MONEY issues, please give me advice!

[NJDental]

---

Members do not see this ad.

hey guys/girls.....

im applying next cycle and im starting to prepare as much as I can, but im facing a dilemma which is money. I think the DAT is around $200, I really want to do the online 15-week course which is around $1400, plus books to prepare, and then not to mention the money I have to pay AADSAS and things, did anyone take out a loan for all this? I work part time since I go to school and im only 20 so I barely have money right now...

I have loands through school but I dont think I can ask them for more money for all this. I don't know what else to do tho - just go to a bank and ask for a loan?

I feel like an idiot asking lol but I can't let money stand in my way....please help!

 

[rewJW]

I can't offer any advice, but I can tell you that I'm in the same boat as you. I also can't afford to afford to the 20+ schools some people say is necessary to apply to. I only did 4 this time.

I think I am going to take out another credit card and put everything on it this time around. I've never taken out a bank loan so I wouldn't know how to go about it, if it's possible. I work 25 hours a week and it mostly goes to food, gas, car insurance. I think I'll be taking a year off to work a full time job and save up money, but I'll need money for the applications and DAT preps before I graduate in May.

I hope somebody can give us some direction 😀

 

[sl2obel2ts]

hey guys/girls.....

im applying next cycle and im starting to prepare as much as I can, but im facing a dilemma which is money. I think the DAT is around $200, I really want to do the online 15-week course which is around $1400, plus books to prepare, and then not to mention the money I have to pay AADSAS and things, did anyone take out a loan for all this? I work part time since I go to school and im only 20 so I barely have money right now...

I have loands through school but I dont think I can ask them for more money for all this. I don't know what else to do tho - just go to a bank and ask for a loan?

I feel like an idiot asking lol but I can't let money stand in my way....please help!

I am in the same situation, except the $ part. I have a full time job, but no time to go to Kaplan course. I decided NOT to take Kaplan. But I bought All Schaum's series books. I am just diggin em everyday after work at the library for 5 hours. I got

Schaum's bio
Schaum's gen chem
Schaum's Org chem
Schaum's chem combo book (genchem, ochem, biochem, and some other chem)

I got em used from half.com and amazon, around 6 dollars each including shipping. Total cost me less than 25 bucks. Each one is around $17 at local bookstore.

I saved tons of money buying prep material this way.

 

[TubaFish]

For what it's worth...I know AADSAS (which is the service through which you send your applications to D-schools) has a Fee Reduction program.

I'm not sure about the extent of the paperwork you have to fill out, but I know you and your parents need to fill out forms proving financial need.

I think their is a page about this program on AADSAS's website.

 

[NewMexDent]

I helped pay for some of the costs (DAT, application, secondaries, interviews, deposit) using loans. I used federal loans, but there is other options out there, just be really careful if you use a private loan.

The fact of the matter is that applying to dental school can get expensive, but if you don't do it right the first time than you'll just have to repeat those costs to re-apply. My advice is to do it right the first time, even if it will cost you a little more.

It's all an investment and a couple thousand dollars doesn't look too bad when you think about your first tuition payment.

 

[UCSF2012]

Money problems, eh? Poor souls. I saved a couple grand by not going to some interviews. ...does that help? Post Nov 30th interviews thou. I think I dropped 7k on flights, hotels, and transportation. Save up, ppl.

 

[NJDental]

I can't offer any advice, but I can tell you that I'm in the same boat as you. I also can't afford to afford to the 20+ schools some people say is necessary to apply to. I only did 4 this time.

I think I am going to take out another credit card and put everything on it this time around. I've never taken out a bank loan so I wouldn't know how to go about it, if it's possible. I work 25 hours a week and it mostly goes to food, gas, car insurance. I think I'll be taking a year off to work a full time job and save up money, but I'll need money for the applications and DAT preps before I graduate in May.

I hope somebody can give us some direction 😀

I agree - im not applying to 20+ schools, i think ill stick with 5 maximum

 

[NewMexDent]

I agree - im not applying to 20+ schools, i think ill stick with 5 maximum

Depending on your stats, applying to only 5 schools could be a serious mistake. I know you want to save money, but if you don't get in because you didn't apply to more schools you'll have to spend more money the next round.

Of course, if your stats are good and you have a state school, you might be ok. But why take the chance?

