Should I take prerequisites before applying?

[kayo]

Hi guys-

I was thinking of starting the app process in Summer06 but I am just wondering if it is okay to do it in 05 maybe around August after I take DAT but not all the prerequisites.
I know I have to take all the prerequisites before matriculation.
I have already graduated and I just started taking prerequisites this spring, physics, inorganic chem, general bio, and labs. I can finish requirements by next summer but no sooner.

Please tell me your opions when to start applying in my case.
Plus, do schools interview on weekends? How do you manage getting interviews and going to class?

thanks!

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[Sprgrover]

Hi guys-

I was thinking of starting the app process in Summer06 but I am just wondering if it is okay to do it in 05 maybe around August after I take DAT but not all the prerequisites.
I know I have to take all the prerequisites before matriculation.
I have already graduated and I just started taking prerequisites this spring, physics, inorganic chem, general bio, and labs. I can finish requirements by next summer but no sooner.

Please tell me your opions when to start applying in my case.
Plus, do schools interview on weekends? How do you manage getting interviews and going to class?

thanks!

I would say that it all depends on how many prereqs you have completed. If you have at least your biology and general chemistry out of the way and are working on Ochem and physics you should be fine. If you can have the whole deal wrapped up by next summer then I encourage you to apply this May. Schools understand that not every applicant has everything completed and are willing to work with you. If you do get an acceptane it will be contingent upon successful and satisfactory completion of any prereqs and courses you will be enrolled in. As far as interview days are concerned, it was my experience that most dental schools prefer to interview on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and worse yet some aren't flexible in their scheduling. That means that you will unfortunately have to take time off from school, dash to an interview, and then dash back.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Wow, so people really get accepted without having all of their prereqs done? I need more information on this! Any websites or anyone with experience doing this?

I have my degree in a foreign language, scored 97th percentile on the LSAT and was all ready for law school but then I decided it wasn't for me. I spent some time with my brother at his dental school and I have decided I want to attend dental school.

I am about to start my prereqs. tomorrow on a quarter system. I don't have any science credits done currently. Would you estimate that I even have a shot if I applied this coming fall with a good DAT score and only three prereq classes finished? I could finish bio, chem and physics along with the DAT and some volunteering by fall.

If I could save a year it would be great. Is it even worth applying?

Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Irene010]

If you had your bio, chem and physics finished by the fall, I guess I would say that you might have a shot...but do you mean this coming Fall '05? 😕

 

[Sprgrover]

Wow, so people really get accepted without having all of their prereqs done? I need more information on this! Any websites or anyone with experience doing this?

Although I had everything completed when I applied, I know several applicants that applied this last summer and started Ochem and physics this past fall. (In regards to the DAT they memorized Kaplan's ochem section...). While having all prereqs out of the way is great and the school can better gauge your performance it's not at all uncommon for applicants to apply their senior year while finishing everything up (especially physics). That is the reason for 'courses in progress' section on AADSAS' application and many secondaries have a space for applicants to list any courses they are currently enrolled in or future ones they will be taking. If any acceptance is granted under such circumstances it is usually conditional on the grounds that the applicant finishes all prereqs and acceptable grades are earned for every course.

With no science courses under your belt I believe that your chances would be much better after you have taken several prereqs and some upper division science courses. Plus, having such classes behind you will really help you when it comes time to take the DAT. Dental schools look at your performance in these courses as a means to estimate what kind of student you will be once in dental school and whether or not you can deal with the hard sciences. I am one to take my time and get my ducks in a row so that I don't have to repeat things twice. I believe you would be a much stronger applicant if you take the time this next year to ace your prereqs, gain some shadowing experience, and prepare for the DAT. By rushing the process and trying to finish everything by fall (trust me, organic chemistry and physics are time consuming courses and many find them very, very challenging - myself included) plus trying to study for the DAT along with the whole AADSAS chaotic process would be a bit much. I understand your wanting to shave off a year, but honestly, a year in the long run isn't that much time and I feel you would be better off focusing on one step at a time. Best of luck!

 

[futuredentist23]

so they don't accept you if you don't finish your pre-reqs?..didn't know that!

 

[Irene010]

so they don't accept you if you don't finish your pre-reqs?..didn't know that!

They might accept you pending the completion of a couple prereq courses that you may be finishing up in your last year...this actually happens a lot. If you don't finish up your prereqs before you're supposed to begin dental school, however, they probably won't let you matriculate...thats why they usually request an official transcript after you finish up your last semester of undergrad...they want to make sure everything is finished up by then.

Some courses that they'll probably need to see before you get an acceptance letter, though, are your required biology courses, general chemistry, and at least your first Organic chem semester, and a semester of physics...along with some labs to go along with those. But again, if you have a couple here and there that you're finishing up, and they have enough info to determine whether or not you're a qualified applicant, they'll let you finish up those courses after they accept you.

Just try to get as much done as you can before you apply...the more complete picture they have of you when you apply, the less you have to worry about. Also, its to your benefit to have as many of those classes taken care of as possible before you apply, not only so that you're better prepared for the DAT, but also so you can relax during your last year before dental school. Trust me, right now, I'm saving all the energy I can before starting dental school in the fall! 😀 Good luck!! 🙂

 

[Yellow Snow]

Thanks for the great comments. Just to clarify, I meant applying this fall to attend in 2006 😛

One more thing, should I wait until fall after I have completed more courses to apply or late summer? Is it important to get my application on file with the AADSAS in May? Can I even do this without a DAT score?