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- Jan 26, 2018
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Hello Everyone,
I have a few questions and hopefully with some answers I can calm my nerves.
Background information:
I currently work as a dental assistant, and have been in love with the dental field from my childhood. I spent so much time in the dental office for my braces and cleanings that it felt like my second home. Working in the field now I have come to realize that dental is my passion; and I want more than anything to become a dentist. However, my love for the field isn't enough. I am currently finishing my BS degree (just a basic liberal studies degree), and also taking science courses at a near by community college. I am not sure what my over all science GPA is but I have gotten so far 2 B's 1 C and 3 A's. My BS (general studies) GPA is 3.71. I have not taken the DAT yet, I have 62 hours of community service, and 2 letters of rec.---I just need one more. I also have obtained 4 years of experience as a dental assistant and have counted this as my "shadowing". I have worked with general, pedo, endo, perio, and oral surgery specialties.
It is 1:11 am, and I can't sleep. Thinking about the future is making me nervous and I have so many unanswered questions, that I fear the #1 thing I want is FAAARRRR out of reach.
Questions:
Will it hurt my chances if the science course I took were from a community college? (I know these courses are what matter the most)
Will having B's and C's hurt me? Should I retake these courses?
Should I have more community service hours?
Will my experience as a DA at least boost my chances of being accepted?
Any suggestions for preparing for the DAT?
I’m not sure of my timeline either. I still need to take organic chm, biochm, and the DAT. When should I start applying to schools? Should I start next year when the application opens in 2019?
I am freaking out so much, that it is hard to stay focused sometimes, because I am doubting my ability. Does anyone have advice? Literally my stomach is in knots.
***I think what I fear the most, is that I am going through all this trouble to pursue my dream of dentistry, and I fear I am not good enough to be accepted. And if I fail to get accepted, I will have nothing to fall back on. I'm getting my BS degree in something that I can't really use----its that basic. I just need some guidance. I have talked with other dentists, but they are all older and things have changed a lot since they were in school. I don't have anyone else to turn to.
If anyone would be kind enough to give me some feedback, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
AMF22
I have a few questions and hopefully with some answers I can calm my nerves.
Background information:
I currently work as a dental assistant, and have been in love with the dental field from my childhood. I spent so much time in the dental office for my braces and cleanings that it felt like my second home. Working in the field now I have come to realize that dental is my passion; and I want more than anything to become a dentist. However, my love for the field isn't enough. I am currently finishing my BS degree (just a basic liberal studies degree), and also taking science courses at a near by community college. I am not sure what my over all science GPA is but I have gotten so far 2 B's 1 C and 3 A's. My BS (general studies) GPA is 3.71. I have not taken the DAT yet, I have 62 hours of community service, and 2 letters of rec.---I just need one more. I also have obtained 4 years of experience as a dental assistant and have counted this as my "shadowing". I have worked with general, pedo, endo, perio, and oral surgery specialties.
It is 1:11 am, and I can't sleep. Thinking about the future is making me nervous and I have so many unanswered questions, that I fear the #1 thing I want is FAAARRRR out of reach.
Questions:
Will it hurt my chances if the science course I took were from a community college? (I know these courses are what matter the most)
Will having B's and C's hurt me? Should I retake these courses?
Should I have more community service hours?
Will my experience as a DA at least boost my chances of being accepted?
Any suggestions for preparing for the DAT?
I’m not sure of my timeline either. I still need to take organic chm, biochm, and the DAT. When should I start applying to schools? Should I start next year when the application opens in 2019?
I am freaking out so much, that it is hard to stay focused sometimes, because I am doubting my ability. Does anyone have advice? Literally my stomach is in knots.
***I think what I fear the most, is that I am going through all this trouble to pursue my dream of dentistry, and I fear I am not good enough to be accepted. And if I fail to get accepted, I will have nothing to fall back on. I'm getting my BS degree in something that I can't really use----its that basic. I just need some guidance. I have talked with other dentists, but they are all older and things have changed a lot since they were in school. I don't have anyone else to turn to.
If anyone would be kind enough to give me some feedback, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
AMF22
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