Non-Traditionals / alternative applicants...

[cryptozoologist]

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I'm 32 year old post-bac with 7 years work experience, engineering degree, wife, and eventually kids...completed all d-school prereques in single year, culminating with DAT. that's the short and sweet...

If you're in a similar boat to me, then I want to hear from you. We likely share many of the same concerns regarding the dental schools we choose to goto. My perspective on the schools I'm familiar with is just that...my perspective. Important to consider as many perspectives as possible as our our decision has slightly more importance than your average 22-23 year old with a cinderblock coffee table, 20gb ipod, and a futon...

I wish to start building conversations with other non-trads out there during the interview phase so we can share thoughts...if you're non-trad and are applying to some of the same schools as me, please send me a message so we can begin a dialogue concerning our perspectives and thinking.

Later,
CZ

 

[djeffreyt]

uh...I think I'm on the cuff of what you want.

I went through undergrad fast and started teaching high school by the time I was 22 years old. I also had a small pottery business on the side. I did the pottery thing for about 3 years and the teaching thing for a year and a half, but then decided it was just not working out and went back to school to pursue dentistry. No family or kids to worry about and I'm now 27.

Anyways, I'm only applying to one of the same schools as you. UOP, and I've heard it's not a bad place to raise a kid. The city is expensive, but rent isn't outrageous outside of the city if you want to commute a little and Presidio has some nice apartments too. The 3 year thing is great so you can start a career sooner obviously.

I don't know a lot about the other schools you applied to except that UPenn has a good reputation as a city you can raise a family in. Also, rental prices are cheaper at miswestern schools.

I'm not sure what else is exclusive to a non-trad in considering schools. I think all people want to have more free time to spend with family and friends, and kids if you have them. The only schools I know of with more free time are USC and UCSF.

 

[Lemming]

I'm in your boat, but with a long a twisted tale. I graduated 1999, went to Veterinary Medicine for a year before deciding it wasn't for me. I worked in a lab for awhile, did a little graduate work and some research and didn't want to go to grad school. Bottom line, I'm 29 with a pretty decent job that I don't like. I'm applying to UOP and OHSU (amongst others). You definitely sound like you share some of my perspective, so PM me if you want.

 

[BirkChick]

I'm a non-trad, too! Graduated in 2002 with an engineering degree; working a job that I hate; married with two feline fur-babies (no real babies until after d-school!); mortgage; etc.

Mostly, I am worried about being older when I graduate, which means less time to practice and less time to pay back loans.

Luckily, I have a great husband who is completely on board and able to support both of us (at a minimum, we should be able to cover living expenses).

When deciding on schools, we definitely tried to look for locations that we could make our "forever-home"; it was also important that the location had industry in which my husband could get a job. Also, we hope to buy a home whereever we end up, so we don't lose four years of equity-building time.

 

[cryptozoologist]

Very cool. It’s so amusing to me to see almost every post-bac non-trad with rock solid DAT scores…we all know what we want, we did the work, and we’ll have a REAL story to tell during interviews. I’m not worried about any of us. Not only will we all get in, we’ll all have choice at top schools.

OK, so I wanted to start this thread for two reasons: first, I wanted to open dialogues with people that may be my peers in school (same school or not)….not that I have a problem hanging with the youngsters but I want to find others like me and secondly see what they’ve learned about particular schools that are not necessarily things that fresh undergrads really care about.

Some of those elements are described herein. I’ve tried to make them brief and am happy to elaborate with more detailed PMs. Overall other than the standard “maximize education and minimize cost”, we obviously care about location, economic vibrancy of the community, real estate trends, support/integration for trailing spouses / children, does the school seem to embrace non-trads, is the area friendly to outsiders, etc. Dental school to us non-trads is NOT a 4 year extension of our college experience…it is a rigorously thought-out choice and investment in the first step of starting our own business.…I recognize that many of the youngsters probably feel the same way about this, but without being married (or being responsible and caring for someone besides yourself), and/or without having to earn a dollar to feed yourself and put a roof over your head ON YOUR OWN, you can’t have the same appreciation we do for what choosing a dental school means. I don’t mean to draw a line, I just mean to inspire us non-trads to share some of the more insightful perspectives they’ve gathered about particular schools, that go a bit deeper than the obvious.

Some of these insights are positive, some are negative no doubt. In the interests of keeping participants forthcoming, I will let this group develop for a few days…and then start a giant PM or a private blog between all of us where we can voice our relatively private feelings.) We’ll be reading them, but the deans and admissions staffs won’t be…Know that these boards are reviewed rather regularly by adcomms and deans…one told me so specifically.

Thanks again,
CZ

 

[Lemming]

I do definitely feel that my selection of schools was extremely limited because of my life situation. I grew up with very little money, and incurred debt from my undergrad and short-lived vet school stint. Going back into professional school seemed like a VERY big choice to me. I'm torn by wanting to maximize my chances of getting in somewhere, and wanting to go to a school where my fiancee and I can settle down and start a family if we so desire. In addition to that, trying to juggle all of the normal applicant concerns such as faculty ratios, tuition etc. etc. is down right confusing. Bottom-line is that even if I have a choice of schools, I may end up simply choosing the school that is the least "life-impacting", instead of the school that I really want to attend...that's assuming I even have a choice. If I do have a choice, I will choose the school that I believe will give me the best clinical education, because I plan on hitting my career running fast (no specialty for me). Any thoughts on who you think offers the best clinical education and specific reasons why? PM or post...

