What if I fail out of dental school?

[Springs01]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Each and everyday of dental school since last year has been such a struggle. They really don't cut you any slack. Somehow I managed to pass D1, maybe I had it in me all along and just didn't know it, or maybe I just got lucky, I don't know. But anyways, everyone keeps saying D2 is going to be much worse and I feel this self-doubt building up inside of me. Honestly I'm scared.

So I want to be be prepared for the worst case scenario: I fail dental school. What would I do then? Serious question. What are the options for those who fail out of dental school with like 150K+ of debt?

I pretty much pay for my own education (loans) and don't have anyone who can help me financially.

 

[Tebros]

you're going to fail with that attitude. -.-

 

[dp93]

i mean one year of dental school doesn't get you a job. so youre back to square one. Don't fail out. Youre too far invested now!

 

[Dentalogist]

hang in there! This is your career your fighting for. Listen to motivational quotes/hear music. That's what I do when Going to take a tough exam. gl

 

[CMistry]

and I feel this self-doubt building up inside of me. Honestly I'm scared.

This, and this alone, is what will make you fail. You need to change your mindset entirely - thousands of people get through dental school every year just like yourself. If you begin to accept failure, it is inevitable.

 

[Incis0r]

Each and everyday of dental school since last year has been such a struggle. They really don't cut you any slack. Somehow I managed to pass D1, maybe I had it in me all along and just didn't know it, or maybe I just got lucky, I don't know. But anyways, everyone keeps saying D2 is going to be much worse and I feel this self-doubt building up inside of me. Honestly I'm scared.

So I want to be be prepared for the worst case scenario: I fail dental school. What would I do then? Serious question. What are the options for those who fail out of dental school with like 150K+ of debt?

I pretty much pay for my own education (loans) and don't have anyone who can help me financially.

The chances of you failing out are VERY low. I mean, just look at this link:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ranking-of-ds-repeating-1st-year-withdrawls.657375/

That's a spreadsheet by our very own Doc Toothache.
I've read from many many threads on here (just search for them) that dental school is tough at different times for different people. Everyone feels like you at one point. It's like a rite of passage.

In fact, I bet if you go and talk to the counseling services at your school about this, they'll tell you just how common it is!

This is just like how students at my school talked up and made us underclassmen fear OChem. You know what our class average was on every OChem test? 90 or above. Don't let previous years scare you off....For all you know, it could be quite manageable for you.

Good luck!

 

[Springs01]

Sorry, maybe I needed to be a bit more generic. I'm asking what does anyone in general do if they fail out? What are their options. I just want to be prepared if it ever happens to me.

Sadly I was never an optimist 🙁 (I welcome any tips on how to be one)...but I'm not a pessimist either, even though maybe my post came out a bit more negative than I intended. I know the next year won't be easy, and yea I am scared, but I'm not saying I give up and just accept failure. I'm going to keep working hard as I ever have, but realistically speaking anything can still happen. maybe I'll pass or maybe I'll fall short, who knows. I'd like to keep both possibilities in mind. And if I do ever fail (which is always a possbility), I'd want to have an active game plan!

 

[tooth knockn]

Each and everyday of dental school since last year has been such a struggle. They really don't cut you any slack. Somehow I managed to pass D1, maybe I had it in me all along and just didn't know it, or maybe I just got lucky, I don't know. But anyways, everyone keeps saying D2 is going to be much worse and I feel this self-doubt building up inside of me. Honestly I'm scared.

So I want to be be prepared for the worst case scenario: I fail dental school. What would I do then? Serious question. What are the options for those who fail out of dental school with like 150K+ of debt?

I pretty much pay for my own education (loans) and don't have anyone who can help me financially.

What was your DAT score ?

And undergrad gpa?

When you got accepted..

 

[Incis0r]

Sorry, maybe I needed to be a bit more generic. I'm asking what does anyone in general do if they fail out? What are their options. I just want to be prepared if it ever happens to me.

The number of people failing out is so low (see the spreadsheet I linked) that there is no "general" thing people do. It's very rare for someone to not complete dental school. It's also very rare for someone to not have a moment of crisis in dental school- you're normal. That said, I'd venture that they'd either a) look for a new school to transfer to or b) pursue another profession.

Sadly I was never an optimist 🙁 (I welcome any tips on how to be one)...but I'm not a pessimist either, even though maybe my post came out a bit more negative than I intended.

To be an optimist, just look at the challenges you've already conquered.

1. You succeeded on the DAT.
2. You gained admission to a dental school (a veritable feat)
3. You completed 25% of the dental school program...which requires so much work. This is approximately 50% of the didactics component. After one more year, you're in clinic! That's what you signed up to do.

I think it's good that you're in a preparation/looking ahead mode. I just don't agree with where you are focusing. Instead of focusing on alternate plans, why not focus your energy on how to avoid failing?

There is a saying: "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." So, prepare for next year. Hunt down the people who are spreading rumors for next year and ask them what, in detail, is their justification for it being so horrific. Go and talk to your school's counseling center to have some resources lined up in case you need them or to develop some stress-relieving strategies. Talk to next year's professors in advance and express your concerns. Talk to upperclassmen.

Fight the fear, and get your degree 😀 You're already 1/4 of the way there.

