Would U-Penn be possible with only 3 years of undergraduate?

[idyke]

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I've been focusing on science courses so I think I can finish all the prerequisite courses in my third year - the only part that I lack is physics and biochem.

I've finished DAT with a TS23, RC21, AA24, PAT25, and my GPA is 4.0 with 72 credits. (I took 18 credits each semester) My school is not an ivy league, but it's a quite well known one. I have three recommendations from my professors, and I'm going to do some shadowing this summer.

Since the tuition is just being a HUGE burden, I would almost do anything if I could shorten one year of undergraduate and just go directly to dental school in my fourth year, and U-Penn dental is actually one of my dream schools. AND it is one of the few dental schools that accepts international students.. (This international student standing is a big problem for anyone who wants to go to dental schools 🙁 ) Luckily I'm in a combined program that allows me to proceed to dental school in my fourth year, but it has never actually been one of the schools that I dreamed of..

I'd like to give UPenn a shot, but since dental schools generally prefer students with four years of undergraduate, and my standing being an international, I wonder whether there will be any point in giving it a try when I have a safe one.

Any advice will be very much appreciated. Thanks. 😳

 

[TheWiredNerv]

You are only going to apply to UPenn outside of your combined degree program? Your stats are incredible but I think it would be unwise to do so.

I know 3 years who got in so that shouldn't be a problem if your interview goes smoothly.

 

[cdpiano27]

idykke,

you go to tufts? Yes, the tuition there is EXTREMELY expensive, and their financial aid is not the best at undergraduate (I was accepted there (I am US student) out of high school but was only offered a $6,000 scholarship when it cost about $34,000 per year to go).

Both UPENN and Tufts are very expensive dental schools.

But if Tufts (assuming thats where you are) can accept you right now you may as well proceed right into their program

As an international student you will be charged out-of-state tuition at every single state school. If you want to save money, maybe apply to SUNY-Stony Brook or SUNY-Buffalo dental school. One of my Vietnamese international student friends (I have advised him to go to SUNY-Buffalo undergraduate) as the out-of-state tuition is not so bad, and that there are many health programs there (so he can make himself well-known to the faculty before applying).

Good luck.

 

[UCSF2012]

As long as you get your degree, everything's fine. Problem is that Penn doesn't care too much for numbers. No clue what they're looking for. You're set for Harvard or Columbia thou, if you're willing to have those instead.