Self-constructed post-bacc questions.

[HawkJ2010]

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Hey everyone! Recently graduated and heading back to school to finish up the Dental school pre-requisites. Looking for your insight on my schedule over the next couple of years.

Spring 2013
- Biology 2

Summer 2013
- General Chemistry 1/2

Fall 2013
- Organic Chemistry 1
- Biochemistry
- Anatomy

Spring 2014
- Organic Chemistry 2
- Microbiology
- Physiology

Summer 2014
- DAT + Apply

Following year complete Algebra-based Physics

• The first question I have is in regards to course load. Obviously, this next semester and the summer I will be going to school part-time and I don't know if AdCom's will frown upon this or not care if I plan to take the remaining pre-req's at a full-time schedule. Thoughts?

• The university I attend requires Organic Chemistry before Anatomy... do you think that can be waived if taken concurrently or is that a question specifically for my local university?

• Do you think the overall timeline is well-constructed? Would you change anything?

Thank you!

 

[samdig]

I think that it might be frowned upon that you are taking more than one term part time. I was a post-bacc myself and I was always told that you want to use that time to show that you are able to handle a full upper division course load consistently. As far as your school pre-reqs, that can usually be waived but you would have to talk to them to know for sure.

 

[HawkJ2010]

Yeah? I figure 1) it is only General Biology 2) I have finished my Bachelor's so I have no classes I can add in and 3) it is a pre-requisite amongst the other classes so I have to take it beforehand.

If I were to go full-time the following year I wonder how it would play out... maybe a question for the AdComms.

Thanks, samdig!

 

[free99]

I think that it might be frowned upon that you are taking more than one term part time. I was a post-bacc myself and I was always told that you want to use that time to show that you are able to handle a full upper division course load consistently.

I have taken all of my courses as a part-time, post-bacc student. I was working ~30 hours a week all the while, hope that isn't my downfall! My post-bacc GPA is solid (3.75), and my undergrad GPA is not horrendous either (3.3).

Yeah? I figure 1) it is only General Biology 2) I have finished my Bachelor's so I have no classes I can add in and 3) it is a pre-requisite amongst the other classes so I have to take it beforehand.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The following 3 semesters you've laid out here are certainly not "easy" course loads. I think if you finish fall and spring 2014 strong, you're good to go. Make sure to work on your ECs while you're at it! Best of luck.

 

[voager]

also make sure you go to the websites of all the schools you are interested in and check if your planned course load covers all prerequisite courses...like UCSF has Psychology requirements..while Harvard asks for two semesters of calculus...also some schools ask for anatomy, physiology and micro lab in addition to Lectures.

regarding full time course load its recommended if you are not working full time.

 

[HawkJ2010]

also make sure you go to the websites of all the schools you are interested in and check if your planned course load covers all prerequisite courses...like UCSF has Psychology requirements..while Harvard asks for two semesters of calculus...also some schools ask for anatomy, physiology and micro lab in addition to Lectures.

regarding full time course load its recommended if you are not working full time.

I already have the Psychology requirements as that is what my degree was in. I had anticipated to take labs for all of the classes (Gen. Chem., Bio, MicroBio, O. Chem., Biochem., and Physics).

Another reason I will be going part-time in the Spring is that I will be working full-time. When the summer chemistry session comes around I will most likely stop working as I hear that is a challenging/time-consuming course.

 

[HawkJ2010]

I just spoke with my advisor and she suggested two routes for me to take.

Route #1) Take the courses as suggested above. Bio 2 in the Spring with Gen. Chem. 1/2 during the summer

OR

Route #2) Take Bio 2 in the Spring along with Gen Chem. 1 and then Gen. Chem. 2 over the summer.


I have heard both good and bad about taking compressed courses in the summer. The good being
retention and memory of the material and the bad being a ton of work.

