Which schools favor non-traditional students?

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I'm also a non-traditional student.

Does anyone have any particular tips or pointers specific to non-trads?

Thanks!
 
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For Texas residents, UTDB Houston is a good place to apply for NT students.
 
I'm not really sure what draws the line but I'm assuming those who are a bit older, have some life experience, away from school for number of years would fall in this category. Anyone has another ideas?
 
cut and paste from the MD non-traditional forum description...

For students that have entered the health professions from a different path, either as a career change, after military service, or just later than the average pre-health student.
 
so how many of you out there? Which private schools are NTS-philic?
 
Emmie said:
so how many of you out there? Which private schools are NTS-philic?
Click to expand...

I believe all dental schools would be NTS-philic. You'll just have to convince the ADCOMS with your intended change of career. But some schools would require that you have your pre-requisites taken within the past five years.
 
I talked to 4 schools and they all said that it's a huge plus to be a non-trad, mom, had life experiences, but it doesn't mean an automatic acceptance of course. I was told that it makes you "stand out from the rest" but again, is up to us to keep the trend and be qualified applicants. It may work like at the end when the pile of files is shorter, then mine could be put aside with the parents, then aside with the moms, then aside for moms with crazy kids, then aside with moms with high DATs, then aside with the moms with an A in physics......, LOL!!!! Ok, I'm just silly today ;) I don't know how they do it, but I hope someone out there can see my potential :thumbup:
 
I was a non-traditional pre-dent. Taught HS music for 10 years before deciding to switch gears. I'll be starting dental school at VCU next Monday. The dean of admissions told me when I started the process that they like older students in the mix. However, he also said that I would have to prove that I can hang with the younger folks that are fresh out of undergrad with science degrees. As long as you have a good GPA and solid DAT scores I think most schools would look at you just as closely as those young guns out there if not closer! Best wishes and let me know if I can answer questions!!

Scotty
 
scottyhoop said:
I was a non-traditional pre-dent. Taught HS music for 10 years before deciding to switch gears. I'll be starting dental school at VCU next Monday. The dean of admissions told me when I started the process that they like older students in the mix. However, he also said that I would have to prove that I can hang with the younger folks that are fresh out of undergrad with science degrees. As long as you have a good GPA and solid DAT scores I think most schools would look at you just as closely as those young guns out there if not closer! Best wishes and let me know if I can answer questions!!

Scotty[/QUOTE

Interesting point! All of my study groups have been 20-26 and I always get invited to study! I've been lucky to always end up with the 4.0 nice premeds too :thumbup: How did you prove that you can hang out with younger ones? BTW, congratulations on your acceptance!!!!!! Do you have children too?
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, I have 2 sons. 7 and 10 years old. By proving yourself, I think he meant getting good grades and taking a lot of upper level bio/chem classes to show you can handle stuff beyond the pre-reqs.

Scotty
 
I was nontraditional. I agree with the above comments-current upper level coursework, strong LORs, a history of doing something constructive other than sitting around playing the 360 in a basement for a few years, and being able to relate to/with other people are all a plus. There are no guarantees in the process but with a bit of thought the nontraditional application can sound more impressive than it is to actually be a nontraditional student.
 
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Saw this thread and had to post. I am a non-trad applicant for the 2010 cycle. I started the process about two years ago. The Dean of Admissions at UNC advised me to retake the pre-reqs b/c mine were approaching 10 yrs old and my undergrad GPA was VERY sub-par. So I have taken the pre-reqs at UNC while working 40+ hrs/wk and commuting an hour each way to campus and gotten all As (4.00 post-bacc GPA - with only physics left to take -taking them this fall and spring with grad level biochem). The Dean said I would need to get all As and Bs. Once the pre-reqs were done, he said the DAT would be a BIG view point to see how I stand.

I did pretty well on the DAT, so now I have to just keep my fingers crossed and hope that they can see that I am a different student since I have discovered the dental profession.

Going to get feedback this cycle (if not accepted), do what the adcoms suggest to improve my app, and apply to more schools next year (gonna get info on which schools to apply next cycle - those that take out of state apps).

I will be a dentist one day, hopefully sooner than later. I have seen the light and theres no turning back.
 
