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is it a good idea to take a year off before going to dental school?
taking a year off?
- Thread starter outdoorsie
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I decided to take a year off only because at this time last year, I didn't have as many pre-req's as I do now (all). After much thought, I actually think it was the right decision to make, as I now have a full year to explore the dental field even more (observing more specialists), work, and most importantly.... PLAY. I mean, I've busted my ass to keep really high grades the past few years, and although I got to party in the past couple years, it's nothing like I will now be able to do. I feel like if I had gone straight into dental school after undergrad, I could've possibly burned out. I will definitely be enjoying this year off 
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i agree with patchjoe...however it totally depends on why you are doing it........i just recently decided to because i had transferred from university to university so a lot of credits didn't transfer so i was signed up for 7 classes this fall, having to take 1 in winter 6 in spring, graduate, then take 1 more in summer.....
its definitely more important to get good grades rather than rush just to graduate with not so good grades. now ill graduate next winter and im definitely comfortable with that. ll apply this spring 2009 to start fall 2010
its definitely more important to get good grades rather than rush just to graduate with not so good grades. now ill graduate next winter and im definitely comfortable with that. ll apply this spring 2009 to start fall 2010
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I took a year off, it was definitely worth it for me! I was so burnt out from school. Now I am back into it and studying hard...if you don't mind starting a year later, go for it. Totally depends on you though.
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I'm pretty new here, but I've been checking almost every post between here and and the DAT section daily. If you took a year off, and then applied for the next cycle, there is no guarantee you will get in. I'm not trying to sound negative, but that is the way I understand it. If I am wrong, please inform me. If I am not, what happens if you don't get in after you have waited a year? You might end up taking 2 years off!
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I took a year off before I applied... mostly because I didn't feel like studying for DATs during senior year... I worked in a medical office, did a LOT of DAT studying, and did just about the minimum amount of shadowing. It worked for me because its a ton easier to go through the app process from DAT to interviews, etc, after you've graduated. No work to make up, no classes to miss. It just made life easier and it all worked out. In short, I wouldn't necessarily advise against it unless you just wanna sit around at home all the time and watch TV and live off the rents.
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I'm planning on taking a year off and doing little else other than sleeping and watching TV.
I kid. But not really.
Here's what I'm doing during my year off: I'm going to try to take two classes, maybe Anatomy and French or something, but that just depends on whether or not I can get into the classes anywhere since I'm not taking it at the school I got my degree from. I'll be working part time, and I'll continue with some of my volunteer activities (although not as hard core as I was when I was still in school). I'll also be doing a research thing. I'm hoping to keep all of my activities to a minimum so I have time to sit at home and read books and watch movies, as well as just hang out with all my friends and family before I have to leave. It's mostly just a year to recuperate from being almost burned out so I'll be fresh for dental school, with some activities thrown in there so that I stay active and don't end up sleeping away the entire year.
Why I'm doing it: I graduated in three years, so if I wanted to start dental school right after graduating, I would have needed to apply at the end of my second year. There was no way in hell I was even close to being ready. I wasn't ready to take the DAT, I had no lor's lined up, my resume was shoddy, and I didn't have a clue about the entire process. Waiting until the end of my third year to apply gave me time to get my **** together, have enough experience to write a meaningful personal statement, and know enough about what was going on to submit ADSAAS as soon as I could.
We should bring this up in about six-eight months and talk about how the year off thing is actually going.
I've been so busy with apps and DATs that my vacation is starting as summer is winding down. I wonder if that's how it's been for other people?
I kid. But not really.
Here's what I'm doing during my year off: I'm going to try to take two classes, maybe Anatomy and French or something, but that just depends on whether or not I can get into the classes anywhere since I'm not taking it at the school I got my degree from. I'll be working part time, and I'll continue with some of my volunteer activities (although not as hard core as I was when I was still in school). I'll also be doing a research thing. I'm hoping to keep all of my activities to a minimum so I have time to sit at home and read books and watch movies, as well as just hang out with all my friends and family before I have to leave. It's mostly just a year to recuperate from being almost burned out so I'll be fresh for dental school, with some activities thrown in there so that I stay active and don't end up sleeping away the entire year.
Why I'm doing it: I graduated in three years, so if I wanted to start dental school right after graduating, I would have needed to apply at the end of my second year. There was no way in hell I was even close to being ready. I wasn't ready to take the DAT, I had no lor's lined up, my resume was shoddy, and I didn't have a clue about the entire process. Waiting until the end of my third year to apply gave me time to get my **** together, have enough experience to write a meaningful personal statement, and know enough about what was going on to submit ADSAAS as soon as I could.
We should bring this up in about six-eight months and talk about how the year off thing is actually going.
I've been so busy with apps and DATs that my vacation is starting as summer is winding down. I wonder if that's how it's been for other people?
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I'm kind of in the same boat as drpsuedonym. I started working after graduation and pretty much watched my summer fly by. I had a hard time finding time to work on apps. But I finally get a two week vacation before September starts up. Hopefully, I won't get burnt out from work.
before September starts up. Hopefully, I won't get burnt out from work.
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like someone said above, taking a year or 2 off isnt bad as long as you do something. if you're going to chill at home then go ahead and apply and get in asap. if you have deficiencies in your application (dental experience, grades, dat..etc.) then its probably better to take a year off and strengthen your application so you can be the best possible applicant when you apply.
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do it. it will be a good break from school. you will make some $$ and build some good experience. when you actually apply d-school, you wont have to worry about $$.
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I'm taking a year off. I didn't decide what I wanted to do until right before sophomore year. I hadn't decided my major or career or anything, so I hadn't taken ANY required classes for anything, just some random classes that counted for GenEd requirements. Then I decided my major and on pre-dental, but there's no way I'm going to be ready by the end of my junior year (this year). I need an extra year to prepare, and since I'm cramming in so many upper-level classes trying to graduate on time, I'll probably need some time off before dental school so I don't burn out.
Well, there's never a guarantee that you'll get in. I mean, the biggest negative is that it is getting more competitive to get in every year. But if you do something productive with your time then I think it may even be beneficial. Dental schools will see your transcript for all 4 years instead of just your first 3. And they like to see mature applicants. If you're slightly older and have a little more experience and you're a little more sure of yourself, it could help in interviews. Our pre-professional advisors at my school say it doesn't hurt, and considering we have a dental school, I hope they know what they're talking about. As long as you don't sit on your couch watching TV all year, I don't think you'll be any worse off.
Well, there's never a guarantee that you'll get in. I mean, the biggest negative is that it is getting more competitive to get in every year. But if you do something productive with your time then I think it may even be beneficial. Dental schools will see your transcript for all 4 years instead of just your first 3. And they like to see mature applicants. If you're slightly older and have a little more experience and you're a little more sure of yourself, it could help in interviews. Our pre-professional advisors at my school say it doesn't hurt, and considering we have a dental school, I hope they know what they're talking about. As long as you don't sit on your couch watching TV all year, I don't think you'll be any worse off.