No matter which route I take I must pay out-of-pocket for the courses (no financial aid). However, if I were to take all of the General Chemistry sequence during the summer I doubt I would be able to work, even part-time. Whereas route #2 may allow me to work part-time and supplement tuition payments.

Opinions?
Thanks!

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey everyone! Recently graduated and heading back to school to finish up the Dental school pre-requisites. Looking for your insight on my schedule over the next couple of years.

Spring 2013
- Biology 2

Summer 2013
- General Chemistry 1/2

Fall 2013
- Organic Chemistry 1
- Biochemistry
- Anatomy

Spring 2014
- Organic Chemistry 2
- Microbiology
- Physiology

Summer 2014
- DAT + Apply

Following year complete Algebra-based Physics

• The first question I have is in regards to course load. Obviously, this next semester and the summer I will be going to school part-time and I don't know if AdCom's will frown upon this or not care if I plan to take the remaining pre-req's at a full-time schedule. Thoughts?

• The university I attend requires Organic Chemistry before Anatomy... do you think that can be waived if taken concurrently or is that a question specifically for my local university?

• Do you think the overall timeline is well-constructed? Would you change anything?

Thank you!

I did a self-designed post-bacc curriculum just like the one above (yes it was light too)... But I was working fulltime, so I physically couldn't load up more credits.

After I quit my job, I did do 1 big full load semester (at the ends of my post-bacc) just to show that I could handle a full course load.

 

[LaughingGas]

I won't mention which school, but I got very discouraged b/c my postbac were considered part time at school A, but due to budget and to maximize the courseload, I took part time at two different institutions, but nevertheless the admission advisor said I wasn't really full time, therefore not very competitive (despite I was giving a good 16 hours per week volunteering).
The point is, to avoid this, I would personally increase the number of terms as a full time student.

 

[HawkJ2010]

I did a self-designed post-bacc curriculum just like the one above (yes it was light too)... But I was working fulltime, so I physically couldn't load up more credits.

After I quit my job, I did do 1 big full load semester (at the ends of my post-bacc) just to show that I could handle a full course load.

How did you end up doing with interviews and admissions? I have my doubts about being part-time for 2-3 semesters with only 2 actual full-time semesters. However, even though Summer Gen. Chem. is considered part-time it is still an entire year crammed into 12 weeks.

 

[dentalWorks]

How did you end up doing with interviews and admissions? I have my doubts about being part-time for 2-3 semesters with only 2 actual full-time semesters. However, even though Summer Gen. Chem. is considered part-time it is still an entire year crammed into 12 weeks.

I had ALOT of interivews (but only attended 5 ~ If i remember correctly... and I was accepted to 4 of them with 1 high-hold wait list)

Nobody seem'd to care that I did alot of my pre-dents on a parttime basis. Matter of fact, in some circumstances, they applaud me for the strong post-bacc performance I had. They all underestood that some people (adults) have fulltime working jobs and its physically impossible to take on a fulltime semester.

The MOST important criteria for post-bacc is high grades (even on part-time basis). The major problem you'll have with this tho, is it will take you 2-3 years to complete post-bacc (instead of 1-1.5 years of fulltime).

 

[free99]

I had ALOT of interivews (but only attended 5 ~ If i remember correctly... and I was accepted to 4 of them with 1 high-hold wait list)

Nobody seem'd to care that I did alot of my pre-dents on a parttime basis. Matter of fact, in some circumstances, they applaud me for the strong post-bacc performance I had. They all underestood that some people (adults) have fulltime working jobs and its physically impossible to take on a fulltime semester.

The MOST important criteria for post-bacc is high grades (even on part-time basis). The major problem you'll have with this tho, is it will take you 2-3 years to complete post-bacc (instead of 1-1.5 years of fulltime).

That's reassuring - what was your undergrad gpa before post-bacc? Did you take a lot of high level bios? I ask because I'm in a very similar situation, and I'm not sure how many more upper level bios I need to take (I've taken cell bio, genetics, biochem, and physiology so far in addition to the core 8, with a GPA >3.7)

 

[HawkJ2010]

Okay. Thank you for the input DentalWorks!

