Gap Year, Student Loans

[mitrieD]

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I'll be taking a gap year after I graduate this quarter. I'll be studying for the DAT, volunteering, and shadowing.

I hope this isn't a dumb question, but I would have to start paying for my undergrad student loans after 6 months, right? What part time job that would benefit me the most as a pre dental student? I was thinking of a dental office, but I'm a male, so I'm pretty sure dental offices don't want male receptionists....

 

[dieanotherday]

Substitute teaching and or tutoring

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Even if you were to work as a receptionist in a dental office, your not going to be doing anything actually dental related, so its a waste of time and won't help you stand out. Your better off finding another job (like a dental assistant) where you will get paid more and just shadow/volunteer in addition.

 

[sjv]

Do you have any research experience? You could use downtime as a research tech/assistant to study for the DAT while earning some money.

 

[mitrieD]

Do you have any research experience? You could use downtime as a research tech/assistant to study for the DAT while earning some money.

Unfortunately I don't have research experience. I should have made time for research during my time in undergrad.

 

[SES0112]

I'll be taking a gap year after I graduate this quarter. I'll be studying for the DAT, volunteering, and shadowing.

I hope this isn't a dumb question, but I would have to start paying for my undergrad student loans after 6 months, right? What part time job that would benefit me the most as a pre dental student? I was thinking of a dental office, but I'm a male, so I'm pretty sure dental offices don't want male receptionists....

As far as your student loans, after your 6 month grace period, you can defer or look into payment plans. Obviously some choices add more interest/length to paying off your loans and not ideal but if you aren't working full time or have bills and parents aren't supporting you, it may be the only option! Luckily there are many routes to choose from. I was in a similar situation and was pretty anxious about the loan payments but they make it easy.

 

[TheToothFairy13]

Yes, 6 months. I'm sort of in the same boat as you. Finding ANY job has been a struggle. But do something you somewhat enjoy!

 

[techyguy]

You have a college degree, so get the best job that it allows. I know it absolutely sucks coming right out of school, though, because every job wants you to have 3+ years of experience, and school is never considered experience.

I do suddenly feel as if I need to go around to all the "what major should I get threads" and recommend Comp. Sci., though. You're instantly employable at ~$50k/yr with that degree.

From everything that I've ever heard (which may somehow be limited), dental assistant and dental hygiene gigs do not help all that much when applying. The school will teach you how to be a dentist, my guess is they want you to have experience somewhere else.