Texa$...OR...out-of-$tate? Need help deciding!

[Cofo]

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Okay...for the past 5 years, I have wanted to get away from Texas and the south in general. Don't hate on me, I just have some personal reasons.
However, I see how much all of these other out-of-state schools cost compared to Texas dental schools.
My stats aren't great...sciGPA 3.06, BCP 3.11, overallGPA 3.5
I take my DAT in late July or first week of August, of which I am feeling like I will get 20's...my sciGPA is NOT indicative of my science knowledge.

Anyway, I just need some encouragement and guidance on what to do this cycle. I was going to apply to 20 schools, but the thing is...I do not want to be in $300,000-$400,000 in debt after dental school...and I do NOT want to join the military after dental school to have them pay for it.
I've lived in Texas my entire life. The dental school tuition and cost of living here is SO much cheaper than anywhere else in the US, and...I am thinking of maybe only applying to the 3 schools in Texas this cycle. If I don't get in this cycle, I will just apply again next year when my GPA's will be even better.
Is it crazy to only apply to 3 schools in Texas, since I don't want to accumulate so much debt? I mean...these other schools are VERY expensive. Like I said, I just need some encouragement and guidance on what to do. I don't want to become a dentist to end up working my butt off just to have a massive debt to pay for the next 30 years.

 

[larryguy1960]

just go to dental school in TX and then you can move anywhere in the US. You can literally be a dentist in any city, town, or rural neighborhood. Not many other careers can say that. And you would be moving to your destination of choice with no debt. pretty lucky.

i'd do anything to go to school in texas

 

[txlonghorn]

With your stats, you might get into Texas schools. I know people who had similar stats as you get in, but they had a 4.0 during their last year or during their post bacc coursework. I think that with your numbers, you will have a shot at some out of state schools, but they will be the expensive type - BU, NYU, etc.

You should apply this cycle, but also enroll in some post bacc classes in case you do not get in to help improve your application for the next cycle.

 

[Cofo]

With your stats, you might get into Texas schools. I know people who had similar stats as you get in, but they had a 4.0 during their last year or during their post bacc coursework. I think that with your numbers, you will have a shot at some out of state schools, but they will be the expensive type - BU, NYU, etc.

You should apply this cycle, but also enroll in some post bacc classes in case you do not get in to help improve your application for the next cycle.

For the past two semesters, I have had a 3.75 and 4.0, respectively.
Who knows...I can only hope for the best. Thanks guys

 

[txaggie03]

As a resident, and with the State of Texas subsidizing part of your dental school costs, I think you would be silly not to take advantage of it.

After all, of the 56 dental schools listed here (page 29), the Texas schools rank 2nd (baylor), 5th (san antonio), and 6th (houston) cheapest.

Even houston, the most expensive in Texas (88k for 4 years), is still half as much as 18 of the 56.


Are you really going to care where you are living while in Dental school? Is it worth an extra 100k to live somewhere else? These are questions only you will be able to answer.

 

[NguyenDDS]

My top choice is ANY Texas school, but I applied to about 15 out-of-state schools out of excitement. But a little after that incident, I started 'regretting' that I applied to so many out-of-state schools 😳 For instance, I applied to Loma Lida, but I have decided to not complete the secondary application (I know, I wasted some money) 😳

My friend, also a TX resident and is now attending Tufts, told me he regrets it. His debt will be 400K+ and he stated that if he could do it over again, he would wait that extra year to reapply and get into Texas. He told me not to be desperate... because after all, school can be seen as just another investment (a really big one). We Texans should really take advantage of the TX schools here. IT'S SO CHEAP! And they are pretty good schools 🙂

 

[7 Iron]

I'm not sure what to tell you in terms of which schools to apply to, however if you have the chance to attend a TX school, DO IT! The tuition in TX is so low compared to the other schools.