Should I try to graduate in 3 years?

[hs2013]

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So basically I am wondering if it would be a good idea to try to graduate in 3 years? I will be a freshman in college this year, and have 14 credits already going into college, and am taking 15 credits my first semester. I plan on majoring in Biology with a liberal arts emphasis(is that fine for dental school?), and between the requirements for that, gen eds, and dental school, I need a total of 113 credits. So if I were to graduate in 3 years I calculated that I would only need to take on average 17 credits per semester to fulfill all requirements from 2nd semester of freshman year all the way till end of junior year. Should I go for it? When would I have to take the DAT if I were to go this route, spring of Sophomore year?

 

[suarez 7]

If you can, definitely do so but not at the expense of your GPA.

I could've done 3 years myself but I decided to leave it at 4 years because some schools I applied to wanted Anatomy & Physiology, biochemistry, and the like which my major didn't require. Make sure you look at schools pre-reqs before you plan out your college coursework. Unless you are taking summer classes and have APs, along with a tough course load, it's hard to squeeze all that into 3 years. I've seen people do it though.

You would take the DAT after your sophomore year.

Again, use your best judgement and ask your upperclassman at your school for help to determine if your schedule is too difficult.

 

[Koalafied]

So basically I am wondering if it would be a good idea to try to graduate in 3 years? I will be a freshman in college this year, and have 14 credits already going into college, and am taking 15 credits my first semester. I plan on majoring in Biology with a liberal arts emphasis(is that fine for dental school?), and between the requirements for that, gen eds, and dental school, I need a total of 113 credits. So if I were to graduate in 3 years I calculated that I would only need to take on average 17 credits per semester to fulfill all requirements from 2nd semester of freshman year all the way till end of junior year. Should I go for it? When would I have to take the DAT if I were to go this route, spring of Sophomore year?

F.Y.I., there's another user on this forum who graduated a year early with competitive academic credentials and is reapplying this cycle, so you decide.

 

[Illfavor]

I have a friend who did it in 3 years and is now in a Texas school, but YMMV.

 

[HSorathia92]

F.Y.I., there's another user on this forum who graduated a year early with competitive academic credentials and is reapplying this cycle, so you decide.

Lol that's me. I started college in the same situation as you. If you can handle the course load on top of getting your shadowing hours, volunteer hours, and maintain a high GPA then go for it. I took my DAT after my 2nd year. DAT prep and filling out applications at the same time was definitely hectic but not impossible. One thing that will hurt you is that you won't have as many upper level biology courses as most other biology major applicants. Most biology majors on a 3 year plan will apply with the intro bios, gen chems, organic, and maybe a couple upper level bios. I called the schools and asked why I was not considered for interviews and acceptances and I heard "not enough upper level biology for a biology major' numerous times. I applied to about 20 schools, received 3 interviews, 3 waitlists, and eventually 3 rejection letters. Wish me luck for this year and good luck to you!

 

[Illfavor]

Lol that's me. I started college in the same situation as you. If you can handle the course load on top of getting your shadowing hours, volunteer hours, and maintain a high GPA then go for it. I took my DAT after my 2nd year. DAT prep and filling out applications at the same time was definitely hectic but not impossible. One thing that will hurt you is that you won't have as many upper level biology courses as most other biology major applicants. Most biology majors on a 3 year plan will apply with the intro bios, gen chems, organic, and maybe a couple upper level bios. I called the schools and asked why I was not considered for interviews and acceptances and I heard "not enough upper level biology for a biology major' numerous times. I applied to about 20 schools, received 3 interviews, 3 waitlists, and eventually 3 rejection letters. Wish me luck for this year and good luck to you!

Your story is a bummer, but I guess it's a good example.

Texas seems so freaking competitive but statistically it really isn't that different from other schools. I think you and Koala got the short end of the stick. Are you in class now? How many hours did you have? That's a strange complaint...Where did you interview/get rejected? Surely Houston/SA gave you some love...