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You have NOTHING to worry about, TS = 25:eek:. If I were you, I'll take a long, long, long, year-long vacation somewhere in Caribbean and just enjoy the rest of the school year before Aug 2010.

uncbestyet said:
Saw this thread and had to post. I am a non-trad applicant for the 2010 cycle. I started the process about two years ago. The Dean of Admissions at UNC advised me to retake the pre-reqs b/c mine were approaching 10 yrs old and my undergrad GPA was VERY sub-par. So I have taken the pre-reqs at UNC while working 40+ hrs/wk and commuting an hour each way to campus and gotten all As (4.00 post-bacc GPA - with only physics left to take -taking them this fall and spring with grad level biochem). The Dean said I would need to get all As and Bs. Once the pre-reqs were done, he said the DAT would be a BIG view point to see how I stand.

I did pretty well on the DAT, so now I have to just keep my fingers crossed and hope that they can see that I am a different student since I have discovered the dental profession.

Going to get feedback this cycle (if not accepted), do what the adcoms suggest to improve my app, and apply to more schools next year (gonna get info on which schools to apply next cycle - those that take out of state apps).

I will be a dentist one day, hopefully sooner than later. I have seen the light and theres no turning back.
Click to expand...
 
Same boat here....

28 years old, 7 years in a "no respect" job field.

I have to admit that it's a bit depressing to see how young everyone is. Times like this I listen to "wasted years...."
 
Just wondering how many of you out there are in this boat?

sixkiller said:
Same boat here....

28 years old, 7 years in a "no respect" job field.

I have to admit that it's a bit depressing to see how young everyone is. Times like this I listen to "wasted years...."
Click to expand...
 
Emmie,

I'm in the boat for sure. I'm almost 27, and have spent the past 5 years in the Navy. I don't regret serving, it took me awhile to figure myself out. But when I consider all the applicants who managed to figure it out early I wonder if the long road I've taken will damage my chances of acceptence in the long run.

I'm still going for it. I get out of the Navy in June 2010 and will start my prereqs that fall. I'm going to apply to a few post bac programs (UCONN, Tufts, Temple) on the off chance of a conditional acceptence into dental school, but I hold out very little hope for that. I'm not going to wait for the stars to perfectly align- that never happens for me anyway.

I've read on SDN that it doesn't really matter if you did your prereqs in a proper post bac or a DIY program. Does anybody have any insight into this?

Cheers!
 
hang in there, you'll make it eventually. I believe having experience in the military helps. The next thing is to make sure you get good grades and make your DAT shine. :thumbup:

I don't think it matter much where you did your prereqs. Do you have a dream school? I would just get all my prereqs done there, in the meantimes, volunteer or do research at the DS.


CDO said:
Emmie,

I'm in the boat for sure. I'm almost 27, and have spent the past 5 years in the Navy. I don't regret serving, it took me awhile to figure myself out. But when I consider all the applicants who managed to figure it out early I wonder if the long road I've taken will damage my chances of acceptence in the long run.

I'm still going for it. I get out of the Navy in June 2010 and will start my prereqs that fall. I'm going to apply to a few post bac programs (UCONN, Tufts, Temple) on the off chance of a conditional acceptence into dental school, but I hold out very little hope for that. I'm not going to wait for the stars to perfectly align- that never happens for me anyway.

I've read on SDN that it doesn't really matter if you did your prereqs in a proper post bac or a DIY program. Does anybody have any insight into this?

Cheers!
Click to expand...
 
Wow, this thread seems to have taken the shape of some kind of NT group therapy session.
 
sixkiller said:
Wow, this thread seems to have taken the shape of some kind of NT group therapy session.
Click to expand...
Umm...Next week we're going camping to sit around the fire and sing kumbaya!

Wow...
 
Wow, this thread seems to have taken the shape of some kind of NT group therapy session.
Click to expand...

Cool...

Umm...Next week we're going camping to sit around the fire and sing kumbaya!

Wow...
Click to expand...

Haha yea is it just me or did that first comment come across with a "Wow what a freakshow!" kind of vibe?! I'm on board with this thread as well. I'm 29 and am in for the 2010 cycle. Spent my time since graduating doing this and that and teaching most recently. I don't regret my winding path at all either.
 
I'm in. And also we'll all hold hands and talk about our problems, lol.

CDO said:
Umm...Next week we're going camping to sit around the fire and sing kumbaya!

Wow...
Click to expand...
 
oooh i like this thread!!

i am also non-trad and applying for the 2010 cycle. i have a bachelor's and master's degree in music/violin performance and just completed 2 years of postbacc at nyu. about to take the dat's in late august. good luck everyone!!

i'm 27...
 
looks like many of your def of non-trad is OLD, whereas trad is young. Isn't that other criteria are also important? Say if you're mid-20's and have been working for 2 years and now decide to change your career, does he/she consider non-trad?
 
