$$$ This is EXPENSIVE $$$

[gold_crown]

---

Members do not see this ad.

OK...so as I was driving to school this morning I was thinking of all the costs it has taken me to get to where I am right now, and all the costs that await me in the future.

The application process of getting into dental school was tougher and a lot more expensive then I had perceived. Each school has their own individual fee, and some even had mandatory secondary applications with additional fees.

Then each school invites you for an interview. For those out-of-state schools, one must not only purchase a plane ticket, but reserve a hotel for up to 2 days, and perhaps even rent a car to get you from the airport to the hotel and then to the university and back.

Once you’ve been accepted, you have to worry about your down payment to reserve your spot. You have to start searching for a new place to live, start packing up all your belongings, buy furniture/house supplies for your “new place”, buy a laptop from the university (as much of them are now requiring) and sooo much more.

I haven’t even mentioned the cost of going to dental school (which can be up to 300k for some), the purchasing of books, dental supplies…the list can go on and on…

Peronally, I'm one of those spoiled girls that hasn't had to work a day in her life and who's parents pay for everything. All I was told to do was go to school and make good grades. So, luckily for me, my parents have paid and will continue to pay for it all. This doesn't mean that I don't feel guilty for all that they have done for me. I look forward to the day when I can repay them and make them proud so they feel no regret for what they have done for me thus far.

What I’m wondering is, for all of you out there going to dental school that don’t have parents helping out, how do you manage to pay for it all? I mean, D*MN this can get really expensive when you start to add it all up….!!!

Even if you work on the side, I don't see how someone can work enough and still go to school and make enough money and good enough grades to get them through dental school...or maybe it's possible...

I'm just wondering... 😕

 

[ISU_Steve]

My undergrad is taken care of courtesy of an educational trust fund that my grandfather left me (technically I'm supposed to share it with my little brother, but there won't be anything left by the time he graduates high school in another 2 years). As for the other expenses (other than tuition and stuff like that for dental school, which I am hoping financial aid will take care of), I don't have any other choice but to work and pay for those expenses.

But hopefully I'll get lucky and get into IU and not have to move at all really. The cost of living in Indiana is pretty cheap (rent on an two bedroom 30-40 miles outside of Indy runs about $575-650 per month and that will get you a super nice ), and I don't need new furniture if I move into a new place (I'm stilling using the furniture my parents gave me when I moved out of their house back in 1999).

 

[ItsGavinC]

It's totally possible to work and go to undergrad. I did well in school (3.6ish GPA) and worked 40 hours a week for 2+ years, along with a wife and one child at the time.

No big deal really. It wasn't easy, but it's doable. It's all about time management.

 

[msf41]

To the OP:

Work never killed anyone, but it sounds like it's scaring you a little bit. 😉
Just kidding. I've worked my way through school as a nurses aid at a hospital getting $10/hr, but I don't look down on people that have parents to finance their education. School would have been much easier if I didn't have to work 25-40 hours a week. Most people spend that much time watching TV or some other way of wasting time. So if you have to work to pay the bills, you just miss out on the free time.

Working is starting to wear me down though. I've been working 12 hour graveyard shifts this semester (it's the only time I could fit it in with my other activities). Working 12 hour night shifts, then going straight to school in the morning from 8am-1pm makes for some long days.

I've had to take out about $15,000 in loans as well, but about $5000 of that was for medical expenses (my wife just had a baby!)

 

[gold_crown]

To the OP:

Work never killed anyone, but it sounds like it's scaring you a little bit. 😉
Just kidding. I've worked my way through school as a nurses aid at a hospital getting $10/hr, but I don't look down on people that have parents to finance their education. School would have been much easier if I didn't have to work 25-40 hours a week. Most people spend that much time watching TV or some other way of wasting time. So if you have to work to pay the bills, you just miss out on the free time.

Working is starting to wear me down though. I've been working 12 hour graveyard shifts this semester (it's the only time I could fit it in with my other activities). Working 12 hour night shifts, then going straight to school in the morning from 8am-1pm makes for some long days.

I've had to take out about $15,000 in loans as well, but about $5000 of that was for medical expenses (my wife just had a baby!)

Congrats on the new baby! I really admire all of you that have worked your way through school. I know it must be tough. I also understand how someone might look down on a person like me, but you have to remember, that just b/c I haven't worked my way through school, doesn't mean that I didn't have a ton of other "issues" (as I like to call it) to go through. I think everyone as "issues". 🙄 Still, I know how tough it must have been. I am truly blessed to have such supportive parents.