 

[phantasmagoriun]

Depending on your stats, applying to only 5 schools could be a serious mistake. I know you want to save money, but if you don't get in because you didn't apply to more schools you'll have to spend more money the next round.

Of course, if your stats are good and you have a state school, you might be ok. But why take the chance?

This is completely true. Unless you have stellar stats I wouldn't risk it. I think 8 at least is a good # to shoot for.

 

[Vapor1122]

Prep courses are a huge waste of time and money, man. You don't need anyone to spoon-feed the material to you -- study your azz off and you'll be fine. 🙂

That alone will save you some serious coin. Next, buy all your prep books used, either here on SDN, Amazon, Half.com, etc. And sell them again when you're done.

The DAT is still expensive, I know, but you can put it on credit and pay for it over time, albeit with a few bucks in finance charges--but what can you do.

 

[phantasmagoriun]

Prep courses are a huge waste of time and money, man. You don't need anyone to spoon-feed the material to you -- study your azz off and you'll be fine. 🙂

That alone will save you some serious coin. Next, buy all your prep books used, either here on SDN, Amazon, Half.com, etc. And sell them again when you're done.

The DAT is still expensive, I know, but you can put it on credit and pay for it over time, albeit with a few bucks in finance charges--but what can you do.

Yeah if you are talking about Kaplan with the 1400 bucks, I took it and really thought it was a waste of money. I actually got a refund back from them because I thought I could have done a better job just from my own undergrad study materials and a DAT prep book.

 

[ucla2134]

hey guys/girls.....

im applying next cycle and im starting to prepare as much as I can, but im facing a dilemma which is money. I think the DAT is around $200, I really want to do the online 15-week course which is around $1400, plus books to prepare, and then not to mention the money I have to pay AADSAS and things, did anyone take out a loan for all this? I work part time since I go to school and im only 20 so I barely have money right now...

I have loands through school but I dont think I can ask them for more money for all this. I don't know what else to do tho - just go to a bank and ask for a loan?

I feel like an idiot asking lol but I can't let money stand in my way....please help!

i use PLUS loan and i got up to 5000 per quarter.

 

[UCSF2012]

nm

 

[ucla4lifer]

U should look to buy the books and stuff off someone who already took the Kaplan DAT course. I have my used ones still lying around and schaums.

 

[jigabodo]

Don't spend 1400 on the Kaplan class. Use those money to buy DD, Achiever, TS and Crack the DAT instead for half the price.

 

[NJDental]

thanks for all the advice! I guess I just wasn't sure which prep books are best.

Alsoooo, I do have a state school but my grades are not stellar, so applying to only 5 is risky? Someone mentioned that I would waste money because if the reason I don't get in is due to the fact that I only applied to 5 schools Ill spend even more next year applying - do schools you apply to look at how many you applied to?

 

[bluejellybelly]

I only applied to a handful, and I'd probably cry if I had to apply to 20 schools. Um, I took out a credit card info with 0% APR for 12 months and am slowly paying it back with money that I got from the job after I finished my application.
It's small change in comparison to dental school price tags. 😱😛

 

[NewMexDent]

thanks for all the advice! I guess I just wasn't sure which prep books are best.

Alsoooo, I do have a state school but my grades are not stellar, so applying to only 5 is risky? Someone mentioned that I would waste money because if the reason I don't get in is due to the fact that I only applied to 5 schools Ill spend even more next year applying - do schools you apply to look at how many you applied to?

It's not about schools knowing how many schools you've applied to, it's just a matter of probability. The more schools you apply to equals a higher chance of acceptance.

There are tons of re-applicants who can attest to this, they applied to a few schools the first time and the second time applied to more and...poof...they got accepted the second time around.

We are just saying that if you spent the money this year to apply to 5 schools, you might be excluding the one school that would have accepted you - forcing you to apply next year and costing you more money and time.

 

[Dentalishus]

Prep courses are a huge waste of time and money, man. You don't need anyone to spoon-feed the material to you -- study your azz off and you'll be fine. 🙂

That alone will save you some serious coin. Next, buy all your prep books used, either here on SDN, Amazon, Half.com, etc. And sell them again when you're done.

The DAT is still expensive, I know, but you can put it on credit and pay for it over time, albeit with a few bucks in finance charges--but what can you do.