I am also considered non-trad. After graduating, I did Teach For America and now am working in a specialist's office. I was told by someone in admissions last year that that particular school does not like non-trads. She said that they prefer their students to go right from undergrad to dental school and having done TFA puts me at a disadvantage. I'm currently on the waitlist for that school, but I find it frustrating that my peers in TFA who have gone onto med and law school have been praised for their service. It seems like I am almost being punished. Reading everyone's posts gives me the impression that this school's outlook is unique. Perhaps, non-trads are not at a disadvantage at other schools. Thanks, everyone for sharing your opinions.
 
Emmie said:
looks like many of your def of non-trad is OLD, whereas trad is young. Isn't that other criteria are also important? Say if you're mid-20's and have been working for 2 years and now decide to change your career, does he/she consider non-trad?
Click to expand...
Emmie,

Yah, I think that the old vs. young thing is just a quick way to stereotype the different groups. I think a non-trad is anyone who didn't complete all the pre-reqs during undergrad an able to apply to DS right out of undergrad.

There are applicants who didn't do so well GPA-wise with their prereqs and are retaking classes or trying to take advanced science classes to make up some GPA points, but these students are still considered traditional applicants I think.

It seems that taking time off for any reason (work, TFA, military) and then coming to the process makes you a non-trad.

Thoughts anyone? Have I over-thought this?

:)
Cheers!
 
Lenny1018 said:
I am also considered non-trad. After graduating, I did Teach For America and now am working in a specialist's office. I was told by someone in admissions last year that that particular school does not like non-trads. She said that they prefer their students to go right from undergrad to dental school and having done TFA puts me at a disadvantage. I'm currently on the waitlist for that school, but I find it frustrating that my peers in TFA who have gone onto med and law school have been praised for their service. It seems like I am almost being punished. Reading everyone's posts gives me the impression that this school's outlook is unique. Perhaps, non-trads are not at a disadvantage at other schools. Thanks, everyone for sharing your opinions.
Click to expand...
Lenny,

Yah, that's weird. What school is that, because I'd like to stay away from them? From what I've heard, your service can only help you provided you have the scores and GPA to begin with. I think your experience and maturity will be recognized by adcoms, but I know that alone isn't enough.

I commend you for your service and I think everyone else will too.

Cheers!
 
its-not-your-fault.jpg
 
sixkiller thinks this is the psyc ward or something
 
CDO said:
sixkiller thinks this is the psyc ward or something
Click to expand...

haha, maybe he's just a little down:oops:

I wonder how long have you guys been thinking about dentistry? And what makes you choose dentistry over other careers?
 
HI ther everyone,
I am a non-trad as well. Im going to turn 27 years old this august but for some reason I dont feel so old:) (my minds playing games with me i guess)
I have two kids, 2 years and 9 months, and ive just gone back to do my pre-reqs. Im taking just a chem class right now but next semester plan to take two classes till summer of next year when i plan to take the DAT. When i take the DAT though, i will not have completeled all my pre-req work but wanted to apply and keep going with them. Any thoughts on this? Someone told me i might as well kiss any kind of admission good bye because i am taking 2 classes at a time.
I have an undergrad liberal arts degree with a 3.7 GPA. I was a dental hygiene undergrad major and did really well but felt restricted with hygiene and immediately knew I wanted to be a dentist. Once I saw that drill machine and found out i couldnt touch it..well, that was all i needed. I switched majors and completed my liberal arts degree when i found out i was pregnant. And the pregnant again! 2 and a half years later, i have gone back and am loving school but feeling very anxious that my situation wont be viewed appropriate.
I love being a non-trad because it keeps me focused and my grades have improved from B's and B-'s to straight A's.
Any advice here would be greatly appreciated ofcourse. I would love to goto TExas dental school becuz my family is there but I reside in Michigan right now and am a michigan resident so it does make more sense to apply here.
Any thoughts??
O..and please..this whole young/old thing is getting..ahem..old?! I dont think it matters how old you are..especially if you've already had kids. You just completed a part of your life earlier than those folks who jumped straight from undergrad to grad school....is all im saying;)
 
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Do I have to enroll in a formal Post bac program? I'm not in a formal post bac program and i'll only be taking the bio re-reqs but not human anatomy, physiology and those. Would that lower my chances of getting in by a lot? I'm a non-traditional applicants also.