So, do u plan on working u're way through dental school as well?? I'm assuming that THAT would be a bit tougher then undergrad. I'm taking 20+ hours right now and I can't imagine finding the time to work, let alone watch TV!

 

[gold_crown]

My undergrad is taken care of courtesy of an educational trust fund that my grandfather left me (technically I'm supposed to share it with my little brother, but there won't be anything left by the time he graduates high school in another 2 years). As for the other expenses (other than tuition and stuff like that for dental school, which I am hoping financial aid will take care of), I don't have any other choice but to work and pay for those expenses.

But hopefully I'll get lucky and get into IU and not have to move at all really. The cost of living in Indiana is pretty cheap (rent on an two bedroom 30-40 miles outside of Indy runs about $575-650 per month and that will get you a super nice ), and I don't need new furniture if I move into a new place (I'm stilling using the furniture my parents gave me when I moved out of their house back in 1999).

I feel bad for u're lil brother!

 

[ISU_Steve]

I work part time as an echocardiographer (I just fill in shifts where the local doctors' normal tech aren't available and I am free- normally evenings, weekends and holidays) and I make in the neighborhood of $30 an hour, more for some doctors or under "emergency" circumstances. I used to work full time 12 hr nights as a respiratory therapist and made about half that (but I did have better benefits) but I have come to really hate that job so I only do it if I really feel like it (read as: "I've already seen what is on the History Channel tonight") , and if the director of the department asks very nicely (read as: "She is so desperate for staffing that she will pay whatever I ask")

I also run a tutoring service here and can make anywhere from $10 an hour (for one person, going over something very simple) to $85 an hour (for a group of 10 nursing students who are all about to flunk out and need help desperately- this happens a lot this time of year), and it's an easy way to clear over $300 for 4 hrs worth of work. If they wait until the last minute (normally I ask that tutoring sessions be scheduled at least a day in advance), I tack on additional money for my "inconvience" (read as: "It's such a pain in the ass to set the VCR to record that show I wanted to watch")

I still manage to spend a lot of time with my fiancee and help her get ready for the arrival of our first child (due either the first of September. No need to worry about hospital bills from that, it's all being taken care of by her insurance. 😉 )

 

[ISU_Steve]

I feel bad for u're lil brother!

He won't have any problems getting scholarships. He has a 3.99 GPA in high school.

 

[mvs04]

it definitely is doable. I worked while a full time UG student and saved up enough to walk out of school debt free and pay for the applications process (but damn was it expensive).

my pops went through dental school 10 years ago and worked full time while providing for mums and me and my sister. So all up to the individual.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm not planning to do no specialization or post grad crap so for me I'm just aiming to pass D School.... with Ds.

 

[gold_crown]

it definitely is doable. I worked while a full time UG student and saved up enough to walk out of school debt free and pay for the applications process (but damn was it expensive).

my pops went through dental school 10 years ago and worked full time while providing for mums and me and my sister. So all up to the individual.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm not planning to do no specialization or post grad crap so for me I'm just aiming to pass D School.... with Ds.

I'm not sure yet...I guess I'll just have to see where I am in 4 years to know if I want to specialize...so in that case I guess I'll have to make a lot higher then a D just to keep my options open. Besides, I've worked my a** off to come this far, I might as well work it for another 4 years and be proud of how I complete my education...I dunno.

I might change my mind... 😀 ...u never know...

 

[Rezdawg]

To the OP, I was exactly in your shoes. Never did a thing in my life, never had a real job, etc... I just went to school and had the parents take care of the rest. But, I decided that it needs to stop (Actually, my sisters decided for me). Im taking on the whole charge of going to dental school. My parents have done their parts and my dad has worked hard enough. I dont really want to, but my sisters think that my dad should be off the hook on this one. Im sure he will still help me out if I need it, but I think it would be good for me to take on some debt and be able to deal with it on my own. Afterall, at some point, I need to separate from my dad's bank account and I think going to professional school is a good time to be "on my own". It will be tough, but I think I need it. Ive been pampered for too long. I need to grow up.

