Non-traditional students

[jav316]

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What steps would you recommend a nontraditional student take to apply to dental school? I graduated college in 2001 with a degree in biology. My bio and orgo grades weren't good (Bs and Cs - but I graduated from a top school) so I did not think about applying then. i've applied to nursing school for 2005 but am now having second thoughts and have been attracted to a dental career. i don't know where to begin. i just registered for kaplan's DAT exam and am looking into dental assisting programs, but after reading on this forum, i'm not sure thats the way to go.
Thanks for any advice 🙂

 

[boogaking]

What steps would you recommend a nontraditional student take to apply to dental school? I graduated college in 2001 with a degree in biology. My bio and orgo grades weren't good (Bs and Cs - but I graduated from a top school) so I did not think about applying then. i've applied to nursing school for 2005 but am now having second thoughts and have been attracted to a dental career. i don't know where to begin. i just registered for kaplan's DAT exam and am looking into dental assisting programs, but after reading on this forum, i'm not sure thats the way to go.
Thanks for any advice 🙂

I think a dental assisting program would not be the best route to go... first things first... "ace" the DAT.... utilize the Kaplan book... study it front to back... its good... utilize the GMAT math for the math section... don't underestimate any section... 20's plus on every section... it's so doable... as for classes... if you have time.... and if your GPA is below 3.0 retake any science classes that you may have gotten a C or below... take additional upper level science courses.... and get A's ...no lower than B... then again it all depends on your GPA ...since you left that out... but one thing is for sure... DAT!!! 20's on all sections.... 30 would be ok too! 🙂

Try and get some dental office experience under your belt... it's almost as easy as going or calling local dental offices and politely asking if you could observe or volunteer in their offices... very few will deny free labor.... that way you can tell ADCOMM that "after making my observations in a dental offices" yada yada yada... "thats why I want and chose the dental route over nursing".... hope that helps.

 

[jav316]

thanks for your advice. i guess its one step at a time and the first step is the dat. i wonder if i should start the nursing program and continue to apply to dental school.

 

[boogaking]

thanks for your advice. i guess its one step at a time and the first step is the dat. i wonder if i should start the nursing program and continue to apply to dental school.

you could but why??? waste of money and time... nursing program curriculum is not going to impress dental schools as much as you think.... maybe you should really buck down and consider each route before committing to one or the other... they are both excellent career choices. Good Luck!

 

[aceking]

thanks for your advice. i guess its one step at a time and the first step is the dat. i wonder if i should start the nursing program and continue to apply to dental school.

personally, i think that is a bad idea.