 

[Lemming]

BirkChick...why did you withdraw your app from ASDOH?

 

[ecuajedi]

Im married if that qualifies me. Still no kids and Im only 23. I definitely look at Dental school as a huge investment into my future. It will end up costing more than a house in a lot of cases.

 

[BirkChick]

BirkChick...why did you withdraw your app from ASDOH?

Eh, it was last on my list, I was already getting interviews, and I didn't want to shell out another $75 for a secondary. Also, my husband wasn't too keen on living in Arizona for some reason or another... Sometimes, I don't understand him -- Las Vegas seems like a fabulous place to live, but Mesa is too hot??

Anyway, I'm sure that Arizona is a fabulous school -- it's just not for us!

 

[LNinlove]

I am still a year out on applying...I will be 26 when I do apply. I have been married for 3 years and we are starting to try to have kids. I am a little different than most non-trads. I never got a degree and a job in any particular field. After highschool I was burned out, so I took a couple of years off. I started taking classes...then I met my wife and we got married and I realized that I better really pursue something. Dentistry was it for me. We live in Colorado and I am hoping to get into CU. I love the school system and I want to be close to home...family.

I have absolutely no idea what we are going to do when I start dental school. I will have a kid or two and will be raking in the debt. Plus, we want to own our own house (like we currently do). This just adds to the cost. I am worried, but I know that it will work out. We will just have to change our spending/living habits.

I would be interested in hearing what all you other non-trads have to say. I hope everyone is doing well! Good luck to all!

 

[lemoncurry]

CZ, I have a feeling I will be disappointed that I didn't apply to any of the schools you did. you seem like a good person and a great potential classmate and colleage.

I chose my schools based on the presence of family in the area. As it stands right now, I have family in SoCal, Nebraska, and Virginia, so I chose schools from there. All of the places should be pretty good for my family, and I'm not really worried about the quality of the programs, because I figure I am going to get more out of the school than most of the younger students since I will probably put more into it.

oh, and i'm married and have two kids, 29.

 

[EngDentist]

I am an engineer too. Worked in automotive industry for 7 years. Hated my job and decided to switch.

 

[itsall3324453!]

I am 33 been married , divorced and engaged again. Graduated in 2000 with a MS in chinese medicine. For many reasons decided that it was no longer for me and now I want to be a dentist. Texas schools seem to be pro nontrad. At SA the students said that most of their class was married and had kids. No kids here just a great dog. I have also applied to uminn and unc. I have not heard anything from either yet. I do not know what out of state schools think about nontrad but i may get some idea soon at ohio state. I think like anything it can help or hurt you being a nontrad depending on what else you bring with it ie your personality and life experiences etc. I do think that a post doc is probablly out of the question at least fo rth efirst few years as I will be 38 when I get out assuming I get in for 2007 and I will probablly want to get to work and get out of school for a bit. the greatest difficulty which SDN has helped with is all the little bits of info that a more nontrad student like me was not privy to as i went to night classes and weekends for my prereqs due to having to work full time.
anyhoo
theres me. best of luck to all.🙂

 

[stosh]

7

 

[LoF27]

I graduated from a good liberal arts college in 2001 with a degree in Gov/Econ and a minor in Business IT. I got a job right out of school with a consulting firm doing lots and lots of traveling and software development management. I had always wanted to be a dentist (loved science, working with hands, teeth, etc.) but more than anything wanted to be financially independent ASAP and was terrified of more debt added onto my substantial undergrad loans, so I went the business route.

But, the more that time passed, the more I wished I had pursued dentistry, even though I really liked my job and the money I was making. I got married couple years ago and my husband gave me the encouragement, confidence, and support that allowed me to do what was unthinkable to me: start on the path to dental school. I had to take all 32 credits of required science as a post-bacc., and all of you know how hard it is to shell out thousands of dollars for classes that don't directly lead to a degree.

For various personal reasons I won't go into, I didn't submit my application until the first week of October. I KNEW that applying that late would seriously hurt my chances of being accepted anywhere, but I simply wasn't ready to take the DAT before then. My numbers are OK, I think: GPA 3.67/3.71, DAT 22/22/17 (know 17 is low, but I can't re-take the DAT at this point).

What I think will hurt me is the fact that I don't have any upper level science classes on my transcript. I plan to take Biochem in Spring 2007, but that's really the best I can do. My husband is in grad school right now, and I have to work (60 hr weeks) and don't want to invest any more money if what I've done so far isn't good enough to get in. I don't have any research experience and only 40+ hours of shadowing. I'm hopeful that my non-trad status will be a plus; schools have to like students who made it to them the hard way. I don't think my LORs will be great. My science professors were from classes of 200+ students and I had very little opportunity to get to know them, even though I did stop by for office hours a few times with all of them. The only one great LOR I know I'll have is from my manager at work. But, I'm worried my other LORs will be very mediocre; they can't be very good, those professors hardly knew me. My ECs from college are decent.

I'm still scared ****less of the $$$ involved and the fact that starting d-school at age 28 might prevent me from ever having kids. I'll be 33-35 by the time it's all done if I do a residency, and I'll be so in debt upon graduation that I'll have to work a few years before I'll feel I can have a child and who knows if I'll be able to get pregnant then. I just feel like I can't be a good mother if I haven't at least tried to pursue my own dreams, so I'm going for it and hoping it all works out somehow.

