Uncommon Path?

[Britty894]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone,

Im applying to dental school after my senior year rather than junior year because i decided to go this direction a little later in the game. Ill be applying and taking the dat in early summer 08 (right after i graduate) and taking some extra science classes in fall 08. Do you think applying after senior year puts me at a disadvantage cause im not like most students that apply?
thanks!

 

[Prometheous19]

Actually, alot of people do what you are plannning on doing. ADCOMS shouldnt care as long as you use your year of to enrich yourself as a prospective dental student by Taking science clases on your year off, more shadowing, more volunteering, etc. Just make sure you dont spend your year of travelling around Europe or something like that, because they will be asking where your interest for dentistry went.

 

[Regmata]

You could spend your year off drunk...I doubt they would care...if you have the stats and if they like you, don't worry about it...I wouldn't let yourself get too out of the loop of school though...make sure you keep fresh

 

[firstcitizen]

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I decided not to pursue pharmacy and it was too late to apply to a post-bacc program, so I'm just taking more upper level biology courses and trying to get some dental experience before I apply next year.

 

[Montserrat]

Hi everyone,

Im applying to dental school after my senior year rather than junior year because i decided to go this direction a little later in the game. Ill be applying and taking the dat in early summer 08 (right after i graduate) and taking some extra science classes in fall 08. Do you think applying after senior year puts me at a disadvantage cause im not like most students that apply?
thanks!

Nah, relax. I met quite a few people in your boat at my postbaccalaureate program. Some great people and great minds to boot, proving they could get it done in advanced bio courses taught my med school professors. It's not as uncommon as you might think. There are certainly more uncommon applicants out there.

 

[Soflex]

Don't stress about it...you can use the time productively. The more biology background you have the more it will help you in dental school. The material for the most part in dental school isn't TOO difficult...it's the VOLUME that really kills you. I found the courses I had taken in histology, embryology, human anatomy and physiology, and microbiology to be invaluable. Most of these aren't pre-reqs...but I found having taken those classes really helped to save a lot of time once I got to professional school.

Any work you could do as a dental assistant (just volunteer!) will help you a lot as well. It takes time to become familiar with dental equipment and materials.

Good luck!

 

[Britty894]

Thanks for all of your opinions. Im taking most of my prereqs before i graduate.. but its ok to not be done with everything right? on the apps you indicate which classes you plan to take correct? thanks!

 

[Soflex]

Don't stress about it...you can use the time productively. The more biology background you have the more it will help you in dental school. The material for the most part in dental school isn't TOO difficult...it's the VOLUME that really kills you. I found the courses I had taken in histology, embryology, human anatomy and physiology, and microbiology to be invaluable. Most of these aren't pre-reqs...but I found having taken those classes really helped to save a lot of time once I got to professional school.

Any work you could do as a dental assistant (just volunteer!) will help you a lot as well. It takes time to become familiar with dental equipment and materials.

Good luck!

 

[Elipar]

Actually, alot of people do what you are plannning on doing. ADCOMS shouldnt care as long as you use your year of to enrich yourself as a prospective dental student by Taking science clases on your year off, more shadowing, more volunteering, etc. Just make sure you dont spend your year of travelling around Europe or something like that, because they will be asking where your interest for dentistry went.

You could spend your year off drunk...I doubt they would care...if you have the stats and if they like you, don't worry about it...I wouldn't let yourself get too out of the loop of school though...make sure you keep fresh

I agree and disagree with the first post. You want to spend the year off enriching yourself, but it DOES NOT have to be school only. Taking a year off to travel Europe gives you life experience and makes you an interesting person. Yes, evaluation of students is not only about academics. They want to know if you're going to be outgoing, friendly, and generally pleasant to be around for 4 years. About the getting drunk part... again, use the year productively and you'll be fine. Incidentally, I applied during my senior year. During that time I worked in a paint factory. 😉 Of course, I didn't say I mixed paint, I just said I "worked".