Senior (university) in need of some advice

[Godspeedyou]

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Hey guys, I could use some advice right now about my university situation.

Here's a brief history of my college career:

-Freshman year = 40k/year lib art school. 3.6 GPA. International relations
-Transfer to big out-of-state uni = 30-35k a year
-Sort of depressed since I don't know anyone, couldn't take any of course I had originally planned on taking.
-Junior year - psych major because I have most credits in that area, but I don't enjoy it. But decide I want to go to dental school at this point (albeit incredibly late on this decision)
-Sub 3.0 cum. GPA (science GPA is essentially non-existent since I haven't taken calc,chem, or physics)
-Senior now
-Still need 8 credits to graduate
-Taking freshman science courses as a senior
-Roughly 130k in debt

I've come up with some possible options but I'm really on my own here since neither of my parents went to college:

1) Spend an additional year in my current university, racking up more debt and trying to finish all my pre-reqs for professional school both during the regular semesters and back at a local CC during summer.
2) Try to take 8 courses this coming summer just to graduate. From there work full-time and either attend a local community college or in-state university for pre-reqs.
3)Military/teach in a poor neighborhood for loan repayment
4)Post-baccalaureate program


I appreciate any help!

 

[Meat Gyver]

I'd most likely go with option 2/3/4.

1. Graduate
2. Start knocking out pre-reqs at a CC immediately following graduation (work only if you're certain that you can maintain a 4.0).
   • Apply for post-bac programs
   • Take your DAT that summer (aim very high)
3. Do a post-bac program the following year to have upper division courses on your transcript (important since you're not a science major, and you did your pre-reqs at a CC)
   • you can apply for dental schools the summer going into your post-bac, but it'll be a huge gamble. I'd be more concerned about getting the best possible DAT score/EC's than having to rush and apply early
     • If you choose to wait once you get your masters to apply, you can spend that "gap year" to work full time (with a masters, you'll have more options), and you can reduce that undergraduate debt.

Applying for a military scholarship would be ideal.

Refer to this to help pick schools since you'll have CC credits: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2012-cc-and-ds-admission.938759/

Also be aggressive getting into the classes you need! Don't sleep the day registration opens, befriend those who get first priority, hound the professors, etc.

Seems daunting in the grand scheme of things, but just take it one step at a time.

Good luck

 

[Godspeedyou]

I'd most likely go with option 2/3/4.

1. Graduate
2. Start knocking out pre-reqs at a CC immediately following graduation (work only if you're certain that you can maintain a 4.0).
   • Apply for post-bac programs
   • Take your DAT that summer (aim very high)
3. Do a post-bac program the following year to have upper division courses on your transcript (important since you're not a science major, and you did your pre-reqs at a CC)
   • you can apply for dental schools the summer going into your post-bac, but it'll be a huge gamble. I'd be more concerned about getting the best possible DAT score/EC's than having to rush and apply early
     • If you choose to wait once you get your masters to apply, you can spend that "gap year" to work full time (with a masters, you'll have more options), and you can reduce that undergraduate debt.

Applying for a military scholarship would be ideal.

Refer to this to help pick schools since you'll have CC credits: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2012-cc-and-ds-admission.938759/

Also be aggressive getting into the classes you need! Don't sleep the day registration opens, befriend those who get first priority, hound the professors, etc.

Seems daunting in the grand scheme of things, but just take it one step at a time.

Good luck

I appreciate the input but still a little confused, sorry!
For your #2, when you said start knocking out pre-reqs at CC and then apply for a post-bacc, can you clarify the time frame here? Do you mean finish the gen sciences over the coming summer and fall and then go to a post-bacc? I was under the impression that post-bacc program for pre-dents include the gen sciences? Should I be looking at master's degree programs more like this which require me to have completed the gen sciences before entering: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/oral-health-masters/ohs-prospective-students/oral-health-admissions/

rather than programs like which don't require the gen sciences to be completed: http://uss.tufts.edu/undergradEducation/academics/postbac/



Thanks again!

 

[Meat Gyver]

@Godspeedyou I was thinking masters, but the second option is actually kind of appealing now that you mention it. You'd be getting your pre-reqs at a 4-year institution which is always beneficial (although you'd be missing out on upper division courses if you did a masters - each has its own benefits, but I'd probably emphasize doing CC's at a 4 year). At the end of the day, beef up your EC's, kill the DAT and go with the cheaper post graduation route.