Prerequisite Question

[stevenp]

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Hello guys and gals,
After looking at specific dental schools, I noticed that some of them require Microbiology. The thing is that my school requires one to take a year of biology, a year of inorganic chemistry, semester of genetics, and a semester of cell biology, before letting one to enroll in microbiology course. I am fine with bio and chem, but I just don't have the time frame to put these difficult courses into my junior and senior year.

I am finishing up my sophomore year and I was planning not to take microbiology, but now I am a little worried that I might have to. I'm planning to take other upper level science courses but I just don't think I will have the time to complete 3 additional difficult courses. Do you guys think microbiology is a must? Would it be fine with a dental school to take a different science course instead of doing one [micro] and doing two pre-reqs [gen, cell] for it?

Also would applying to a dental school that requires microbiology without completing it or not planning to complete it be possible if I in exchange take other upper level biology/chem courses?

Also, what would happen if suddenly during my senior year, dental schools change their pre-reqs courses? How would I complete these on time?

Forgive me if I asked to many questions, but I am a little paranoid about this.

 

[MedDevil]

Hello guys and gals,
After looking at specific dental schools, I noticed that some of them require Microbiology. The thing is that my school requires one to take a year of biology, a year of inorganic chemistry, semester of genetics, and a semester of cell biology, before letting one to enroll in microbiology course. I am fine with bio and chem, but I just don't have the time frame to put these difficult courses into my junior and senior year.

I am finishing up my sophomore year and I was planning not to take microbiology, but now I am a little worried that I might have to. I'm planning to take other upper level science courses but I just don't think I will have the time to complete 3 additional difficult courses. Do you guys think microbiology is a must? Would it be fine with a dental school to take a different science course instead of doing one [micro] and doing two pre-reqs [gen, cell] for it?
If a school you're interested in applying to required micro, you're going to have to find a way to take it. Generally, D-schools won't let you replace one science course for a prereq. I would recommend talking to your college advisors to see if you can get an override into your school's micro course without having to take all the necessary prereqs (assuming you have atleast general biology completed)

Also would applying to a dental school that requires microbiology without completing it or not planning to complete it be possible if I in exchange take other upper level biology/chem courses?
Most likely no, although if this is your only option, you should call up those schools and get their opinion.

Also, what would happen if suddenly during my senior year, dental schools change their pre-reqs courses? How would I complete these on time?
If this happens, those new prereqs will only be applicable to students applying the year or sometimes even two years after they add the new requirement.

Forgive me if I asked to many questions, but I am a little paranoid about this.

Answers in blue.

 

[stevenp]

After thinking, I came up with an alternative schedule for my junior & senior year regarding pre-dental classes only.

Original plan:
Junior year: Organic I & II along with labs and Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs
Senior year: Physics I & II along with labs and Biochem (1 semester)

Alternative plan:
Junior year: Organic I & II along with labs and Genetics and Cell Biology
Senior year: Physics I & II along with labs, Microbiology with lab, and Biochem

Now, which of the two schedules will be more beneficial to me for admission purposes
and later on if I do get into a dental school?

 

[MedDevil]

After thinking, I came up with an alternative schedule for my junior & senior year regarding pre-dental classes only.

Original plan:
Junior year: Organic I & II along with labs and Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs
Senior year: Physics I & II along with labs and Biochem (1 semester)

Alternative plan:
Junior year: Organic I & II along with labs and Genetics and Cell Biology
Senior year: Physics I & II along with labs, Microbiology with lab, and Biochem

Now, which of the two schedules will be more beneficial to me for admission purposes
and later on if I do get into a dental school?

You need to look at the schools you're interested in applying to in order to determine which schedule is best for admissions. Some schools require A&P (e.g. ASDOH), some require Microbiology (e.g. Michigan), and some require both (e.g. MWU-AZ).

 

[stevenp]

I know that 5 schools require Microbiology and 3 require A & P as of 2010 statistics.
The thing is that once I decide to either do my original plan or the alternative, I will have to stick to it and I will not be able to go go back and switch it.

If let's say the schools that I am currently looking at, add a new prerequisite this Fall, will I have to complete that new prerequisite if I am applying in June 2014 for the class of 2019?

For anyone who has been or currently is enrolled at a D school, which of the two courses (microbiology or anatomy & physiology) would you encourage to take in undergrad?