Hi! I just got accepted yesterday, as well. I have A BUNCH of questions to anyone who can answer:
1. How does one go about paying for this? I've heard some conflicting info. Can we get Grad PLUS loans or any federal funding?
2. If you CAN get a Grad PLUS loan, does that eat into money available to you if you get into dental school the next year?
3. As far as the timeline goes, we start classes in May 2025 and they go through April 2026. When do we apply to dental schools? Can we apply in the summer of 2025 or do applicants typically wait until they complete the program and apply the NEXT summer (in our case summer 2026?)
4. Is there any DAT prep/ support throughout the program?
5. How many people actually get in to Temple after completion of the program (assuming they did well?) I researched a ton on here, reddit, and other forums about the program and either have people saying nearly half the class, and others saying almost none and that the postbacc program is basically a money grab. I, of course, don't want to think it's just a money grab because of how wonderful the advisors/admissions were at Temple and how highly they spoke of their postbacc program. But my priority IS to get into Temple's Dentistry program. So do those who complete it with a good GPA and DAT score have a good shot/ any advantage or no?
6. Do students, generally, feel more prepared for dental school or that their time in Temple's postbacc gave them an advantage, academically? That they were glad they went through the program?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm VERY excited and VERY nervous and want to make the right choice for myself and my future!
so sorry i just saw this!
1. private loan is what the majority of people have done. it is extremely hard to get federal loans for this program since it's a non-degree seeking program, but you can still try through FAFSA.
2. i'm not sure about this, i would ask David Dams.
3. you apply to dental schools whenever you want! you can submit everything just like you would have normally, in June or whenever you're comfortable. i would however wait for a few weeks after the program starts because David has an informational meeting with the postbacc students about submitting applications and how to record the postbacc in your application material. it's usually in june anyway.
4. yes, you get a free Kaplan DAT course every friday in the summer as well as a Growth Mindset course.
5. for my class, about half of us got in and some people got in elsewhere. it depends on the size of the class and how everyone meets the requirements. i heard a couple years ago, almost everyone got in because they all met the requirements and were very competitive. if you get the
required DAT score (idk what it is now since the new DAT scoring took effect), the
minimum 3.5 science GPA, and you show great
professionalism, then you have a way higher chance of getting in. i can't give a definite answer since im not the admissions board but it's highly likely.
some people may think it's a money grab and that's fine, they're entitled to their opinion. the way i see it, like with many things in life,
the effort that you put in is exactly what you get out of it. if you slack off, go partying every other night, and you barely study or show up for class, someone important is definitely going to notice that. it will also reflect in your grades. one thing that stuck with me when i did the program is that we are reminded that there are eyes and ears everywhere, and the program is almost like a year-long interview (it's not as intense as it sounds!!!!). i think if you're really focused on your future and you have great determination, this is a great investment into your future. especially if your goal is to get into Temple's dental program.
6. YES!!! i would definitely agree that us postbacc students feel more prepared for dental school. i've noticed that we definitely have an advantage, especially in preclinic and clinic as D3-4.
best of luck!!!
🙂