Cofused.

Started by aryadent
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A

aryadent

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Hello everyone 🙂
I am a European born and trained dentist.I graduated last November and since then I have been thinking about moving into Los Angeles to work as a dentist.My first choice would be a postgraduate program in UCLA but the fees are huge.I did some research on the NBDE and it left me stressed and disappointed.Are the odds against me because I am not a native speaker?How difficult are those exams really?Maybe I should apply for a preceptorship program in UCLA (they are not as expensive as the rest of the programs)so I could gain some experience and feel more comfortable with the language first and then take the exams?I am getting anxious about moving to a country I have never been before and where I have no relatives or friends so I thought that a university program could be a stepping stone.As it is obvious I am more than confused haha
 
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aryadent said:
Hello everyone 🙂
I am a European born and trained dentist.I graduated last November and since then I have been thinking about moving into Los Angeles to work as a dentist.My first choice would be a postgraduate program in UCLA but the fees are huge.I did some research on the NBDE and it left me stressed and disappointed.Are the odds against me because I am not a native speaker?How difficult are those exams really?Maybe I should apply for a preceptorship program in UCLA (they are not as expensive as the rest of the programs)so I could gain some experience and feel more comfortable with the language first and then take the exams?I am getting anxious about moving to a country I have never been before and where I have no relatives or friends so I thought that a university program could be a stepping stone.As it is obvious I am more than confused haha
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You have ambitions, but no means to make it a reality. Pace yourself.
Work for sometime and save money. Learn English to a an advanced level or about a 100 score on TOEFL before even thinking of applying to any program. UCLA's preceptorship is a waste of money, because it does not give you anything.
In order to practice dentistry in the USA you need a license . You can get one by attending a 2 year IDP - which is the most popular route. The cost now is close to a quarter of a million - how do you plan to pay for it? Residency might be an option , but the competition is high, no one wants to pay a huge amount of money for the IDP. It takes some time for people to get accepted and a the cost is considerable. NBDEs are difficult, especially if you didn't study in English
To summarize, you need to do a proper research before starting on this road
 
Not to scare anybody, but as Oralcare has mention, make a plan, but everything is possible. Just make a plan and follower or you will end like the guy in the article show below.
Oh by the way 250k for and IDP is for 2 years, most school are 3 years (considering the leveled class and time pass after graduation trying to find a job that sponsor you with working visa).
But, is possible and has been done before.

Mike Meru Has $1 Million in Student Loans. How Did That Happen?
 
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