I've applied to UIC, NYU, Columbia, Penn, Temple, USC, UCLA (not gonna happen, I know, but why not play the lottery?), and Tufts.

I'm happy someone started this thread, I look forward to commiserating with you in this ordeal!😳

 

[jaypea65]

In the non-trad boat also, but a little older than most of you. Worked in a hospital laboratory most of my life (bout 20 yrs). 41 y/o working on prereqs. I have a great life now, plenty of money, family, new home in the finest part of our town, the whole deal. Met a neighbor that is a dentist and became excellent friends. I was curious as to what he actually does at work. He gave me a snort of knowledge, and I was hooked. Willing to throw it all away and become a dentist. Am I crazy or what? Sometimes I think what is the use at my age, but I figure you only can live once. Right?

 

[LoF27]

Jaypea65, you're attitude is quite admirable! Congrats. It's encouraging to think that if you can do it at 41, I can do it too at 27. Best of luck to you!

I think your post brings up a good issue. This path has an entirely different meaning when hundreds of thousands of dollars (i.e. basic security) are at stake at a very critical time in one's life (late 20-30s). Entering into this venture either with your entire adult future or alternately with deep financial security and an established life is far different than entering it with none of that--no house, no kids, no significant savings, no significant investments, student debt, etc. But if you have money, you have nothing to lose in putting thousands of dollars and several years towards a dream (or at least not as much to lose).

I would guess that at least a good 75% of applicants to dental schools come from upper-middle (more upper than middle) class backgrounds whose parents always expected them to pursue some kind of professional degree and have helped them out significantly along the way, even if it's just in the form of constant moral support and encouragement. You can't disregard the advantage someone like that has over someone of lesser means. It's just that I wish this all weren't so darn expensive and scary. Why can't I just pursue my chosen career without the overwhelming, constantly-nagging, keep-me-up-at-night fear and anxiety of being 50 before I can pay off my student loans and be comfortable? There must be a better way...move to Europe, perhaps?

 

[Yellow Snow]

I just turned 29, am married and have a 2 year old son. I share a lot of the same concerns re: which school to attend: something livable for the family, somewhere that we can buy instead of rent, someplace that doesn't keep me at the school until 10 every night. I have met alot of great people at interviews so far so I have complete confidence that any school will have some great classmates.

I liked Philly for the decent housing prices and public transportation would allow me to live on the main line and communte via train/subway to school (anyone know about manayunk livability with a toddler?). I went with Temple over Upenn because I did some undergrad at UPenn and while it is a great school I have long learned that school name is more of a marketing scheme than a guarantee of quality so I chose to save some cash with Temple.

How about age and specializing? The specialties seem very interesting but I just don't think it is that practical given how old I am going into this thing.

 

[amberleigh]

Me too, Im 40 years old, been a pharmacist for 7 years in the Philippines, now Im in the US. Took the pre-reqs for dental school 4 years ago here. Also used to work in a hospital pharmacy here as a tech for 2 years. Now I quit my job and applied to dental schools but haven't taken the DAT yet,hope to take it in January. I might reapply in 2009, because I've waited so long for my DAT, however, right now Im considering enrolling into a dental hygiene program in a community college. Its a 2 years program. The reason I did this is I want to do something that would make me feel that Im going towards dentistry. I might change my mind and stick being a dental hygienist, lets see.

So,how's the prereqs preparation going? Are you almost done? When are you taking the DAT? Lets keep in touch. Email me at [email protected]

In the non-trad boat also, but a little older than most of you. Worked in a hospital laboratory most of my life (bout 20 yrs). 41 y/o working on prereqs. I have a great life now, plenty of money, family, new home in the finest part of our town, the whole deal. Met a neighbor that is a dentist and became excellent friends. I was curious as to what he actually does at work. He gave me a snort of knowledge, and I was hooked. Willing to throw it all away and become a dentist. Am I crazy or what? Sometimes I think what is the use at my age, but I figure you only can live once. Right?

 

[jaypea65]

Jaypea65, you're attitude is quite admirable! Congrats. It's encouraging to think that if you can do it at 41, I can do it too at 27. Best of luck to you!

I think your post brings up a good issue. This path has an entirely different meaning when hundreds of thousands of dollars (i.e. basic security) are at stake at a very critical time in one's life (late 20-30s). Entering into this venture either with your entire adult future or alternately with deep financial security and an established life is far different than entering it with none of that--no house, no kids, no significant savings, no significant investments, student debt, etc. But if you have money, you have nothing to lose in putting thousands of dollars and several years towards a dream (or at least not as much to lose).

I would guess that at least a good 75% of applicants to dental schools come from upper-middle (more upper than middle) class backgrounds whose parents always expected them to pursue some kind of professional degree and have helped them out significantly along the way, even if it's just in the form of constant moral support and encouragement. You can't disregard the advantage someone like that has over someone of lesser means. It's just that I wish this all weren't so darn expensive and scary. Why can't I just pursue my chosen career without the overwhelming, constantly-nagging, keep-me-up-at-night fear and anxiety of being 50 before I can pay off my student loans and be comfortable? There must be a better way...move to Europe, perhaps?

