Chances of getting into dental school after academic dismissal

[evelynshinmoore]

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My story starts in 2010 I got into Howard University Dental School and was so excited but not prepared for the rigorous 21 credit semester I was getting into. I also was contacted by a couple of very enthusiastic and eager females who I became friends with in my class. I was distracted by some drama that occurred involving me and the females I met and I failed 2 courses. I was offered to return the following year to repeat the courses so I accepted. I was still depressed about what occurred during the previous year but I was able to pass the fall semester of 2011 but failed the spring semester in 2012. I did not take all of my exams the semester and now they went from I’s to F’s. I did not feel prepared for the exams and didn’t think I would pass so I did not take the exams. I should have been more focused and determined but I wasnt and it’s my fault not blaming anyone else. It was a sad time for me. I now have over $200,000 in student loan debt I am working at a Helarh Department to receive student loan forgiveness hopefully in 2 years and 10 months.

Fast forward to now 2025 I have the desire to return to dental school once I have received student loan forgiveness. I plan on retaking all of the prerequisites in 1 year, retaking the DAT. and completing the schools other requirements and then apply again. I believe I am more mature and more determined than my first attempt at dental school.

What do y’all think about this decision. I tried contacting the schools I want to apply to and one said I can apply but they are strict about previous academic dismissals and the other school said yes I can apply again. The school I attended Howard University is yet to reply. I am married now for the first time and have been married for over a year and a half. We are in the process of trying to have a child now. I won’t attempt to apply again until 4 years from now so this time around I’m really trying to prepare early and give myself the best chances I have to get accepted again and complete dental school. Also I’m a minority if it has anything to do with reapplying.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[wysdoc]

I have removed the duplicates, please only post your question in one location. Allow some time for people to read and respond

 

[DS2027]

You’re going to have to spend a lot of money applying to a decent amount of schools and hoping someone gives you a chance. Most will just take your money, but hopefully someone can look past it and offer an interview invite since it’s been years later. I’m not sure how old you are but you have to figure out if taking on that much debt is worth it at this point in your life because now you won’t have as much time to work to pay back loans, how long are you willing to practice for? If you were 25 back in 2010 and then not planning on applying for another 4 years and assuming you get in right away and graduate dental school after another 4 years. You’d be around 48 give or take by the time you start practicing. I don’t think it’s worth it in my opinion.

 

[evelynshinmoore]

Thanks for the response. I’ll be 48. I was 23 when I started dental school the first time. I would like to try again because it was a dream job of mine for a long time and I would like to optimally work in a career I enjoy. I was a soldier in the Army and in the soldiers creed it states “I will never accept defeat, I will never quit.”

 

[DS2027]

Yeah I get that, it’s certainly a tricky situation. I’m not sure how it works, but since you were in the military would they pay for dental school or would you be taking on all of the debt? It’s hard for me to say it’s not worth it because what’s worth it for me might not be for you. However, if you have to be responsible for paying back over $400k I’d question if it’s worth it, if the military doesn’t pay for it what’s your plan for repayment? With the uncertainty of what repayment options there would even be for student loans, would you be willing to work 20-30 years (68-78 years old) until forgiveness?

Dentistry is very taxing on the body and it could be difficult to work 5-6 days a week the first few years at that age, especially if you have any injuries from the military.

I have no idea what it’s like trying to get into dental school after being dismissed and also being older, but you have to consider that it might take a few years/application cycles before possibly getting accepted somewhere.

 

[evelynshinmoore]

The school I plan on applying to, the max debt I’ll have is around $200,000. There are incentives for joining military dentistry but I haven’t completely researched them all yet. The military is an option but not my final decision. There are many scenarios of what could go wrong in the military and out of the military but I would rather focus on the positive. I’m willing to take on debt to become a Dentist. Student loans are considered good debt. If the debt was bad I would not attempt to apply again.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I don't know how likely it is to get HPSP and become a military dentist if you start dental school over 40. You and others here know better than me. The specter of private loan debts may change this equation.

 

[evelynshinmoore]

I don't know how likely it is to get HPSP and become a military dentist if you start dental school over 40. You and others here know better than me. The specter of private loan debts may change this equation.

Yes I may not be eligible because of my past dental school record.