47 year old RN wants to be a dentist

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Well here I am. I turned 47 years old recently, my child graduated and I have been a Registered nurse for approximately 15 years. I have a B.S. degree. I have NOT taken the 2 years of chemistry and 1 year of physics that I understand are required for admission to dental school (is that required for all U.S. dental schools?).
Not wanting to pull any punches, this is my scenario. I feel like I have not reached my full potential career wise and know that I can do much better. I am wondering if I should go back and take these prerequisites and then apply to dental school.
Would someone my age have any chance of admission?? I certainly would not want to go back for 2 years of prerequisites if I have virtually no chance of acceptance.
I'm very interested in dentistry and have the funds to cover the education. I just need to find a way into dental school. I am wanting to practice in the U.S.
Please give me your honest opinion.
Thanks kindly!

 

[Lidopaine82]

Well here I am. I turned 47 years old recently, my child graduated and I have been a Registered nurse for approximately 15 years. I have a B.S. degree. I have NOT taken the 2 years of chemistry and 1 year of physics that I understand are required for admission to dental school (is that required for all U.S. dental schools?).
Not wanting to pull any punches, this is my scenario. I feel like I have not reached my full potential career wise and know that I can do much better. I am wondering if I should go back and take these prerequisites and then apply to dental school.
Would someone my age have any chance of admission?? I certainly would not want to go back for 2 years of prerequisites if I have virtually no chance of acceptance.
I'm very interested in dentistry and have the funds to cover the education. I just need to find a way into dental school. I am wanting to practice in the U.S.
Please give me your honest opinion.
Thanks kindly!

A guy in my class got accepted at 53. So go for it.

 

[CashMcCallister]

I believe I heard somewhere that your pre-reqs need to be taken within a certain amount of time of applying... You might need to take them all still.

 

[Saddleshoes]

HI Biged

If you intend to go to a state school (one supported via tax dollars) be very prepared to answer the question....

Why should the state of ______ invest a great deal of money in you when your expected practicing life would, at best, be 15 - 20 years, when we can invest the same money in a 21 year old hot shot and get a 35 to 50 years of practicing life for our great state of _____ ?

My school has been know to ask that question in a vialed way to candidates over 30.

Good Luck

 

[CashMcCallister]

I believe I heard somewhere that your pre-reqs need to be taken within a certain amount of time of applying... You might need to take them all still.

As was pointed out to me, this is apparently not true for all schools (or even most for that matter. I checked all of the California schools and the only one that mentions it is Loma Linda. For them, the pre-reqs need to be completed within 5 years of the application.

 

[Lily143]

My uncle started dental school in his mid-40s. He then did an ortho residency at Temple and has been out practicing for just a few years. Go ahead and give it a shot. 🙂

 

[blankguy]

My uncle started dental school in his mid-40s. He then did an ortho residency at Temple and has been out practicing for just a few years. Go ahead and give it a shot. 🙂

Which brings up another point. Older students have an advantage in that they know what life is about and are more focused on achieving their goals. They are more apt to pursue their studies much more seriously than the fresh out of undergrad types. Not always true but this could be an advantage.

 

[Cold Front]

There are couple of 40+ students in my class, so I don't think your age will be an issue at private schools. Someone mentioned about state schools give preference to younger applicants, but I doubt age discrimination will fly for admission purposes... schools could be sued for that.

Also, you may not qualify for military scholarships... because they have minimum age for candidates to join.

Apply.

 

[JamieMac]

If you have the financial means to do so, I think it's a no-brainer. It is very difficult to gain acceptance into dental schools today, but if you do well in your prerequisite classes and obtain a competitive DAT score, you'll have a great chance of getting in. I spent 10+ years in the business world and decided to go back, get my prereqs, and go to dental school. An interviewer told me that they had former engineer graduate a couple of years ago that was 58!

Maybe some states are different, but I wouldn't worry too much about the state school comment. If this were the case, then they would also have to be concerned with letting women in that plan on having children. If you're a qualified applicant, you will get an opportunity to interview for a spot.

If you're serious about it, then do it! Best of luck!

 

[MarkND]

You should absolutely do it! Best of luck 👍

 

[jigabodo]

A guy in my class got accepted at 53. So go for it.

53? Mad props for this guy! 👍

By the time he finishes school at 57, he will probably have to spend the next 15 years or so just paying back his student loans - which is pretty much the entire length of his dentistry career.

Dentistry must really be his passion.

 

[TucsonDDS]

Go for it. Not too many RN's in the field moving to dentistry, I am one. We also have an instructor who was an RN but never practiced. I am a little younger than you (34) but I know what you mean by not reaching your full potential as an RN. Nicest part about it is you can work part time while in school and still make decent money. Good luck. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[texas_dds]

go for it! two thumbs way up!

 

[pntbutter]

i'd say at least a third of students in my class are around or over 30, with one or two in their early/mid 40s. I don't think age is an issue, rather motivation and passion. admissions committee like a diverse student body anyway. If dentistry is something you really want to do, definitely go for it!

 

[krmower]

There are couple of 40+ students in my class, so I don't think your age will be an issue at private schools. Someone mentioned about state schools give preference to younger applicants, but I doubt age discrimination will fly for admission purposes... schools could be sued for that.

Also, you may not qualify for military scholarships... because they have minimum age for candidates to join.

Apply.

Military can give waivers for candidates into their 50's as long as their health is good. I would work first at getting accepted, then when you start working out the financial aspects - look into the military as an option. It is not for everyone, but you would come out with less debt.

 

[K90]

My cousin is going to law school somewhere in NY and has a lady in her class that's in her late 60s. Didn't think that could be possible, but it is. So you won't have a hard time being accepted because of age, as long as you have all of your credentials. Just realise though, you could be there with someone like me (an immature 20/21 year-old at time of application) 🙂

 

[SoonDent]

My college chemistry professor went to dental school. He must have been in his mid 50's when he got into NYU 3 years ago.

I've heard quite a few anectodotal stories of older people getting in.
The "official guide to dental schools" from the ADEA lists how many people get into each school over 30, so one could asume that some small portion of those are over 45.

I'll bet that if you call a few admissions offices they'd be happy to tell you how many students they've had over 45 in the past 5 years.

Best of luck!

 

[AndyK]

I'm just curious, but why dentistry? As a very experienced RN, aren't there many other career opportunities like an advanced nursing degree, CNA, etc? It just seems like a much bigger investment to go for dental school since you'll have to redo your pre-reqs and learn a whole new field.... but if it's your goal then best of luck!