Where do I stand the best shot at getting a 4.0?

[BlueFoxAZ]

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🙂

Hi all 🙂

I'm a longtime lurker/sometimes poster who is starting to look at post-bac programs for people who've taken little or no pre-reqs. I'm at a tier 1 liberal arts school on the east coast right now and ultimately I'd like to go to dental school. I'm looking for a post-bac:

1) that caters to people with NO science background. I'm a double major in Psych and Spanish (within my majors 3.6 GPA, outside of them 3.3). I've taken some calculus (B+) and one gen. chem class (got a B- though!) but other than that I've had no science

2) where someone like me who hasn't had a lot of science can get mostly A's.

Does such a program exist? I have no preference for one or two year programs and I'm already in so much debt that cost doesn't matter. Where can I get both a solid science background and have a shot at a 4.0?

Thanks so much!! 🙂

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

anybody?

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

bump

 

[deleted248403]

stop bumping your own thread

 

[NewmansOwn]

FYI, it is generally good form to wait at least a couple of days before bumping a thread -- this isn't the highest traffic forum on the block so you need to give it some time.

But to answer your question, I'd recommend any of the three top formal postbac programs (Goucher, BM or Scripps), if you can get in. Once in, you're very well taken care of and you'll find the classes well-tailored to your strengths, shall we say. That is not to say you won't work hard for your As, but in such a supportive environment it is often difficult to fail.

Outside of that, I can't say I have much advice for you. The classes aren't cake walks anywhere and with good reason -- I don't want anyone touching my teeth or any other part of my body if they're constantly searching for the easiest path. Just do what you have to do, whether it be at a state school or in a formal program. If you succeed, congrats to you and good luck in dental school. If not, well, you can try again or you can decide that the health professions just aren't for you.

 

[Allopathic13]

I agree with Newmansown
BM, Scripps, and Goucher are great...

If you can't get in there try HES, it's a very good program with a high placement rate, assuming you make it through of course.

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

Thanks so much! I'm definitely not looking for a cake walk, I'm willing to work 150% to get the grades I just want to go somewhere where someone like me with a weak science background stands a good chance of getting A's because of the supportive environment. I know dental school isn't easy and I want to have a really solid background in science 🙂

Do you think that there's any regional bias in selecting a post-bacc? Let's say I wanted to go to a UC school would Scripps/Mills be a better choice than say Tufts? Or if I wanted to go to an east coast school would BM be a better move?

Sorry for the excessive bumping I didn't realize this was a 'low traffic' forum.

Thanks again!!

 

[NewmansOwn]

Well, regional bias comes into play mostly as a result of your residency status. If you aren't a CA state resident, you'll find it next to impossible to get into a CA state professional school. BM and Goucher tend to have better connections with schools on the east coast, I suppose, but both programs have sent students to the best medical/dental schools on the west coast. Likewise, Scripps has sent students to the best the east coast has to offer. I wouldn't worry too much about regional bias with the postbacs -- just think about your current and/or desired in-state residency status, as that will ultimately determine where you have the best shot.

Thanks so much! I'm definitely not looking for a cake walk, I'm willing to work 150% to get the grades I just want to go somewhere where someone like me with a weak science background stands a good chance of getting A's because of the supportive environment. I know dental school isn't easy and I want to have a really solid background in science 🙂

Do you think that there's any regional bias in selecting a post-bacc? Let's say I wanted to go to a UC school would Scripps/Mills be a better choice than say Tufts? Or if I wanted to go to an east coast school would BM be a better move?

Sorry for the excessive bumping I didn't realize this was a 'low traffic' forum.

Thanks again!!

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

this is a long shot but does anyone know anything about Wellesley's post-bacc? Like how long it is or What kind of numbers you need to get in? I can't find anything online or on the forums....

 

[drizzt3117]

this is a long shot but does anyone know anything about Wellesley's post-bacc? Like how long it is or What kind of numbers you need to get in? I can't find anything online or on the forums....

aren't you there? why don't you just go and ask?

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

lol nobody's heard of it! i sent an email out to the 'director' but she hasn't gotten back to me, so far the people I've talked to here think it might have existed at one point...

 

[NewmansOwn]

lol nobody's heard of it! i sent an email out to the 'director' but she hasn't gotten back to me, so far the people I've talked to here think it might have existed at one point...

Well then, sounds like you shouldn't be worrying about applying to it.

 

[deleted248403]

Why not ask your advisor? I'm sure they'd know

But I echo NewmansOwn, if you havent heard of it, nor has anyone else - i wouldn't worry about applying it to it. It either doesn't exist or can't be of very high quality.

I think you're interested in new england, so try HES

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

I think you're interested in new england, so try HES

😱 Oh no! I'm from AZ and would love to get out of this terrible weather!

Are there 'tiers' to the post-bacc programs? Or is it pretty much the 'top'

programs like Bryn Mawr/Goucher and then everyone else:

formal/informal private university/state university/community college all

on an equal playing field? Or are their levels? For example, where would

Mills 'rank' on the scale of SDN perceived awesomeness?

Thanks!

 

[NewmansOwn]

Bryn Mawr, Goucher and Scripps are essentially equal in quality and are on the top. Between these three and the bottom tier ('postbacs' that are basically just money-stealing feed-you-to-the-wolves operations, with non-existent support, sky-high attrition rates and no med school acceptance rate to speak of), you'll find a few other programs worth mentioning:

Johns Hopkins and UVA are newer and less established programs, but both are flying high and will be great programs in a few years.

Columbia is fairly well established and has had many successes, but they have a huge class size and don't seem bothered by intense competition and extreme attrition -- be prepared to fight for your committee letter here.

Mills -- ask drizz; I think it's becoming a respectable program.

HES is a popular choice for those who want to stay in New England. Not a ton of formal support, but cheap classes, good professors and a lot of success stories.

Tufts in Boston and Temple in Philly are both new programs, but have recently hired experienced directors, as well. They also offer linkages to their respective medical schools for those that perform decently in the program.

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

🙂 Thank You so much! 🙂