I anticipate that my post-bacc will only take me 1.5 years, not including the gap year before matriculation. As you can see, I plan on taking the pre-requisites for about 80% of the dental schools out there. Would you suggest Cell bio or a genetics course during the gap year to prep for D-school?

Thanks again!

 

[dentalWorks]

That's reassuring - what was your undergrad gpa before post-bacc? Did you take a lot of high level bios? I ask because I'm in a very similar situation, and I'm not sure how many more upper level bios I need to take (I've taken cell bio, genetics, biochem, and physiology so far in addition to the core 8, with a GPA >3.7)

I was a computer scince major with 3.0 GPA (and about 3.1 science)

did 54 (or 58 ~ forgot) post-bacc credits, it was most basic predents along with like 7 upper level biologies.... 4.0'd the entire thing.... Needless to say, I worked hard, performed well, and my application look'd very appealing

Postbacc + old GPA came up to 3.3, science was 3.6, and BCP was like 3.8+ lol

Okay. Thank you for the input DentalWorks!

I anticipate that my post-bacc will only take me 1.5 years, not including the gap year before matriculation. As you can see, I plan on taking the pre-requisites for about 80% of the dental schools out there. Would you suggest Cell bio or a genetics course during the gap year to prep for D-school?

Thanks again!

There is no genetics in dental school... I took genetics in undergrad and now that I am a DS2, it was useless class.... I think cell biology (which I think is very similar to genetics with an addition of biochem) is more helpful..... But if I had a choice, I would take physiology or biochem before anything else

 

[free99]

I was a computer scince major with 3.0 GPA (and about 3.1 science)

did 54 (or 58 ~ forgot) post-bacc credits, it was most basic predents along with like 7 upper level biologies.... 4.0'd the entire thing.... Needless to say, I worked hard, performed well, and my application look'd very appealing

Postbacc + old GPA came up to 3.3, science was 3.6, and BCP was like 3.8+ lol

Awesome- thanks for the response. It's uncanny how similar our numbers are, I can only hope for paralleled success. Ps. thanks for the study schedule, I'm 3 weeks in following a modified version.

 

[HawkJ2010]

I was a computer scince major with 3.0 GPA (and about 3.1 science)

did 54 (or 58 ~ forgot) post-bacc credits, it was most basic predents along with like 7 upper level biologies.... 4.0'd the entire thing.... Needless to say, I worked hard, performed well, and my application look'd very appealing

Postbacc + old GPA came up to 3.3, science was 3.6, and BCP was like 3.8+ lol


There is no genetics in dental school... I took genetics in undergrad and now that I am a DS2, it was useless class.... I think cell biology (which I think is very similar to genetics with an addition of biochem) is more helpful..... But if I had a choice, I would take physiology or biochem before anything else

I plan on taking both Physio and Biochem... along with Anatomy and Microbio as my "extra" upper division classes. Do you have a preference as to whether you should take Biochem before Microbio or vice versa?

Also, I skimmed over your study guide and I can't wait until I get to the point where I use that. Thanks ahead of time. Would you recommend keeping textbooks as study supplements or sell them back at the end of the semester?

Thanks!

 

[dentalWorks]

I plan on taking both Physio and Biochem... along with Anatomy and Microbio as my "extra" upper division classes. Do you have a preference as to whether you should take Biochem before Microbio or vice versa?

Also, I skimmed over your study guide and I can't wait until I get to the point where I use that. Thanks ahead of time. Would you recommend keeping textbooks as study supplements or sell them back at the end of the semester?

