Hello, My name is Lauren and I am a current student in the post-bac program. I hope you find some pertinent information from the answers to your questions.. Please feel free to message me if you have any further questions. I would be glad to help!
Could some current students please share their experiences and answer some questions about the program. Thank you very very very much.
http://dentistry.temple.edu/pb
1. How long is the program? When does it start and end?
The program begins in June and ends the end of April
2. What are the benefits of this program compared to other programs that offer MBS? (it seem like Temple does
not offer a degree/certificate/guaranteed addmission if you sucessfully complete the requirements.)
There are NO degrees and NO certificates involved with this program, which in my opinion is a downside. However, the way this program is constructed, you become NELDA certified in addition to taking classes very similar to those of D1s.
3. What is your examination schedule like? Block Schedule (midterms and finals week) or several every week?
This solely depends on the class. Some there are tests every few weeks, some there are only a midterm and final.
4. What is the hardest class? Why?
Oral Microbiome. Challenging course. In-depth material.
5. What is the easiest class? Why?
Dental assisting classes- pretty straight forward. Have a lot of experience.
6. Are class notes based primarily on textbooks? or based on lecture powerpoints made up by professors?
Lectures are powerpoints.
7. Are traditional (paper) textbooks used or are they electronic? If electronic, do you prefer traditional textbooks?
Textbooks; I'm a traditional textbook fan- i need to be able to easily flip back and forth. Don't like the extra weight, though.
8. What is the grading system? Pass/Fail/Honors? Letter Grades? Percentages?
Letter grades.
9. Are your classmates generally gunners and try to sabatoge each other? If not, is the culture one where everybody tries to help everybody out?
In this program, there are seats reserved for you- so long as you maintain a specific GPA, professionalism, and obtain a 20 on the DAT- WHICH I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU HAVE DONE PRIOR TO PROGRAM!!!!
10. Is there a notetaking service for lecture available?
all lectures are recorded on class capture
11. Is class attendance mandatory? How many hours of lecture/assisting per week?
depends on instructor/class
12. In general, are teachers approachable for questions? Or are they for the most part very busy and unreachable (research, etc...)?
teachers are always available
13. What is the drop out rate?
n/a
14. Are there any resources to help students who are struggling? If yes, what are they?
office hours with instructor- but the no one to my knowledge has had to utilize any source of tutoring.
15. How difficult was it to get a 4.0?
doable. prepare yourself and there will not be any worries
16. What are some characteristics of the top students in the program that set them apart from the rest?
our class is very diverse in terms of backgrounds, but we all basically have the same grades within the program.
17. Do most people study in the University Library? Or does the place clear out right after school and everybody studies on their own?
medical school library; various quiet rooms within the dental school
18. Is there much camaraderie between students in the same class? Do students generally associate with each other outside of school?
yes, there have been many friendships created within the program. We are pretty tight-knit
19. What are your opinions on the location of the dental school? Is finding housing an issue? Is safety an issue?
the area is pretty bad, but I have never felt unsafe walking to and from the school
21. Any last words or advice?
if you DO NOT HAVE A 20 ON THE DAT AND NEED THIS PROGRAM TO BOOST YOUR GPA START STUDYING FOR YOUR DAT NOW AND TAKE IT BEFORE ENTERING THE PROGRAM!!!!!
IN ADDITION- THERE IS NO GUARANTEE FOR A SEAT IN THE DENTAL SCHOOL!!!!!