advice pls...

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I applied for the first time this year, I've been accepted to NYU, but did not get accepted to my state school, UNC. I'm pretty concerned about the tuition for NYU and don't know how I'd come up with the money to attend, so I'm considering the possibility of reapplying. The problem is, I've already graduated, and I don't think my stats would improve much by the next application cycle. I'm looking for suggestions... what kind of thing should I do in a possible gap year?

 

[pk62281]

are there more upper level bio classes you can take?

 

[doc toothache]

The good news is that we have been seeing more pre dents beginning to worry about the amount debt they are likely to incur. Is there any reason to believe that applying next year will somehow magically improve your chances at your 1st choice?

 

[TalkingTom]

The good news is that we have been seeing more pre dents beginning to worry about the amount debt they are likely to incur. Is there any reason to believe that applying next year will somehow magically improve your chances at your 1st choice?

+1.. there was no reason to apply to NYU in the first place if you didn't think you could handle the financial burden

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

I applied for the first time this year, I've been accepted to NYU, but did not get accepted to my state school, UNC. I'm pretty concerned about the tuition for NYU and don't know how I'd come up with the money to attend, so I'm considering the possibility of reapplying. The problem is, I've already graduated, and I don't think my stats would improve much by the next application cycle. I'm looking for suggestions... what kind of thing should I do in a possible gap year?

I'm in a similar situation where I got into NYU but not my state school (top choice). I never considered re-applying because I personally don't want to go through the whole process again if I don't need to.

First of all, do not apply to schools you are not interested in due to financial aspects (or any aspect that you were aware of prior to your interview). Second, it's not guaranteed you'll get in anywhere next year. Therefore, are you ok with turning down NYU only to apply next year and not get in anywhere or to the school you wanted to go to? As someone who took classes after graduating, you're right, most likely your stats will not improve drastically.

Gap years vary from person to person. Some people use that time to improve their credentials if they need to. Some people use it for some real world experience and work. Some travel and have fun. It's really up to you.

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

+1.. there was no reason to apply to NYU in the first place if you didn't think you could handle the financial burden

NYU offers scholarships as well as other schools. Yeah it's a slim chance, but you know what, you can't get it if you don't try.

 

[anida123]

Well, if you withdraw from NYU, they will never accept you again (they are particularly not fond of people who reject offers). UNC tends to favor reapplicants, but that's no guarantee that you will get in next year. It all boils down to your willingness to take risk and improve your app or go to NYU.

 

[TalkingTom]

NYU offers scholarships as well as other schools. Yeah it's a slim chance, but you know what, you can't get it if you don't try.

i really don't think anyone with a hard financial situation makes the decision to apply to dental school and only attend if they receive a scholarship. thats a little bit ridiculous i think

 

[ECUpirate19]

If it were me having applied twice and having unc as also my instate school that you are better off going to nyu since you got in there and not risking reapplying and getting no acceptance in a second time around. Dental schools dont usually look favorably on someone who was accepted to a school and not going unless they have a really good reason it seems.

 

[lululime]

You forget the "opportunity cost" of waiting an extra year!

 

[timwatley]

You forget the "opportunity cost" of waiting an extra year!

$200,000 in the grand scheme of things is nothing. $300,000 is nothing either. This reasoning is ridiculous and makes it seem like you're a money machine. It's nice to get a good paying job but that shouldn't be your life focus. As I've said before and as I'll say again, ENJOY being young. You can't put a price on that. I have a friend that went through law school, accumulated 130k worth of debt and ended up joining a law firm for just over 30k year salary. He's miserable because his boss treats him horribly and he makes his money off of divorces. He's going to go back to school to be a teacher believe it or not. The one thing he said to me was that he'd give anything to be in a position similar to me (last November before acceptances) - basically nothing on your shoulders aside from a normal job and doing the things you want to do. Once you start dental school, your career starts. Then your family starts. Then you blink and you're 55 wondering what the hell happened. There is no harm in reapplying if you aren't comfortable with your school. You'll get in eventually, everyone that's motivated does. Unless you're in dire conditions, it's just another year to live it up.

