fact that you complete some pre req's) they can only hurt you. However you can still do it with CC classes. I was accepted to a few schools even though I took 8 of my pre req classes at cc's. I had a couple of interviews where the adcoms really grilled me on my cc classes. Fortunately I completed a BS degree at a University with a dual major in Fianance and Economics, and had a strong academic record at the univ. I had to take my pre-dent pre-reqs at a c.c. because I had a full time job.

However, lets not forget about the great equalizer ..... the DAT! With community college credits you definitely need a good DAT score.

 

[colt]

...then why even take a cc course...,

I believe most people take them for the location and price difference.

CCs are no where near 3rd and 4th tier schools, michigan state university is a 3rd tier school and last time i checked its much better than 100% of the CCs out there, at a CC u can just go cry about ur grade and get it changed

I can't speak for Mich. St because I know nothing about them. I do know how most unknown schools advertise their "tier" and that is regionally. For example, many of the 4 yr, schools around here advertise "3rd tier" or "2nd tier", but that is regionally NOT nationally.

However, I do know students at East Carolina U and UNC Greensboro(national 3rd tiers) that say the classes are no harder than the local CC's. In fact, the average SAT score for incoming students at those schools is in the 1000 range. They are great schools, but I highly doubt the med school pre-reqs are head and shoulders more difficult than CC.

 

[howui3]

...then why even take a cc course..., CCs are no where near 3rd and 4th tier schools, michigan state university is a 3rd tier school and last time i checked its much better than 100% of the CCs out there, at a CC u can just go cry about ur grade and get it changed

why so bitter towards CC courses?

they are affordable, convenient, and offer a great way to matriculate to a 4yr university.

why cares about you tiers! if you get a solid GPA, solid DAT scores you will be a competitive applicant to dent school, regardless if you took classes at a CC or went to a state school or Harvard.

 

[americanpierg]

why so bitter towards CC courses?

they are affordable, convenient, and offer a great way to matriculate to a 4yr university.

why cares about you tiers! if you get a solid GPA, solid DAT scores you will be a competitive applicant to dent school, regardless if you took classes at a CC or went to a state school or Harvard.

so why is a 4.0 online degree with a 23 DAT rejected even if the person took the prereq labs at a Community College?

 

[americanpierg]

I believe most people take them for the location and price difference. I can't speak for Mich. St because I know nothing about them. I do know how most unknown schools advertise their "tier" and that is regionally. For example, many of the 4 yr, schools around here advertise "3rd tier" or "2nd tier", but that is regionally NOT nationally.

Michigan St. is 3rd tier nationally, ranked 74 on USNews annual university rankings. The CC's around here are on par with some of the private highschools.

 

[colt]

Michigan St. is 3rd tier nationally, ranked 74 on USNews annual university rankings. The CC's around here are on par with some of the private highschools.

That is fine, but the national 3rd tier schools around here have 1000 SATs for entering students, and I imagine most other 3rd tier schools are the same. It's not like the 3rd tier schools are ultra competitive to get into...or competitive at all. The 4th tier schools are even less competitive---go to the school, sign up and attend classes--aka CC. I seriously doubt that a low end 3rd tier or 4th tier school is going to be much more rigorous than a CC. It's not like you have an organic chem class filled with 72 yr old Betty-Lous that are going to school part time because their doctor said, "get out of the house some".

 

[cdpiano27]

Another point. These are only the basic science courses.

Many state universities and many good ones allow transfers from the community college system.

The University of Illinois and Georgia Tech for example, while too expensive for me out of state, both accepted me into ultra-competitive majors OUT-OF-STATE there (computer science back in 2001) and TRANSFERRED every single one of my CC classes, and I had a 4.0 there, along with a high school SAT score of 1410. And the U of I cs department has an average SAT score of entrance of 1400 and conducts undergrad admissions separately in their own department! Why did such good schools such as these transfer my CC courses with extremely difficult undergrads? These are basic courses general physics, general chemistry, calc II, III, dif eq. The real university classes are the upper-division courses. And in pre-dental curriculum, they would be physiology, biochemistry, histolgy, genetics, etc.