Thanks!

biochem vs microbio... no difference which you take first. There isn't much of a relationship (little bit of over-lap when they talk about replication / transcription, but thats biochem 2 in many schools)

IMO, the MOST important undergrad upper level biology any pre-med / pre-dent / pre-whatever should consider is Gross anatomy (ALONG WITH CADAVER LAB)... gross anatomy by itself is worthless.... but with cadaver lab, and you'll be amazed how much easier your DS1 year will be. And if you have the option, take a comprehensive one that covers face, head, and neck region. Ofc, I guarantee you, it will not be as comprehensive as head&neck in dental school, but it will give you some foundation.

Biochem, physiology, micro are important because I call them "GPA fillers" for the application cycle, but their helpfulness in dental school (at least here in detroit mercy was questionable)...

as far as your books are concerned, sell em. When DAT comes around, your most powerful resource (for anything) is the web and/or SDN. Everytime you come across a general chem or orgo problem and you can't figure it out, don't spend 6 hours reading text book chapters and old notes, instead, put the question up on the DAT discussion forum, and you'll get some chemistry wizards helping you out. This along side wiki SHOULD be your biggest supplemental tools

 

[HawkJ2010]

Thanks! The current university that I hope to attend and fulfill my pre-dental requirements only holds non-cadaver based labs for A&P. I figure that might not be what most D-schools are looking for. But there is another university within driving distance that does hold A&P plus cadaver-based labs (I already talked to admissions counselors they are fine with me attending).

The biggest problem here would be that I would take Physics, O. Chem., Microbio, and Anatomy first semester followed by Physics 2, O. Chem. 2, Biochem, and Physio the next. I'm not saying it is impossible but I am a non-traditional post-bacc so my science background is weaker than most (maybe when I finish Gen. Chem. that will change?).

Or, I know I talked about taking Gen. Chem. over the summer. Instead I could replace that with A&P, but I do not know how difficult that would be if it were compressed into 5 week semesters. This would allow me to finish all pre-req's in the Spring of 2014 ahead of schedule (and leaving a gap year).

Thanks again!

 

[HawkJ2010]

FALL 2013
O. Chem. 1
Biochemistry
Physics 1


SPRING 2014
O. Chem. 2
Microbiology
Physiology
Physics 2


SUMMER 2014
DAT + Apply



How challenging do you think this schedule would be for a post-bacc? If I were to follow through I would definitely stop working during the Spring semester so that I may focus on my studies. However, if the Spring semester looks too hard I would be willing to push Physics 2 off until the following Spring, right before DS matriculation.


Thanks.

 

[Longcatislong]

FALL 2013
O. Chem. 1
Biochemistry
Physics 1


SPRING 2014
O. Chem. 2
Microbiology
Physiology
Physics 2


SUMMER 2014
DAT + Apply



How challenging do you think this schedule would be for a post-bacc? If I were to follow through I would definitely stop working during the Spring semester so that I may focus on my studies. However, if the Spring semester looks too hard I would be willing to push Physics 2 off until the following Spring, right before DS matriculation.


Thanks.

Don't take Ochem 1 and Biochem together. You need the basic concepts from Ochem before you can succeed in biochem.

 

[HawkJ2010]

Really? I must take them then if I want to finish my pre-req's on time. My pre-dent advisor did not mention anything about confliction between the courses.

 

[dentalWorks]

FALL 2013
O. Chem. 1
Biochemistry
Physics 1


SPRING 2014
O. Chem. 2
Microbiology
Physiology
Physics 2


SUMMER 2014
DAT + Apply



How challenging do you think this schedule would be for a post-bacc? If I were to follow through I would definitely stop working during the Spring semester so that I may focus on my studies. However, if the Spring semester looks too hard I would be willing to push Physics 2 off until the following Spring, right before DS matriculation.


Thanks.

if you are not working, you can take the above schedule and It shouldn't be a problem (disclaimer, you will be required to work hard, especially if your not a science major)

as far as orgo before biochem goes... I don't buy into that. Organic chemistry is about reactions (carbon skeleton and its reaction properties depending on which group is attached).... Biochem on the other hand (at least the first one) is the study of enzymes and what they do biologically, you will spend a great deal of time memorizing enymatic pathways, sub-pathways, shunt pathways, etc. I can almost say, I did not notice organic chemistry to give the student ANY advantage when it came to mastering biochemistry.

