Applying For Dental School 1 Year After H.S

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ns2016

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Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
 
I admire your ambition!
EDIT: Nvm. If you get your bachelors I don't see why you would be at a disadvantage.
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Ralph Waldo Emerson — 'Life is a journey, not a destination.' Please consider your emotional maturity, friendships, goals outside your career, and personal fulfillment.
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Also,why did your college counselor say it's impossible?
 
@Accordion @dr.teach25smile thank you for your replies! The problem is since I am funding my own education I do everything I can to save money. I will be living at home (with my mom and 3 other sisters in a cramped home) during my college life since the university doesn't require freshman to live on campus. And to be honest, I am not really a social butterfly so I do not think my college experience will be any different from high school. Maybe if I didn't live at home it would be different but I just cannot afford to live on my own let alone live abroad /: .
 
@Advance Many counselors said that its impossible to get 3 years of extracurriculars (shadowing, volunteer work, clubs, etc) into 1 year while studying for the DAT and keeping a good GPA. My PSEO GPA (aka college GPA) is 3.75 as of right now and I need to maintain it or hopefully improve it.
 
ns2016 said:
@Advance Many counselors said that its impossible to get 3 years of extracurriculars (shadowing, volunteer work, clubs, etc) into 1 year while studying for the DAT and keeping a good GPA. My PSEO GPA (aka college GPA) is 3.75 as of right now and I need to maintain it or hopefully improve it.
Click to expand...
You certainly seem extremely motivated. Based on past performance I'd say you could do all of these things.
Have you taken any pre-reqs yet?
 
Just make sure you enjoy life too. I'd even get student loans if you can just to study abroad or something.
 
@Advance Thanks so much for your support! I don't know exactly how much prereq's I've done but I know I have a pretty good start and I am taking more my next semester and my summer semester has a lot of them as well.
 
@BeaverLover I have taken gen chem and one semester of A&P and moving on to my second in the spring. I also want to take a third semester of A&P because I would like to participate in a cadaver lab. I have also taken A.P physics but will retake it in college.
 
ns2016 said:
@Advance Thanks so much for your support! I don't know exactly how much prereq's I've done but I know I have a pretty good start and I am taking more my next semester and my summer semester has a lot of them as well.
Click to expand...
Well. Just some general advice. Since you're going through this process at hyperspeed.

1.) Start scoping out professors/dentists to write your recommendation letters as soon as school starts.
2.) Don't rush studying for the DAT. It's best to take it once and score high, it will save time and money.(Make sure to finish taking organic chemistry before taking the DAT)
3.) Make sure to look carefully at the schools you're applying to. Some dental schools have different pre-reqs than others. (consider this when signing up for courses in college)
4.) Work on your interviewing skills. Interviews are also very important to the admissions process. You said you aren't a social butterfly (which is fine), but make sure you're able to carry on a professional conversation.
5.) Never give up.

Also. you wouldn't have to take the DAT 6 months after high school graduation.
Typically applicants take the DAT after their junior year. So in your case you would take it in May or June of 2017.

Good luck future dentist.👍
 
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There are some obvious holes to your plan, first, to take the DAT and do well on it you need Bio 1/2, Chem 1/2, Ochem 1/2, then before you start dental school, you will need physics, a math class or two (calc and stats usually for most schools), a writing intensive English class, sociology, then some upper level classes in bio/chem, not to mention whatever else your major requires. Are you sure you can get all of this done in a year along with all of the hours needed for shadowing, studying for the DAT, etc. Then, most dental schools will not accept that many CC credits or at minimum will take them only with upper level classes at a 4 year college to back up the grades in the CC. So, while you are taking your A&P at the CC, chances are you will have to either take another A&P at your 4 year school or take another upper level bio to back that up. Plus, dental schools require a minimum of 90 credits to apply, and some schools those 90 credits have to come from a 4 year college....and the acceptance rate for those without a BA/BS are very, very low.

As for living at home and going to undergrad...did you explore other options, like schools that give good financial aid or merit money so your costs to attend are little or nothing?
 