My opinion, if someone went to CC for the first two years and transferred to a four-year school, if they showed evidence of doing well in the upper division courses, that rely on knolwedge in these basic classes, and scored well on the DAT A.A. >=20 on all sections, what is the difference? They know the material and can do just as well as everyone else. A lot of learning is UP TO YOU, and NOT THE SCHOOL! In a big, prestigious university, the professors DO NOT CARE ABOUT TEACHING INTRODUCTORY COURSES THAT MUCH! They are involved in their research and would care more about the graduate courses anyway. It is UP TO YOU to learn the basic material. And in the intro courses such as bio I, II, physics I, II, o-chem I, II, gen chem I, II, THERE IS A WEALTH OF OUTSIDE BOOKS AND STUDY GUIDES JUST FOR THESE SUBJECTS! In an upper division course, there are likely to be less resources. At Johns Hopkins biology major, the intro courses do not even count toward the major until you start with organic chemistry. They assume that you most likely had AP credit.

So there you have it. Upper division courses should be looked at the most along with the DAT. And I believe that dental schools should weight the whole application, instead of being so narrow.

And again, my opinion, if someone did not do too well, in the intro courses in their first two years of college and was a science major and did extremely well in the upper division, and showed that they new the material via the DAT, they should be given an interview. Period.

By the way, in China, dental school is in a school of medicine, and the first year you start with upper division courses. The basic "college sciences" in the U.S. undergrad INCLUDING organic chemistry are taught in high school and tested on the college entrance exam

 

[americanpierg]

Another point. These are only the basic science courses.

Many state universities and many good ones allow transfers from the community college system.

The University of Illinois and Georgia Tech for example, while too expensive for me out of state, both accepted me into ultra-competitive majors OUT-OF-STATE there (computer science back in 2001) and TRANSFERRED every single one of my CC classes, and I had a 4.0 there, along with a high school SAT score of 1410. And the U of I cs department has an average SAT score of entrance of 1400 and conducts undergrad admissions separately in their own department! Why did such good schools such as these transfer my CC courses with extremely difficult undergrads? These are basic courses general physics, general chemistry, calc II, III, dif eq. The real university classes are the upper-division courses. And in pre-dental curriculum, they would be physiology, biochemistry, histolgy, genetics, etc.

My opinion, if someone went to CC for the first two years and transferred to a four-year school, if they showed evidence of doing well in the upper division courses, that rely on knolwedge in these basic classes, and scored well on the DAT A.A. >=20 on all sections, what is the difference? They know the material and can do just as well as everyone else. A lot of learning is UP TO YOU, and NOT THE SCHOOL! In a big, prestigious university, the professors DO NOT CARE ABOUT TEACHING INTRODUCTORY COURSES THAT MUCH! They are involved in their research and would care more about the graduate courses anyway. It is UP TO YOU to learn the basic material. And in the intro courses such as bio I, II, physics I, II, o-chem I, II, gen chem I, II, THERE IS A WEALTH OF OUTSIDE BOOKS AND STUDY GUIDES JUST FOR THESE SUBJECTS! In an upper division course, there are likely to be less resources. At Johns Hopkins biology major, the intro courses do not even count toward the major until you start with organic chemistry. They assume that you most likely had AP credit.

So there you have it. Upper division courses should be looked at the most along with the DAT. And I believe that dental schools should weight the whole application, instead of being so narrow.

And again, my opinion, if someone did not do too well, in the intro courses in their first two years of college and was a science major and did extremely well in the upper division, and showed that they new the material via the DAT, they should be given an interview. Period.

By the way, in China, dental school is in a school of medicine, and the first year you start with upper division courses. The basic "college sciences" in the U.S. undergrad INCLUDING organic chemistry are taught in high school and tested on the college entrance exam

What's your definition of doing "well" in these upper level courses? If an applicant finished all their prereqs at a CC their first two years with 4.0 overall gpa, then transfered to a university and got all Bs and A-s on these upper level courses, then how can you adequately compare the two institutions? Sure the upper level courses are harder, but who's to say that the applicant would've gotten B's and A-s and whatnot if he took his prereqs at the university too, but fortunately for him he took it at an easier CC and got an inflated 4.0 gpa. If the applicant can show that he can 4.0 these upper level courses, then yes that justifies his CC grade, but if his gpa at the unviersity is in the 3.0-3.5 range, then that 4.0 from the CC is crap because it puts them above those others that got 3.5s or whatnot from the university on their prereqs.