 

[HawkJ2010]

if you are not working, you can take the above schedule and It shouldn't be a problem (disclaimer, you will be required to work hard, especially if your not a science major)

as far as orgo before biochem goes... I don't buy into that. Organic chemistry is about reactions (carbon skeleton and its reaction properties depending on which group is attached).... Biochem on the other hand (at least the first one) is the study of enzymes and what they do biologically, you will spend a great deal of time memorizing enymatic pathways, sub-pathways, shunt pathways, etc. I can almost say, I did not notice organic chemistry to give the student ANY advantage when it came to mastering biochemistry.

Great to hear. I did see that Biochem requires O-chem before enrolling that the class, however, my university is fairly lenient on pre-req's if you are concurrently enrolled. Also, Gen Chem is not my strong suit... would you advise to buy the textbook ahead of time and read through it once or twice? Or any other study habits to help out.

Thanks.

 

[free99]

Like most classes, if you read the material beforehand, go to class, pay attention and take notes, then review unclear points afterward, you should
be good. Gen Chem is definitely problem based, so I would suggest buying a student guide or companion manual for your textbook with detailed answers to problems in the back. Practice, review, practice, review -- you'll be good. Don't be scared away from Chem, it's all relatively easy to grasp.

 

[dentalWorks]

Great to hear. I did see that Biochem requires O-chem before enrolling that the class, however, my university is fairly lenient on pre-req's if you are concurrently enrolled. Also, Gen Chem is not my strong suit... would you advise to buy the textbook ahead of time and read through it once or twice? Or any other study habits to help out.

Thanks.

Im one of these people whom likes to tackle class as they come (not prepare ahead of time). I am not saying this is the correct way of doing it, but, when I tried to self-learn general chemistry before my first ever post-bacc class (yes you guessed it, it was general chem).... I did not find my preparation all that useful.

My study methods (which usually works very well with most of your undergrad courses), is to simply read the lecture material (mostly chapter of the book) 1 day before that lecture begins. Try to tickle around (yes, tickle, not tackle) the examples gives in the book/chapter, not to master it at a PhD level, but just to get a sense what the instructor is going to talk about the next day. I guarantee you, if you do this, it will not only reinforce your in-class learning, but it will also help you organize your in-class notes at the spot..... It amazing how well students can write efficient notes when they are being taught something they already have an idea bout.

Then when you get home that day, re-write all your notes on a different note book, and supplement this with the examples of the book from the night before. Yes its tedious and very time consuming, but..... it works.

 

[HawkJ2010]

Thanks DentalWorks & Free!

One more question, I have been posting in one of DocToothache's forums about whether or not CC credits are acceptable. I see he has a excel sheet with all of the DS pre-req's set out. But I feel my predicament may be a little unusual.

I graduated from a CC then transferred to a 4-year and completed my BS. Now during my post-bacc I will be taking A&P but my university does not offer a cadaver-lab, however, the CC does. Would you be willing to take the CC just for the extra "amenities" (for lack of a better term) and debate that reasoning with AdComm's or no, seeing as how I have a maximum amount of CC credits?

Thanks again!

 

[dentalWorks]

Thanks DentalWorks & Free!

One more question, I have been posting in one of DocToothache's forums about whether or not CC credits are acceptable. I see he has a excel sheet with all of the DS pre-req's set out. But I feel my predicament may be a little unusual.

I graduated from a CC then transferred to a 4-year and completed my BS. Now during my post-bacc I will be taking A&P but my university does not offer a cadaver-lab, however, the CC does. Would you be willing to take the CC just for the extra "amenities" (for lack of a better term) and debate that reasoning with AdComm's or no, seeing as how I have a maximum amount of CC credits?