 

[Gulch]

To the OP, I was exactly in your shoes. Never did a thing in my life, never had a real job, etc... I just went to school and had the parents take care of the rest. But, I decided that it needs to stop (Actually, my sisters decided for me). Im taking on the whole charge of going to dental school. My parents have done their parts and my dad has worked hard enough. I dont really want to, but my sisters think that my dad should be off the hook on this one. Im sure he will still help me out if I need it, but I think it would be good for me to take on some debt and be able to deal with it on my own. Afterall, at some point, I need to separate from my dad's bank account and I think going to professional school is a good time to be "on my own". It will be tough, but I think I need it. Ive been pampered for too long. I need to grow up.

Managing your own finances sounds like a good decision. Financial independence is a huge step to real independence/ "adulthood". But if you're dad spots you some cash here and there, you'll probably be better off if the sisters don't find out. They seem to have quite a bit of influence over family decisions if their opinion is the only reason you're getting kicked off the gravy train. 😉

 

[Rezdawg]

Managing your own finances sounds like a good decision. Financial independence is a huge step to real independence/ "adulthood". But if you're dad spots you some cash here and there, you'll probably be better off if the sisters don't find out. They seem to have quite a bit of influence over family decisions if their opinion is the only reason you're getting kicked off the gravy train. 😉

haha, yeah...3 older sisters....all of them are so independent its gross. They think the old man has done enough and its time for the little boy to start doing it himself.

Of course, thats not to say that Im not expecting some help on the side. 😉

 

[Tooth Fixer]

OK...so as I was driving to school this morning I was thinking of all the costs it has taken me to get to where I am right now, and all the costs that await me in the future.

The application process of getting into dental school was tougher and a lot more expensive then I had perceived. Each school has their own individual fee, and some even had mandatory secondary applications with additional fees.

Then each school invites you for an interview. For those out-of-state schools, one must not only purchase a plane ticket, but reserve a hotel for up to 2 days, and perhaps even rent a car to get you from the airport to the hotel and then to the university and back.

Once you’ve been accepted, you have to worry about your down payment to reserve your spot. You have to start searching for a new place to live, start packing up all your belongings, buy furniture/house supplies for your “new place”, buy a laptop from the university (as much of them are now requiring) and sooo much more.

I haven’t even mentioned the cost of going to dental school (which can be up to 300k for some), the purchasing of books, dental supplies…the list can go on and on…

Peronally, I'm one of those spoiled girls that hasn't had to work a day in her life and who's parents pay for everything. All I was told to do was go to school and make good grades. So, luckily for me, my parents have paid and will continue to pay for it all. This doesn't mean that I don't feel guilty for all that they have done for me. I look forward to the day when I can repay them and make them proud so they feel no regret for what they have done for me thus far.

What I’m wondering is, for all of you out there going to dental school that don’t have parents helping out, how do you manage to pay for it all? I mean, D*MN this can get really expensive when you start to add it all up….!!!

Even if you work on the side, I don't see how someone can work enough and still go to school and make enough money and good enough grades to get them through dental school...or maybe it's possible...

I'm just wondering... 😕

Sure there is instead of taking 4 years of undergrad it takes me 6 years, simple as that. You get loans up the wazoooo. I actually think working is much of a benefit than it is a bad thing even if it is tiring it toughens you up, i've seen a lot of dental students still scared about entering the real work experience. Working in my opinion has definitely been a plus, since i've had my hand in some business, such as you learn the ins and outs of the areas where you could save money, get the most loans with least interest, how to minimize taxes, all little stuff that adds up to be a lot and you can't really learn that stuff untill u really step into it and in my opinion learning all that crap when i'm done with dental school from scratch would be a lot of time wastage and money loss especially if your going to be making a lot. Even if you did get out early out of school i think the person that has worked and had real contact and stress and pressure will have it a lot easier and more focused and successful, than someone who is freshout of dental school that hasn't worked or played with money. I think thats the whole reason d schools look to see if uve been able to do more than just be a bookworm. Mind the grammar its a bit late and speaking of work just got home. 🙂

 

[gold_crown]

