What does "recommended courses" really mean?

[MRZ8]

Hi SDN,

In Doc Toothache's Guide (page 9, attached) and many DS' websites, there is often a list of "recommended courses." If Applicant A and B had similar GPA/DAT/ECs, but Applicant A took much more of those "recommended courses" than Applicant B, is Applicant A more likely to be admitted?

What advice do you have regarding these certain courses? I am trying to learn as much as I can about this so I can plan out the last 3 semesters of undergrad evenly. Thanks for the help.

RZ

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[MedDevil]

Depends on the school. Recommended courses are recommended for the sole reason that they make applicants more prepared for the rigors of dental school coursework. Some schools might take that into account when making admissions decisions, but my guess is that it's a feather on the scale at best. An applicant with stronger numbers/ECs/story will trump the one who took "recommended courses" every time.

 

[jeffity]

It means you can't complain when metabolism is pummeling you or when you're dumbfounded staring at a mound of brown meat tissues in the cadaver lab because they told you they recommend biochem and anatomy.

Really though, what the Devil already said. Make sure to verify requirements with your schools of interest. They change and I believe the biochem pre-req is spreading like wildfire. If you're looking at going beyond the four core pre-reqs, go with the common ones you see as required or recommend before getting crazy with all the juicy sciences (take bch/micro/A&P before courses like histology, genetics, cell bio, pharmacology: how to safely and effectively get a buzz, etc.).

 

[Daneosaurus]

It means you can't complain when metabolism is pummeling you or when you're dumbfounded staring at a mound of brown meat tissues in the cadaver lab because they told you they recommend biochem and anatomy.

Really though, what the Devil already said. Make sure to verify requirements with your schools of interest. They change and I believe the biochem pre-req is spreading like wildfire. If you're looking at going beyond the four core pre-reqs, go with the common ones you see as required or recommend before getting crazy with all the juicy sciences (take bch/micro/A&P before courses like histology, genetics, cell bio, pharmacology: how to safely and effectively get a buzz, etc.).

Well, at my school, genetics and cell bio are prereqs for upper level bio classes like micro and such. A&P is a 200 level course and only the first semester counts toward the 16 credit upper divisional requirements. So, at my school A&P 2 is a waste of time for bio majors who are short on time (I'm trying to complete my BS in bio in 3.5 years from when I started). Biochem at my school can only be taken after orgo 2, so the biochem will be on my "planned" list when is apply, as I'm trying to get my apps out ASAP.