late 20's applying after post-bach program...?

[applicant]

I just want to know chances of getting into dental schools for old applicants such as late 20's.
Are they considerably slimmer than the traditional applicants(early 20's)?
And are old applicants successful in gaining admission to good dental schools such as Columbia and Penn?

Let's just say, for example, that someone graduated with engineering degree that had little with premed/predental science courses and worked for company for a few years. Then, he decides to become a dentist and heads to post-bach program for two years to take required science courses.
Is this person going to have a good chance in getting into dental schools such as Columbia and Penn? How does his chance compare to the traditional chance(someone else takes science classes in college and applies between his junior and senior year)?

Any personal experiences or any inputs would be appreciated.

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[Regina330]

Honestly, you may have a better chance than most in their early 20s - you are more mature, have more life/career experiences, they know you are serious about it, you add diversity to the group. Let me tell you a story about my uncle - he graduated from high school, joined the army, worked for the CIA, and then decided at age 30 to go to undergrad and then apply to dental school. He was accepted everywhere he applied.

I say GO FOR IT!!!!

 

[Yah-E]

WOW!! CIA in dental school!!! Maybe it's a undercover thing! Actually, Temple hired your uncle undercover and try to bust huge drug deals that usually happen right in the front of the dental school (it's that type of neighborhood)! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> Hopefully, he'll be my alumni soon (if I get accepted to Temple)!!

 

[Yah-E]

Applicant,

Late 20s? Psss...that's nothing...I'll be 27 next week! There are plenty of us in the late 20s around applying to dental school. As far as your future success, it's not your age, it will be judged by your numbers and your life experiences! You can DOOOOOOOOOOOOO it (in an Asian accent)!!

 

[gryffindor]

applicant,

I started dental school right out of college and was shocked at the number of students in my class who had taken time off before coming back to school. An even bigger eye opener for me was the ones who had well paying jobs and were established and decided to give it up and be a student again. Dentistry had always been their passion, circumstances just didn't let them pursue it right away. It's about the experiences you have and what you have productively done with your time. If the interest in dentistry is there (shadowing, volunteering, etc.) then I'm sure schools will consider you.

I don't know what the fascination is on these pages with Columbia and Penn as "good" schools. I'm sure they graduate fine dentists every year, but unless money is no object, I would look into your state school first and not just the private schools. Patients will not care where your DDS/DMD is from, they just don't want you to hurt them. It doesn't even occur to most patients to ask where their dentist went to school. Debt after dental school is a huge deal, so consider the schools carefully while applying. If it is specializing you are after, then a top rank and good board score from any school will be key; I don't think that just the name will do it for you.

 

[smile_doctor]

Applicant:

Let me echo the comments of the others in encouraging you to go forward. I am currently 27 and will be applying for the entering class of 2003. That means that I will be nearly 29 by the time I start dental school (providing that I get accepted).

Dental schools appreciate older applicants who have work and life experience. The fact that we've already spent a few years in corporate America and are now giving up our financial stability to pursue our dreams shows a great deal of dedication. As long as you've shown dedication in other ways (grades, DAT, shadowing a dentist), then you'll be fine.

Go for it!

 

[quantumhead]

I am 29 with three and a half kids. I quit the Navy to go back to school so that I could go to Dental School. Now after graduating and being accepted to VCU I will be giving up another great paying job (Head of R & D for a small electronics company) to start at VCU in the fall.

One of my big selling points for myself was that I am a safe bet. As I have said before Dental schools do not want someone who will quit at any time. Not only do they loose the tuition, there is also one less Dentist on the street to care for patients, and ultimatly take over their patients when they want to retire. Use your age to your advantage, a Dental class, like any other, needs variety.