My Story.

[dream6]

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Basically, I'm an undocumented 26 year old that graduated from college in 2008. During my senior year in college I was in application mode for Dental school. That year I took the DAT twice with average to above-average scores. However, at the last minute I decided not to apply to dental school b/c of my immigration status.

Four years later, President Obama passes an executive order(http://immigrationequality.org/issues/immigration-basics/daca/) so undocumented kids like me can get a work permit. The executive order doesn't give me legal status, but it does give me a temporary relief for 2 years with chance to renew for another 2 years when the first 2 years are over. Ideally, I would like the Dream Act(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act) to pass in the next 4 years while I'm hopefully in dental school.

My plan was to go back home to England and start my life all over again, but Obama came from nowhere with this executive action. It wasn't expected and now I'm in a rush to figure all this stuff out for dental school. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to finally have an opportunity for an opportunity. I just don't want to get my hopes up about finally getting into dental school.

So I have the following questions:

1.For most dental schools, do I need to be a permanent resident anytime during the 4 years of dental schooling?

2. Are my DAT scores from 2008 irrelevant? When I apply will Dental schools look at the score from 08 or only the score(s) from 2013.

3. The last time I was in school was in 2008. Will that 4 year gap be an issue with dental schools?
During the past 4 years, I've been tutoring college kids to keep my brain fresh. That's about it, b/c I was limited in what I could do with out a work permit and drivers license.

4. Lastly, What's the time line for a typical dental application process? Meaning, when's the best time+latest I could submit everything for the 2014 school year?



I honestly don't know where else to go to get these questions answered. I'm hoping the posters here can help me answer some of my questions. I want to get the ball rolling with the DAT studying and the application process, but before I do I want to get a feel of what kind of applicant I will be to dental schools with my situation.

Thank you!

 

[jmh018]

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[LaughingGas]

Basically, I'm an undocumented 26 year old that graduated from college in 2008. During my senior year in college I was in application mode for Dental school. That year I took the DAT twice with average to above-average scores. However, at the last minute I decided not to apply to dental school b/c of my immigration status.

Four years later, President Obama passes an executive order(http://immigrationequality.org/issues/immigration-basics/daca/) so undocumented kids like me can get a work permit. The executive order doesn't give me legal status, but it does give me a temporary relief for 2 years with chance to renew for another 2 years when the first 2 years are over. Ideally, I would like the Dream Act(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act) to pass in the next 4 years while I'm hopefully in dental school.

My plan was to go back home to England and start my life all over again, but Obama came from nowhere with this executive action. It wasn't expected and now I'm in a rush to figure all this stuff out for dental school. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to finally have an opportunity for an opportunity. I just don't want to get my hopes up about finally getting into dental school.

So I have the following questions:

1.For most dental schools, do I need to be a permanent resident anytime during the 4 years of dental schooling?

2. Are my DAT scores from 2008 irrelevant? When I apply will Dental schools look at the score from 08 or only the score(s) from 2013.

3. The last time I was in school was in 2008. Will that 4 year gap be an issue with dental schools?
During the past 4 years, I've been tutoring college kids to keep my brain fresh. That's about it, b/c I was limited in what I could do with out a work permit and drivers license.

4. Lastly, What's the time line for a typical dental application process? Meaning, when's the best time+latest I could submit everything for the 2014 school year?



I honestly don't know where else to go to get these questions answered. I'm hoping the posters here can help me answer some of my questions. I want to get the ball rolling with the DAT studying and the application process, but before I do I want to get a feel of what kind of applicant I will be to dental schools with my situation.

Thank you!

1) Hmm, I'm guessing no b/c there are dental students with visa.
2)Your 2008 one is expired, so you will have to retake.
3)It depends on your GPA. You will be applying as "international" so your stats will have to be better than U.S. citizens or people with greencard.
4)You should apply june 1st next year (or whenever it opens, which is around that time). By then you should have following items ready: PS, LORs, Unofficial transcript so you can input courses in AADSAS, $$ for apps. You can technically apply in october or december, but your app won't be sent until GPA are verified which takes about 4 weeks. Don't apply too late, since it's mostly first come first serve. If you apply early enough, you will be given an pre-december interview or rejections, which if you do well and they decide to accept you, you will be getting a notice by december 1st ish. If you apply late, you will get either post-december interviews or rejections.

 

[ryansgs]

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[AlbinoPolarBear]

1.For most dental schools, do I need to be a permanent resident anytime during the 4 years of dental schooling?

You will be applying as an international student, and you will be paying out of state rates, which can be 60-80k/year. You will also not be eligible for federal student loans if you don't have a green card, so it's a pretty penny to support yourself through dental school.

2. Are my DAT scores from 2008 irrelevant? When I apply will Dental schools look at the score from 08 or only the score(s) from 2013.

DAT scores are only good for 2-3 years, depending on the school, so your 2008 DAT scores are expired.

3. The last time I was in school was in 2008. Will that 4 year gap be an issue with dental schools? During the past 4 years, I've been tutoring college kids to keep my brain fresh. That's about it, b/c I was limited in what I could do with out a work permit and drivers license.

It shouldn't be a problem if your GPA and DAT are good. There are many non-traditional students in dental school. The average GPA of matriculating students is around 3.50, and a 19 DAT. Although, you will probably have to be better than this since you are an international student.

4. Lastly, What's the time line for a typical dental application process? Meaning, when's the best time+latest I could submit everything for the 2014 school year?

Applications open up in June, but you should have everything (LORs, transcripts, personal statement) before late August to avoid the flood of applications. The earlier you submit, the better.

 

[R3DEUCE]

Basically, I'm an undocumented 26 year old that graduated from college in 2008. During my senior year in college I was in application mode for Dental school. That year I took the DAT twice with average to above-average scores. However, at the last minute I decided not to apply to dental school b/c of my immigration status.

Four years later, President Obama passes an executive order(http://immigrationequality.org/issues/immigration-basics/daca/) so undocumented kids like me can get a work permit. The executive order doesn't give me legal status, but it does give me a temporary relief for 2 years with chance to renew for another 2 years when the first 2 years are over. Ideally, I would like the Dream Act(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act) to pass in the next 4 years while I'm hopefully in dental school.

My plan was to go back home to England and start my life all over again, but Obama came from nowhere with this executive action. It wasn't expected and now I'm in a rush to figure all this stuff out for dental school. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to finally have an opportunity for an opportunity. I just don't want to get my hopes up about finally getting into dental school.

So I have the following questions:

1.For most dental schools, do I need to be a permanent resident anytime during the 4 years of dental schooling?

2. Are my DAT scores from 2008 irrelevant? When I apply will Dental schools look at the score from 08 or only the score(s) from 2013.

3. The last time I was in school was in 2008. Will that 4 year gap be an issue with dental schools?
During the past 4 years, I've been tutoring college kids to keep my brain fresh. That's about it, b/c I was limited in what I could do with out a work permit and drivers license.

4. Lastly, What's the time line for a typical dental application process? Meaning, when's the best time+latest I could submit everything for the 2014 school year?



I honestly don't know where else to go to get these questions answered. I'm hoping the posters here can help me answer some of my questions. I want to get the ball rolling with the DAT studying and the application process, but before I do I want to get a feel of what kind of applicant I will be to dental schools with my situation.

Thank you!

In all honesty, this forum isn't your best resource for the answers you're looking for. Call the schools you are interested in and speak to someone in admissions. Every school is different and some are willing to make exceptions given your situation.