mature student status

[drunk7daysaweek]

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Can one apply to dental school as a mature student? Also, does it matter if you have a criminal record?

 

[rocknightmare]

i don't understand what you mean by "mature". if you mean by old ya. plenty people are join at the age of 28+. Look at the pre-dental form there are several threads about people who have changed careers.

The criminal record. I guess it all depends if you can explain it and how bad it is.

 

[Fullosseousflap]

Can one apply to dental school as a mature student? Also, does it matter if you have a criminal record?

Might be tough for licensure.

What kind of crime? DUI?

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

By mature status, I mean one who has been out of school for 5 years. By criminal record I mean drug trafficking.

 

[45540]

That would make it a little difficult to get a DEA licensure and state licensure as well.

 

[flat4]

You mean 5 years in prison? I'm gonna take a stand here and say that yes, you are pretty much screwed. I know if I were on the admissions staff, that would be a pretty big red flag, especially with all the qualified applicant's to choose from nowadays. But, hey, I could be way off base. Good luck.

 

[predentchick]

By mature status, I mean one who has been out of school for 5 years. By criminal record I mean drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking and drunk 7 days a week? When are you available for my prep on #2?

 

[TucsonDDS]

I have a friend who I work with who spent a little time in jail for drug trafficking about 15 years ago when he was in his late teens/early 20s. He is now a nurse and I would trust him with my life. Alot of people fxxk up early in life. Dentistry however is a little more stingent and I think that although not completely hopeless it would be very difficult to gain acceptance. You would have to show how you have completely turned your life around from when you had the 3k's of cocaine in your colon. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I don't think that you can any sort of federal loans if you have been convicted on a drug offense.

Why do you want to be a dentist, I would think you could make way more money selling/distributeing meth.

 

[12YearOldKid]

As other people have mentioned, your biggest hurdle might be with licensure. I would make an effort to discuss this with the dental board in the state you plan to practice in before going to dental school. It would really be a shame to spend four years of your life and a quarter million dollars obtaining a degree you aren't allowed to use.

I'm not saying it's impossible; you just need to check with the right people first. Good luck.

 

[45540]

If someone was unable to obtain licensure could they gear towards dental research with a PhD program?

 

[Fullosseousflap]

I have a friend who I work with who spent a little time in jail for drug trafficking about 15 years ago when he was in his late teens/early 20s. He is now a nurse and I would trust him with my life. Alot of people fxxk up early in life. Dentistry however is a little more stingent and I think that although not completely hopeless it would be very difficult to gain acceptance. You would have to show how you have completely turned your life around from when you had the 3k's of cocaine in your colon. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I don't think that you can any sort of federal loans if you have been convicted on a drug offense.

Why do you want to be a dentist, I would think you could make way more money selling/distributeing meth.

Is your crime federal or state?

 

[TucsonDDS]

Is your crime federal or state?

I am not sure whether his crime was federal or state. I know it happened in california and he had trouble getting his license in Arizona. I personally was arrested for "illegal consuption and disorderly conduct" for underage drinking when I was 20 in college. It didn't affect my acceptance or interview invites for Arizona, Buffalo or Case but maybe it was part of the 4 declines that I have received. I can tell you that my arrest did not affect the ability to recieve licensure as an RN here in Arizona or Oregon, but then again it wasn't a drug traficing charge that I had to deal with.

 

[J2AZ]

See a lawyer and work on getting your file sealed or the crime removed from your record.

 

[TucsonDDS]

See a lawyer and work on getting your file sealed or the crime removed from your record.

Although I don't know the feasability of this, it is a very good idea. However you would still have to report it on the application I would assume under the space "have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

 

[texas_dds]

yikes take a look at the other things this person has been posting
the drug trafficking is only one of their problems

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

Im from Canada, we don't have those crazy draconian drug laws that you guys have.. it's not much of a big deal, my doctor's bought **** off me

I just want a nice profession, thinking either Law or Dental school's the way to go, but I wont be able to get licensed as a lawyer with this pesky conviction.

 

[JakeMUSC]

Im from Canada, we don't have those crazy draconian drug laws that you guys have.. it's not much of a big deal, my doctor's bought **** off me

I just want a nice profession, thinking either Law or Dental school's the way to go, but I wont be able to get licensed as a lawyer with this pesky conviction.

LOL. are you serious?

 

[bryan45876]

See a lawyer and work on getting your file sealed or the crime removed from your record.

