Seeking some advice

[heathp123]

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Hi all,

I've been debating dental school for quite some time and need some sound advice. Let me explain my background a little bit:

About a year ago, I dropped out of an economics masters to start taking pre-req dental courses at a community college. Well, I quickly went broke and had to drop out mid semester (taking F's in both courses) to take a job far away and avoid being homeless. Long story short: I'm back on my feet and wanting to try again. My interest in dental is still very strong. I've recently enlisted in the Army Reserves as a dental specialist. I did this so I can get some observation time, classes paid for, and have a hopeful leg-up on HPSP applicants.

I've taken about 175 credit hours at the undergraduate level (accounting degree plus CPA requirements needing 150 credits and a major switch early on lol). 54 of these were at a community college level where I had a 4.0 overall until I took and failed those two pre-req classes. Since I took so many credits and am on my own financially, I don't have much student aid left. The reserves offers $4500 a year in tuition reimbursement ($250 per credit hour) and a small monthly payment depending on my part time/full time status. Because of this, I don't believe I'll be able to afford classes at a university level. My current plan is this:

FALL 2014:
CHEM 1
BIO 1
STUDY FOR DAT

SPRING 2015:
CHEM 2
BIO 2
STUDY FOR DAT

SUMMER 2015:
O-CHEM 1
PHYSICS 1
STUDY/TAKE DAT

FALL 2015:
O-CHEM 2
PHYSICS 2
APPLY FOR DENTAL SCHOOLS

So, with this plan, I have a few questions:

1. Do you honestly believe I can get in somewhere if I take these at a community college level?
2. Do you think me working as a dental specialist in the military counts as observation time/looks good on an application?
3. Does this plan seem decent? If not, how would you change it?

Any additional advice would be great. Thanks in advance for helping me succeed in my switch!!!

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ge-courses-ap-credit-and-ds-admission.993914/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/dental-hygiene-to-ds.952937/
You were an accounting major, but could not make financial planning lasting longer than a couple of months?

 

[heathp123]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ge-courses-ap-credit-and-ds-admission.993914/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/dental-hygiene-to-ds.952937/
You were an accounting major, but not make financial planning lasting longer than a couple of month?

I got laid off from my job and unemployment went by the previous year's income so I got a total of $300 a month compared to the $4k I was making. I'm the last surviving member of my family, so I couldn't just call my parents for help. Like I said: rough times, but I'm back on my feet.

 

[customx]

You were an accounting major, but not make financial planning lasting longer than a couple of month?

You have been very helpful in a number of ways on this forum, but sometimes you come across as a real #*@!

 

[doc toothache]

You have been very helpful in a number of ways on this forum, but sometimes you come across as a real #*@!

You are we

You have been very helpful in a number of ways on this forum, but sometimes you come across as a real #*@!

You are too generous with your compliments.

 

[Cello]

OP: I think you may be missing some classes like biochem (which may have prereqs at your school such as cell biology). I also wonder how large your loan debt must already be. It sounds like you've gotten a raw deal, sorry to hear that you've had such a hard adulthood so far... That said, overcoming adversity helps with more in life than just your personal statement for DS.

1. Take a look at doc toothache's links for community college questions.
2. I'm sure it does, but it also begs the question, will your commitment to the military interfere at all with applying for dental school?
3. Your plan seems fine, but I believe that you are overlooking some classes as I mentioned above.

PS-

Doc toothache is a bit like a hedgehog. Although they simmer and prick you with their spines, you can't help but like them for being so cute. 😉 Besides, he's contributed a vast wealth of important information to these forums.

 

[heathp123]

Thanks for the advice so far! 🙂 It looks like I'm limited to 10-15 schools, which isn't bad. As far as the military goes, I know I have to expect to be deployed and such and that happens. However, I believe if I'm accepted to HPSP, I'll be removed from the reserves or be non-deployable (like the green to gold program).

As far as classes go at my local CC: biology 1 has a pre-req of English. I have the option to take it as honors (I did several honors classes at my uni). Couldn't hurt, right? Chemistry 1 requires an intro chem, but I took honors chem 1 and 2 in HS (my last CC waived it because of this), so I think I can get it waived. If not, I can man up and squeeze it in over the summer.

 

[dieanotherday]

biochem, anatomy, microbio, physiology in that order of importance for upper division bio classes

biochem more as a requirement than optional

 

[heathp123]

biochem, anatomy, microbio, physiology in that order of importance for upper division bio classes

biochem more as a requirement than optional

I understand now 😛

Are there any programs anyone is aware of that I can take a general masters of science with science deficiences? Sort of like the 2 year teaching masters programs they have for non-teaching backgrounds.

 

[ktran17]

Wrong thread