HELP (or how you took some time out to answer a pre-dent's questions)

[ammarsfound]

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Hi Future-Dentists,

I'm in the process of applying to dental school and have a pretty strong application. I also have very limited funds and a strong desire to take out absolutely as little as possible in loans (somewhere in the 100k - 150k mark would be ideal). I understand that dental school is an investment, that is expensive for good reason, and that we will all most likely be able to pay of debt without too much trouble. I understand that, but I still want to take out as little in loans as possible.

So I had a couple of questions about financing Dental School. I was hoping you guys who are already in school might be able to help me answer them through personal experiences, insight, or even hear say.

1) What are schools with good scholarships/grants to tuition ratio? My stats are very competitive and I qualify under the federal definition as a financially disadvantaged person. I don't have a state school (NH resident). When I say good scholarships I mean quality rather than quantity (i.e. 1 full tuition scholarship is better than 20 half tuition scholarships, in this definition).

2) Does anyone know of dental students (or current dentists) who secured a NHSC scholarship? How is that working out for them? What kind of places are these individuals placed in after they graduate? (I'm perfectly fine with practicing in remote locations for a couple of years, not so much in prisons). (I understand that the NHSC scholarship has been dealt with in other threads. However, I wasn't able to find any concrete information about the program on those threads)

3) DMD/PHD programs. Does anyone know of any schools that are willing to fund all 7-8 years of the program? I understand that you should not pursue these programs if your only goal is to get a free education, but I would like to know more about them. For programs that only sponsor 5 or so years, is it possible to supplement the aid from the program with NIH funding?

4) What do people think of the Income Based Repayment program? I like the idea of paying 10 (or 15) percent of whatever I earn because it would give me a huge degree of confidence in my ability to pay back loans without starving on the streets (this is hyperbole - dentists don't starve, obviously.). I really like the clause that states 20 (or 25) years after repayment all loans are forgiven. I was just wondering if there was a guarantee that the federal government wouldn't just decide one fine day to change the rules after you had enrolled in the IBR - leaving you with a ton of loans and a ton of interest. If there is no guarantee, do you think it is possible?

5) Is there absolutely any advantage in going to an IVY over a state school at all if you don't plan on specializing?

6) Again, another question that has been dealt with before but, from your experiences and from what you have heard, what's the range of salaries associates from your school are getting as soon as they graduate? (it would be helpful if you also included the name of your school). Are there graduates from your school who have been completely unable to find a job?



Thanks. And may the force be with you,

Grateful Predent.

 

[Decan]

Have you thought about going the armed forces route? Uncle Sam is willing to pay for your time.

 

[ammarsfound]

I think I place a higher value on how I don't spend my time than Uncle Sam would be willing to offer. I don't like the idea of being deployed and (I don';t want to turn this into a political thread) I have personal reservations about the war especially since my family is from where this war is being waged 🙂 . In any case, I've talked to HPSP personnel and they agree that I shouldn't take the scholarship unless I really want to serve the US in that capacity.

 

[browncrack]

How about going to dental school overseas? I hear it's cheap. If you want to practice in the US then I suggest you take out some loans and maintain some flexibility in your career options. You can always work for an employer with loan repayment once you graduate.
All of these questions have been beat to death. Try the SDN search function or just troll through some old threads. You might be surprised to find out you are not the only one with these issues.

 

[ammarsfound]

How about going to dental school overseas? I hear it's cheap. If you want to practice in the US then I suggest you take out some loans and maintain some flexibility in your career options. You can always work for an employer with loan repayment once you graduate.
All of these questions have been beat to death. Try the SDN search function or just troll through some old threads. You might be surprised to find out you are not the only one with these issues.

Like i said, I have no issues taking out loans. It's just the very large loans (>200k) that bug me.

I have looked through old threads and most of them where questions like the NHSC are posed end up getting very few substantial replies. The questions I've asked here are either different or they're questions that haven't been adequately answered in other threads. In any case, I'm looking answers that come from personal experiences and hear say, which continue to be updated as students matriculate and graduate.

While I appreciate the advice, I would appeciate even more if some people could answer the questions above.

 

[coolfez]

u should post these questions over at the pre-dent section.

 

[JPDMD]

In regards to the DMD PhD program question, many schools will support you for a couple years, but after that you can apply for a grant (such as the F30) which will cover the rest of your expenses. Here is a website which goes over some of the options. Good luck with your decisions.

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/CareersAndTraining/Fellowships/DualDegreeStudents/