 

[Luna724]

I am graduating in 3 1/2 years majoring in biology. I have finished my upper lvl classes like microbiology, physiology, cell bio etc and this will be my last semester only because of the psychology requirement and my decision to write a thesis paper to graduate with distinction. If you can manage it, by all means but don't forget that you want to allow yourself time to do plenty of extracurriculars outside those 17 credits. Getting straight A's + year early graduation + extracurriculars isn't exactly a piece of cake.

 

[hs2013]

What exactly do you mean by them not liking a lack of upper level bio courses? Like if I did a bio major with a liberal arts emphasis I would still have to take around 8 300+ level courses.

 

[Koalafied]

What exactly do you mean by them not liking a lack of upper level bio courses? Like if I did a bio major with a liberal arts emphasis I would still have to take around 8 300+ level courses.

OP, are you planning to submit an application to the aforementioned schools in the future?

 

[hs2013]

OP, are you planning to submit an application to the aforementioned schools in the future?

Which aforementioned schools? The Texas one? I don't know... Just asking in general if most dental schools care about the upper level bio? I would love to graduate in 3 years, I would have all pre-reqs completed, plus my degree, but it seems like some of you are saying dental schools don't like 3 year graduates since they lack in upper level bio courses, but is taking around 8 300+ level courses a lack of upper level bio courses?

 

[Koalafied]

Which aforementioned schools? The Texas one?

Yeah.

I don't know...

Even when you apply.

Just asking in general if most dental schools care about the upper level bio?

Yes, the relevant UL bio courses. (e.g. A&P, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, etc.)

I would love to graduate in 3 years, I would have all pre-reqs completed, plus my degree,

Of course.

but it seems like some of you are saying dental schools don't like 3 year graduates since they lack in upper level bio courses,

That's completely false. Consider early admission programs. Also, back then it was possible to receive an acceptance with one of the contingents of at least a satisfactory completion of the DAT. Time has definitely changed.🙄

but is taking around 8 300+ level courses a lack of upper level bio courses?

No. Again, relevant UL bio courses.

Overall: You need to certainly demonstrate well-roundedness and a strong undertanding of the relevant science courses. Many schools use a measuring tape over a measuring stick.


Good luck.🙂

 

[Frank22]

You are probably going to practice dentistry for about thirty-five years; when you're about to retire are you going to be ecstatic that you retired when you're 59 instead of 60? No; save your money, apply next year, and become a dentist then.

 

[HSorathia92]

Your story is a bummer, but I guess it's a good example.

Texas seems so freaking competitive but statistically it really isn't that different from other schools. I think you and Koala got the short end of the stick. Are you in class now? How many hours did you have? That's a strange complaint...Where did you interview/get rejected? Surely Houston/SA gave you some love...

Definitely is competitive. No I graduated this past may and now I am in a dental assisting course. I figured hands on experience would help me more at this point since I've taken almost every biology class at my school. Nope, the only Texas love I got was Houston. I got Nova and USC as well but all eventual rejections.

What exactly do you mean by them not liking a lack of upper level bio courses? Like if I did a bio major with a liberal arts emphasis I would still have to take around 8 300+ level courses.

They just told me that the intro courses don't stack up too well against dental courses and that I haven't shown that I can handle higher level science courses. I had all my planned courses for my 3rd year on my app and they were almost all upper level bios so they told me they want to see my application after I've taken all those. I'd just recommend pushing all the random non-science classes to your 3rd year and doing as many upper level sciences possible during your 2nd year if you are 100% set on a 3 year plan. But don't forget your extracurriculars. They are crucial to make you look well rounded. On top of volunteering and shadowing, join something like intramural basketball that shows you're social and a team player. No professional schools want robots that study 24/7.

You are probably going to practice dentistry for about thirty-five years; when you're about to retire are you going to be ecstatic that you retired when you're 59 instead of 60? No; save your money, apply next year, and become a dentist then.

I would actually not think about it this way. The decision for me to apply after only 3 years was the extra year of a dentists income. If you have all the credentials these guys are mentioning I would say go ahead and apply after 3. If you get in then you have an extra year of $100k+ salary. Having a gap year techincally costs you that money so in the end that one year is quite expensive. With all the loans us dental students come out with, I would like as many years of a dentist's income as possible.