I agree with J2AZ and that is probably the best place to start. If you can get your record sealed or expunged then you wouldn't even have to report the charge when you're applying so they would have no way to know.

Even with an expunged charge it may be possible to locate evidence of the charge but not the conviction. Then again, how thorough of a background check is done by admission committees.

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

Even with an expunged charge it may be possible to locate evidence of the charge but not the conviction. Then again, how thorough of a background check is done by admission committees.

Exactly. I'd rather just not put that on my app. I don't want to write the DAT, will they accept a written apology in place? I hear it doesn't reall count for much, plus I'd rather focus on the interview. Do you have to have a degree or do they take you on a case-by-case basis?

 

[45540]

I don't think getting accepted to Dent School is an issue. I think it's the licensure afterwards that you need to focus on.

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

I don't think getting accepted to Dent School is an issue. I think it's the licensure afterwards that you need to focus on.

Im not too concerned about licensing... so a Dental school will accept me? I just don't want to spend $$$ if it's a sure fire no applying

 

[texas_dds]

at least in the US, an expunged conviction cannot be witheld from professional licensing boards. you can use it to hide from regular employer type BG checks, but for a dental license I dont think so.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Im from Canada, we don't have those crazy draconian drug laws that you guys have.. it's not much of a big deal, my doctor's bought **** off me

Crazy draconian drug laws? What? I can tell you from experience that what they teach you in elementary school about drugs is damn real. Like any rambunctious college kid, I have tried everything from w**d to cr*ck with little or no ramifications. But...I lost a friend to drugs. He fell deeper into debt due to his addiction and it basicly destroyed his once promising life. He dropped out of school, his parents gave up on him, and his girlfriend dumped him. So, drugs are a big deal, it destroys families, friendships, and lives.

I am fortunate to not suffer the same fate as my friend and you are lucky to still be able to choose what you want to do with your future. Because of what happened to my friend, I truly believe that selling or distributing drugs for profit is a henous crime that shows a lack of moral fortitude. You are making profit at the expense of another's well-being! Think about when you become a dentist, are you going to give someone a crown and charge them for it when you know that all they needed was a filling? It's a question of morals.

So your original question about whether or not the adcoms will look past your felony (again, trafficking is not a misdemeanor) is tough to say. In my opinion, if I were an adcom, this shows a weakness of character and will be hard to overlook, especially if you still feel that drugs are not a big deal. I don't know what kind of laws you have in Canada but I'm glad we have laws against hard drugs to prevent people like my friend from inadvertently ruining their lives.

My advice would be for you to turn yourself around. Volunteer to counsel kids on the importance of staying drug-free at a school or something.
And good luck bro; you should apply anyways. I hope the adcoms can find something else to outshine the blemish on your record.

 

[Bickle]

I have a friend who I work with who spent a little time in jail for drug trafficking about 15 years ago when he was in his late teens/early 20s. He is now a nurse and I would trust him with my life. Alot of people fxxk up early in life. Dentistry however is a little more stingent and I think that although not completely hopeless it would be very difficult to gain acceptance. You would have to show how you have completely turned your life around from when you had the 3k's of cocaine in your colon. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I don't think that you can any sort of federal loans if you have been convicted on a drug offense.

Why do you want to be a dentist, I would think you could make way more money selling/distributeing meth.

Is your friends name Gaylord Focker?

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

Think about when you become a dentist, are you going to give someone a crown and charge them for it when you know that all they needed was a filling? It's a question of morals.

Yes, I most certainly would if I could.. survival of the fittest, prey on the weak. If they're dumb enough to let me, then why not? there's no more morals in today's society

My advice would be for you to turn yourself around. Volunteer to counsel kids on the importance of staying drug-free at a school or something.
And good luck bro; you should apply anyways. I hope the adcoms can find something else to outshine the blemish on your record.

But I'm pro-drug. I think they bring more good than harm to the world. It would go against everything I believe in. I don't want to make a big deal on my record, but will schools accept someone without the proper education?

 

[aphistis]

Yes, I most certainly would if I could.. survival of the fittest, prey on the weak. If they're dumb enough to let me, then why not? there's no more morals in today's society



But I'm pro-drug. I think they bring more good than harm to the world. It would go against everything I believe in. I don't want to make a big deal on my record, but will schools accept someone without the proper education?

Such compelling arguments to let you into our profession. Looks to me like keeping you out is a win for everyone involved.