I totally agree!!! I will sell you my Kaplan crap and all the notecards and notes that I made. I took Kaplan and it was a complete waste of my time. I had already bought a kaplan book before I signed up for the class. When they mailed me the books for the class guess what? SAME CRAP!

Just the order of the subjects were different. I say buy the Kaplan book for $60 or so and save yourself $1400 and apply that to your AADSAS fee. Use your text books to study. Applying to 5 schools is not wise unless your mama is on one of those adcomms J/K. But really though, you have a better chance of getting in if you apply to more schools. Hit your family up for some money. Call distant relatives (this is no time to be prideful LOL). Also, depending on what school you go to, students usually get money back from financial aid once their tuition is paid. Save that moeny for this puspose or if you don't get anything back and you get federal loans ask them to increase your amount. If you are not at the max they usually will. I know its stressful to think about but where there is a will there is a way.

 

[jigabodo]

It's not about schools knowing how many schools you've applied to, it's just a matter of probability. The more schools you apply to equals a higher chance of acceptance.

There are tons of re-applicants who can attest to this, they applied to a few schools the first time and the second time applied to more and...poof...they got accepted the second time around.

We are just saying that if you spent the money this year to apply to 5 schools, you might be excluding the one school that would have accepted you - forcing you to apply next year and costing you more money and time.

I agree with this one completely. I'd say apply to at least 10 schools just to be safe.

 

[CaliGirl15]

You can spend the money and apply to 5 schools...but then if you don't get in then you will spend the money to reapply to those 5 schools, so the way I see it you should just apply to 10 schools the first time around and save yourself the agony of having to reapply.

 

[SuperDuper]

I heard some Kaplan centers offer financial aids to some students (not for your AADSAS fees but for their prep courses). I didn't apply so I am not sure if it's really competitive or how much money they offer, but it's something you can look into. Good luck. 🙂😀😎

 

[UCSF2012]

A bit of research and you can apply to fewer schools. UMDNJ for sure, cuz it's her state school. UB and UMD have very high out-of-state acceptance rates and cheap tuition too! Tufts, BU, USC, and NYU have very high acceptance rates but come at a hefty pricetag. Apply to UCSF just cuz we're better than sliced bread.

I'd avoid Case and ASDOH. They interview students by the truckful but accept only a few. They're the tease of all dental schools.

 

[NJDental]

A bit of research and you can apply to fewer schools. UMDNJ for sure, cuz it's her state school. UB and UMD have very high out-of-state acceptance rates and cheap tuition too! Tufts, BU, USC, and NYU have very high acceptance rates but come at a hefty pricetag. Apply to UCSF just cuz we're better than sliced bread.

I'd avoid Case and ASDOH. They interview students by the truckful but accept only a few. They're the tease of all dental schools.

ive heard that about ASDOH - sucks that its tied for my number 1 choice! I flew out their last summer to visit and fell in love 😍

thanks everyone for the advice! I still have a LITTLE time to decide how many schools I apply to, perhaps I should try to save money by trying out more schools than I thought for this cycle to avoid possibly re-applying

thanks again!

 

[lillieflower]

hey NJdental, i can relate with the money issues and loving ASDOH 🙂
i applied to 13 schools, because like you know, the more you apply to the better chance you have. i fell in love with ASDOH, AND got in!! i ended up putting my application process fees on my credit card and paid it off as soon as our first semester loans were dispersed, during the first week of school.
let me know if i can help you! best of luck on your journey!!

 

[jigabodo]

ive heard that about ASDOH - sucks that its tied for my number 1 choice! I flew out their last summer to visit and fell in love 😍

thanks everyone for the advice! I still have a LITTLE time to decide how many schools I apply to, perhaps I should try to save money by trying out more schools than I thought for this cycle to avoid possibly re-applying

thanks again!

You might want to get the "Official guide to dental school" too. I think it's 35 bucks but it has some pretty good information about each school.

 

[UCSF2012]

You might want to get the "Official guide to dental school" too. I think it's 35 bucks but it has some pretty good information about each school.

Library

And ASDOH's my only rejection thus far. I guess you can go for it if it's your top choice.

And the odds of getting into UCSF's low without research. I wouldn't bother if you don't have it.

 

[jigabodo]

Library

And ASDOH's my only rejection thus far. I guess you can go for it if it's your top choice.

And the odds of getting into UCSF's low without research. I wouldn't bother if you don't have it.

It was hard even with research...😳