 

[doc toothache]

Wait. You are just starting college and you are already summing up the $$ you will be loosing if you don't start dental school pronto?

 

[hs2013]

Thanks koala for that info, really helpful!

As to the dude above, never did I day I am counting the money I would lose, I am trying to see if saving a year would be worth it because I do think I could do it. And I guess that would mean an extra year of dentist income, which means I shall be buying an M3 🙂

 

[HSorathia92]

Thanks koala for that info, really helpful!

As to the dude above, never did I day I am counting the money I would lose, I am trying to see if saving a year would be worth it because I do think I could do it. And I guess that would mean an extra year of dentist income, which means I shall be buying an M3 🙂

👍 for the m3!

 

[Sublimazing]

College was the best 4 years of my life. I wish I had taken 6 years to graduate. But everyone is different I guess.

 

[tbond5]

College was the best 4 years of my life. I wish I had taken 6 years to graduate. But everyone is different I guess.

I'm taking 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 years (depending on if I get accepted this cycle). Absolutely love it.

 

[ModifiedBass]

College was the best 4 years of my life. I wish I had taken 6 years to graduate. But everyone is different I guess.

My thoughts exactly. OP, it's great that you have such a passion to get into dental school, but do take into account that you will not be able to experience the college life again. However, if you are set to getting started with dentistry as soon as possible, then by all means do so.

 

[hs2013]

My thoughts exactly. OP, it's great that you have such a passion to get into dental school, but do take into account that you will not be able to experience the college life again. However, if you are set to getting started with dentistry as soon as possible, then by all means do so.

While I do understand college life can be fun and stuff, I would rather move on than be stuck in college, because really what is there fun in college other than the parties? Plus the fact that I am not the biggest partier and I want to get the heck out of the state I am in and don't plan on really seeing the people I make friends with in college again, and would rather move on with my life and save a years worth of tuition is why I think it is in my best interest to try to graduate in three years if I still would have the same chances as graduating in four years.

 

[blcopp]

I just job shadowed an oral surgeon the other day and he told me he did undergrad in 3 years. Of course he had to do 5 years past dental school for OMS so I think he wanted to be as young as possible when he graduated (he was 29 when he graduated)

If you can graduate in 3 years with an awesome GPA, good DAT scores, etc. then go for it. I personally would if I could have but that is just because I am not a big partier or anything so I don't care THAT much about the whole college experience. If you think AT ALL that the course load will be overwhelming then don't.

 

[doc toothache]

Thanks koala for that info, really helpful!

As to the dude above, never did I day I am counting the money I would lose, I am trying to see if saving a year would be worth it because I do think I could do it. And I guess that would mean an extra year of dentist income, which means I shall be buying an M3 🙂

Not to mention the presumption that you will have the "right stuff" to make it into ds.

 

[Bimmer boy]

Thanks koala for that info, really helpful!

As to the dude above, never did I day I am counting the money I would lose, I am trying to see if saving a year would be worth it because I do think I could do it. And I guess that would mean an extra year of dentist income, which means I shall be buying an M3 🙂

Haha love the way you think...///M3 FTW!!!

 

[hs2013]

Not to mention the presumption that you will have the "right stuff" to make it into ds.

Well let's just say that I know if I put in the work, I defintely have the ability to have that "right stuff". Not trying to be cocky, but if I put in the work, getting a good GPA shouldn't be a problem.

Haha love the way you think...///M3 FTW!!!

Haha hell yea!

 

[ushaseos]

Take as many years as you want. There are people who've taken the usual 4, some who have done it in fewer and some who'll take more. Just make sure that your grades are good, you have all the requirements and build up enough extra-curriculars, forge enough contacts for letters of rec etc. You can do all of this in 3 years but it may prove challenging based on how fortunate you are.