You are still young...please do not worry about the debt. I wish I were in your shoes. I discussed this with my friend, and he said that you will have absolutely no problem paying off your debt. Think about this....if your student loan is 1200 a month, you only need to do 2 crowns per month to pay that. If your hygienist makes 25 dollars per hour, and sees a patient every 30 minutes or so, in an 8 hour day you will be netting 800-1200 dollars per day just on that work alone for basically doing a 5 min. exam. That's about 16,000 per month net if you are open 4 days per week on hygiene alone. This does not include any other proceedures like fillings, extractions, crowns, bridges, root canals or other specialized proceedures. He had a patient come in a few months ago for a total restore with porcelin crowns-12,000 dollar case in one pop. My friends advice would be to put your patients first, concentrate on being a dentist that performs quality work, have a good attitude in your office towards patients, and you will not even need to advertise to get new patients- they will come because they know you are good and they will be treated well. I think that personality is key. Think of your loans as an investment in yourself, they will pay off in the end. Relax and concentrate on getting through school and don't forget to stop to smell the roses once in a while.

 

[jaypea65]

Me too, Im 40 years old, been a pharmacist for 7 years in the Philippines, now Im in the US. Took the pre-reqs for dental school 4 years ago here. Also used to work in a hospital pharmacy here as a tech for 2 years. Now I quit my job and applied to dental schools but haven't taken the DAT yet,hope to take it in January. I might reapply in 2009, because I've waited so long for my DAT, however, right now Im considering enrolling into a dental hygiene program in a community college. Its a 2 years program. The reason I did this is I want to do something that would make me feel that Im going towards dentistry. I might change my mind and stick being a dental hygienist, lets see.

So,how's the prereqs preparation going? Are you almost done? When are you taking the DAT? Lets keep in touch. Email me at [email protected]

Why don't you like pharmacy? It seems like a very well paying good career. I thought about it myself.

 

[LoF27]

My friends advice would be to put your patients first, concentrate on being a dentist that performs quality work, have a good attitude in your office towards patients, and you will not even need to advertise to get new patients- they will come because they know you are good and they will be treated well. I think that personality is key. Think of your loans as an investment in yourself, they will pay off in the end. Relax and concentrate on getting through school and don't forget to stop to smell the roses once in a while.

You know, this forum can be discouraging sometimes, but overall I'm really touched to see how supportive the SDNers are to each other. One of the most difficult aspects of being a non-traditional predental student is the fact that you have to do it alone. There's no pre-dental club, no friends to study with, no one who's going through the same challenges with you...it's so helpful to get that here in some capacity.

Thanks for the vote of confidence and feedback/info from your friend! It's good to see numbers like that.

 

[desert]

CZ, Please count me in when you start your PM's.

 

[Lemming]

One of the most difficult aspects of being a non-traditional predental student is the fact that you have to do it alone. There's no pre-dental club, no friends to study with, no one who's going through the same challenges with you...it's so helpful to get that here in some capacity.

I second that...it can be a lonely non-trad applicant world. No pre-dent fellowship to speak of...until you find SDN! That's why I'm glued on here all the time...just don't let it become an addiction...welcome to the fellowship of the ring😉

 

[DDS/DMD]

I just wanted to say, hang in there guys. I agree that it can be lonely as a nontraditional pre-dental student. While our young counterparts have so much free time to pursue interests, it can be very difficult to even go to a review session for an important exam.
I am a semi-non-traditional student because I am 25 and married with one on the way. I took two years off after high school, trying to make ends meet. I went to college but continued to work a full time job. I feel so pressured to finish my prerequisites fast, and even try to apply this year but I feel like it is too late. I am finishing up Org II, Phys II, Bio II with labs in the spring semester. Is this too much in so little time? What do you guys think? If I spread it out and apply for the next cycle, I feel like I have a better chance. Or should I try anyways? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[lemoncurry]

yes, it can get lonely sometimes, even though you may have a wife and family of your own. your prior responsibilities, which ALWAYS come first, no matter how many exams you have, don't allow you the opportunities to hang with your fellow students, as was already mentioned. On the other hand, it also keeps you out of trouble 😉 People on here are already talking about how they are going to party once they are in d-school. While I understand the need to let off steam after a hard week, it's probably not something I will get the opportunity to participate in very often, if at all. I'm okay with that, because I've gotten out of the habit of drinking and now I don't like it much at all. At the end of the evening, everyone else leaves you anyway to do their own thing or do someone else, so you're back where you started. But when you go home, you have your kids waiting for you and excited to see you. That's what it is all about and that's what makes it all worth it.

so yeah, i agree that sdn has been helpful in terms of the social aspect, but i've spent too much time on boards in the past and don't really let them get too firm a hold on me much anymore.

 

[amberleigh]

Why don't you like pharmacy? It seems like a very well paying good career. I thought about it myself.

I don't like pharmacy because its not a one to one patient contact. You have to know the drugs, its mechanism of action, interaction, side effects,but you can't really use them into practice. You're like a walking physician desk reference that physicians won't even ask any reference of a particular drug from you. People or the public sees you as someone selling drugs and others just like someone selling donut and others. Customers has no respect on you, they yell at you and scream in front of other customers. These customers do not know that you are a doctor of pharmacy graduate, and earns more than a hundred thousand dollars a year. So, I don't care how much they earn, I just don't like it. And one more thing, your supervisor pressures you, he or she keeps looking over shoulder and not to mention third party you have to deal with them, unlike in dentistry that they have someone that deals with insurance.

I am shadowing a dentist now and I can see the difference, so I am very determine to enter dental field. The reason, I am applying to dental hygiene program to increase my chance of getting acceptance. And I think this is a good idea, because once I get accepted to dental school, then I'll be done with my dental hygiene training and while at dental school work as a hygienist part time, in that way it helps a little for my dental school fees.

