Feeling discouraged over financial issues

[soxinabox90]

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Hi everyone.. it's been a long journey through this cycle and I appreciate everyone's support here. Many have received acceptances, and many have not. I've been accepted at Nova and I am now having some feelings of discouragement mostly over financial issues.

I have never been free of financial stress. For the last 4 years or so, I've barely had enough money to pay for the necessities (rent, bills, food, etc) as I don't have financial support from my parents and I've never made more than $13/hour. Using a credit card was the only possible way that I could pay for the application fees, flights, and hotels, and I only went to 2 out of state interviews! I will have paid nearly $6000 before everything is said and done. I didn't expect the application process to be so expensive. Now I'm working 45 hours per week at a piddly $11/hour just to pay off this credit card and I still have an upcoming deposit and need to pay for an apartment deposit before too long.

I guess I just feel like I'm going to be in a never-ending state of massive debt and it's already started even before starting classes. I'm starting to question whether dental school is worth it, but all I have is a pre-med degree so I don't have many other options and I've been working on gaining acceptance for a long time. Is there anyone else without financial support who is feeling this way?

 

[DC206R]

I feel you. Applying is fairly expensive and interviews out of state are costly. But it is all for the dream. Keep grinding! Props to you for supporting yourself.

 

[monkeyteeth]

I feel you. I did used my credit card to pay for my applications and travel and undergrad tuition. I guess there is no looking back. I was in the same position, got a bachelor degree in biochemistry, couldn't find a job and didn't really have any other option beside dental. It was the best option for me so I just went with it. I used my gradplus to pay for my credit card debt since it offered lower interest rate. Save that 2K for the initial deposit. My advice is to stay frugal, don't rent at expensive place like One Plantation or AMLI. Centro is kinda expensive,imo . Nova Garden or university Parc has some good deals. the money you save from renting at cheaper place can make up for the credit card debt. I know there are people that spend 2k per month on rent but that is personal decision. A good deal around is around $550 if sharing bathroom, or $650 for master bedroom. You should live with other grad students, don't live with undergrad or others just to save the headache. also don't live on the other side of freeway bridge if you don't want to deal with traffic at 5 pm.there is a Facebook group called HPD housing or something like that for Nova student. in short dentistry= long term debt. Accept it and move forward. GL

 

[tyjacobs]

Hi everyone.. it's been a long journey through this cycle and I appreciate everyone's support here. Many have received acceptances, and many have not. I've been accepted at Nova and I am now having some feelings of discouragement mostly over financial issues.

I have never been free of financial stress. For the last 4 years or so, I've barely had enough money to pay for the necessities (rent, bills, food, etc) as I don't have financial support from my parents and I've never made more than $13/hour. Using a credit card was the only possible way that I could pay for the application fees, flights, and hotels, and I only went to 2 out of state interviews! I will have paid nearly $6000 before everything is said and done. I didn't expect the application process to be so expensive. Now I'm working 45 hours per week at a piddly $11/hour just to pay off this credit card and I still have an upcoming deposit and need to pay for an apartment deposit before too long.

I guess I just feel like I'm going to be in a never-ending state of massive debt and it's already started even before starting classes. I'm starting to question whether dental school is worth it, but all I have is a pre-med degree so I don't have many other options and I've been working on gaining acceptance for a long time. Is there anyone else without financial support who is feeling this way?

keep grinding it will be worth it 100000%

sooo impressed with your desire

 

[NavyDDS1990]

Hi everyone.. it's been a long journey through this cycle and I appreciate everyone's support here. Many have received acceptances, and many have not. I've been accepted at Nova and I am now having some feelings of discouragement mostly over financial issues.

I have never been free of financial stress. For the last 4 years or so, I've barely had enough money to pay for the necessities (rent, bills, food, etc) as I don't have financial support from my parents and I've never made more than $13/hour. Using a credit card was the only possible way that I could pay for the application fees, flights, and hotels, and I only went to 2 out of state interviews! I will have paid nearly $6000 before everything is said and done. I didn't expect the application process to be so expensive. Now I'm working 45 hours per week at a piddly $11/hour just to pay off this credit card and I still have an upcoming deposit and need to pay for an apartment deposit before too long.

I guess I just feel like I'm going to be in a never-ending state of massive debt and it's already started even before starting classes. I'm starting to question whether dental school is worth it, but all I have is a pre-med degree so I don't have many other options and I've been working on gaining acceptance for a long time. Is there anyone else without financial support who is feeling this way?

I can totally understand your financial stress as I have gone through myself for the past 4 years after graduating from college. First application cycle, I was working full time at the dental office just so I can afford my room and food on the table, also the whole application process while I was studying for my DAT. I spent a lot of money into it and all I received were just rejections. I went back for the formal post-bacc and have successfully completed them. Finally, on my 3rd cycle applying, I am finally accepted and was able to receive several pre-dec. interviews. I get no financial support from my family and I was, just like you, never been free from financial stress and I just couldn't afford to go through any more even in dental school. Military HPSP seemed just a perfect fit for me, both financially and experience-wise. It's also a great way to serve for the people that are serving me even better while protecting me from foreign threats. I've already accumulated enough debt from my undergrad and formal post-bacc, and I was scared that I would be sitting on more than 500K debt after I graduate, especially because I knew I had to live off the loan if I didn't apply for the HPSP.

Have you ever considered joining the military? It's a great way to serve your country while being paid for all of your education. You are only left with the 3-year HPSP option since you will be starting school in the fall. To me personally, it wasn't just about the money, it was also about relieving myself from the financial stress so I can focus on my work while I'm in school and live my life to the fullest and truly enjoy my life.
I have to say that I am truly proud to serve my nation and extremely honored to wear the uniform while doing the work I love.