Question About Post-Bacc

[cjyoo815]

So I just have a question about Post-Bacc programs... I was planning on doing an informal post-bacc (just taking classes at a 4-year state university). However, I have finished all my pre-req courses at a 4 year university.... is it worth it to take additional classes at a 4 year state university or can I just take additional classes at a community college?

I am completely aware that some schools do not bother looking at community college courses, but for those that are okay with CC courses... would it be okay to take a bunch of elective courses from there?

Thanks a bunch.

Sci GPA: 2.9
Cumulative GPA: 3.0
DAT: AA 21/ TS 21/ PAT 17

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[UBERlowGPA]

Most people who elect to do a postbac are usually doing so to improve their GPA and/or to show adcoms that they can handle the rigors of dental school. In my opinion, I don't think that taking classes at a community college, regardless of the grades achieved, would fully show that you could handle the full courseloads given during dental school. I would try and stick to the 4 year college/university and continue to take upper division science courses that utilize the curriculum from your pre-reqs. Focus on Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, Microbio, and Histology if you can find it.

 

[dentalWorks]

So I just have a question about Post-Bacc programs... I was planning on doing an informal post-bacc (just taking classes at a 4-year state university). However, I have finished all my pre-req courses at a 4 year university.... is it worth it to take additional classes at a 4 year state university or can I just take additional classes at a community college?

I am completely aware that some schools do not bother looking at community college courses, but for those that are okay with CC courses... would it be okay to take a bunch of elective courses from there?

Thanks a bunch.

Sci GPA: 2.9
Cumulative GPA: 3.0
DAT: AA 21/ TS 21/ PAT 17

Usually, people do the other way around. They take the basic pre-dents at a CC and then switch over at a university and take upper level sciences.

Taking your advanced biology courses at a CC is (IMO) problematic in 2 ways:
1) many CC's don't offer upper level biologies. Many offer the basic 200 level stuffs (like a&p 200, basic microbio 200, basic biochem, etc etc).
2) you have low undergrad GPA. Even if you went to a CC that offered upper level bios and was able to get an A, its doesn't look at all that impressive since your university GPA is sub 3.0

 

[cjyoo815]

Thank you for the input. So I guess the general consensus is to take a post-bacc at a 4 year university that offers more upper division bio courses... I was just curious because taking classes (informally) is quite expensive...

 

[sacapuntas]

Thank you for the input. So I guess the general consensus is to take a post-bacc at a 4 year university that offers more upper division bio courses... I was just curious because taking classes (informally) is quite expensive...

I have read this elsewhere also (post-bacc being more expensive). Is this a fact generally?

I am just surprised, because at the well respected 4 year university I attend, it is the same cost as if I was the typical undergrad.

 

[cjyoo815]

Hmm... is that so? The only reason that I say it is expensive is because I won't be able to get financial aid that I normally did while attending a 4 year university. And comparing that cost to the cost of taking classes at a community college... of course the price is a bit steep.

Cal State's Open University (which is what I am going to do) costs $261 per unit (varies per school I believe).

 

[dentalWorks]

Hmm... is that so? The only reason that I say it is expensive is because I won't be able to get financial aid that I normally did while attending a 4 year university. And comparing that cost to the cost of taking classes at a community college... of course the price is a bit steep.

Cal State's Open University (which is what I am going to do) costs $261 per unit (varies per school I believe).

If your talking about credits... thats pretty cheap.
My post-bacc was costing me about $350-400 per credit

The reason post-bacc is more expensive than typical undergrad (even tho your taking the same classes as an undergrad) is because you are considered a "super senior".

 

[sacapuntas]

Hmm... is that so? The only reason that I say it is expensive is because I won't be able to get financial aid that I normally did while attending a 4 year university. And comparing that cost to the cost of taking classes at a community college... of course the price is a bit steep.

Cal State's Open University (which is what I am going to do) costs $261 per unit (varies per school I believe).

After all the fees I pay, it is pretty close to that. My credits are less than $200 per credit, but my total is about $250 per credit. I think that is more than fair. Consider your dental school debt. Your 250 per credit seems borderline unimportant when considering how much dental school will cost!

 

[cjyoo815]

After all the fees I pay, it is pretty close to that. My credits are less than $200 per credit, but my total is about $250 per credit. I think that is more than fair. Consider your dental school debt. Your 250 per credit seems borderline unimportant when considering how much dental school will cost!

I completely agree! I'm not saying that the prices are unfair. I went through my undergraduate career with a load of financial aid. However, now that I am a graduate (which means I need to get bank loans which are harder to get unless you have pretty good credit or a good credited co-signer) I was just looking for an alternative method of doing a post-bacc without having to pay AS MUCH AS what I would have to pay at a CSU.

Thank you though for the feedback!

 

[HopefulDDStobe]

I have a question about informal postbacc too, how many credits are recommended for informal postbacc? i am currently taking genetics+lab, immunology and vaccine ( total of 10 credits all bio 300 400 levels ) and working 3 days a week. Do you think that is a good load? or should I do more credits? I am worried about genetics I heard its really hard. Would it matter if I take 6 credits instead of 10? Thinking of dropping Genetics and take it next semester instead.