Started college late? Will it affects the chances of getting in?

[daphne13]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I feel very bad that I'll start college at age 21, almost 22(I was born in September), cause I got sick in high school, I had Sinus surgery/puked blood after the surgery/tonsil surgery/5 years of braces, and it really affects my school work that I have to leave school.
I'm wondering does it affects the chances if you started college late? Will the dental school looked at my application and thinks I've been fooling around that's why I'm late for college? (cause lots of student started college at age 17,18)
And I want to finish my undergrad in 3 years but I heard it's hard to get in with only 3 years of undergrad? Cause when the time you apply they'll only see 2 years of your school work, so is it a wise move?
Thanks!!!

 

[SEAirLand]

A. It won't.
B. That is what a personal statement is for.
C. 21 late? I'm finishing my first bachelors and I'm 39. Will it affect me? Not sure, but I have a good gpa and DAT. And two interviews.

Roll with it, it was out of your hands.

 

[dds ed]

I think that starting college later could be a plus; you have more life experiences behind you and have shown more ability to overcome obstacles. true, it is rare to be accepted after only 3 years of undergrad; same thinking: four years probably show more of the above

 

[wizi]

lol No problem at all.

I came to the States when 21. Took me almost 2 years to finish ESL classes --> I started to take normal classes at a CC when I was 23 🙂

Still got 3 interviews so far even my stats are ok.

 

[JBHawaii]

Is this a serious post? When did having maturity and life experience ever hinder a person? It almost makes me angry that you would post this... I started college at 23 and am 28 starting D school and I'm doing it at UCSF.... do you think it affected me?

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=649117

 

[MrAvicii]

focus on getting your schedule back in order, if its possible then try to take the dat and apply as early as you can but remember GPA matters a lot more than the DAT. Therefore, focus on good grades, ECs, LORs, and Shadowing and than slaughter the DAT for a good shot at acceptances.

Hope this helps.

 

[daphne13]

Is this a serious post? When did having maturity and life experience ever hinder a person? It almost makes me angry that you would post this... I started college at 23 and am 28 starting D school and I'm doing it at UCSF.... do you think it affected me?

Hi, I didn't mean to offend anyone, sorry if I offended you, I'm just worried that I'll be a couple years older than other people when I apply for dental school.
And I guess you start working after you graduated from high school right? Some people graduated from high school then they get a job for a couple years before they go to college.
I think that's a lot better than my case, cause I'm older than other people but it's not because I got a job after high school, I'm just being sick and had several surgeries, so I'm worried that dental school might think I'm just being lazy or something, but I guess it's out of my hands now.
Thank you guys for your reply! It really helps!

 

[SEAirLand]

Hi, I didn't mean to offend anyone, sorry if I offended you, I'm just worried that I'll be a couple years older than other people when I apply for dental school.
And I guess you start working after you graduated from high school right? Some people graduated from high school then they get a job for a couple years before they go to college.
I think that's a lot better than my case, cause I'm older than other people but it's not because I got a job after high school, I'm just being sick and had several surgeries, so I'm worried that dental school might think I'm just being lazy or something, but I guess it's out of my hands now.
Thank you guys for your reply! It really helps!

Its been a while since this thread started. Since then, and review my previous post, I've been accepted to d-school.

If anything, other than my GPA and DAT scores, that was contributory to my success in this, it was my non-traditional life experiences that helped me stand out.

Don't worry, focus on school and preparing for the DAT. Rock those out and you're golden! And make sure you rock out the GPA and DAT. Those are ALWAYS important.

Stop worrying about small stuff. Plenty of us "old" people in the works!

 

[JdogDMD]

I started school when I was 21. I will have finished my BS degree in 3 years with a double major. I had 4 interviews before December and was accepted December 1. It can be done if you want it bad enough. Good luck!!

 

[teddyllama]

Age won't restrict you at all, if anything life experience will help you. That said, being 21 doesn't give you much more life experience than others. I didn't go back to college until I was 29. I graduated this semester at 34, applied to 5 dental schools, was accepted to 5 dental schools. Focus on what is important for acceptance and don't sweat the little things. You are all young...