 

[isurus22]

Hey Im 31, a mechanical engineer, married, with house. Took all the pre-reqs in one year and still worked designing medical products full time. No one knows at work, which is said because I like talking about it. Applied a little late (AADSAS mailed Aug24). Only two interviews (one complete, one in Jan)
Applied to most schools on east coast. Plus Colorado, UPacific
Interviewed at Harvard.
Have an interview at Temple.
Rejected from UPENN.
Waiting on the others.

 

[daylily1985]

Well, I did it. Today I officially withdrew from my nurse practitioner program and enrolled as a post-bacc non-degree seeking graduate student at my local university. This is the first step in refreshing coursework that I took over 10-12 years ago on my (our) journey to becoming a dentist.

I was so glad to see some non-trads contributing...sometimes I feel like the lone ranger....and an old one at that! Unbelievable, but true...I need my teenager to interpret some of the pop culture humor that floats around on here...the only current pop culture thing I'm into is Grey's Anatomy (and the soundtrack). With 3 dd and an awesome husband I'm lucky to have a cup of tea and a few minutes to read People magazine! 🙂

So, at 39 and holding I'm making the trek back to school, which the first time around was no speed race😳 I pulled together all (five) of my transcripts and evaluated them briefly today...I do have some work ahead of me. Most science courses are A or B...but from what I can tell, I will need to pull practically straight A's to be competitive. I guess I am confident becoming a dentist is what I am called to do...so I will give it everything I have, plus a little more and we will see what happens for the fall 2009 cycle.

I agree with Jaypea...you only live once...why not go for it? I don't have anything to lose but a little pride. Of course becoming a dentist is my dream, but I have found that whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

 

[daylily1985]

I just wanted to say, hang in there guys. I agree that it can be lonely as a nontraditional pre-dental student. While our young counterparts have so much free time to pursue interests, it can be very difficult to even go to a review session for an important exam.
I am a semi-non-traditional student because I am 25 and married with one on the way. I took two years off after high school, trying to make ends meet. I went to college but continued to work a full time job. I feel so pressured to finish my prerequisites fast, and even try to apply this year but I feel like it is too late. I am finishing up Org II, Phys II, Bio II with labs in the spring semester. Is this too much in so little time? What do you guys think? If I spread it out and apply for the next cycle, I feel like I have a better chance. Or should I try anyways? Any advice is appreciated.

What do you experienced peeps think? From what I can tell, it is very expensive to even go through the whole process...I guess it would depend on how well you are doing in your classes...I mean, if you are pulling straight B's and working more than part time...plus family. What is the rush...you're only 25?

 

[Cymbidium]

Hi all-

I too am a non-traditional applicant. I have a degree in Art from one ofthe top liberal art schools in the country, worked as a paralegal for 4 years and went back to do my post-bacc in 2004. I finished my 2 years of sciences with a 3.8. Problem is that my initial undergrad grades were not close to being that strong. I'm 28 and will be getting married next July- just in time to start dental school. The toughest thing for us right now is that we've decided I will go wherever I get in, but my fiance may stay where we are because he has a fantastic job.

I've had 2 interviews, 4 rejections and several "limbo status" notifications.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts and concerns- reading this board signifcantly reduces my getting-into-dental-school anxieties.

 

[Cymbidium]

LoF27- I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'll be in my mid 30's by the time this is all over and am concerned about having children. Mmy sister-in-law just had a baby at 37 and one at 35, so try not to worry too much about it. I know- easier said than done.

 

[LoF27]

So, at 39 and holding I'm making the trek back to school, which the first time around was no speed race😳 I pulled together all (five) of my transcripts and evaluated them briefly today...I do have some work ahead of me. Most science courses are A or B...but from what I can tell, I will need to pull practically straight A's to be competitive. I guess I am confident becoming a dentist is what I am called to do...so I will give it everything I have, plus a little more and we will see what happens for the fall 2009 cycle.

Again, another inspiration. You have nothing to lose. At the end of your life, you can either look back and think "I wonder what could have been if I had just believed in myself enough to try?" or you can think "I've really lived because I put myself on the line and pushed my limits." I realize that in the end, I might not get to any dental school, $16,000+, a LOT of work, and a LOT of tears later. But then I can really know that it just wasn't meant to be and I won't have any regrets. Best of luck!

 

[LoF27]

LoF27- I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'll be in my mid 30's by the time this is all over and am concerned about having children. My sister-in-law just had a baby at 37 and one at 35, so try not to worry too much about it. I know- easier said than done.

It really is easier said than done. The older you get, the riskier pregnancy is, etc., etc., etc. I don't want to be an older mother who is so out of touch with her kids, who doesn't have the energy to run around and play with them.

Being a dentist is the most important thing to me right now, but when I'm 70 years old and a successful dentist but childless, will I wish I had taken a different path? I don't know. Honestly, I figure there's always adoption. I know I have a lot of love that I want to give a child(ren) one day, and I would like it to be my own, but that may not be in the cards, and that's OK. Sometimes the best thing you can do is realize that you can't have it all and you just have to pick.

