Over 40 and accepted

[RoCKK]

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I wanted to know if there are any SDNer's who are over 40 years old and have been accepted to dental school. Please feel free to tell us about your journey, the obstacles you overcame (family, job, education, multiple application cycles) and how that acceptance made you feel. Maybe you'll inspire some of those who are still on the outside looking in. Thanks.

 

[onamission]

I think I'm the only one. Lots of rejections last cycle, two acceptances this cycle. Three years of post-bac work to raise my twenty year old pathetic undergrad grades. All worth it. There is no age limit on reinventing yourself.

 

[usernametaken]

I know you guys are not alone. I've read a couple threads on here about the topic of nontrads, and there's definitely other people starting dental (and med) school in their forties. I say go for it and give it your all!

 

[Frederico Albin]

Wow, props to you guys.

Onamission is definetly right, it is never too late.

 

[jdoc04]

I think there is a least one attending Baylor. Good luck to you!!

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I'm 35 and I got accepted to 3 schools, I'm still waiting for an answer at one more, and I just got my 5th interview invite.

I know I'm not over 40, but I think 35 is close enough. Also, I do know that there is a student at UMich that is 38.

I have heard that UoP likes older applicants.

I believe that as long as your scores are solid AND you have one hell of a personal statement, you will get accepted. Your personal statement really needs to sell your story of why you are pursuing dentistry so late. It needs to be so profound that everyone that you verbally paraphrase it to is convinced you deserve to be a dentist. At that point, I'm sure there will be plenty of schools that will want to interview you even though you are 40.

 

[Queen Asylum]

I'm 34 now - I recently had a revelation and I would really appreciate some advice on what route to take here. Here is by shortened bio (I think I would be categorized as aseriously non-traditional student (SNTS): I have a "dental assisting" diploma/1yr program (don't laugh), an AA in libral arts from a community college I am currently attending an online university working towards my BS in Marketing. I was an orthodontic assistant for 10 years and have been a Product Manager for an Orthodontic company for the last 3 years. I've always known I wanted to be a dentist but the amount of schooling/expenses seemed daunting.....anyway, I am tired of making excuses and I am going to do what I have always wanted to do, just a little late. I obviously need some pre-req (quite a few) but what route do I take? Should I drop out of the online university and go the local university to get the pre-req or should I graduate and then get the pre-req as a non-degreed seeking student. I'm kind of leaning toward the second, but it just means more school. You don't have to have a pre-dental degree to get into dental school; just the pre-req/grades/DAT scores are what counts, correct? I've always had good grades and take a mean test, so I'm not too worried about that part I'm just really nervous about what to do since I am kind of in the middle of things at this point, but know where I want to end up. Sorry for the book and thanks in advance!🙂

 

[blankguy]

I'm 34 now - I recently had a revelation and I would really appreciate some advice on what route to take here. Here is by shortened bio (I think I would be categorized as aseriously non-traditional student (SNTS): I have a "dental assisting" diploma/1yr program (don't laugh), an AA in libral arts from a community college I am currently attending an online university working towards my BS in Marketing. I was an orthodontic assistant for 10 years and have been a Product Manager for an Orthodontic company for the last 3 years. I've always known I wanted to be a dentist but the amount of schooling/expenses seemed daunting.....anyway, I am tired of making excuses and I am going to do what I have always wanted to do, just a little late. I obviously need some pre-req (quite a few) but what route do I take? Should I drop out of the online university and go the local university to get the pre-req or should I graduate and then get the pre-req as a non-degreed seeking student. I'm kind of leaning toward the second, but it just means more school. You don't have to have a pre-dental degree to get into dental school; just the pre-req/grades/DAT scores are what counts, correct? I've always had good grades and take a mean test, so I'm not too worried about that part I'm just really nervous about what to do since I am kind of in the middle of things at this point, but know where I want to end up. Sorry for the book and thanks in advance!🙂

You could enroll at a local university and treat it as a change in major. There is nothing wrong with changing majors. I don't know how degrees from online universities are looked upon since it is a recent phenomenon. I think taking classes the traditional way is preferred. The good thing is though that you acknowledged your shift in interest before finishing a Bachelors. I think it gives you an opportunity to develop a good track record in the sciences. Experience wise though you have more experience than most of us having worked in an industry that is very close to dentists. Your strong suit at this point is your experience. Anyways I think 'changing majors' is in order while you try to fulfill the prereqs.

 

[sarah_bellum]

I'm pusing the edges of relevance to this thread, but I had four interviews, two waitlists, and one acceptance. I'm thirty two, and used undergraduate science coursework at my local state school to overcome my atrocious ten year old GPA.