I know you're asking for practical advice not personal advice... but the two go together at this point.

I think your counselor is right that it is very improbable. Not from a technical standpoint, but from a subjective point. Dental schools are not going to be very interested in allowing a teenager to take on hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.

I don't doubt that you're certain, but I think it's out of your hands. I'm 27 and I barely remember the person I was in high school---I've grown so much since then. People on the admissions committee are going to feel the same way to an even greater extent.

In short---doing it is not the main challenge here. Getting people to let you do it is.
 
You say you're sure but I didn't see any mentioning of shadowing. I did see the part about being a cna but how does that relate to dentistry?
 
Your counselors might have qualified that you are very unlikely to succeed in your proposed adventure and become the poster child of early admission. There are a number of schools that do have an early admission program which may want to consider. There is not much in your post to suggest that you have done your homework and in spite of your assertions, you have failed to make a case that you know what dentistry is all about.
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2015-guide-to-dental-school-admission.942453/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2015-job-shadowing-requirements-recommendation.1139813/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...-advanced-placement-and-ds-admission.1138556/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2015-prerequisites.1138351/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...age-predental-education-of-enrollees.1070379/
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
IF you can pull it off in two years, then yes you will have a good chance of getting in. However, it seems like a huge if.

Here's what I believe to be the ideal plan assuming you haven't taken any of the pre-reqs at the previous community college:

Fall semester of first year:
general bio 1 with lab
general chemistry 1 with lab
math pre-req for calc 1 (in case you can't get straight into calculus 1)
freshman writing course (e.g. eng101)

Winter semester
elective

Spring semester of first year:
general bio 2 with lab
general chemistry 2 with lab
calculus 1
elective

Summer semester:
1) Allocate two months into DAT prep and take it in early July (organic chem in my opinion can be studied from your commercial prep sources)
2) Submit your app as soon as the online application to dental schools opens (usually sometime in early June).

Fall semester of second year:
general physics 1 with lab
organic chemistry 1 with lab
electives

Winter semester
elective

Spring semester (last semester)
general physics 2 with lab
organic chemistry 2 with lab
electives

Now that I look at it, it seems really hectic, but it might be possible. Check with your advisor at a 4-yr college whether this plan seems feasible (i.e. whether you can get a degree with the above plan in two years).

Also keep in mind that some dental schools might require more courses like microbiology and biochemistry. Check with each dental school as for pre-requisite courses.

Edit: just saw that you've taken gen chem at a community college. you might need to retake gen chem series as some dental schools don't accept community college credits for pre-requisites.
 
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You should research on schools that you are interested in applying to. Some dental schools require students to have a bachelor's and others will require a minimum of 3 years worth of hours completed. It will be very hard to get in dental school with only finishing 2 years of undergrad.
 
It sounds like you want to do: gen chem 1 and 2, bio 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, orgo 1 and 2, biochem, (possibly) microbio, two writing intensive courses, the labs, and whatever else is required for your degree in two hours. While also doing all of your volunteer work, shadowing, and studying for the DAT. The credit hours alone on just those prereqs at my undergrad were close to 50. Yikes.

It's doable if that's all you want to spend your time doing, but I would recommend reconsidering it. At least at my undergrad, you couldn't do biochem until after orgo 2, so that alone will be 5 semesters. You can shorten that with summer semesters of course, but there's not much room for error. Another factor to consider is actually being able to schedule all of the classes you needed. Both my undergrad and grad school were notorious for filling up their labs quickly. You had to be very flexible. I was only able to take a lab the same semester I was taking its course twice and that was for cell bio and biochem.
 
OP do not try to do what you're planning. You will be giving up what many people consider the best years of their lives. You spend 4 years enjoying freedom, stress free life (outside of studying), making friends, chasing girls (or guys), and doing whatever you feel like doing! Plus you might end up taking a different path in life that you would never expect! Dental school will always be there waiting for you, what you could miss out on can't be replaced.
 
