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Health Professions Advising at Mason |
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What classes should I take?Pre-dental studentsWhile many dental schools like Howard and do not require it, predental students who intend to apply to Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Maryland Baltimore must take one semester of biochemistry. Looking through the academic expectations, I have noticed that many dental schools are strongly recommending not only coursework in the sciences and writing-intensive courses but also in business or financial management and participatory fine arts (like painting, sculpture, instrumental music). This means that pre-dental students should plan to use some of their general education requirements or electives to address these areas if they wish to be more desirable in the applicant pool. Why business?Unlike medicine, a large number of dentists operate their own businesses (92.1% according to the ADA 2003 Survey of Dental Practice: 76.4% are sole proprietors) rather than work in a hospital environment. Financial management and business operations are critical for a dentist to succeed. If you are not a predental student, consider taking these courses if your professional goals include operating your own practice (like in optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine) or working in a business setting (including industry). While coursework (like MGMT 301 or MKTG 301) is recommended, it is just as important to get "real world" experience. Getting involved in student activities and project/fiscal management (for example, as a president or treasurer of a club) provides some experience. Why participatory fine arts?Sculpture, painting, and instrumental music are a reflection of an applicant's dexterity and aesthetic appreciation. Manual/tactile skills and observational skills are a critical part of the evaluation process for predental and pre-optometry students, and their evaluation is specifically requested from admissions committees. Sculpture and architectural design (computer-aided or not) are highly valued as they reflect one's ability to perceive three-dimensional objects from multiple perspectives. Dance and music engage students' teamwork and performance (presentation) skills. Classes of interest would include any introductory courses in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. (This is also why students in CVPA can also be "desired" as prospective health professions graduate students.) Check out the courses in AVT (Introduction 103, Drawing 222, Painting 232, Printmaking 243, Photography 252, Sculpture 262). One could also take community coursework as well as formal Mason classes, depending on your financial situation or time management. Even if you are not a predental student, your evaluations will also be addressing your competency in these two major skill areas as well, so do not take this advice lightly.
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Required Coursework Mathematics and Psychology classes Note to Pre-dental students Note to Pre-pharmacy students External links
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