Need Urgent Advise....

[LUI]

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My name is Mark, and have always wanted to be a dentist;however, in the pass i didnt want to spend 7 years or more in school. I went to a community college 2 years ago ( i droped some science classes, my GPA was not bad but it could had done much better; i was young, and spending most of my time parting) After completing about 30 credits, I got some computer certifications, and worket until now. I have come to the conclusion that i want to change careers and do what I always wanted to do. I have done some reading, and know that science is very important to be dentist. Should i take the classes that I have already taken over? Should I go to an university and try to get credit for the classes that i have already taken excluding the classes were i got bad grades on? I have also read that it is not neccessary to have a bachelors degree in order to get into dental school, and that some dental schools only require a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate pre-dental education. I will also like to know your opinion in th international dentistry programs(i have read that international programs are given in english, and foreing programs are given in the native language of the country) I'm 23 years old, and after finishing my undergradute studies i will become a dentist even if it means going into an international programs, which i have read are accredited, and prepare you for the licensure test. Since i'm 23 years old i think my best option will be to try to find a school that gives the 2 year undergraduate pre-dental education, and then go into a international program if the national schools do not accept my 2 previous years.

Greatly appreciate your response.

 

[shootin4par]

mark,

welcome back to the wonderful world on dentistry. A lot of people go through exactly what you're experiencing. my suggestion is to go to a university and take post-bac classes. Honestly since you have two years and work experience if you do all the pre-requirements you should be in good shape. On average you can complete all the pre-req in 2 years. Make sure that you do well in these classes. Although you have taken some courses before, my advice would be take them again for the sake of showing you want to be a dentist and that it doesn't matter if you've taken the class before, to you you're starting new! many schools in the US will consider you so long you have a decent GPA and DAT scores. Try to stay in the US. The problem is that going if you go to a foreign dental school (which can be 5 years long) you have to come back here and do an additional 2 years. That means that dental school alone will be 7 years for you. I don't want to discourage you, but stay in the US for dental school if you want to practice in the US.

 

[busupshot83]

Mark,

Here's some advice:

You should go to school wherever you plan on practicing; unless you have TRIED to get into a school in the States and can't; key word TRIED. Like you, I was ready to pack my bags and go study dentistry abroad, but SHOOTIN4PAR is on the spot with the 7 years thing. I actually calculated how much it would be and going abroad and coming back to the States (7 years) will be about 30,000 more dollars. That's a lot of money.

I made a checklist and compared both options (pro and cons):

Studying in the U.S. or Canada:
- DAT required
- Interview required
- Organic Chem required

Studying abroad (this was the requirements for schools with the British system: West Indies, etc.):
- no DAT
- no Interview
- no Organic Chem
- 1 extra year plus 2 others if you plan on returing to the States (an extra 30 gs)

I'm not gonna go through the list, you should do that yourself (since everyone is different) and you make the decision.

So when it comes down to it, at least try and get in the States, that way if the time comes that you have to study abroad, you can look back and say "at least I TRIED!" You get my drift? But hey, that's just my opinion... it's up to you man... 😎

bus.