Please help.
 
cchau324 said:
Do I have to enroll in a formal Post bac program? I'm not in a formal post bac program and i'll only be taking the bio re-reqs but not human anatomy, physiology and those. Would that lower my chances of getting in by a lot? I'm a non-traditional applicants also.

Please help.
Click to expand...

I don't think you "have to" enroll in anything but it helps. When you fill out your application, you have the option to label whether those courses are "undergraduate" or "post-bacc" level.
 
Emmie said:
I don't think you "have to" enroll in anything but it helps. When you fill out your application, you have the option to label whether those courses are "undergraduate" or "post-bacc" level.
Click to expand...

I thought Post-Bac Level courses and Undergraduate level courses are the same. I am enrolled as a second bac. So would that make me seems like a less competitive applicants?

And what do you guys suggest about whether if I must load up 12 units/quarter. I work 20-25 hours a week and it's quite impossible for me to take 12 units/quarter and do well. give me your opinion.
 
I am in the exact same boat, only difference being I spent my 5 years in the Army. I am also turning 27 and will be getting out in June 2010 to start pre-reqs as well.

Did you take any science classes before or are you starting from scratch? How long will it take you to complete them? I figured it would take one full fall and spring semester and the summer before and after as well, in order to complete the classes before the application process.

Let me know if you're tracking the same timeline.

Thanks!



CDO said:
Emmie,

I'm in the boat for sure. I'm almost 27, and have spent the past 5 years in the Navy. I don't regret serving, it took me awhile to figure myself out. But when I consider all the applicants who managed to figure it out early I wonder if the long road I've taken will damage my chances of acceptence in the long run.

I'm still going for it. I get out of the Navy in June 2010 and will start my prereqs that fall. I'm going to apply to a few post bac programs (UCONN, Tufts, Temple) on the off chance of a conditional acceptence into dental school, but I hold out very little hope for that. I'm not going to wait for the stars to perfectly align- that never happens for me anyway.

I've read on SDN that it doesn't really matter if you did your prereqs in a proper post bac or a DIY program. Does anybody have any insight into this?

Cheers!
Click to expand...
 
see this thread, have to post :)

I am a NT student with foreign biology Master degree and work in the field for like 10 years:eek:

need to finish up 31 more credits to meet 90 min. requirement because all dental school don't like foreign credits :S

Anyway, see you old folks in D-school :laugh:
 
I just got accepted @ Maryland, c/o 2014; I'm 33. I don't consider myself old by any stretch! :cool:

The very defintion of 'NT applicant' makes you 'stand out' a bit, though I don't know this makes you a stronger or weaker applicant in anyone's eyes. IMO, Dental schools are looking to fill their classes with students they feel will develop into competent, caring dentists. If you're a traditional or NT student, the goal is the same: to become a dentist. Forget about the semantics and simply show them you're the best candidate out there.
 
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There may be some schools that like their students young. But I'm 29, and in all the interviews I've been on, no one ever said I was too old or that they preferred younger applicants. But they will ask why you want to be a dentist, and how you made that decision. So have a good answer for that.

One area where I feel I have an advantage over younger applicants is in the interview. At my interviews, most the other applicants were really nervous, their hands were shaking, etc. before the interview. I've interviewed for tons of jobs, and I've also been the one conducting interviews. I can make small talk with strangers. I'm not going to cry if a school rejects me. Unlike many applicants, I always felt confident entering and exiting my interviews, and I believe this helped me.
 
uncbestyet said:
Saw this thread and had to post. I am a non-trad applicant for the 2010 cycle. I started the process about two years ago. The Dean of Admissions at UNC advised me to retake the pre-reqs b/c mine were approaching 10 yrs old and my undergrad GPA was VERY sub-par. So I have taken the pre-reqs at UNC while working 40+ hrs/wk and commuting an hour each way to campus and gotten all As (4.00 post-bacc GPA - with only physics left to take -taking them this fall and spring with grad level biochem). The Dean said I would need to get all As and Bs. Once the pre-reqs were done, he said the DAT would be a BIG view point to see how I stand.

I did pretty well on the DAT, so now I have to just keep my fingers crossed and hope that they can see that I am a different student since I have discovered the dental profession.

Going to get feedback this cycle (if not accepted), do what the adcoms suggest to improve my app, and apply to more schools next year (gonna get info on which schools to apply next cycle - those that take out of state apps).

I will be a dentist one day, hopefully sooner than later. I have seen the light and theres no turning back.
Click to expand...

Hi this is a very old post I stumbled upon but this inspired me heavily. I hope you made it.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
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