Personally, I hated undergrad and honestly felt the "book learning" wasn't all that relevant to real-life work environments. I did it in 3 and a 1/2 years and it would have been 3 if my lab requirement prof wasn't a complete dick. However, I then spent about 2 years to support my family. What I'm trying to say is, don't be in a hurry or think everything will go according to plan. Do the best you can, hope your plan is realized etc. but be prepared for...contingencies.

 

[krjo9149]

I graduated in 3 years (just graduated this year) and it was the best decision I could have made. I went in with a lot of AP credit too, so I ended up not having to take many electives at all. I never took more than 15 credits a semester (leaving time for a job, shadowing, a sorority, etc.) and most of my semesters were just science classes. So I'm not sure what the person above was talking about that someone graduating early wouldn't have the chance to take hard science classes. I took two semesters of physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, endocrinology, neurophysiology, etc. I also graduated with a 3.9 so I'm sure that graduating early had no negative effect on my GPA.

When I was a freshman and figured out that I would be able to graduate early, I was on the same thought process as you and thought I would go straight into dental school after undergrad. But many people talked me out of it, and I'm so glad they did. I'm applying with the "normal" cycle for my grade, which is allowing me to have a year off. I was so burned out by the end of this year, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this year to take a break. I've been able to get a full time job at a dental practice this year and I also have time to do lots of fun things. Also, it's been really great not having any stress about missing classes to interview this fall. I have been able to really focus on my application/interviews without having to balance school during this time, and that is great!

Anyways, I just wanted to share my experience with you. Your situation might be different, but I want to encourage you to take the year off if you are able to graduate in three years.

 

[doc toothache]

Well let's just say that I know if I put in the work, I defintely have the ability to have that "right stuff". Not trying to be cocky, but if I put in the work, getting a good GPA shouldn't be a problem.

It appears that the attempt was a dismal failure.

 

[hs2013]

It appears that the attempt was a dismal failure.

Or maybe you are reading into it too much, I know what I can and can't do, I've been blessed with academics coming easy to me, and while I understand college requires a ton of hard work, I know that it's something that I can excel at as long as I put in the work.

 

[hs2013]

I graduated in 3 years (just graduated this year) and it was the best decision I could have made. I went in with a lot of AP credit too, so I ended up not having to take many electives at all. I never took more than 15 credits a semester (leaving time for a job, shadowing, a sorority, etc.) and most of my semesters were just science classes. So I'm not sure what the person above was talking about that someone graduating early wouldn't have the chance to take hard science classes. I took two semesters of physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, endocrinology, neurophysiology, etc. I also graduated with a 3.9 so I'm sure that graduating early had no negative effect on my GPA.

When I was a freshman and figured out that I would be able to graduate early, I was on the same thought process as you and thought I would go straight into dental school after undergrad. But many people talked me out of it, and I'm so glad they did. I'm applying with the "normal" cycle for my grade, which is allowing me to have a year off. I was so burned out by the end of this year, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this year to take a break. I've been able to get a full time job at a dental practice this year and I also have time to do lots of fun things. Also, it's been really great not having any stress about missing classes to interview this fall. I have been able to really focus on my application/interviews without having to balance school during this time, and that is great!

Anyways, I just wanted to share my experience with you. Your situation might be different, but I want to encourage you to take the year off if you are able to graduate in three years.

Thanks man, great post. So is taking a year off seen as a bad thing by the admissions office's or anything? Because I don't think that's a bad idea either taking a full year off to work or something.

 

[krjo9149]

Thanks man, great post. So is taking a year off seen as a bad thing by the admissions office's or anything? Because I don't think that's a bad idea either taking a full year off to work or something.

I don't think so (I hope not haha!). I honestly wouldn't have been ready to take the DAT and apply last year (might be different if you graduated in four years though - I would have only been a sophomore if I did it then). Also I think the experience I'm getting during this year off is invaluable. I'm not sure how an admissions committee looks at it, but I know that personally I needed a bit of a breather before I launched into 4 more years of school just for my mental health... 🙂

 

[Screwtape]

I came into undergrad with 15 credits and I took 4 years. Multiple acceptances during senior year. Man...senior year was a blast. There is no race OP, enjoy your early twenties...