Thanks averagejoe. I was thinking about just taking the pre reqs to apply. Where did you apply that didn't take cc credits? I'm finding that some of mine aren't satisfying the requirements for pre reqs, which is setting me back. I'm just tired of cross checking a million times to make sure they work. If I just went back to school I could go to the 4 yr university and just KNOW that they work.
Was there a lapse of time between finishing your pre reqs and starting dental school?
Shouldnt be that hard to cross check pre-reqs? A 2 semester Ochem series is the same Ochem series anywhere. Physics: schools will take either calc based or algebra based, in fact both were taught in the same classroom at my school. Bio has a little more flexibility, just make sure it isnt remedial. check your desired schools, more and more are requiring micro bio & physio.
I applied way late in December last year and unsurprisingly didnt get in (my timing of pre-reqs, & DAT sucked and didnt really work into the app cycle.) But hoping to save a year, I figured it was worth a shot. So I re-applied this round and right now I'm done with pre-reqs and nothing really to do till next Sept. ~ I run a woodshop out of my garage and make furniture and home decor which I sell online and in a couple stores for $$.
Hi everyone, I think you're all right in saying that cc credits won't be cutting it. I really think I'm going to do this, even as scary as it is. I do think in the grand scheme, maybe this early debt now won't be so bad in the long run, like if I had to go to a private school for example. I think the thing that is pushing me to change careers is that if I don't go back full time now, I doubt I'll have the chance to do so again. I also feel like I'm not giving my best effort to my studies because I work almost 60 hours a week. But the discrepancy is dentistry is what I really want to do with my life and I'm not giving it a hundred percent. If I can get past taking out the loans, then I could give it 100 percent. I think I will make the shift- thank you for your opinions!
I currently have 2 pre-dec interviews and every single pre-req was taken at a cc except Biochem. Just sayin', dont discount them entirely.
Private school cost = state school cost (approximately, with a few notable exceptions especially in Texas. Look at both tuition & often harder to find published "fees")
For me, debt isnt something to be taken lightly. Would my application be stronger if I took the classes at a 4 year? probably, but it just wasnt an option for me. But would I want to attend a school whose ethos of pretentiousness is so ingrained that they wont even consider an applicant from a "lesser" school? F**k No. "Ya well CC classes are easier" ~says the person who never went to one. (Sorry, still a little bitter
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Some schools have credit limits taken at a CC for pre-reqs, others have limits on electives taken, some have both. Check the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools, also check DocToothache's guide. Attached is a spreadsheet with most of the schools listed and their cc and AP policy. As always dont trust anything on the internet, verify everything for yourself.
