Going back to Dental School

[wengm]

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Hi! I just wonder if any of you have thought of repeating the whole 4-yr dental course instead of trying many times just to qualify for the Advance Standing Program which takes 2 years and for some schools would take 3 years? If not, what can you say about this idea? 4 yrs dental school/2-3 years advance standing?

I know it's kinda stupid repeating it all but it just came across my mind because my target schools are CA dental schools only since I don't want to be away from my husband here in CA. And I'm thinking, maybe atleast I won't have to compete and retake again my part 1 since I got a low score but I passed part 2.. I'm thinking that retaking might waste time.. Instead of starting school already, I would still retake and retake til I get a high score which I'm not sure how high can I possibly get. And as I heard, getting a high score is not a guarantee that I will get accepted in the program.. I just want to get into something which is a sure thing that I will be accepted. I'm confuse which decision to make.

I'm confuse.. but still I'm sending applications in diff dental schools in US. Hoping for the best..

 

[cheer_up]

Hi! I just wonder if any of you have thought of repeating the whole 4-yr dental course instead of trying many times just to qualify for the Advance Standing Program which takes 2 years and for some schools would take 3 years? If not, what can you say about this idea? 4 yrs dental school/2-3 years advance standing?

I know it's kinda stupid repeating it all but it just came across my mind because my target schools are CA dental schools only since I don't want to be away from my husband here in CA. And I'm thinking, maybe atleast I won't have to compete and retake again my part 1 since I got a low score but I passed part 2.. I'm thinking that retaking might waste time.. Instead of starting school already, I would still retake and retake til I get a high score which I'm not sure how high can I possibly get. And as I heard, getting a high score is not a guarantee that I will get accepted in the program.. I just want to get into something which is a sure thing that I will be accepted. I'm confuse which decision to make.

I'm confuse.. but still I'm sending applications in diff dental schools in US. Hoping for the best..

Hi Wengm

Going back to school for another 4 years just to get a basic dental degree? Man, I can't bear that thought for a second. I can't even bear the thought of going back for a 3-year program 😀 . Maybe I feel that way because I've been in school for way toooooo long and want to get out of it as quickly as I can. Anywayz, if you're considering doing a 4-year degree, sure, you don't have to retake part I , but you definitely have to take the DAT. That thing ain't easy either because I've done it way, way back in the days. Not only that you also have to have all the prerequisiste courses and a competitive GPA. I think there is just as much competition there as it is in here (although some people might disagree with me). I'm in no way, trying to discourage you from considering it, but just want to tell you what I know so that you can be informed about it. It's just not as easy as it seems. You may have all the prerequisite courses, a good GPA, and DAT, but that's no guarantee that you'll get in either. There is no guarantee in anything, especially when it comes to school admission. I would much rather, retake Part I, and put your heart and soul into it, get at least 90, like a lot of people here have done. With that score, you'll become much more competitive, although no guarantee that you'll get in. We're all in the same boat. You'll just have to keep on trying and hang in there. I'm sure you'll get in eventually. It's just a matter of time. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dentist80]

Hi! I just wonder if any of you have thought of repeating the whole 4-yr dental course instead of trying many times just to qualify for the Advance Standing Program which takes 2 years and for some schools would take 3 years? If not, what can you say about this idea? 4 yrs dental school/2-3 years advance standing?

I know it's kinda stupid repeating it all but it just came across my mind because my target schools are CA dental schools only since I don't want to be away from my husband here in CA. And I'm thinking, maybe atleast I won't have to compete and retake again my part 1 since I got a low score but I passed part 2.. I'm thinking that retaking might waste time.. Instead of starting school already, I would still retake and retake til I get a high score which I'm not sure how high can I possibly get. And as I heard, getting a high score is not a guarantee that I will get accepted in the program.. I just want to get into something which is a sure thing that I will be accepted. I'm confuse which decision to make.

I'm confuse.. but still I'm sending applications in diff dental schools in US. Hoping for the best..

hey wengm,
its not a stupid idea!! and cheer_up is right too.DAT ia also pretty tough. I 'm from CA too. I myself had thought about it a year back. but most CA schools require you to do 2 years of Pre dental courses(like basic biology, physics etc.) so on the whole it will be 6 years. and also I think UCLA takes in only citizens and permanent residents for their traditional DDS program(I'm not sure though). so.... the best deal would be to retake part 1 get a good score and apply again. all the best!! dont lose hope!!