 

[colt]

Would someone that received a 4.0 in pre-reqs at a 4yr school be expected to receive a 4.0 in more DIFFICULT upper level classes? If not, why expect a student coming from CC to do it. I know people at 4 yr schools that did very well in pre-reqs, but classes like cell bio, genetics, physical chem etc were much more difficult for them. Some of them came out with Cs or Bs, and this was no shocker. It didn't disqualify their effort in "easier" pre-reqs either.

 

[mkdds]

why so bitter towards CC courses?

they are affordable, convenient, and offer a great way to matriculate to a 4yr university.

why cares about you tiers! if you get a solid GPA, solid DAT scores you will be a competitive applicant to dent school, regardless if you took classes at a CC or went to a state school or Harvard.

hey howui3....I don't beleive in that, I took all my prereqs at a CC with a 3.78 GPA and transferred to UCLA and graduated with a BS degree in Biology and obviously my GPA wasn't at 3.78 ....my overall GPA was at 3.45 and science GPA 3.4 , and DAT score: 20/21...
I think both my DAT score and GPA are solid enough to get in to at least one of 12 schools which I applied , so far I've been rejected from UNLV,Tufts , UOP, UPENN and haven't heard from any other schools which probably means a rejection. THe only interview I had was at USC and I'm waitlisted as of now, so go figure how important they weigh the pre-reqs taken at a CC vs a 4 year college.

 

[howui3]

hey howui3....I don't beleive in that, I took all my prereqs at a CC with a 3.78 GPA and transferred to UCLA and graduated with a BS degree in Biology and obviously my GPA wasn't at 3.78 ....my overall GPA was at 3.45 and science GPA 3.4 , and DAT score: 20/21...
I think both my DAT score and GPA are solid enough to get in to at least one of 12 schools which I applied , so far I've been rejected from UNLV,Tufts , UOP, UPENN and haven't heard from any other schools which probably means a rejection. THe only interview I had was at USC and I'm waitlisted as of now, so go figure how important they weigh the pre-reqs taken at a CC vs a 4 year college.

those ****** (the dental schools)! hope you get in somewhere.

 

[tinman831]

hey howui3....I don't beleive in that, I took all my prereqs at a CC with a 3.78 GPA and transferred to UCLA and graduated with a BS degree in Biology and obviously my GPA wasn't at 3.78 ....my overall GPA was at 3.45 and science GPA 3.4 , and DAT score: 20/21...
I think both my DAT score and GPA are solid enough to get in to at least one of 12 schools which I applied , so far I've been rejected from UNLV,Tufts , UOP, UPENN and haven't heard from any other schools which probably means a rejection. THe only interview I had was at USC and I'm waitlisted as of now, so go figure how important they weigh the pre-reqs taken at a CC vs a 4 year college.

Are you sure it was because you took classes at a CC, that you were rejected by so many schools? You seem to have great stats and should have gotten in somewhere.

 

[mkdds]

those ****** (the dental schools)! hope you get in somewhere.

thx...I'm crossing my fingers......Oh and on top of that I forgot to mention I'm a second time applicant and I got waitlisted at Tufts last year and a straight up rejection this year...
my only hopes are USC and NYU at this point.....But I'm not gonna give up u know even if it means reapplying for the third time and going to a postbac program to strengthen my "CC pre-req background"....

 

[mkdds]

Are you sure it was because you took classes at a CC, that you were rejected by so many schools? You seem to have great stats and should have gotten in somewhere.

I know that's what I thought....anyhow I've mentioned my situation above...thx for your support.

 

[itskaikai]

How's your struggle so far? It's been a couple of months & I'm just curious about your predicament.

