Wait until 2012 (or 13) to apply?

[missdentista]

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The people on this site seem pretty insightful, so I figured I'd give it a try.

I'm currently a dental hygiene student, and I want to apply to dental school. Before I started DH school I was on the pre-dental track, but I ran into some trouble (not crime) last spring semester and I had to drop some classes including Organic II and Physics. So, I applied to DH school at the last minute and got in. I'm in my second semester of the two year program, and so far I've only made one none "A" grade. I have a 3.75 overall GPA and 3.4 sGPA.

I still haven't taken Physics I or II, Organic II, Biochem, or any upper level science besides Ecology. I'm a good student, but I can't say that I remember much Organic or Chemistry since it was over a year ago since I took any, so the DAT concerns me.

I don't want to waste my money or struggle through dental school (if I possibly get in), so I was wondering what you guys thought the best plan of action would be. I do understand that you apply to dental school the year before you attend, but if I don't apply this year then I'll have to wait until 2012 because I'll be graduating next year and studying for and taking the board exams for dental hygiene.

Also, keep in mind that since I'm seeking a BS in dental hygiene, any classes that I still have left to take will have to come out of my own pocket as one cannot receive financial aid at more than one school at a time.

Wow. I think I included everything. Thanks for the advice.

md

 

[Atticus]

The people on this site seem pretty insightful, so I figured I'd give it a try.

I'm currently a dental hygiene student, and I want to apply to dental school. Before I started DH school I was on the pre-dental track, but I ran into some trouble (not crime) last spring semester and I had to drop some classes including Organic II and Physics. So, I applied to DH school at the last minute and got in. I'm in my second semester of the two year program, and so far I've only made one none "A" grade. I have a 3.75 overall GPA and 3.4 sGPA.

I still haven't taken Physics I or II, Organic II, Biochem, or any upper level science besides Ecology. I'm a good student, but I can't say that I remember much Organic or Chemistry since it was over a year ago since I took any, so the DAT concerns me.

I don't want to waste my money or struggle through dental school (if I possibly get in), so I was wondering what you guys thought the best plan of action would be. I do understand that you apply to dental school the year before you attend, but if I don't apply this year then I'll have to wait until 2012 because I'll be graduating next year and studying for and taking the board exams for dental hygiene.

Also, keep in mind that since I'm seeking a BS in dental hygiene, any classes that I still have left to take will have to come out of my own pocket as one cannot receive financial aid at more than one school at a time.

Wow. I think I included everything. Thanks for the advice.

md

Hello,
After reading you're post, I'm still not really sure what you are wondering, but I'll try my best to address your issues from indirect and personal experience.
Experience #1: Me. I didn't begin studying for the DAT until 4 years after I completed my last pre-req for dental school. The DAT, like many standardized tests only scratches the surface of what you learn in the pre-reqs. Granted, this can still be a vast amount of information, but it is completely studyable even if you took the pre-reqs a long time ago.
Experience#2 (and even more relevant): A very good friend of mine. She had half of her bachelor of science done when she entered a two year dental hygiene program at our school. She was extremely focused and managed to take her clinical board (WREB) two weeks after she graduated and two weeks into our extremely time-intensive physics summer class. The following fall, she took the DAT (And ended up having to take it 3 TIMES! Didn't like the first score, studied for two months longer, and a week before she gave birth to her first child she took it for a second time. During the retake, there was a computer malfunction that made it necessary to void her test, but she didn't get the authorization for another month to take it again. She took the DAT for the 3rd time (just after giving birth to her first child) and got the score she wanted. The rest is history-- In the midst of studying for the DAT she finished her pre-req's, she applied to dental school exactly one year after she graduated the DH program.

It's funny, I spoke with her the other day and she said that dental school so far has been astronomically easier than the dental hygiene program was (I partially attribute it to the fact that he had no dental knowledge before the hygiene program, and she was in a super competitive hygiene program... I think it is the #1 or #2 in the nation).

Anyway, you can do it! Also, regarding the financial aspect of DS admission (prereqs, app fees, DAT fees, etc)-- You should feel fortunate. By the time that it comes to take additional courses and otherwise prepare for the dental admissions process, you'll be a dental hygienist making much better money than 95% of other students and applicants around you. Get used to Dental **** getting expensive because it is an unfortunate reality that won't end... ever. Dental school admissions prep is expensive, dental school is expensive, and practicing dentistry is expensive-- That's all there is to it. Good luck and I hope my post helped!

 

[missdentista]

My question was whether I should apply now or wait. I've been leaning toward waiting until after graduation and doing something similar to what your friend did. Your post really helped. Thanks!

md

 

[Atticus]

My question was whether I should apply now or wait. I've been leaning toward waiting until after graduation and doing something similar to what your friend did. Your post really helped. Thanks!

md

Ahh... I guess I could have read your post title 🙂
Sheesh, I can't imagine adding pre-rec's and all the other DS stuff on top of your DH curriculum-- I'd think you will have to wait (as my friend did).

 

[HopefulDDStobe]

Hi there,

I kinda am on the same boat, i started predent, and ended up graduating with BSDH RDH degree, I just graduated in May 09. I was a bio major so I had a quite a bit science courses prior to DH program. I am applying in July for 2011 cycle. I have to say that second year of DH was not easy, and adding science classes on top of that I think is a suicide. However, I know one of my classmates who did it, she was the only one really, and got in to a D school, so it is possible.

The clinic requirement was crazy, and some people actually had to stay behind because they could not meet the requirement. On top of that you have to study for the National Board, and the hardest part was the Clinical Board, I took NERB. All of this while taking a full load of classes and clinics. For me it was not too bad because I found a perfect patient, who was also a friend, but finding a qualified patient for the board was hard, and you do want to pass the first time, a friend of mine had to take a plane to take the test the second time a couple months later cuz her patient decided not to show up.

I personally think adding science courses, lab and preparing for DAT is gonna be tough.. I say take it one at a time, no need to rush it, you might even like working as a hygienist for a bit before you go back to school, its fun 🙂 but its up to you.