Questions about choosing classes and dental school requirements

[deleted341012]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys,

So I've just started my second semester of my sophomore year and I was just wondering if I have taken enough pre-requisite classes and what high-level science courses/non-major courses I should take (I'm a bio major and a chem minor).

I've taken so far:
gen. chem 1,2
Org. chem 1,2 (2nd one this semester)
bio 101, 102 (basically AP biology in high school)
bio 301, 302, 303 (ecology & evoultion, cell biology, and genetics)
Chem 321 (Quantitive Analysis)

I know I should take physics and more bio/chem courses. How many should I take and what courses (give me specific classes) are good? (I guess what I mean is what courses will appear good to dental schools?) I'm just worried because the DAT is coming up and I want to show the dental schools I've completed all my pre-requisites as well as taking more advanced classes.

Also, one more questions. I took a lot of AP classes in high school and had a lot of credits sent to college. So like by the end of my freshman year, I had fulfilled most of the major requirements for my college. But I was wondering if dental schools accept AP credits at all? I went on the website for Columbia Dental School and I couldn't tell whether they did or not.
It just said
"credits, or the equivalent of one academic year of study, of coursework in English composition or literature.

A minimum of 8 credits, or the equivalent of one academic year of study, in the following subject areas (including lab):
o Physics
o Biology
o Inorganic or general chemistry
o Organic chemistry"

I took both AP English classes in high school as well as AP Calc BC so I don't have to take any more math or english classes (for my major).
I just thought it'd be a waste of both time and money to repeat taking these classes just because the dental schools wouldn't accept my credits.

Thanks for reading this post you guys!
Best of luck to ya!

 

[Brostie]

To answer your questions:
"...I was wondering if dental schools accept AP credits at all? "

-As far as I know, dental schools will accept the credits. The way it really works is that your undergrad school gives you college credit for those AP courses. So essentially its as if you did take it at the university. To see this for yourself you can request a copy of your unofficial transcript, which should list the AP courses alongside its University equivalent...this is what dental schools will see. I dont thinkany dental school is going to have a problem wit the fact that you placed out of a class. However, if you can afford to take those intro Bio classes again in college you should. If you are strong in Bio you should be able to get A's in the intro classes. This will help to boost your science GPA (which the dental schools will judge you highly on) and keep it up when you start hitting more difficult courses.

"How many should I take and what courses (give me specific classes) are good?"

Yes, you still need to take physics. Additionally, for a lot of dental schools you are going to have to take anatomy&physiology (this will also help you on your DAT). I am assuming that the courses you listed are just the science courses you have taken and not ALL the courses. Each semester you should have a good mix of of science to non-major courses. You want to maintain a full schedule with 15/16+ credit hours each semester. Something that was usefull for me was to look at the minors that were offered at my school. Find one that interests you and see if you can add the required courses to fill up your schedule and bolster you schedule.

Courses you should still take:
-*Anatomy and Physiology with lab
-Microbiology
-Biochem with lab

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Some schools don't take AP credits for prereqs at all like Boston and Tufts according to the ADEA book. It was be best to take the classes or don't apply to those schools.

Also, your college might not list the specific courses on the transcript that you tested out of. Ask for a transcript and check