Some guidance please

[DDSsomeday]

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Hi I'm 21 and just started going to community college😡. I plan on transferring to a 4 year(Purdue😀). I know to take my pre-reqs and try my best to Ace all of them, and to really learn everything in my science classes since they lead up to one another and i have failed every science class in HS.

My questions are,

Can someone in my position starting at a cc really get into a Dental school ?😕

Can someone who really doesn't 'love' science still do well on the DAT's if studied enough?

Is ochem as killer as people make it out to be?

Do i have to understand everything throughly in my bio gchem ochem math classes to do well on the DAT?

Any of you that aren't science geniuses do well on your DAT and get into Dental schools?

How hard is it to keep and maintain a decent GPA , say 3.4+?

How can i approach a Dentist to shadow if i dint have one and i don't need any work done? ( 🙁I'm really nervous about this, there are a few dentists in the area but how can i approach them and ask to shadow?)


ALSO

ANYONE at IUSD that has already been excepted or is attending school there, where do the dental students there live? on the website it shows a few complexes that are suggested to the majority of students live there or just anywhere off campus? How is the atmosphere at the school? How do you like it and what is your day like?


😕I'm sorry for all the questions but I'm so excited about this, i don't think i have ever wanted anything more. This is my main goal in life , to get into IUSD. I know i have a long way but it never hurts to know stuff.

Thank you in advance for any and all responses.


Chris

 

[Pampam]

Whoa that's a lot of questions. To be completely honest, you are going to have a tough time if you don't like the sciences. A lot of the predents that I know might not like a particular science so much, like say physics, but overall we all enjoy the sciences. Try to find something that you like about each subject to make studying easier.

Half and most important part of the DAT are bio, genchem, and ochem, so you do have to fully understand these subjects to be able to ace them on the exam. As far as ochem, I really liked that class unlike many others. If you are good at memorization, you'll do well.

A lot of predents take prerequisuites at a community college, but do know that those taken at a four year university are always preffered. I know two of the d-schools don't even count cc credits, so make sure you research your schools before you apply.

Maintaining a good GPA is not hard if you work hard! Keep focused and you will surely do well 🙂

To shadow, you could print your resume, and go into nearby dental clinics and let them know that you are interested in shadowing. Most clinics are super friendly and would love to let you observe.

k I think this was all the questions..
Good Luck with everything!

 

[doc toothache]

How can i approach a Dentist to shadow if i dint have one and i don't need any work done? ( 🙁I'm really nervous about this, there are a few dentists in the area but how can i approach them and ask to shadow?)

You might qualify for an honorary DDS/DMD since you already seem to be able to diagnose oral conditions.

 

[12345a]

You might qualify for an honorary DDS/DMD since you already seem to be able to diagnose oral conditions.

so negative these days dr toothache! 😀



look, if you don't have a solid foundation with the sciences you will have a hard time fulfilling the pre reqs let alone getting into dental school. take some introductory chem, bio, and physics classes before you take the true series. you need to have a good understanding of the subject matter or you need to pick another career.

don't be lazy and halfhearted about your future

 

[solstice]

ok, so you are going to take many science courses in 4 years of CC and university- forget about DAT for now- then you are going to study alllll heavy science courses in dental school and you don't like science.
Hmmm...are you sure this is for you. I think any pre-health would agree that we are scientists first then something else and we enjoy it alot.

Then comes DAT and all your science exams and you r not done yet, still to come are board exams.

I would say research some more before you think of this career as a good financial move. Definately shadow different specialty and see how it goes.

You do not need your resume to shadow a doctor. I called a few when I started and only one said no. Just tell them you are interested in the field and would like to observe.

Organic Chem is not bad at all. I enjoyed every class I attened and later tutured it. Just take it with an intusiastic professor and be ready to study veeeeeeery hard and you may enjoy it infact.

 

[DDSsomeday]

You might qualify for an honorary DDS/DMD since you already seem to be able to diagnose oral conditions.

Well ok , maybe i can go in for a cleaning/checkup to even have a reason? 😕

 

[DDSsomeday]

so negative these days dr toothache! 😀



look, if you don't have a solid foundation with the sciences you will have a hard time fulfilling the pre reqs let alone getting into dental school. take some introductory chem, bio, and physics classes before you take the true series. you need to have a good understanding of the subject matter or you need to pick another career.

don't be lazy and halfhearted about your future

The intro classes seem like a good idea, maybe i can next semester to get a math class , intro to chem, etc.


I am deff not halfhearted about my future. The reason i am even on here is so i can get advice and build from block 1. I really have thought it out and read quite a few articles about dentstry, and unlike lots of people money is the last thing i am doing this or want to pursue this.


i guess im going to make myself like science😀 , its not like i dread it , it just was never my first option , but that was back in hs, its been 3 years.


Thanks for your reply

 

[doc3232]

Don't slack off. You can easily maintain a high gpa. Ochem is very easy...just like any class it requires work.

 

[DDSsomeday]

ok, so you are going to take many science courses in 4 years of CC and university- forget about DAT for now- then you are going to study alllll heavy science courses in dental school and you don't like science.
Hmmm...are you sure this is for you. I think any pre-health would agree that we are scientists first then something else and we enjoy it alot.

Then comes DAT and all your science exams and you r not done yet, still to come are board exams.

I would say research some more before you think of this career as a good financial move. Definately shadow different specialty and see how it goes.

I did NOT pick this for the MONEY.

You do not need your resume to shadow a doctor. I called a few when I started and only one said no. Just tell them you are interested in the field and would like to observe.

Ill try calling the closest 5 Dentists, hopefully i get a yes.

Organic Chem is not bad at all. I enjoyed every class I attened and later tutured it. Just take it with an intusiastic professor and be ready to study veeeeeeery hard and you may enjoy it infact.

I can pass a class to pass a class, i guess ill see how much information i can retain in into science classes.


Thank you for your reply

 

[DDSsomeday]

Don't slack off. You can easily maintain a high gpa. Ochem is very easy...just like any class it requires work.

Thank you for the reply

 

[DDSsomeday]

Whoa that's a lot of questions. To be completely honest, you are going to have a tough time if you don't like the sciences. A lot of the predents that I know might not like a particular science so much, like say physics, but overall we all enjoy the sciences. Try to find something that you like about each subject to make studying easier.

Half and most important part of the DAT are bio, genchem, and ochem, so you do have to fully understand these subjects to be able to ace them on the exam. As far as ochem, I really liked that class unlike many others. If you are good at memorization, you'll do well.

A lot of predents take prerequisuites at a community college, but do know that those taken at a four year university are always preffered. I know two of the d-schools don't even count cc credits, so make sure you research your schools before you apply.

Maintaining a good GPA is not hard if you work hard! Keep focused and you will surely do well 🙂

To shadow, you could print your resume, and go into nearby dental clinics and let them know that you are interested in shadowing. Most clinics are super friendly and would love to let you observe.

k I think this was all the questions..
Good Luck with everything!

I really appreciate your input, thank you very much. This makes me think its do-able with some dedication.😎