I do agree with these other folks saying you should enjoy your college experience but if that's really not for you, who is to tell you to do anything. Just FYI if you really do want to try to get in hecka young, at my school we have someone who is supposedly 21 as a D4 right now, meaning she got in at 17 or so?? I wish I got in younger honestly but at the same time wouldn't want to trade in all the fun I had in college and all the friends I made. But I'm sure you'll make plenty friends in dental school too. Good luck with everything! You sound really ambitious, hope it all works out for you!
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
You GO girl! Don't let anyone tell you it's impossible! I love seeing ambitious people 😀
 
My opinion is to go for it and don't look back. This means you can finish D-School at 23/24. You still have tons of time to enjoy your "best years." The difference is that you will be enjoying them while bringing home 6 figures.
Sounds like you have your priorities in order. Keep up the good work, there will always be time for fun. Don't worry about being in undergrad longer because of friends. Chances are, you will not speak to them anymore 10 years later. For the truly great friends you meet, they will stick with you regardless of where you meet them.
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
This is great that you know what you want to do! Like the others said, do some more research on the dental schools you are interested in, like about 10 is a good range. From there, write down all their prerequisites and see how many you have completed so far and which ones you still need to complete. If you've taken science courses at a community college, you most likely will need to retake them at the university. Dental schools prefer university level. Definitely wait on taking the DAT until you've completed the biology, inorganic and organic chemistry courses.
It's really all planning. Once you see what your major requirements are, then you can make 2 or 3 yr schedule that list all the courses you'll be taking each semester. On this 2 or 3 yr schedule, you can insert when you will take the DAT, shadow dentists, etc.
 
ns2016 said:
Hi everyone,

This is a long post but please bear with it! Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!

I am a current high school senior and I am set on being a dentist. I took two years of PSEO and am graduating with an A.A in Liberal Arts and Science in May 2016 as well as high school in June. I am attending a university after high school (hopefully, if I get accepted) to get my bachelor's and finish up prerequisites. I would like to go to dental school right after those two years of college, after high school, but my college counselor says it cannot be done. She says, and I understood this before she explained, that I would have to take the DAT about 6 months after high school, get shadowing done, as well as other things (like volunteering, LORs, clubs participation, etc). I would them have to apply to dental school a year after from now (a year after high school) which would be my junior year of college.I personally think I can do it but so many counselors advised me against it. They also told me that dental schools do not like accepting young students because these students are not 100% sure they would like to be dentists but, I am sure.
I think that I am up to the task of achieving my dream. I plan to do at least 150 hours of shadowing this summer, study for the DAT, and do some volunteering. I also have been working as a CNA since May 2015 and am getting a hospital CNA job in April 2016 which will accumulate to at least 300 hours of health care work. I hope this will enhance my application opposed to having, say, a waitress job. But, these experiences will be the summer before college so my question is if they will count as college experience(and the CNA job in high school). With so many people telling me it can't be done I am feeling very discouraged. My general question is if I do all this will I have as good of a chance of getting in as someone who attended 4 years of college? Also, any tips or advice for my situation is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
It is possible to get into dental school without a bachelors. Many schools require 87 credits to matriculate. If you have most of the pre-reqs done and have that many credits then you can apply early if you would like (I tried this and failed but I got interviews). Once you have your bachelors degree you will be a more favorable applicant but if you have a high GPA and good DAT you could even get in early. I would say your only downfall may be that you are young but if they see you do well in school and have good EC's they'd be hard-pressed not to accept you.
 
Thank you so much for all of your feedback! I will make sure to apply it to my pre-dental experience. Again thank you for your time!
 
@schmoob Your post is exactly what I was thinking! My counselors said the same thing about not doing PSEO in high school because I will miss out on high school. While I admit I did miss some of the "traditional" high school memories, I made a lot of great friends in CC and made great memories that way. I believe this will apply similarly to college.
 
@SableFire Thanks for the advice! My first choice is actually UMN dental school! I live right outside the cities and hopefully, I will be attending the school one day!
 
@SableFire If you don't mind me by asking, what other EC and other activities did you completed to get accepted to UMN outside your GPA and DAT?
 
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