Thanks again!

you don't HAVE to have a cadaver lab... its just... if ur looking for extra sciences courses to load up on, anatomy with lab is an excellent choice. going out of your way just to take its is, not all that necessary.... know what I mean?

 

[HawkJ2010]

I understand. I would love to get the real experience of working with cadavers and what not as I am a visual learner but I don't want it to jeopardize my chances at DS.

Thanks!

 

[503224]

I think that it might be frowned upon that you are taking more than one term part time. I was a post-bacc myself and I was always told that you want to use that time to show that you are able to handle a full upper division course load consistently. As far as your school pre-reqs, that can usually be waived but you would have to talk to them to know for sure.

Who told you this? I'm at a well-respected school and my premedical advisor told me it doesn't really matter. At our post-bacc program they have people taking 1-2 classes a semester throughout the entirety of the program.

I would guess where the number of courses could matter is when the undergraduate GPA isn't that great.

But if the OP's undergraduate GPA is fine, he/she should be okay. At least that's what I've been told and seen from where people got in after finishing post-baccs at my school. Usually they're applying to medical school, but they all get into great programs.

 

[gumdrop16]

Who told you this? I'm at a well-respected school and my premedical advisor told me it doesn't really matter. At the post-bacc program they have people taking 1-2 classes a semester throughout the entirety of the program.

sometimes this is true. maybe its a financial thing tho? and often postbacc students are also doing research on the side, which may also be for credit or $$

 

[503224]

sometimes this is true. maybe its a financial thing tho? and often postbacc students are also doing research on the side, which may also be for credit or $$

This is what my advisor told me: it's more useful to save $$ if your undergrad GPA is fine, take only the courses that you need to, and have time to diversify your experiences, whether that's with dental assisting part-time, working as a dental tech, volunteering as a leader in an activity, or doing research. If the uGPA is fine and you do well in your post-bacc courses you'll get more out of diversifying your experiences rather than just taking classes. There are people who only take the basic prerequisites while doing a non-science major and that doesn't make them any less likely to get into dental or medical school.

Take that as you will. I'm sure other people have different opinions, but this is what I was told. 🙂

 

[HawkJ2010]

I believe that my undergrad GPA was good (although not as good as some), I graduated Magna Cum Laude. However, I did not take very many "hard" science classes. That is the main reason I will be starting out slow and taking 1-2 science pre-req's at a time, as well as monetary reasons. And if time allows in the future I will move up to full-time 3-4 upper division science classes. I do volunteer at a local dental clinic 4-8 hours a week, work full-time, and have other hobbies/EC's as well so I keep busy, but I am willing to cut back on work hours once I take on more credits.

Thanks.

 

[503224]

I believe that my undergrad GPA was good (although not as good as some), I graduated Magna Cum Laude. However, I did not take very many "hard" science classes. That is the main reason I will be starting out slow and taking 1-2 science pre-req's at a time, as well as monetary reasons. And if time allows in the future I will move up to full-time 3-4 upper division science classes. I do volunteer at a local dental clinic 4-8 hours a week, work full-time, and have other hobbies/EC's as well so I keep busy, but I am willing to cut back on work hours once I take on more credits.

Thanks.

You sound super busy. I think it's wise of you to not put too much on your plate at once.

 

[HawkJ2010]

You sound super busy. I think it's wise of you to not put too much on your plate at once.

Not as busy as most out there. But I do realize that you only get one solid shot at DS when it comes to pre-req's (you can retake them, I suppose) so I have discussed with my boss about my return to school. I guess I am lucky because he told me "Sure and if you need help with chemistry during your shift let me know and I'd be glad to help". Lucky me!👍

 

[free99]

you only get one solid shot at DS when it comes to pre-req's (you can retake them, I suppose)

So true - that's been the most significant source of stress over the past 2 years of pre-reqs for me. Every one counts, and you get one shot - so make it good. Stick with it, don't lose the vision and you'll get through. It seems like forever ago that I was starting Bio 1, and here I am having just signed up for my final semester to complete my 5th and 6th "upper level bio" 😎

I'm sure you've refined your study habits during undergrad and have a good idea of how you learn best - stick to good habits and you'll be fine. I've found online resources to be equally (if not more helpful) than my textbooks. Supplement your studies with whatever is out there. Wish you the best!

