- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
- Messages
- 278
- Reaction score
- 7
Hey all,
I've been quietly observing these forums for a while now, and I have found some very helpful information. Keep up the good work!
This is my first post, and I'm sure it won't be a short one. I'm seeking support, advice, or just some words from anyone that is going or has gone through a similar situation...
here goes...
I'm 25, and I graduated Cum Laude back in 2005 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. My school was unique in that it was quarter-based, highly specialized, graded on a 100-point scale, required a thesis for graduation, and rotated between academic and co-op quarters. I was taking 20 credit hours by my sophomore year, and these classes weren't exactly cakewalks (Dynamic systems, Thermodynamics, all sorts of crazy math, all sorts of Physics, etc.) Oddly enough, the one thing it didn't focus much on was Chemistry (two Chem classes total).
I have over 4 years now with a very large international company (started while in college as a co-op), and I am currently in a fast-track management program that has me working for 2-years in Europe (Austria at the moment). I've learned German, and I am well-connected within the company. Needless to say, I'm on the right track for a successful career.
There's just one problem: I hate it. Corporate life is an absolute bore, terribly depressing, and I am getting out. Over the past year I have come to learn a lot about what I want, and I am set on becoming a dentist.
If I just quit, my company is going to make me pay them a lot of money (for relocating me over here), as well as make me pay my own way back to the US. I'd be giving up gettting paid in euro, too. Basically, I'd be broke. I don't care. My family, on the other hand, thinks I'm crazy for "throwing this all away." I guess I sometimes do, too.
If I've done my research correctly, I still have to take at least 4 biology courses, another 2 Chemistry courses (unless the whole quarter issue comes into play, which means I'll probably need 4 Chem classes), some other bio/chem electives, job shadowing and volunteer hours. The soonest I can start taking those prereq's is this fall semester, and judging by the amount of prereq's I'll need, we're talking at least two semesters to get them all. The soonest I'd be able to apply to dental school is June of 2009, which means I wouldn't be starting dental school (assuming I got in) until mid-late 2010, correct?
I've already got a good $50,000 in student debt from my BSME, and I'd have to take out probably another $10,000-$15,000 to cover my prereq's. I'd be going from a nice apartment, health benefits, 401k, cushy paycheck, and supporting myself, to living with my Mom, driving a beater, and basically having no income--and that's just the two years before I can even start dental school!
I do, however, have great connections in the dental industry: two very close family friends are dentists, and another owns a business making dental prosthetics, all of which have said they'd help me out. I've already been through a rigorous curriculum, and I've never failed at anything I've set out to do. But, MAN, that's going to be a very rough two years before I can even start dental school!
So tell me, is there anyone out there that's been through something like this? I've made up my mind, regardless, but I was just wondering if anyone would care to share their thoughts.
Thanks in advance.
I've been quietly observing these forums for a while now, and I have found some very helpful information. Keep up the good work!
This is my first post, and I'm sure it won't be a short one. I'm seeking support, advice, or just some words from anyone that is going or has gone through a similar situation...
here goes...
I'm 25, and I graduated Cum Laude back in 2005 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. My school was unique in that it was quarter-based, highly specialized, graded on a 100-point scale, required a thesis for graduation, and rotated between academic and co-op quarters. I was taking 20 credit hours by my sophomore year, and these classes weren't exactly cakewalks (Dynamic systems, Thermodynamics, all sorts of crazy math, all sorts of Physics, etc.) Oddly enough, the one thing it didn't focus much on was Chemistry (two Chem classes total).
I have over 4 years now with a very large international company (started while in college as a co-op), and I am currently in a fast-track management program that has me working for 2-years in Europe (Austria at the moment). I've learned German, and I am well-connected within the company. Needless to say, I'm on the right track for a successful career.
There's just one problem: I hate it. Corporate life is an absolute bore, terribly depressing, and I am getting out. Over the past year I have come to learn a lot about what I want, and I am set on becoming a dentist.
If I just quit, my company is going to make me pay them a lot of money (for relocating me over here), as well as make me pay my own way back to the US. I'd be giving up gettting paid in euro, too. Basically, I'd be broke. I don't care. My family, on the other hand, thinks I'm crazy for "throwing this all away." I guess I sometimes do, too.
If I've done my research correctly, I still have to take at least 4 biology courses, another 2 Chemistry courses (unless the whole quarter issue comes into play, which means I'll probably need 4 Chem classes), some other bio/chem electives, job shadowing and volunteer hours. The soonest I can start taking those prereq's is this fall semester, and judging by the amount of prereq's I'll need, we're talking at least two semesters to get them all. The soonest I'd be able to apply to dental school is June of 2009, which means I wouldn't be starting dental school (assuming I got in) until mid-late 2010, correct?
I've already got a good $50,000 in student debt from my BSME, and I'd have to take out probably another $10,000-$15,000 to cover my prereq's. I'd be going from a nice apartment, health benefits, 401k, cushy paycheck, and supporting myself, to living with my Mom, driving a beater, and basically having no income--and that's just the two years before I can even start dental school!
I do, however, have great connections in the dental industry: two very close family friends are dentists, and another owns a business making dental prosthetics, all of which have said they'd help me out. I've already been through a rigorous curriculum, and I've never failed at anything I've set out to do. But, MAN, that's going to be a very rough two years before I can even start dental school!
So tell me, is there anyone out there that's been through something like this? I've made up my mind, regardless, but I was just wondering if anyone would care to share their thoughts.
Thanks in advance.