 

[timwatley]

As far as things to do in your gap year (if you choose to take one), there are plenty..it's up to your imagination. Something really big right now with dental schools are community dental programs. I was an intern for a program that traveled to different schools and provided free sealants to the kids in need. Most states have dental organizations like this...mobile vans that go school to school, etc. It was fun and a great convo piece for my interviews. An obscure hobby like joining a gun club, glass blowing club, etc would really stand out too. Learning another language. It's all about making your app sparkle...something I really had to do since I was an average white male applicant.

 

[lululime]

$200,000 in the grand scheme of things is nothing. $300,000 is nothing either. This reasoning is ridiculous and makes it seem like you're a money machine. It's nice to get a good paying job but that shouldn't be your life focus. As I've said before and as I'll say again, ENJOY being young. You can't put a price on that. I have a friend that went through law school, accumulated 130k worth of debt and ended up joining a law firm for just over 30k year salary. He's miserable because his boss treats him horribly and he makes his money off of divorces. He's going to go back to school to be a teacher believe it or not. The one thing he said to me was that he'd give anything to be in a position similar to me (last November before acceptances) - basically nothing on your shoulders aside from a normal job and doing the things you want to do. Once you start dental school, your career starts. Then your family starts. Then you blink and you're 55 wondering what the hell happened. There is no harm in reapplying if you aren't comfortable with your school. You'll get in eventually, everyone that's motivated does. Unless you're in dire conditions, it's just another year to live it up.

Hey man, it's about living the dream even if it's not at your dream school. And I'm sure lots of people have enjoyed being young and silly during their undergrad. You don't have to take a whole year off to have fun. To OP: In reality, it is not a good idea to commit to a school you cannot afford because this will add a lot of stress and uncertainty. You should probably get some paid work during your year off in case you don't get into your state school.

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

i really don't think anyone with a hard financial situation makes the decision to apply to dental school and only attend if they receive a scholarship. thats a little bit ridiculous i think

What exactly do you mean? OP could have been applying because they offer scholarships. Scholarships decrease one's financial burden. If he didn't apply then he would never know if a scholarship would have been offered. If he gets in with the scholarship great. If not then he could choose to move on or do HPSP.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

$200,000 in the grand scheme of things is nothing. $300,000 is nothing either. This reasoning is ridiculous and makes it seem like you're a money machine. It's nice to get a good paying job but that shouldn't be your life focus. As I've said before and as I'll say again, ENJOY being young. You can't put a price on that. I have a friend that went through law school, accumulated 130k worth of debt and ended up joining a law firm for just over 30k year salary. He's miserable because his boss treats him horribly and he makes his money off of divorces. He's going to go back to school to be a teacher believe it or not. The one thing he said to me was that he'd give anything to be in a position similar to me (last November before acceptances) - basically nothing on your shoulders aside from a normal job and doing the things you want to do. Once you start dental school, your career starts. Then your family starts. Then you blink and you're 55 wondering what the hell happened. There is no harm in reapplying if you aren't comfortable with your school. You'll get in eventually, everyone that's motivated does. Unless you're in dire conditions, it's just another year to live it up.

I had a friend who applied to dental school with terrific stats a few years ago. She got accepted on Dec 1st to her top choice school and other schools too. However, she had to turn down the schools due to (very legitimate) personal reasons. She applied again the next year with the same terrific stats to the same schools. Guess what, she didn't get in anywhere.

So I wouldn't say there is no harm in turning down your only acceptance this year and re applying but each to his/her own.

 

[timwatley]

I had a friend who applied to dental school with terrific stats a few years ago. She got accepted on Dec 1st to her top choice school and other schools too. However, she had to turn down the schools due to (very legitimate) personal reasons. She applied again the next year with the same terrific stats to the same schools. Guess what, she didn't get in anywhere.

So I wouldn't say there is no harm in turning down your only acceptance this year and re applying but each to his/her own.

Dental schools don't turn you down because you turned one down. The point of an interview is to see if you fit in... Just as much as its to get accepted. Sorry about your friend but
I firmly believe OP will get into the school they want. There has to be a point where people turn down insanely expensive schools and that point is right now.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Dental schools don't turn you down because you turned one down. The point of an interview is to see if you fit in... Just as much as its to get accepted. Sorry about your friend but
I firmly believe OP will get into the school they want. There has to be a point where people turn down insanely expensive schools and that point is right now.

