Hi all,
I'm a non traditional student applying summer 2024. I know it's a crazy idea to decide to switch my career in my late 30s, but I want to hear some opinions of you all and get some encouragement. Here is my situation:
Bachelor's Degree: Foreign degree, non-science major. (journalism) No science classes were on my transcript. GPA 3.09
Master's Degree: US. Degree, non-science major. (journalism) No science classes were on my transcript. GPA 3.89
Graduated in 2011, established Citizenship in the U.S. Got married, got jobs, 2 kids (4 and 10 yo). Spent the last 6-7 years working as an office manager at the state college. Fast forward in 2022, I've decided to change my career to Dentistry, started to work on my Pre-reqs, EC activities, etc.
Pre-reqs: Most of them in a CC, 1 Orgo in the state college I work at (mainly due to the cost and schedule flexibility). About to finish all pre-req requirements, a few courses left. GPA: 4.0 so far.
Non-traditional: Very much yes. I'm old as I mentioned, in my late 30s, but I look like in the early 30s lol (at least people around me in my class can't tell that I have family and kids). Background from a completely different field, and been working in a completely different field.
EC Experiences: I have started to work as a DA in a General Dentist office part time. Will Have about 1000 working hours by the time I apply. 150 hours of shadowing in 2 offices. 200 hours volunteering in a community dental clinic and hospitals, shelters, etc. I'm in the Pre-dent club, have known quite a bit of the current dental students and a few faculty via various events hosted by the dental school in my state.
DAT: Haven't taken it yet. But I am fairly confident that I will at least get the average 21, or maybe higher.
LOR: I have a very good relationship with the dentist I work with, and so I can get a very strong letter. I do have a committee in my school, where I will get a letter ( haven't happened yet so don't know how strong it will be). I can also get very strong letters from the professors from my pre-req courses, but only problems it that they are professors from CC. Also know a dentist who is the owner of a very big group practice, he can provide a letter but I need to work with him more to let him get to know me.
I have been trying really hard (honestly all the effort I can make) to get ready as much as possible. I have a full time job and finding a shadowing and working experience was extremely hard to fit into my schedule, not event talking about taking classes and caring for my family. But long story short, I was lucky (and a lot of effort!) to work part-time as a DA in a dental office and I confirmed my passion for Dentistry there. So my day goes something like this: working 3 days in my full time job, other 2 days in the dental clinic, but working remotely at the same time for my other job(yes it's crazy), and taking classes at night and some other random time, studying on the weekend for the exams, and basically let my kids grow up by themselves lol. (My husband helps a lot). Volunteering after work time in the free clinic and around holidays when I have some time on my hand.
So, I know it's a crazy idea to go to Dental School in my situation, but I am really confident this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. At the same time, I feel that I have made a good deal of effort to prove that I have the commitment. I want to hear your opinions, ideas, and suggestions, any feedback is appreciated.
Specifically, I have some questions:
1. I plan to finish all the pre-req requirements of course. But since my background is from a non-science major, is it necessary to add additional science classes? Like a lot of biology and upper-division science courses?
2. What kind of application strategy should I take? Apply broad and wisely? what does that actually mean?
3. What can I do to increase my chance? A killer DAT? A killer LOR?
Please ask me any questions if I didn't provide any info in my post. Again, really appreciate we have this community! Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I'm a non traditional student applying summer 2024. I know it's a crazy idea to decide to switch my career in my late 30s, but I want to hear some opinions of you all and get some encouragement. Here is my situation:
Bachelor's Degree: Foreign degree, non-science major. (journalism) No science classes were on my transcript. GPA 3.09
Master's Degree: US. Degree, non-science major. (journalism) No science classes were on my transcript. GPA 3.89
Graduated in 2011, established Citizenship in the U.S. Got married, got jobs, 2 kids (4 and 10 yo). Spent the last 6-7 years working as an office manager at the state college. Fast forward in 2022, I've decided to change my career to Dentistry, started to work on my Pre-reqs, EC activities, etc.
Pre-reqs: Most of them in a CC, 1 Orgo in the state college I work at (mainly due to the cost and schedule flexibility). About to finish all pre-req requirements, a few courses left. GPA: 4.0 so far.
Non-traditional: Very much yes. I'm old as I mentioned, in my late 30s, but I look like in the early 30s lol (at least people around me in my class can't tell that I have family and kids). Background from a completely different field, and been working in a completely different field.
EC Experiences: I have started to work as a DA in a General Dentist office part time. Will Have about 1000 working hours by the time I apply. 150 hours of shadowing in 2 offices. 200 hours volunteering in a community dental clinic and hospitals, shelters, etc. I'm in the Pre-dent club, have known quite a bit of the current dental students and a few faculty via various events hosted by the dental school in my state.
DAT: Haven't taken it yet. But I am fairly confident that I will at least get the average 21, or maybe higher.
LOR: I have a very good relationship with the dentist I work with, and so I can get a very strong letter. I do have a committee in my school, where I will get a letter ( haven't happened yet so don't know how strong it will be). I can also get very strong letters from the professors from my pre-req courses, but only problems it that they are professors from CC. Also know a dentist who is the owner of a very big group practice, he can provide a letter but I need to work with him more to let him get to know me.
I have been trying really hard (honestly all the effort I can make) to get ready as much as possible. I have a full time job and finding a shadowing and working experience was extremely hard to fit into my schedule, not event talking about taking classes and caring for my family. But long story short, I was lucky (and a lot of effort!) to work part-time as a DA in a dental office and I confirmed my passion for Dentistry there. So my day goes something like this: working 3 days in my full time job, other 2 days in the dental clinic, but working remotely at the same time for my other job(yes it's crazy), and taking classes at night and some other random time, studying on the weekend for the exams, and basically let my kids grow up by themselves lol. (My husband helps a lot). Volunteering after work time in the free clinic and around holidays when I have some time on my hand.
So, I know it's a crazy idea to go to Dental School in my situation, but I am really confident this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. At the same time, I feel that I have made a good deal of effort to prove that I have the commitment. I want to hear your opinions, ideas, and suggestions, any feedback is appreciated.
Specifically, I have some questions:
1. I plan to finish all the pre-req requirements of course. But since my background is from a non-science major, is it necessary to add additional science classes? Like a lot of biology and upper-division science courses?
2. What kind of application strategy should I take? Apply broad and wisely? what does that actually mean?
3. What can I do to increase my chance? A killer DAT? A killer LOR?
Please ask me any questions if I didn't provide any info in my post. Again, really appreciate we have this community! Thanks in advance for your feedback.