 

[wengm]

Hi cheer_up and dentist80! Thanks for the replies. I'm just starting to lose hope but I know it's not the right attitude. So what reviewers do u guys have? I only studied Dental Decks 2004 2005, Kaplan, and Released Questions. I heard USMLE part 1 is a good source. I'm thinking of getting one if I decide to retake part 1. Have you guys tried the computer exam? Do you know if it's true that I can retake it every 3 months? I'm thinking, if that's the case, I might as well retake and retake til I get a high score. Btw, so what do you guys do while waiting for acceptance in the advance program? Does any of you work as a dental assistant here in US? Sometimes life just get so frustrating... I tried to finish dental school in my country on time so I can start my career early.. and then moving here in the United States is so hard that I have to go back to school again for a couple of years. I understand the fact that US have different systems that's why we have to go back to dental school... but I hope it wouldnt take too long.... I want to start my dental career in US when I'm atleast 30.. Most of my dentist friends here in the US lost hope already and decided to go to a dental hygiene school instead. Now they are almost finish with the course and can start a living already.. But for me, I still dream of becoming a dentist in the US.

 

[boardssuccess]

Hey wengm
Dont loose hope
I had part 1 scores too and wasted a year giving the part 1 again
but now i have got into one of the schools here (UOP).
As for the DAT have a friend in Verginia who doesnt want to leave her husbad too..... she wrote her DAT got a good enough score but still didnt get in this year as she didnt have her Pre-recs.
if i am not mistake she was asked to take some organic chem classes and make up before she applies again

Hi cheer_up and dentist80! Thanks for the replies. I'm just starting to lose hope but I know it's not the right attitude. So what reviewers do u guys have? I only studied Dental Decks 2004 2005, Kaplan, and Released Questions. I heard USMLE part 1 is a good source. I'm thinking of getting one if I decide to retake part 1. Have you guys tried the computer exam? Do you know if it's true that I can retake it every 3 months? I'm thinking, if that's the case, I might as well retake and retake til I get a high score. Btw, so what do you guys do while waiting for acceptance in the advance program? Does any of you work as a dental assistant here in US? Sometimes life just get so frustrating... I tried to finish dental school in my country on time so I can start my career early.. and then moving here in the United States is so hard that I have to go back to school again for a couple of years. I understand the fact that US have different systems that's why we have to go back to dental school... but I hope it wouldnt take too long.... I want to start my dental career in US when I'm atleast 30.. Most of my dentist friends here in the US lost hope already and decided to go to a dental hygiene school instead. Now they are almost finish with the course and can start a living already.. But for me, I still dream of becoming a dentist in the US.

 

[wengm]

Hi boardsuccess! Thanks for the reply. Congratulations for being accepted in UOP. As for your friend,,, man that is so sad to hear...having passed DAT and having to take organic chem again.. It's so back to basics! I wish it was possible to have her subjects evaluated first before she took DAT. I don't even know how hard DAT is but still how I wish she was evaluated first. I consider retaking part 1 this year since I only tried it once last year. Yeahhh same boat,,,one year wasted for me too.... My part 1 score is very low. I only got 79 on my first attempt. Although some schools say that a grade of 75 may apply, I feel 79 is not a competitive score.. I wish I had taken part 1 again last december instead of part 2. I did passed part 2 but I don't find it's significance since it's just exactly a passing score and my part 1 is low. I should have concentrated more on part 1.....:-( and sad to say,,, I'm wasting time of my life again.... I wish I'm just born smart and competitive like those who get a score of 87 and up! I admit that here in our country, we are more on the practical skills than theoretical subjects..so my subject foundation is not good enough. I plan to take part 1 and DAT this year... I dont know if that's a good plan.... Can anyone tell if this is a crazy plan?

 

[rzon2chie]

hey weng! dont do it let's repeat the whole thing again! hahahahaah!!! bata pa tayo! sira!

 

[wengm]

🙁

 

[wengm]

oi sira! nag eemote ako dito nabuking mo ako hhhehe.. Yeah ulitin na nga lang... Ilan toefl mo? 237 cbt sa colorado e. Di ko alam if abot ako sa score kasi wala pa results.

 

[czhao]

but the tuition for 4 years and for 2 years are big difference

 

[wengm]

hi czaoh! thanks for the reply. Yeah..... that's one big thing to consider.