Sure there is instead of taking 4 years of undergrad it takes me 6 years, simple as that. You get loans up the wazoooo. I actually think working is much of a benefit than it is a bad thing even if it is tiring it toughens you up, i've seen a lot of dental students still scared about entering the real work experience. Working in my opinion has definitely been a plus, since i've had my hand in some business, such as you learn the ins and outs of the areas where you could save money, get the most loans with least interest, how to minimize taxes, all little stuff that adds up to be a lot and you can't really learn that stuff untill u really step into it and in my opinion learning all that crap when i'm done with dental school from scratch would be a lot of time wastage and money loss especially if your going to be making a lot. Even if you did get out early out of school i think the person that has worked and had real contact and stress and pressure will have it a lot easier and more focused and successful, than someone who is freshout of dental school that hasn't worked or played with money. I think thats the whole reason d schools look to see if uve been able to do more than just be a bookworm. Mind the grammar its a bit late and speaking of work just got home. 🙂

I know for certain that having some experience is better then not having any at all. I guess some people just grow up differently. I'm the youngest in the family so I was, and always will be, the baby of the house. Both of my siblings are physicians so after dental school, they've already planned on having a dental office ready for me to step into next to their own. It just seems that I won't ever have to deal with money on my own or deal with how to run a buisness on my own b/c luckily I have really great ppl looking out for me. This doesn't mean that I wont have to worry about the pressures of a buisness or deal with anything, it just means that I will always have that support nest to lean back on. It's really a comforting feeling to know.

 

[gold_crown]

To the OP, I was exactly in your shoes. Never did a thing in my life, never had a real job, etc... I just went to school and had the parents take care of the rest. But, I decided that it needs to stop (Actually, my sisters decided for me). Im taking on the whole charge of going to dental school. My parents have done their parts and my dad has worked hard enough. I dont really want to, but my sisters think that my dad should be off the hook on this one. Im sure he will still help me out if I need it, but I think it would be good for me to take on some debt and be able to deal with it on my own. Afterall, at some point, I need to separate from my dad's bank account and I think going to professional school is a good time to be "on my own". It will be tough, but I think I need it. Ive been pampered for too long. I need to grow up.

Wow, good luck on taking on that endeavor! I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. Older siblings can really have an affect on the younger ones...unfortunantly for me, or fortunantly...my siblings insist on pampering me even when I'm out of dental school...taking care of my buisness and management as well. I guess I'll never grow up... 😳 ....(besides, who wants to grow up?!?!? 😀 )

 

[Rezdawg]

I guess I'll never grow up... 😳 ....(besides, who wants to grow up?!?!? 😀 )

I sure as hell dont want to grow up...but my sisters think its good for me 😡

What do they know? Geez.

 

[Tooth Fixer]

haha, yeah...3 older sisters....all of them are so independent its gross. They think the old man has done enough and its time for the little boy to start doing it himself.

Of course, thats not to say that Im not expecting some help on the side. 😉

Well one of my jobs is I work for my father and he's an endo and i basically manage most of his business purchase his supplies, etc. just to get a hang of whats going on. You get to learn what companies are ripping u off and which are worth the purchase. By the time i get my degree he will be ready to retire and i won't need to waste time learning from scratch. I already have it under my belt and have ideas on expansion.

 

[hockeydentist]

To the OP, I was exactly in your shoes. Never did a thing in my life, never had a real job, etc... I just went to school and had the parents take care of the rest. But, I decided that it needs to stop (Actually, my sisters decided for me). Im taking on the whole charge of going to dental school. My parents have done their parts and my dad has worked hard enough. I dont really want to, but my sisters think that my dad should be off the hook on this one. Im sure he will still help me out if I need it, but I think it would be good for me to take on some debt and be able to deal with it on my own. Afterall, at some point, I need to separate from my dad's bank account and I think going to professional school is a good time to be "on my own". It will be tough, but I think I need it. Ive been pampered for too long. I need to grow up.

You lazy bum!

HD

 

[aphistis]

To the OP, I was exactly in your shoes. Never did a thing in my life, never had a real job, etc... I just went to school and had the parents take care of the rest. But, I decided that it needs to stop (Actually, my sisters decided for me). Im taking on the whole charge of going to dental school. My parents have done their parts and my dad has worked hard enough. I dont really want to, but my sisters think that my dad should be off the hook on this one. Im sure he will still help me out if I need it, but I think it would be good for me to take on some debt and be able to deal with it on my own. Afterall, at some point, I need to separate from my dad's bank account and I think going to professional school is a good time to be "on my own". It will be tough, but I think I need it. Ive been pampered for too long. I need to grow up.

Good for you stepping up to take care of your own responsibilities.

Your sisters sound like they know what they're doing. Listen to them. 😉