 

[DMD-2-B]

Hmmm-

I think Tufts has a good rule going. Everyone knows CC courses are easier than the real deal. Pretty soon, with all the explosions of CC's anybody under the sun will have their degree and everyone will have 4.0 GPA's. People can get their degree just by sitting at home, watching a computer screen and surfing the net. Bachelor's degrees nowadays are starting to be about as good as a High school diploma and that's why we're seeing more and more people having to go into masters programs or do post-bacc work. Everybody is looking for the easiest and quickest route to their degree with a high GPA. With that kind of demand, that's why we're seeing the CC explosion.

I know...everyone of you who has taken a CC course will retaliate and say no, they're not easier, and bla bla bla. Fine. Great. But I'm telling you, it's this CC boom that is putting more and more underqualified students to the starting line with inflated GPA's and is driving competition thru the roof. Not that there's anything wrong with a bit of competition.

I've spoken with two dean's and both told me they didn't want to see me take any courses from CC's to sugar coat my GPA. I'm glad schools are taking control over these scenarios and recognizing their deficiencies.

GOOD JOB TUFTS - now accept me for the 2007 cycle.

Actually - I dont agree with this.

This about the cost of education. Some people can't afford to go to a private school, and often times a state university is too far away. Also, community colleges usually have evening classes convenienntly available to people who are balancing bills and education simulataneously.

If Tufts wants to make this generalization, that's their decision. And I can see the basis for it. However, I don't think it's a very practical approach to education.

And strangely enough, I went to a couple of dentists who graduated from Tufts. Two to be exact. They each did such horrible, horrible dental work, that I needed to pay an additional 2 grand ($$$) to have the work redone.

I had it redone by a dentist who graduated at SUNY Buffalo. I would pick him over any Tufts grad anyday!

 

[Yellow Snow]

Actually - I dont agree with this.

This about the cost of education. Some people can't afford to go to a private school, and often times a state university is too far away. Also, community colleges usually have evening classes convenienntly available to people who are balancing bills and education simulataneously.

If Tufts wants to make this generalization, that's their decision. And I can see the basis for it. However, I don't think it's a very practical approach to education.

And strangely enough, I went to a couple of dentists who graduated from Tufts. Two to be exact. They each did such horrible, horrible dental work, that I needed to pay an additional 2 grand ($$$) to have the work redone.

I had it redone by a dentist who graduated at SUNY Buffalo. I would pick him over any Tufts grad anyday!

Tufts needs to grow some and evaluate applications like the rest of the dental schools. So I took gem chem at a CC due to residency issues. That didn't stop me from gettin all A's at a four year U. in the rest of the core reqs. But according to Tufts I am not eligible? For some reason I am not feeling broken up over the loss. They probably aren't either but it just doesn't suggest positive things about the school. UoP's policy is much more mature.

 

[bionerd]

Also, it's nice to see the compassion that pre-dental students have these days. Let's hope this frothing at the mouth comes out in your interviews, then we'll see who gets in and who doesn't.

Nothing the adcoms would like to see more then a bunch of arrogant jerks 🙄

on an unrelated topic...i personally believe 70% of all pre-med, pre-dents, pre-pharm students do NOT have compassion. Volunteer work? Make your resume look good! I think you just need a conscience, not necessarily compassion. I've always thought that health schools should press for students to take mucho courses in philosophy, ethics, religion, etc...not volunteer work...heck, most the volunteers I see are still immature brats. Well, does this even make sense to anyone besides me???

 

[L8DYV]

on an unrelated topic...i personally believe 70% of all pre-med, pre-dents, pre-pharm students do NOT have compassion. Volunteer work? Make your resume look good! I think you just need a conscience, not necessarily compassion. I've always thought that health schools should press for students to take mucho courses in philosophy, ethics, religion, etc...not volunteer work...heck, most the volunteers I see are still immature brats. Well, does this even make sense to anyone besides me???

hmm...you might have a point, but where can we get a passion-o-meter?

 

[Uracil]

Pre-reqs taken at a Community College vs. a 4-year institution is different. In my opinion, there's no comparison having an Inorganic Chemistry class, for example, at a 4-year Institution with a "quality" professor who expects more from you, with more kids in your class, more competition, it's more impersonal than having a class at a Community College ...
I am sure there are cases where this varies, but it is basically how it goes.

