Non-traditional Applicants!

[doctordent]

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I would love to hear some success stories from non-traditional applicants. I began college in 1998 and did very poorly--I was in school mainly because my parents expected me to be, but I had no direction and no interest. I took time away to do something completely unrelated to my undergrad, got married, worked full-time, quit school all together and then after a divorce, decided it was time to go back to school and make something of myself. I went to school full-time and had a jr/sr GPA of something close to about 3.8. I finally graduated in Spring 2006 but did not know that I wanted to do dentistry at that time. Worked, took a few graduate public health classes and finally just decided that dentistry was the career for me. I have a cumulative GPA of around 3.5, lots of honors, extracurriculars, research, etc, yet I am still very apprehensive about getting into any type of professional school. My fear is that I took too long in school and took too long to figure out the right career path for me...a nontraditional-nontraditional applicant 😳 Anybody else out there who has had a nontrad path and would like to share?? It brings me down when I see all these applicants who went 3-4 years straight through college with stellar grades etc...Even worse, I am married to a very successful physician who went through school perfectly and he isn't very understanding of the different approach a nontrad student needs to take to get into a professional school....Advice? Opinions? Stories to share??? Thanks

 

[Career Change]

hey doctordent!

Just want to say that if you really want to do it, go for it!

Here's my story. Went to college (same as you - mainly cuz my parents wanted me to). Finished & just worked in Silicon Valley as a computer programmer - for 7 years! Finally quit, took a year off to figure out what I "really" wanted to do. Eventually landed on dentistry & started taking post-bacc classes (had to take/retake all my core science prereqs).

But to make sure this is what I wanted to do, I got a job in a dental office. Worked there for a year as an assistant (was very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to alot w/ patients!).

I remember getting advice from my dentist bosses about my app - esp my personal statement. At the beginning, my 'story' was to convince the adcom's that this was a well thought out decision - that I had looked around, etc, etc. But I got some good advice that you've got to convey that this is just the next big challenge in your life. Had a good career, blah, blah, and now THIS is what I want to do next!

Somewhere in your app, you gotta show you're smart, good with people, can get things done - in *some* field. Then, you just gotta show that you're really into dentistry as the next place to do it.

For reference, I'm 35 now and have gotten into two schools; and will be interviewing at a 3rd now.

Some say that my application had a good chance because it was non-traditional. Some schools like ppl w/ a 'story' - not just another undergrad right outa college (who have it tougher, I think - they have to have some crazy outstanding #'s and STILL have a hard time getting interviews).

Of course, I applied to 15 schools & only got 3 interviews; my #'s were okay but not awesome. PM me if you want those details.

Anyways, I feel ya on making changes "late" in your life. Good luck with your decision. I say if you're really feeling it, then go for it! Don't let the age/situation in life thing deter you.

 

[lnsip9reg]

I say go for it! It's easy to be intimidated by the task in front of you, but break it down to simple steps with an overall plan. Also know that while it'll be a multi-year process, that time would PASS ANYWAY if you just sit on your butt worried about how long it will take!!

As for me I graduated college in 2002, finance in New York for a few years but got tired of it (and worried about a future recession). I quit in 2004 and spent a half-year debating what I would do (e.g., State Department, PhD programs in history, etc.). I had thought about premed in college, but the thought of residency was unappealing. Then I realized dentistry fits my personality type and belief system best 😳

Anyway I'm going to my top choice this fall and am wicked excited. Keep your eye on the prize, let that be your motivation, have faith in yourself and work hard! Do it for yourself and not your parents, that's what'll make you an adult.

 

[goosestuff]

Don't ever let anyone tell you that being a mature non-trad will put you at a disadvantage - if anything it sets you apart. What is important is that you show by way of action (grades, shadowing, etc) that you want to be a dentist.

I went to art school, graduated in 2001..Got married, bought a house, worked mostly in art related fields until may of 2005 when I went back to complete pre-reqs as a post-bacc. I'm going to be starting at my #1 in August and I couldn't be happier!

Big deal: some people are in the position to know what they want to do at 18-21 and pursure their career. That's awesome. Too bad we didn't. But there are also alot of people out there that don't let themselves pursue their dream careers because of some silly notion that it is too late. We're lucky we are able to see past that...

GL!

 

[patdmd2007]

I graduated with a BSc in 94 and a BA in 96. I am 35 yo now. Like "Career Change", I applied to 12 schools (But I applied late and in 3 batches of 4 schools). I submitted 4 schools in Aug, 4 in Sept and 4 in Dec. I got wait listed by Tufts and got accepted by Howard.
It's never too late to pursue your dream but my advice is to submit your AADSAS application early (aka in May/June). I have seen many people even with lower DAT scores & GPAs than mine who got into so many good schools)