 

[HawkJ2010]

So true - that's been the most significant source of stress over the past 2 years of pre-reqs for me. Every one counts, and you get one shot - so make it good. Stick with it, don't lose the vision and you'll get through. It seems like forever ago that I was starting Bio 1, and here I am having just signed up for my final semester to complete my 5th and 6th "upper level bio" 😎

I'm sure you've refined your study habits during undergrad and have a good idea of how you learn best - stick to good habits and you'll be fine. I've found online resources to be equally (if not more helpful) than my textbooks. Supplement your studies with whatever is out there. Wish you the best!

Yeah. In regards to that... would you suggest taking Anatomy, MicroBio, and O-chem. 1 all in the Fall? If I were to take Anatomy in the Summer 1) I would have to pay out-of-pocket (no financial aid) and 2) the course would be at a much faster pace. However, if I were to take the class in the Fall there would also be 2 other upper-division science classes competing. Also, financial aid would be available.

TL;DR Is taking Anatomy, Microbiology, and O-Chem. 1 too hard of a semester for a post-bacc?

 

[Illfavor]

Um...you don't have to have all your pre-reqs done before you apply.

 

[HawkJ2010]

Um...you don't have to have all your pre-reqs done before you apply.

I know. And I don't intend on having them all done by the time I apply (i.e. Physics) but from what research I have done it seems like completing Bio., Gen. Chem., O. Chem., Microbio., Biochem., and A&P will best prepare me for the DAT and yield better results. Also, I'd rather only take Physics during the gap year between applying and matriculation so that attending interviews won't conflict with continuing schoolwork.

Unless you think otherwise?

 

[Illfavor]

I see what you're saying. I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, but a year ahead. I took my Gen Chems last Summer, and am in OChem and Bio and another prereq this Fall, will finish up OChem and Bio in the Spring and start Physics as well, and take the DAT in May/June. I'll only be 2-3 pre-reqs short at time of application, and enrolled in the rest of them during interviews.

I plan to just study my hardest with the DAT aids to make up for missed higher level classes, but I'm actually not concerned. I think the material will be available and it'll be a matter of learning it.

You're probably right, having all those classes may yield better results and your plan looks fine. What's most important is getting good grades and learning the material. People get high DAT scores without those classes, but they couldn't hurt! You know yourself better than we do. You understand your academic prowess or a lack thereof. Do your best and I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[HawkJ2010]

I see what you're saying. I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, but a year ahead. I took my Gen Chems last Summer, and am in OChem and Bio and another prereq this Fall, will finish up OChem and Bio in the Spring and start Physics as well, and take the DAT in May/June. I'll only be 2-3 pre-reqs short at time of application, and enrolled in the rest of them during interviews.

I plan to just study my hardest with the DAT aids to make up for missed higher level classes, but I'm actually not concerned. I think the material will be available and it'll be a matter of learning it.

You're probably right, having all those classes may yield better results and your plan looks fine. What's most important is getting good grades and learning the material. People get high DAT scores without those classes, but they couldn't hurt! You know yourself better than we do. You understand your academic prowess or a lack thereof. Do your best and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Thank you, I appreciate the positive feedback!

Good luck with your classes and DAT!

 

[jkim93]

I did a self-designed post-bacc curriculum just like the one above (yes it was light too)... But I was working fulltime, so I physically couldn't load up more credits.

After I quit my job, I did do 1 big full load semester (at the ends of my post-bacc) just to show that I could handle a full course load.

Would you mind sharing a glimpse of your plan at the time? It would help greatly! I'm planning on pursuing a DIY post-bacc while working and am a bit lost.