 

[blankguy]

I've also had atrocious GPA from 10+ years ago. I kicked butt on my postbacc prereqs getting nothing lower than an A-.

 

[doc toothache]

I wanted to know if there are any SDNer's who are over 40 years old and have been accepted to dental school. Please feel free to tell us about your journey, the obstacles you overcame (family, job, education, multiple application cycles) and how that acceptance made you feel. Maybe you'll inspire some of those who are still on the outside looking in. Thanks.

This info is available in excruciating detail.

try http://www.adea.org/Resources/OG/OG_3_WhereToApply.pdf or buy the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools 2008

https://access.adea.org/adeassa/ecs...st_id=&p_order_serno=&p_promo_cd=&p_price_cd=

 

[Queen Asylum]

Awesome info, thanks for all the great links and advice. Much appreciated.

Holly

 

[DMDreaming]

First off, kudos to all who have posted on this thread. It's nice to see non-trads going for it no matter what. Being an older applicant comes with its unique trials. Great job all of you!!
I will turn 40 the day before I start dental school this August. It's been a rough road but one I would gladly travel again. Last cycle, no interviews/acceptances. This cycle, 4 interviews and 2 acceptances.

 

[RoCKK]

Congratulations onamission and dmdreaming, I know how hard it is. I have been accepted after 3 application cycles. I am 43, married with 4 kids (15,13,11,8) and went back to college(dropped out before finishing 1st semester in 1984) at 37 with the belief that educating myself would pay off. I had to give up a job that provided well for us and sold our house so I could continue going to school and pursuing my dream. When I received my acceptance I felt overwhelming joy and validated that my hard work had paid off. Of course now the real work starts. To those still waiting for an acceptance, your young and you have time, so talk to admission people about your application and follow their advice to continue improving your application. I thought I was ready a couple years ago but now I see I am better qualified.
Also, doc toothache, thanks for your great information.

 

[onamission]

Congratulations onamission and dmdreaming, I know how hard it is. I have been accepted after 3 application cycles. I am 43, married with 4 kids (15,13,11,8) and went back to college(dropped out before finishing 1st semester in 1984) at 37 with the belief that educating myself would pay off. I had to give up a job that provided well for us and sold our house so I could continue going to school and pursuing my dream. When I received my acceptance I felt overwhelming joy and validated that my hard work had paid off. Of course now the real work starts. To those still waiting for an acceptance, your young and you have time, so talk to admission people about your application and follow their advice to continue improving your application. I thought I was ready a couple years ago but now I see I am better qualified.
Also, doc toothache, thanks for your great information.

Hey RoCKK, I have 4 kids also (12, 11 & 5 yr old twins). Where did you get accepted?

 

[SugarNaCl]

I just turned 28 and I'm in my 2nd semester of D school, but there are a few in my class that are in their mid-30s. There is also a D .5 this year that is 40+. He seems to be doing just fine. Good luck to you. I agree there are DEFINITELY some schools that like non-trad applicants better than others.

PS... VCU is a great place 😉

 

[dr bojangles]

I'm 34 now - I recently had a revelation and I would really appreciate some advice on what route to take here. Here is by shortened bio (I think I would be categorized as aseriously non-traditional student (SNTS): I have a "dental assisting" diploma/1yr program (don't laugh), an AA in libral arts from a community college I am currently attending an online university working towards my BS in Marketing. I was an orthodontic assistant for 10 years and have been a Product Manager for an Orthodontic company for the last 3 years. I've always known I wanted to be a dentist but the amount of schooling/expenses seemed daunting.....anyway, I am tired of making excuses and I am going to do what I have always wanted to do, just a little late. I obviously need some pre-req (quite a few) but what route do I take? Should I drop out of the online university and go the local university to get the pre-req or should I graduate and then get the pre-req as a non-degreed seeking student. I'm kind of leaning toward the second, but it just means more school. You don't have to have a pre-dental degree to get into dental school; just the pre-req/grades/DAT scores are what counts, correct? I've always had good grades and take a mean test, so I'm not too worried about that part I'm just really nervous about what to do since I am kind of in the middle of things at this point, but know where I want to end up. Sorry for the book and thanks in advance!🙂

hey, i commend you for making your decision to pursue now. no, you don't need a "pre-dental" degree.....any major will do granted you take the pre-reqs. this would entail either finishing your online degree then doing post-bac (longer route). i'd suggest starting a post-bac at a school where you can do them (e.g. live classes for labs and all, etc.) now and try to transfer your credits you have online towards a BS. if anything, you need the pre-reqs, and most schools require ~3 years of undergrad work or 90 credits, or something like that.
good luck.