SFSU - University of Pacific Dental Post-Bac Program
Structure
Timelines
The Program will guide and support a cohort of about 16 participants for a period of 1- to 1½-years. Participants with strong GPAs but low DAT scores will be admitted to the 1-year Program, spanning from early-June until the end of May the following year. Participants with low GPAs, regardless of DAT scores, will be admitted to the 1½-year Program, spanning from early-July until the end of December the following year. The 1½-year Program is designed to allow participants sufficient time to show sustained GPA improvement. Most students are placed in the 1½-year Program. See illustration below for details.
Summer Component
Based on previous experience, we expect that nearly all participants will be enrolled in the 1½-year program. For these students, the first summer component consists of a 4-week Orientation & Academic Preparation Program, to be held Monday, July 23, 2012 until Friday, August 17, 2012, with participants arranging their own housing. Participants in the 1½-year program will not take the DAT until the second summer component, in 2013, during which they will continue to live in their own housing.
Academic Year Component
For participants both the 1- or 1½-year Programs, the academic year component consists of rigorous upper division course work in the life sciences and related areas. The curriculum will be designed specifically to magnify the strengths of the student’s academic profile. The academic year component will also focus on addressing real and perceived weaknesses in a student’s preparatory background. It is expected that students undertake 9-12 units of course work each semester, and earn grades of B or better in all courses. Program staff will work closely with each student through individual meetings and participation in the Dental Colloquium to address all aspects of the application process. This includes 1) assisting with the completion of the primary application; 2) assisting with the development of a personal statement that clearly presents the challenges overcome by the student as well as other personal strengths; 3) advising each student in the selection of dental schools where the expectation for successful application is most likely; 4) assisting with the development of a strong secondary application; and 5) enhancement of interview skills. The 2012-2013 academic year component will be held at SFSU during regular fall and spring semesters, with participants responsible for finding their own housing. A 5-week break occurs between semesters, from mid-December to late-January.
Student Status
Students admitted to the SFSUDental Post-Bac Program matriculate into SFSU as "2nd-Bacs". See the Informal Post-Bac web page for more details and lists of recommended courses.
Support
The Program provides support to participants by way of the following:
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Financial aid, the level and type of which depends on documented financial need through the FAFSA. When filling out the FAFSA, be sure to indicate that you are applying for an undergraduate program.
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A 4-week summer Orientation & Academic Preparation Program that helps form a cohesive group and enhances study skills (1½-year Program only).
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An intensive 8-week summer DAT Prep Program that reinforces the knowledge and skills needed to achieve a high score on the DAT (both 1- and 1½-year Programs).
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Optional guidance and support from a Learning Specialist and/or a Psychotherapist.
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A weekly Dental Colloquium
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Rigorous advanced science course work.
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Pairing of each participant with a Dental Faculty Preceptor at UCSF or Pacific.
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Occasional 1-2 hour lectures presented by SFSU Faculty, Dental Faculty and Dental Students from UCSF and Pacific.
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Enrollment in an 8-week Dental Morphology class at SFSU during the fall semester.
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An opportunity to present a 10 minute PowerPoint talk on a dental topic to admissions officers and dental preceptors at the University of Pacific Dental School during the spring semester.
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Enrollment in a weekend Dental Simulation Laboratory course at Pacific during the spring semester.
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The writing of a composite letter of recommendation by program staff for the student's application to dental schools.
