Summer before D1

[StumpMT]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just a quick question.

I took biochem last semester and got an A+ and have taken gross human anatomy twice (1st time in 2004 and 2nd time in 2011, not because of grades but just to brush up on it and because I liked it). What is the general consensus of going over dental material before D1?

OK two questions.

What are everyone's thoughts on paying off credit card debt with student loans? I realize that paying off debt with debt is bad but it's essentially moving one form of debt to another form with a lower interest rate.

 

[ICUrunning]

Just a quick question.

I took biochem last semester and got an A+ and have taken gross human anatomy twice (1st time in 2004 and 2nd time in 2011, not because of grades but just to brush up on it and because I liked it). What is the general consensus of going over dental material before D1?

OK two questions.

What are everyone's thoughts on paying off credit card debt with student loans? I realize that paying off debt with debt is bad but it's essentially moving one form of debt to another form with a lower interest rate.

I would rather chill than go over material to "prep" myself. You'll be begging for a break once the books open.

 

[PointEstimate]

What are everyone's thoughts on paying off credit card debt with student loans? I realize that paying off debt with debt is bad but it's essentially moving one form of debt to another form with a lower interest rate.

Ok, so let's assume something happens to you (like you break your wrists in a skiing accident), doing what you are suggesting would basically mean trading a debt that you can get rid of in bankruptcy with a debt that stays with you forever.

 

[StumpMT]

Ok, so let's assume something happens to you (like you break your wrists in a skiing accident), doing what you are suggesting would basically mean trading a debt that you can get rid of in bankruptcy with a debt that stays with you forever.

Hmmmmmm very good point. I didn't think of that. Thanks. Ok so the best thing would be to just negotiate with the bank for a lower interest rate then? It's not like I have a lot of credit card debt, but more of just having one less thing to worry about.

 

[Bifenthrin]

Do NOT pre-study for dental school. It's the worst idea ever, seriously.

You're going to be so exhausted once school starts, why burn yourself out beforehand?

Also... take this with a grain of salt, but there's a D1 right now that I know of who prestudied before D1, and I'm talking he started studying in like April before his D1 year. As far as I know he's on the verge of flunking out of school now. So clearly prestudying biochem and anatomy did nothing for him.

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

I was the biggest gunner ever, so I bought the Netters book and started memorizing all the muscles/nerves/arteries. It probably got me ahead by like a week, but I spent way more than that studying for it, and the dental school pace was pretty chill, so I could have just learned it while in dental school, and it would have been the same. It's hard to put into context what you are learning, and what the professors will emphasize in class, so there's really no point of studying ahead.

If I had to do it over again, I would spend most of my summer on that Tinder app and become the town drunk.

 

[StumpMT]

Thanks for all of the responses so far. In this short amount of time I have decided to spend my days before D1 concentrating on my wedding and have a badass time in the Smokey's on my honeymoon.

 

[midman19]

I was the biggest gunner ever, so I bought the Netters book and started memorizing all the muscles/nerves/arteries. It probably got me ahead by like a week, but I spent way more than that studying for it, and the dental school pace was pretty chill, so I could have just learned it while in dental school, and it would have been the same. It's hard to put into context what you are learning, and what the professors will emphasize in class, so there's really no point of studying ahead.

If I had to do it over again, I would spend most of my summer on that Tinder app and become the town drunk.

Hahaha this is too funny!

 

[DocMon16]

Dude first off, I am proud of you for getting in ( I already told you this haha). Second of all, DO NOT study before school starts please! Third of all, DO NOT pay off credit card debt with student loans, worst thing you can do!

 

[Bifenthrin]

Oh also yeah, don't use your loans to pay off debt. You're going to need that money for rent and food and stuff trust me. NYU gives you just enough to make ends meet until the next loan disbursement.

Some people actually got screwed last summer going into D2. We thought we'd be getting loans before July but it wasn't until mid-July that we got them and a lot of people had to figure things out for July's rent because they hadn't accounted for needing to save for it.

 

[Dgeorg6]

.

 

[ajj70]

Take the summer and relax, it's going to really be the last time you can do that until you retire..kind of depressing 🙂.

As for the credit card debt, what is the interest rate and how much debt do you have? The bank may or may not negotiate a lower rate but you could try doing a balance transfer to another card with 0% introductory rate if your credit overall is good enough. Then, get it paid off before that rate changes. If you are talking about $2000-3000 on the card, pay it off with your loans if you can't get the rate lower. If it's $10,000, don't do that. Also, check with credit unions in your area, often they have better overall rates for credit cards, etc. You also might be able to get a small line of credit at your bank, usually around $5000, so if that is enough, you can pay off your credit card with that, then pay that down. Its a nice emergency fund to have too, especially with the big unknown of dental school coming up.