I think the easy thing for me to do would be to stop this whole thing, let my husband be the bread winner and get pregnant and be a mom (which I do want to do). That would be SO much easier than being up until 3AM studying biochemistry and worrying about my tuition bill. BUT, I want this. I don't want to have to rely on anyone else and I have the intelligence and ability to be a good dentist, I believe. This non-traditional pursuit of dentistry will be the one truly, truly difficult major accomplishment of my life, and as maybe someone would not consider themselves whole without having experienced giving life to another human being, I would not consider myself whole without having at least tried to pursue my passion and test the limits of my mind, dedication, and perseverance.

I really do hope that I don't have to give up a family for the path I've chosen to take, and that it will all work out. A huge reason I'm attracted to dentistry is that it allows women a wonderful and flexible work-life balance. But who knows what will be. All you need to know and all you have control over is what you're going to do next. What I'm doing next is finding out where I've been accepted if anywhere, and deciding where to go. One has neither the time nor energy to be concerned with anything beyond that (or so I try to tell myself).

 

[eissac]

My plan was to apply to hygiene school this spring. Then I spent 40 hours doing observation and realized that I want to be a dentist! I am 24 and attending a cc right now. I am divorced and my ex and his family pushed me away from going to college so now I feel like I have a new lease on life and I am sick of saying "I wish I would have...". I still have 3 years of undergrad plus I am diabetic so I have the cost of health insurance and living as a single person to worry about. I am pretty sure that when/if I do decide to pursue this dream that I will have to give up on having children. There is adoption and I am sure that it will be much easier to do as a dentist. 🙄 It is nice to hear that there are others who are in situations similar to mine. What do you all do to stay motivated?

 

[cryptozoologist]

It seems like this thread had transitioned to "can I handle dental school as a late bloomer female and eventually have kids?"

Let me first say I'm a man so my comments might have zero weight...however, I have close friends that just had their first baby at 42.

school is hard, living off loan stipends is not easy...but there are parents that raise their kids in worse. Don't forget that. If anything it will be hard on the STUDENT to have a kid in dental school more so than the kid...they will be too young to know what's happening.

Also, if there is a profession that supports 'balance' it's dentistry. you can decide to work 2 days a week and make $50K, or you can bust your hump for much more...it all depends on what you want...

kids are work, school is work. both are a joy if you handle them right. I intend to have children with my wife in dental school but I'm going to wait til Y2...as in "wife prego during y2"...baby for y3,4. of course planning sometimes doesn't pan out...but hey, that's the plan.

Also, if I get into UNC, that's the school I'm heading to. They had the most friendly group, said that each class has over 50% married and that the current Y4 class had 20 babies!

 

[daylily1985]

My plan was to apply to hygiene school this spring. Then I spent 40 hours doing observation and realized that I want to be a dentist! I am 24 and attending a cc right now. I am divorced and my ex and his family pushed me away from going to college so now I feel like I have a new lease on life and I am sick of saying "I wish I would have...". I still have 3 years of undergrad plus I am diabetic so I have the cost of health insurance and living as a single person to worry about. I am pretty sure that when/if I do decide to pursue this dream that I will have to give up on having children. There is adoption and I am sure that it will be much easier to do as a dentist. 🙄 It is nice to hear that there are others who are in situations similar to mine. What do you all do to stay motivated?

What are you talking about????? John and Elizabeth Edwards had their "2nd family" when they turned 50! You have plenty, plenty of time, besides...you just got out of a marriage, that fortunately you didn't have children in! Single parenting and going to school, either professional or undergrad presents a whole set of unique, but not insurmountable challenges!

So, let's see, you are 24...3 years left of undergrad makes 27, then 4 more for dental school, that's 31...then say 2 years full-time work to establish a practice...that's 33, heck you have 7 more years to find Mr. Wonderful to set up house and have children...at least. Don't sweat the small stuff...keep focused on what is at your feet, nobody eats an elephant in one bite...it's just one bite at a time. If becoming a dentist and having a family is what is supposed to happen in your life it will...but it just takes time.

Best to you!🙂

 

[Azuris]

I just wanted to say and that I really love reading this forum. I guess I'm nontraditional...I worked for a year after my B.Sc, then went back to school to get a B.Ed, and now I've been teaching high school overseas for 2 years. I enjoy it, but I've always felt my path lies in the health sciences, and my experiences so far leads me to Dent.

I plan to teach for one more year while I study for the DAT and pay off my student loans^^lll, then apply for Dentistry. My BEd was pass/fail...and my science GPA is low. I don't think I can take any post-bac courses here in asia to up my gpa...wondering if i should move back to N. America to work next year so that I can take a few...or if i should just apply w/o having done that and work to save some more $... I've also heard some US schools look favorably on Canadians who work in the US for a year+ prior to applying? Any opinions on any of this would be appreciated=0)

I know I need to do a lot more research and get some volunteering experience, but I plan to take it slow...life is sooo busy when you are no longer a student!😛 GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!
-Az

 

[DDSMAN2006]

I just wanted to say and that I really love reading this forum. I guess I'm nontraditional...I worked for a year after my B.Sc, then went back to school to get a B.Ed, and now I've been teaching high school overseas for 2 years. I enjoy it, but I've always felt my path lies in the health sciences, and my experiences so far leads me to Dent.

I plan to teach for one more year while I study for the DAT and pay off my student loans^^lll, then apply for Dentistry. My BEd was pass/fail...and my science GPA is low. I don't think I can take any post-bac courses here in asia to up my gpa...wondering if i should move back to N. America to work next year so that I can take a few...or if i should just apply w/o having done that and work to save some more $... I've also heard some US schools look favorably on Canadians who work in the US for a year+ prior to applying? Any opinions on any of this would be appreciated=0)

I know I need to do a lot more research and get some volunteering experience, but I plan to take it slow...life is sooo busy when you are no longer a student!😛 GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!
-Az

Sent you a PM. Do you have a popular website?