I didn't say they turned her down because she withdrew and I did not intentionally imply that either. If I thought turning down a school ruins your chances of acceptance later on, I would've just said it. In her case I have some faith in the schools that they would have understood her reasoning for withdrawing and not hold it against her. I'm just pointing out that re applying can be risky since you are starting all over again with another cycle.

The best way to say no to an expensive school is to not apply there at all. Tuition costs are listed on school's websites so there's no reason to not look at them before you submit your application, or at the very least, before you say yes to an interview.

It's one thing to turn down a school after visiting and interviewing and realizing you don't fit in due to the environment (even if it's the only school that made an offer). Unless the person went through recent financial catastrophes or was heavily relying on HPSP, I have little sympathy for anyone who applies to an expensive school and then worries about re applying when it's their only acceptance.

 

[pk62281]

I didn't say they turned her down because she withdrew and I did not intentionally imply that either. If I thought turning down a school ruins your chances of acceptance later on, I would've just said it. I'm just pointing out that re applying can be risky since your starting all over again with another cycle.

The best way to say no to an expensive school is to not apply there at all. It's one thing to turn down a school after visiting and interviewing (even if it's the only school that made an offer). Unless the person went through recent financial catastrophes, I have little sympathy for anyone who applies to an expensive school and then worries about re applying when it's their only acceptance.

She's not asking for your sympathy, just our advice. She's the one that paid the application fee, paid to go out to the interview, etc. She thought about it a little more after actually getting in, and the cost is really freaking her out... Whoopdee do. At the beginning she wanted to see what her options were, and for the one option she has, reality is kicking in. She didn't do anything wrong perse, We've all been there before. It's no skin off any of anybody's back but her own. I guess you could argue that she wasted NYU's time, but guess what, she paid the application fee.

To the OP, it's great that you got accepted and that you're considering the cost because it's really important. Think long and hard about your decision. Whichever way you go though, I'm sure things will workout in the end.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

She's not asking for your sympathy, just our advice. She's the one that paid the application fee, paid to go out to the interview, etc. She thought about it a little more after actually getting in, and the cost is really freaking her out... Whoopdee do. At the beginning she wanted to see what her options were, and for the one option she has, reality is kicking in. She didn't do anything wrong perse, We've all been there before. It's no skin off any of anybody's back but her own. I guess you could argue that she wasted NYU's time, but guess what, she paid the application fee.

To the OP, it's great that you got accepted and that you're considering the cost because it's really important. Think long and hard about your decision. Whichever way you go though, I'm sure things will workout in the end.

I gave the OP advice regarding gap years. I was making a general comment regarding people who apply to schools and then freak out at the cost later on when that is considered basic information. I've seen other posts on the forum about people's sole acceptances at an expensive school. And I can't fathom how people don't think about cost prior to applying. But I guess that's better than accepting an offer and freaking out while in dental school. As other people here pointed out, there is no reason to apply to a school that you are not truly interested in whether it's high cost or location or any other feature about the school you are aware of prior to the interview. The OP can turn down her spot at NYU, make someone happy from NYU's waitlist, and then work on applying to schools she actually wants to go to (keeping cost in mind at the beginning hopefully).

 

[timwatley]

She's not asking for your sympathy, just our advice. She's the one that paid the application fee, paid to go out to the interview, etc. She thought about it a little more after actually getting in, and the cost is really freaking her out... Whoopdee do. At the beginning she wanted to see what her options were, and for the one option she has, reality is kicking in. She didn't do anything wrong perse, We've all been there before. It's no skin off any of anybody's back but her own. I guess you could argue that she wasted NYU's time, but guess what, she paid the application fee.

To the OP, it's great that you got accepted and that you're considering the cost because it's really important. Think long and hard about your decision. Whichever way you go though, I'm sure things will workout in the end.

+1. She paid app fee plus flight and hotel. Seamonkey, your
Argument is valid, it just depends on the person. Opinions are opinions.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

+1. She paid app fee plus flight and hotel. Seamonkey, your
Argument is valid, it just depends on the person. Opinions are opinions.

Yep, each to his/her own.