pre-reqs has to be taken in 5 years prior to starting dental school?

[sam26880]

I graduated with my masters in computer science in 2003. I've been working for a while and have recently decided to go back to dental school. I took General Chem classes in my undergrad years. Can't remember when exactly but I think It must have been 4 or 5 years ago. Is that going to be a problem? Do you know what schools has this requirement? I really don't wanna have to take this class over again if I don't have to. I think I have a good grade in that class also. (probably A but have to double check)

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[Nasem]

I truely think there has got to be some kind of lean-way around this..... I am having a hard time believing someone would have to take some of the pre-reqs all over just becuase they are 4-5 years old.

I "think" the 5 year rule is to students who took like, 90% of their pre-dental requirements but never applied to any dentals schools, then of course, this makes perfect sence, the material is no longer fresh in thier minds.

However, if someone did take, for-example, general chem I & II and scored nicly on the labs and classes. Came back 4-5 years later and took more pre-dental requirements (like biology, organic chem, biochem, etc) and scored also well on them, I think it takes into consideration that most of this material is still freash.

I have a very very similar issue, I never took any chemistry or biology in my undergrad years, however I did take Physics I & II along with thier labs (2002-2003) and scored B- on phy-I and B+ on phy-II (those are not bad grades for these classes, classes are pretty challenging)..... I highly doubt I'll have to retake physics again.

BTW Im returning to school (hopfully this coming January and starting my pre-dental classes).

 

[vha7777]

UNC has the 5 year rule and I had to contact them about it just to be sure I could still apply (my freshmen year is past the 5 year mark) and they asked for my DAT scores and told me I was still good to go. It was gen chem I and II for me. I don't think these rules are absolute but be sure to contact schools and ask.

 

[Nasem]

Thats what I thought too vha7777, The 5 year rule is not intended to break someones b@lls, its simply an estimate that "most" of your pre-dental requirements should be done in the last couple years...

of course if some of your older pre-dental classes were done 5 years ago or more, and you show them that your doing pretty good in your current classes and you DAT score is not bad, they will take that into consideration.

 

[Badtz-Mawu]

My general chemistry classes were taken 9 years ago (college courses taken while in high school) when I applied and it was no problem for Case, Oregon, and UCSF. I'd still check with the schools though in case they've changed their polices for this year.

 

[asperden]

most schools don't care when you took the pre-req's. however, they will tell you that it will affect your DAT scores so you should review what you've learned.

 

[aggie.teacher]

Call the schools and ask!! It's the only way to know for sure! Baylor wanted to know what I'd been taking recently before they told me it was ok.