 

[Snugstar]

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here but I've been reading your thread. I'm also a nontrad - and am excited to read all of your postings. I was an art student (hi cymbidium) and spent about 5 years working in galeries and museums before I decided to make a change. Just finished a post-bac this past summer and am now working at a dentist's office. No kids, but getting married in February and I am 29 - so a bit older than the average student!

Now that some acceptances are in does anyone know where they're going? I love to meet other "old" dental students! As of now, I am deciding between UNC and Maryland - with a strong lean toward UNC. Anyone else? Hope to hear from you all!

 

[jrstephe]

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here but I've been reading your thread. I'm also a nontrad - and am excited to read all of your postings. I was an art student (hi cymbidium) and spent about 5 years working in galeries and museums before I decided to make a change. Just finished a post-bac this past summer and am now working at a dentist's office. No kids, but getting married in February and I am 29 - so a bit older than the average student!

Now that some acceptances are in does anyone know where they're going? I love to meet other "old" dental students! As of now, I am deciding between UNC and Maryland - with a strong lean toward UNC. Anyone else? Hope to hear from you all!

Hello all, I am a 35 y/o male, accepted to VCU (my first choice) and plan to attend there. Graduated in '89 and went straight to work, married in '90, started college '02, withdrew '04, divorced started back '05, finished BS '06. 4 children along the way 14,13,12, & 10 who live with their mother and see them every other weekend. Other than not being with my kids full-time anymore, the college experience has been the best time of my life. It is so fulfilling to be around people who are trying to do better for themselves rather than being with those who are satisfied with mediocre. It has also been a positive experience for my children who have been exposed to higher education and are planning to attend. They have been very supportive and we all seem to see this opportunity as an adventure. Can't wait to get started, I am currently teaching biology at the local high school and ready to get back to school myself.

 

[Mairzydotes]

Hello all. I just discovered this site recently as I was researching dental schools. I've just been reading for a couple of weeks now and am happy to have run across this particular thread. I definitely qualify for non-traditional, having turned 40 just last week -- it's still hard to believe. 😱 I enlisted in the Air Force in 1985, earned my AA in Mathematics in '91, BA in Meteorology '94, MS in Meteorology in '99. Now I'm a weather officer in the Air Force, a major with over 21 years in and after thinking about what I should do once I retire, I've decided to become a dentist.

I've been concerned about being too old, about being able to achieve this, about how to meet the demands of being a husband/father as well as laying a lot of responsibility on my wife for supporting the family while I'm in school. We have two kids living with us, two in college, and two that live with my ex -- yes, that makes six. From the financial standpoint, I'll have around $30k/yr in retirement pay, plus I have a GI Bill worth $40k that I've never used. Just the same, it's a complicated situation, which is really what non-traditional means. 🙂

My GPA for the BA is 3.7+ and for the MS is 3.6+. I'm currently taking courses I will need, bio-courses and chemistry, to take the DAT and apply.

I'm still working on my list of schools. Right now I like UF (I'm a resident), UAB, UNC and Baylor, but really need to learn more.

 

[Pilot Mike]

Wow what a great thread to read! I didn't know there were so many out there with such different backgrounds. Its pretty impressive reading about many of your experiences.

I'm another non-traditional applicant, 27 y/o male, and have recently been accepted to Case, BU, UCLA, UOP, and waitlisted at Harvard. I have been flying for about 10 years, a corporate pilot for a fortune 500 company for 5 years, and received a B.S. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical. Dentistry wasn't something I thought I would be doing until a few years ago when I was finishing my degree, and something just attracted me to helping others through dentistry instead of flying... definately a big change, but I am glad I made the change. Started my prereq's 2 years ago and did pretty good on the DAT, as I see most other non-trad's have done really well also. I heard being non-traditional was helpful, but I didn't realize it until I received so many interviews from so many great schools. It seemed like the interviews were pretty conversational and about my non-trad background, so I think that might have helped but who knows. If I can offer any advice to anyone ,feel free to PM me. Best of luck to everyone, and I think I saw a few of you planning on going to UOP, so I hope to meet you there next year.

 

[cryptozoologist]

every one I talk to tells me to go for what you want to do WHENEVER you want to do it and to not be afraid of change. I grew up in a household where my father ran his own bridgebuilding business. As the scale of highway projects grew, larger businesses took the lions share of the projects as the companies that had the cheapest financing over all the capitalized equipment/cranes won most of the contracts. I tell this story because my father was a successful small businessman for 25 years, yet when the writing was on the wall that small companies weren't going to last, he was afraid to correctly react to it's implications...and sadly went bankrupt after turning down several buyout offers. This happened to him because he could not face trying to do something else. He chose to try to ride it out...wrongly. He's doing something he loves now and is very successful, nevertheless, the stress of the bankruptcy and the life change it forced on him was awful to behold. I'm happy he got through it.

My point with this story is that he was afraid of getting out of his comfort zone professionally, terrified really. Don't make his mistake. If you want to make the change, do it. DOesn't matter if you're 50, if you're 40, if your 32 like me...it doesn't matter. My dad was FORCED to make a major career change at age 50. If you have the plums to make that choice before someone or something forces you to make it, you'll be happier for it.

