Undergrad BS without prereqs - how to take prereqs?

[LateBloomer88]

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I received a BS in 2010 in business. I had a very high GPA and A's in the biology classes I took. I currently work in the medical field and have family in dentistry. I have shadowed and also taken a couple sample perceptual portions of the DAT to make sure I can do it (I did very well). I have decided I'd like to go to dental school and now need to take all the science pre-requisites, including biology again because the bio classes I took were not the right ones with the lab.

My question: Can I just go back and take these classes in a non-degree seeking status? If so, can I take them from a community college that offers transferable college level classes? I am looking for the most affordable way to take these classes but also ensure the place/way I take them does not hamper my ability to get accepted.

I know I will still need to take the DAT and good classes will help me do better on the DAT. I am not looking for an easy A - just the least expensive way to take these classes and still have them count. I could go back to the same university I graduated from but it is an hour drive from where I live now and will be much more expensive than a local community college. However, I am willing to do that if it will make me a more attractive dental applicant. If I do go back to my university should I opt for another BS degree or can I just take the courses I need?

 

[ajj70]

Don't take your pre-reqs at a Community college. Some schools won't accept the credits and you won't be able to get all the classes you need at a CC. Most schools will allow you to take classes as a non-degreed student, but not all. Find the least expensive 4 year school near you and contact them about the coursework. Some people take a full Master's program as well, but not sure you need to spend the money doing that.

 

[strep mutans]

My question: Can I just go back and take these classes in a non-degree seeking status? If so, can I take them from a community college that offers transferable college level classes? I am looking for the most affordable way to take these classes but also ensure the place/way I take them does not hamper my ability to get accepted.

There is a thread somewhere around here with a spreadsheet of which schools accept CC credit for prereqs. Search for "2015 Community College/Advanced Placement and DS Admission"

Compare the schools that will accept CC credit to the schools you intend on applying to. If you aren't sure, you'll have to do more research to figure out which ones you'd have a shot at based on your state residency and other factors.

I completed some of my prereqs at a CC for financial reasons. I don't think it'll be a problem for me, because I received A's and because I had already obtained my bachelor's from a highly regarded university. I don't think I had to cross any schools off my list (that I hadn't already crossed off for other reasons) because of my CC courses.

If you decide to take some prereqs at the CC level, it would be wise to then take a few upper level bio classes at the local university to prove that you can handle university-level science coursework. You might need to take Biochemistry as a prereq depending on where you intend to apply, and its only offered at a 4 yr college anyway.

And of course, if you go the CC route, you will want to be sure you can get A's and do well on the DAT to validate those A's.

 

[customx]

Don't take your pre-reqs at a Community college. Some schools won't accept the credits and you won't be able to get all the classes you need at a CC. Most schools will allow you to take classes as a non-degreed student, but not all. Find the least expensive 4 year school near you and contact them about the coursework. Some people take a full Master's program as well, but not sure you need to spend the money doing that.

You will be just fine taking classes at a CC. In fact, I would recommend taking gen chem and bio at a CC. As a non-matriculating student, many of the into level courses will be extremely difficult to register for. I'm a non-traditional student and took nearly all my prereqs (bio, gen chem, ochem, micro, a&p, and physics) at a CC. I had to take biochem at UW, though biochem was also offered at my CC. I had 6 interviews at UW, UNLV, Michigan, and three other schools. There are only a few schools which don't accept any CC credits. Most will accept them, or at least 40-50 credits. Be selective on where you apply and you should have no problems. However, if you get above a 3.7 GPA at a CC, your DAT score had better align with the GPA, so aim for a 21+ on the DAT. If you score a 20 or less with a very high GPA, that probably won't bode well for your interview chances.
I was in a similar position several years ago and am starting dental school in two months. Best of luck!

 

[LateBloomer88]

Thanks everyone. I called my instate school and they said while they accept CC they would prefer at keast 1/2 my prereqs cone from a 4 year school. I already have math but need 36 hours of bio, Chen, etc so I'm going to take 16-20 at CC to save some money and then take the last 16-20 (and the higher level courses) at the school I went to for my BS. I know I need to apply to more than just my instate school but I will still have plenty to choose from and need to save some $. I know CC may be easier but I can do extra work if needed to get ready.
I've seen great advice on DAT prep on here so will use that to refresh my math.
I'll check back in a year or so after I take the DAT!