These are probably the determinant factors that most Dental schools think about.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Pre-reqs taken at a Community College vs. a 4-year institution is different. In my opinion, there's no comparison having an Inorganic Chemistry class, for example, at a 4-year Institution with a "quality" professor who expects more from you, with more kids in your class, more competition, it's more impersonal than having a class at a Community College ...
I am sure there are cases where this varies, but it is basically how it goes.

These are probably the determinant factors that most Dental schools think about.

Yeah, but if you are just talking about having "been through the fire" of university competition, one can easily show that they can handle this by having completed the organic chem series or physics series or bio series or upper level bio/chem classes at a university. Just because someone takes a couple classes over the summer while they are back at home a school is going to disqualify them from application? Out of all the possible policies they can choose this just seems very limiting. They are losing out on a lot of quality applicants. But, there are alot of schools out there so...

 

[Your a Clown!]

You are all painting such nice pictures about those taking Community College credits to fill some pre-requisites. What you all are forgeting is that some students escape to other institutions (CC's) to even pass their classes. Especially if they fear getting a sub-par grade at their regular university

Community Colleges are low grade because their student body is low grade and therefore the classes taken there look low grade. How are you going to smile at a instution that will take kids with 700's on their SAT.

Sorry, if you don't have the means to apply for Financial Aid or have already burdened your life with children who you can't afford to support, but public universities are for students ready to excel.

And to nail the coffin, like another bright kid said, whats 20,000 in loans to go with your 150,000 for dental school.

Especially if you know that 20,000 dollars was put to good use showing adcom that you are not looking for an escape and you killed every single science course you took part in at a major university.

I was a Biochem major, 3.85 BCP, only because my school was on a minus (-) system.

Valencia Community College's Slogan: "A good place to start"
And I say "Not if you want to go to Dental School"

BLUM

 

[Uracil]

Yeah, but if you are just talking about having "been through the fire" of university competition, one can easily show that they can handle this by having completed the organic chem series or physics series or bio series or upper level bio/chem classes at a university. Just because someone takes a couple classes over the summer while they are back at home a school is going to disqualify them from application? Out of all the possible policies they can choose this just seems very limiting. They are losing out on a lot of quality applicants. But, there are alot of schools out there so...

Yeah, I totally agree. I was thinking about taking ALL your pre-reqs at a CC..of course again everyone has a different case, and it would not be fair for those who did well in upper level courses or took some classes in the summer at a CC.

 

[tinman831]

Tufts needs to grow some and evaluate applications like the rest of the dental schools. So I took gem chem at a CC due to residency issues. That didn't stop me from gettin all A's at a four year U. in the rest of the core reqs. But according to Tufts I am not eligible? For some reason I am not feeling broken up over the loss. They probably aren't either but it just doesn't suggest positive things about the school. UoP's policy is much more mature.

I took bio 1 at a CC and Tufts still said it was okay. 🙂

 

[bionerd]

I took bio 1 at a CC and Tufts still said it was okay. 🙂

there's a lot of applicants and obviously the adcoms will not want to sit through hundreds if not thousands of applicants who have "justified glitches" in their application. That said, I think there's no good or bad to CC's. I hear a lot of my fellow university-ites fail a pre-req and jump on board the CC train. However, some people-like me-have scheduling conflicts and have to settle for CC during the summer in order to finish in 4 years instead of 5. Go figure, it's just all fate guys! Live with it and 😀

 

[L8DYV]

cc's are not necessarily any easier than 4 year institution. many times, there are no curves (which sucks), but class sizes are more personal and help is within reach from your professor unlike the 4 year.

 

[INFNITE]

if you are a serious predent student, why would you choose to take of all courses your prereq courses in a community college? Even if you are forced to take courses during the summer, why not take the summer courses your undergrad school (or other 4 year institution) offers? Any serious predental student should prioritize to complete the prereq courses as well as core courses required by your major and then take electives (in community colleges if necessary). If you take prereq courses at a community college, dental schools will tend to think of it as a cheap way to get good grades on these courses instead of earning grades through hard work (even if it's not true).