I've worked in technology sales since 1998, traveling the world. It's a hard existence. For a lot of reasons not right for my wife and I. 5 years after watching what happened to my dad, it was relatively easy to for me to dump my successful career for one more aligned with my long term life goals. Yes, the 4 years of dental school will be tough at times...but as non-trads, we're accustomed to working...treat dental school like a 60 hour a week job and it's easy...12 hour days 5 days a week, take weekends off. I know non-trads who do it and are in the top 10% of their class to date. it's not hard with discipline. Don't care about residencies or specialties (which 80% of most classes don't) and all you have to do is "get by"...probably more like 40 hours a week!

A close friend of my familys wrote a book about leadership and the title speaks millions to the fact of living in the modern world: "Control your destiny or someone else will." It's that simple. Age has nothing to do with anything if you believe in that statement.

CZ

Hello all. I just discovered this site recently as I was researching dental schools. I've just been reading for a couple of weeks now and am happy to have run across this particular thread. I definitely qualify for non-traditional, having turned 40 just last week -- it's still hard to believe. 😱 I enlisted in the Air Force in 1985, earned my AA in Mathematics in '91, BA in Meteorology '94, MS in Meteorology in '99. Now I'm a weather officer in the Air Force, a major with over 21 years in and after thinking about what I should do once I retire, I've decided to become a dentist.

I've been concerned about being too old, about being able to achieve this, about how to meet the demands of being a husband/father as well as laying a lot of responsibility on my wife for supporting the family while I'm in school. We have two kids living with us, two in college, and two that live with my ex -- yes, that makes six. From the financial standpoint, I'll have around $30k/yr in retirement pay, plus I have a GI Bill worth $40k that I've never used. Just the same, it's a complicated situation, which is really what non-traditional means. 🙂

My GPA for the BA is 3.7+ and for the MS is 3.6+. I'm currently taking courses I will need, bio-courses and chemistry, to take the DAT and apply.

I'm still working on my list of schools. Right now I like UF (I'm a resident), UAB, UNC and Baylor, but really need to learn more.

 

[Mairzydotes]

CZ,

Thanks for the encouragement. I think you're right on the mark about controlling your destiny. The reluctance to change is a significant factor, but it's coming whether you deal with it or not. It's amazing the number of people I've been acquainted with who have decided to retire and only get serious about what they're going to do next in the couple of months prior. Typical vocations for one with my experience are National Weather Service or working as a government contractor. Neither choice is appealing.

Dentistry, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to apply science and art, to run or be part of a small business that matters, to take part in mission opportunities, to make a comfortable living, and to be flexible with my work schedule as I get older. I still have a number of concerns, but have decided on doing this.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to apply until 2008. By that time, though I should be set up to succeed.

 

[Cymbidium]

Hi fellow non-trads. I know it's early in the game, but I'm wondering how many of you have received an acceptance (congrats!) and have decided on a school?

So far NYU is my choice b/c it's my only choice!

 

[pine88]

Hi fellow non-trads. I know it's early in the game, but I'm wondering how many of you have received an acceptance (congrats!) and have decided on a school?

So far NYU is my choice b/c it's my only choice!

Congrats on NYU. I got UoP and Indiana, and will be going to UoP. I'm a little worried about what it's like to be older than everyone else. When I was on a tour, I asked the student guide if there were many older students and he said "Yeah, there are some. There's this one old lady in our class...she's thirty..."

 

[Cymbidium]

Oh my god! I'll turn 30 as a D2- I hope I'm not shunned for being old!
Congrats on Pacific! I'm in the re-review in December pile, whatever that means 🙂

Congrats on NYU. I got UoP and Indiana, and will be going to UoP. I'm a little worried about what it's like to be older than everyone else. When I was on a tour, I asked the student guide if there were many older students and he said "Yeah, there are some. There's this one old lady in our class...she's thirty..."

 

[wimmcs]

I am a non-trad student currently a d2 at ASDOH and so far I'm enjoying my dental school experience. I think in my class of 55, we have 11 people over 30 including myself. I started d-school at 34 w/3 kids and though the road to get here wasn't easy, it has sure been worthwhile. While a pre-dent I "agonized" over so many issues (am I too old, do I have good enough marks, will the ad-coms look bad upon all my CC pre-req classes, will d-school negatively impact my home life, etc) and after it was all said and done I really think that being a "non-trad" student helped me get interviews and ultimately accepted. I wish you all non-traditional students the best in pursuing dentistry as a career. I am very much looking forward to a rewarding career. If you have any ?s, feel free to PM me.

 

[mellow_yellow]

I'm also a non-traditional student (with a BA in Econ). I'm only 23 y.o. but have been financially independent since graduating from high school (no parents/guardian to support me).

I was just wondering if any of the non-traditional students here took their pre-reqs at a community college. I live in NJ and its very hard to find a 4-year college nearby that offers evening classes (I work in the day). Therefore, I have to take them at community colleges. (Even the community college that offers the required classes I need in the evening are still about ~1 hour away.)

I'm in the process of contacting d-schools asking them about cc credits. So far, U Maryland informed me that they will not accept the pre-reqs if they were taken at CC (I know Tufts does not accept them either).

Do you think that taking my pre-reqs at CC will greatly reduce my chance of getting into d-school? Is anyone in the same situation as I am? I will try to take some of the pre-reqs at a 4-year college, but I know I will end up taking most of the classes at a CC because of my current situation.