Time out of school

[vondy60]

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How do most dental schools feel about the time you have been out of school? It will be 2 years that I have been out of school this May. I have a biology degree with a 3.53 gpa. I have taken pretty much every upper level science class I could take. Do dental schools look down on this time out of school? I have been using my degree doing clincal science research. I still have quite a bit of patient contact and hopefully will get my name on a couple of published papers. I am also shadowing a couple of dentists in my area. Anyone have any info or advice for me?

Thanks

 

[The Musketeer]

Although some school prefer you to continue with your academic studies but I think just as long as you justify that during this period of academic inactivity you have done something beneficial (which you have been doing), then you should be fine. I too have been out of school for about 1.5 yrs now, but I still got acceptance to several dental schools.

 

[datdude]

You have matured in the two years out. You may likely have fostered a stronger commitment to dentistry than many of those moving directly from one acedemic environment to another simply because you have had more time to think about what you want to do. You have not wasted your time in anyway during your period off but in fact done what many dental schools are beginning to regard as a prereq; research. I truly believe the time off will be to your advantage. Do well on the DAT and you will choose your school.

 

[politicallyRite]

I know a few people who have been out of school more than 10 years and now attending dental school.

 

[spooky42]

As long as you were doing something productive it wont be a problem. I was out for 3 years and it didnt hurt.