 

[drat]

Yes, I most certainly would if I could.. survival of the fittest, prey on the weak. If they're dumb enough to let me, then why not? there's no more morals in today's society


But I'm pro-drug. I think they bring more good than harm to the world. It would go against everything I believe in. I don't want to make a big deal on my record, but will schools accept someone without the proper education?

*yawn* *stretch*

Why don't you just apply and let us know if a mature, drug trafficking alcoholic can get into dental school?

You're clearly joking about all this, and if you continue to make light of the situation, I, for one, would appreciate it if you were at least funny.

 

[dentist_to_be?]

Yes, I most certainly would if I could.. survival of the fittest, prey on the weak. If they're dumb enough to let me, then why not? there's no more morals in today's society



But I'm pro-drug. I think they bring more good than harm to the world. It would go against everything I believe in. I don't want to make a big deal on my record, but will schools accept someone without the proper education?

IF THAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM HEALTH CARE PROFESSION! Its that attitude that brings the world down. why do i get the feeling you are only want to be a dentist so you can earn enough money to continue on with your extraciricular activities?

Its people like you that put the bad stigma in dentistry. I get so annoyed when i tell people im going to be a dentist, and they proceed to tell me that dentists are scam artists. well if they run into people like you... i can see why they feel that way.

(and by the way, the drug laws in canada are very strict, i dont know why you would say they arent)

 

[KY2007]

By mature status, I mean one who has been out of school for 5 years. By criminal record I mean drug trafficking.

I don't think you are eligible for financial aid with this type of conviction and dental school costs $120,000-$250,000.

 

[gumgardener2009]

I have a friend who I work with who spent a little time in jail for drug trafficking about 15 years ago when he was in his late teens/early 20s. He is now a nurse and I would trust him with my life. Alot of people fxxk up early in life. Dentistry however is a little more stingent and I think that although not completely hopeless it would be very difficult to gain acceptance. You would have to show how you have completely turned your life around from when you had the 3k's of cocaine in your colon. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I don't think that you can any sort of federal loans if you have been convicted on a drug offense.

Why do you want to be a dentist, I would think you could make way more money selling/distributeing meth.

Many of us have "friends" who have f---'d up but they only succeed to get a second chance when they grow up and leave that stuff behind. From the user name of this joker and from his posts, I think he still has a lot of "maturing" to do before even a barber school lets him in.

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

Many of us have "friends" who have f---'d up but they only succeed to get a second chance when they grow up and leave that stuff behind. From the user name of this joker and from his posts, I think he still has a lot of "maturing" to do before even a barber school lets him in.

i know a lot of immature professionals (not that Im immature). My dentiste sometimes lets on rip while working on me teeth, it's immature but funny

 

[RicDDS]

I have a friend who I work with who spent a little time in jail for drug trafficking about 15 years ago when he was in his late teens/early 20s. He is now a nurse and I would trust him with my life. Alot of people fxxk up early in life. Dentistry however is a little more stingent and I think that although not completely hopeless it would be very difficult to gain acceptance. You would have to show how you have completely turned your life around from when you had the 3k's of cocaine in your colon. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I don't think that you can any sort of federal loans if you have been convicted on a drug offense.

Why do you want to be a dentist, I would think you could make way more money selling/distributeing meth.

i think that nursing is just as stringent, esp. since nurses are around easily-available patient medications all the time (i.e morphine, propofol, etc). my wife and i have a friend who also has a "drug trafficking&using" history and he is a nurse now. he said that he had to show how he had been rehabilitated and write a letter to the licensing board. however, i think that he did get a break because he applied to a religious based nursing school where he was able to explain his background/rehabilitiation in greater detail and ask for a 2nd chance. just my 1 cent.

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

cheers for the positive responses. I've decided to apply in Ireland to a school that has a min. C grade requirement for their dental and med school admissions, I hear everyone gets in there.

 

[Morb]

Think about when you become a dentist, are you going to give someone a crown and charge them for it when you know that all they needed was a filling? It's a question of morals.

ya a dentist never tried to make money, ive had 6 different dentists in my lifetime, first one gave me the rubber bands with braces and induced a wicked case of tmj, 2nd put a garbage crown in that led to gum surgery, ive had 3 other dentists and a periodontist replace that crown and cut my gums and guess where i am?

in pain every day, in the process of replacing the crown yet again, my penultimate dentist is one of the most highly recommended in san diego and was working in conjunction with the most highly recommended periodontist in san diego

even with my gums completed twisted and purple around the crown he said "looks fine to me" and "lets do some bonding now"