Just starting

[Jbrowndds]

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Right now I go to tstc waco in texas for dental assisting. Since its a year program I won't be able to start my pre reqs till next fall. I do have 12 credits already though. I'm freaking out about being in school for the next 8 years but it will all be worth it. Where do you think the dentistry will be within the next 10 years? Is there anything you wish you had done different that I should keep in mind? Thanks!

 

[Jbrowndds]

My post has 210 views but no comment. I didn't know dentistry was so cut throat lol. I'm kidding.

 

[ushaseos]

Maybe minor differences in things like Medicaid but I can't believe much will change. Go through articles on NY Times if you want to know more about dentistry in general.

http://health.nytimes.com/health/gu...erview.html?8qa&scp=1-spot&sq=dentists&st=nyt

Can't say I'd have done too many things differently...though I would have tried to get a higher GPA than I currently possess. Since you're just starting, make sure to keep your academics in good shape. Don't ignore extra-curricular activities either, but definitely keep an eye on grades GPA etc. So many good folks on here are waiting and worried when a .1 or .2 increase in their GPA would be all they'd need to be a little more confident about their chances.

 

[Jbrowndds]

Thank you. What GPA should I aim for?

 

[ccm5166]

Thank you. What GPA should I aim for?

Dont waste your time and money on dental assisting program..just start taking classes spring semester..I dont think you will be able to transfer those assistant program credits so most likely you start from zero towards your bachelor degree..GPA over 3.5..good luck

 

[Longcatislong]

Thank you. What GPA should I aim for?

the higher the better. Aim to get A's.

 

[ushaseos]

the higher the better. Aim to get A's.

Pretty much this. You want to shoot for a minimum of 3.5 or above. A 3.3 is still do-able but it just makes the stressful application process more stressful. In my case my GPA isn't bad but some early entrant classes I took were factored into my GPA (despite taking them in high school) they scuffed up my BCP and Sci GPA ever so slightly.

Besides GPA, study well and kill the DAT in 1-2 tries. Again, a lot of good folks on the forums end up going in unprepared or with the attitude of "lets just get this thing done" and their DAT score doesn't reflect their full potential. This is many years into the future for you, but while you take your pre-reqs, take good notes and save them. I always used a tablet PC so I naturally stored all my notes and some pre-recorded lectures as digital files. They were handy to review some topics and probably contributed to my sciences prep.

 

[Jbrowndds]

Dont waste your time and money on dental assisting program..just start taking classes spring semester..I dont think you will be able to transfer those assistant program credits so most likely you start from zero towards your bachelor degree..GPA over 3.5..good luck

I wish I could start but I need a job. What better job than dental assistant. If I didn't need money right now I would have started over the summer but times are hard lol.