so, how many times are you willing to.....

[Dr.Jamie]

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apply? I'm on my second round, and I always said that I was willing to apply at least three times and not feel bad about it. I have NO other options, and dentistry is for me, so I have been content on trying and trying some more. But this is starting to weigh heavily on me. I have just tons and tons of loans out, just retook the DAT and was extremely dissapointed, and although its off the subject, my car has been hit twice in two months...😡 I'm starting to really feel the drain on my life in general! It just feels like one thing after another. And it is extremely hard to watch my friends "seemingly" move on up in life when I'm so stagnant. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same. How do keep motivated, happy, confident, and optimistic?

 

[DentalDevil]

I'm on my first round of applying, but I took 3 years off after graduation, so I'm ready to get on with it. I have friends my age who've already finished their law and Pharmacy degrees, and I haven't even started! You just have to remind yourself that you're going to give it all you can and if you give up you'll always regret not being the best you could've been. And always try to stay optimistic!

 

[dddsmack]

I cant afford to apply again, thats why I applied to 20 schools.

 

[Envision]

I cant afford to apply again, thats why I applied to 20 schools.

I guess its to bad you have so few interviews. 😉

 

[denteng]

apply? I'm on my second round, and I always said that I was willing to apply at least three times and not feel bad about it. I have NO other options, and dentistry is for me, so I have been content on trying and trying some more. But this is starting to weigh heavily on me. I have just tons and tons of loans out, just retook the DAT and was extremely dissapointed, and although its off the subject, my car has been hit twice in two months...😡 I'm starting to really feel the drain on my life in general! It just feels like one thing after another. And it is extremely hard to watch my friends "seemingly" move on up in life when I'm so stagnant. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same. How do keep motivated, happy, confident, and optimistic?

I will reapply until I get in.

Dentistry is the only thing that I want to do.

 

[purduephigam]

I will reapply until I get in.

Dentistry is the only thing that I want to do.

Same here. It's definately where I want to be.

 

[Bman984]

If you want to join the profession for reasons other than the money you will get there somehow.

 

[UNCWDentist]

I know this is what I want to do because I have fought so hard to get here and I will not let anything stop me from achieving it. No one else in my family has ever gone or graduated from college and I have done this all on my own financed it myself and will continue to once in D-school (hopefully that is at UNC where they have a great in-state tuition rate).
This is my second year applying I have have done all I could to make my application that much better but once you get to that interview it's all about who you are as a person and as long as you are yourself and let that come through to the interviewer you will be fine. They can see you are nervous and sometimes "nervousness" is what we need to overcome in the profession and that another part of the process which you must show the adcom's you can handle.
-Back to the question at hand....I will apply until I am in!

 

[Euphoria36]

as many times as it takes <- that would be the ideal answer

but reality wants to intervene and point out the non existant bank account as a result of not making it through last years apps and going through it again this cycle. the lack of steadiness in your life as you float through waiting and applying as years fly by in the void. not to mention the emotional drain which makes it harder each time you get an envelope in your mail box hoping this will be the one!

the upside? a sense of appreciation for the profession beyond words knowing that this is what you want to do for the rest of your life and you will keep going until you get there.

acceptance of your flaws and short comings as you firmly move towards that goal with a sense of maturity and confidence.

so yeah, i am a fool for doing it again. i could have taken the easier road and been a journalist somewhere, but this is ultimately where i see myself. haha...holding a hand piece.

 

[reapply2007]

I get up in the morning and try not to check SDN. Then I try to get myself to go to work. Then I try not to check SDN, AADSAS, or my non-work e-mail at work. Then I go home and try not to think about how slow life goes during the Fall. I look at my calendar and see just exactly how long until or since something regarding the app. This is year two like this, and counting. I'll keep going until I'm Reapply2100 if necessary. I'm starting to wonder-if I take every class offered in dental school as a predent, will I get in or will the adcoms think I have nothing else to learn.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I guess it depends on how much you want to be a dentist, and whether or not you can find other careers that are stimulating to you and fulfill what you need.

 

[DentalBoarder]

apply? I'm on my second round, and I always said that I was willing to apply at least three times and not feel bad about it. I have NO other options, and dentistry is for me, so I have been content on trying and trying some more. But this is starting to weigh heavily on me. I have just tons and tons of loans out, just retook the DAT and was extremely dissapointed, and although its off the subject, my car has been hit twice in two months...😡 I'm starting to really feel the drain on my life in general! It just feels like one thing after another. And it is extremely hard to watch my friends "seemingly" move on up in life when I'm so stagnant. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same. How do keep motivated, happy, confident, and optimistic?

I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm a reapplicant as well, and after having just one interview, I'm getting pretty anxious, nervous, and uneasy. Anyway, to help avoid feeling this way, I don't check SDN as often as I used to. Reading about people getting interviews here and there, getting rejected from places people seem to love, and being placed in the "no decision" pile at many people's number 1 school really hurts. But to ease the pain, I started to think of another back up plan. In fact, I have already begun studying for the DAT again. I have also started looking at post bacc/grad programs. Doing this keeps me busy and helps me get prepared if the worst happens. You NEED to keep in mind that if the WORST scenario happens (not getting into dental school for 2007 matriculation), it's not the end of the world. And stop looking at your friends' progress. One of my friends have graduated with a BS and Masters in 4 years from Stanford. Some of my friends work at top consultant firms earning over $100K a year. A lot of my friends have $50+K jobs right now. I was in college for 5 years, graduated this past June, and if i get in, I'd have wasted another year. Of course it's better than 2-3 years. My friends seem to be moving "up" in life while I'm stagnant. But remember, it's only 2-3 years that you lost out of the 80(+/- 25) you're probably going to live. A couple years is not a long time. Just keep things in perspective. If you get in, you'll get in, and do what you love sooner. If you don't, it's not the end of the world and you can work hard and reapply. As for happy.... my gf and praying keep me happy. Don't know if you're Christian, but if you have access to a bible(www.biblegateway.com), Philippians 4:6-7 really helps me. In fact, this was the verse that helped calm me while I was waiting for that one interview invite. What a long reply. I should have PM'ed instead so I wouldn't bore the rest of the SDNers. Hope you feel better.

 

[Lemming]

If you don't, it's not the end of the world and you can work hard and reapply. As for happy.... my gf and praying keep me happy. Don't know if you're Christian, but if you have access to a bible(www.biblegateway.com), Philippians 4:6-7 really helps me. In fact, this was the verse that helped calm me while I was waiting for that one interview invite. What a long reply. I should have PM'ed instead so I wouldn't bore the rest of the SDNers. Hope you feel better.

Very nice.

 

[jaypea65]

I will apply up to 5 years before retirement age.........😀