 

[Springs01]

GPA 3.3, Science GPA 3.4, AA 21

But it's not the didactic classes that worry me, it's the labs. Each new assignment takes me a while to adjusted to.


@Incis0r Really appreciate your optimism!

 

[Greyangel6]

First off, I don't know if you hear this often but I will say it anyway, good job in getting through D1! I will be entering D1 this Fall and so I kinda want you to resolve this problem quickly and completely so I can learn from you later how to manage when things get tough 😛

I think a realistic approach would be to go either PhD route since you've already gotten your bachelor's and either go into teaching or research. Or you can go into a different field, like computer science and work as a computer engineer for example, or get a business degree and open up your own business, etc. Point is, even if you flunk out, that wouldn't be the end of the road for you. But right now, you just have to put everything you've got in it so there's no regret. Hang in there! ^^

 

[Tebros]

Sorry, maybe I needed to be a bit more generic. I'm asking what does anyone in general do if they fail out? What are their options. I just want to be prepared if it ever happens to me.

Sadly I was never an optimist 🙁 (I welcome any tips on how to be one)...but I'm not a pessimist either, even though maybe my post came out a bit more negative than I intended. I know the next year won't be easy, and yea I am scared, but I'm not saying I give up and just accept failure. I'm going to keep working hard as I ever have, but realistically speaking anything can still happen. maybe I'll pass or maybe I'll fall short, who knows. I'd like to keep both possibilities in mind. And if I do ever fail (which is always a possbility), I'd want to have an active game plan!

dude, when you graduate dental school you're going to be soo happy with yourself. have you tried praying? that never hurts.

 

[morning92]

Is this really what you want to do? Are you sure you want to be a dentist? If so, sticking to it for the next three years is the only way that will happen. And you're already a quarter of the way done!

Go talk to the student services people at your school. Ask about additional academic resources. It's their job to help students and, believe it or not, many students feel the same way you do at one point or another. You won't be the first person they've talked to who's afraid of this. 🙂 Hang in there.

 

[THS]

Everyone here says D2 is terrible as well. Classes like oral path and internal med, where there are no old tests and people actually fail. Combine all the didactic classes with all the new clinical stuff we have to learn, and all the time we'll have to spend in the lab, makes D2 sound like hell.

But I don't look at that side of it, I look forward to the awesome classes I finally get to take, like fixed prosth, endo, complete and partial dentures. I get to drill and fill on my first patient this fall. I get to learn anesthesia. I get to finally feel like I'm becoming a dentist, not just drilling on plastic and extracted teeth.

I can't wait for D2.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

well this helped me, maybe it'll work for you?

i go to a huge dental school, we have probably 5-6 that either failed out or had to repeat due to academic reasons. so probability wise, i always told myself that the odds were on my side.

another thing you can consider is that the dental school chose you because they thought you could tough out the curriculum and pay the tuition. as mean as this sounds, your school sees you primarily as a monetary investment. so they'll probably do their best to keep you in. if you're struggling, they'll find you and help you out.

and to continue on to what everyone is saying..D2 is terrible at my school. i hated it so much, i can't even put it into words. i thought about dropping out and pursuing another career probably about 5-6 times a week just because it was that bad. i had no free time, no life, and i put on a decent amount of weight. it was probably one of the lowest points of my life. i'm being completely serious by the way.

but i sincerely do not want to scare you, because almost everyone gets through it. there is light at the end of the tunnel. remember, be thankful for this struggle bc at the end of it all, you'll get to do some pretty cool stuff while making a positive difference in peoples' lives....

and you'll be making good money haha. don't be scared, you'll be fine 🙂

 

[tooth knockn]

well this helped me, maybe it'll work for you?

i go to a huge dental school, we have probably 5-6 that either failed out or had to repeat due to academic reasons. so probability wise, i always told myself that the odds were on my side.

another thing you can consider is that the dental school chose you because they thought you could tough out the curriculum and pay the tuition. as mean as this sounds, your school sees you primarily as a monetary investment. so they'll probably do their best to keep you in. if you're struggling, they'll find you and help you out.

and to continue on to what everyone is saying..D2 is terrible at my school. i hated it so much, i can't even put it into words. i thought about dropping out and pursuing another career probably about 5-6 times a week just because it was that bad. i had no free time, no life, and i put on a decent amount of weight. it was probably one of the lowest points of my life. i'm being completely serious by the way.

but i sincerely do not want to scare you, because almost everyone gets through it. there is light at the end of the tunnel. remember, be thankful for this struggle bc at the end of it all, you'll get to do some pretty cool stuff while making a positive difference in peoples' lives....

and you'll be making good money haha. don't be scared, you'll be fine 🙂

Nyu right?

Geez....

You are almost there doc.... Congratulations

🙂

 

[tooth knockn]

Assuming your in d3 now

 

[kiddentist2013]

Springs 01 : Just take one day at a time .Donot think about what's in future, you passed D1 which in my view is the hardest thing I had ever done. It gets easier from here. Just focus on your concepts give your best shot and leave the rest to destiny. Believe me you will be just fine 🙂

 

[cmcner]

It's exceptionally rare for a school to kick someone out if they are going the extra mile and trying to succeed, asking for help, staying late, doing everything that is asked of them and more. They will give those students more slack and the faculty will help them overcome their struggles. Being dedicated and respectful can keep a bad student in dental school long enough to become a great dentist.

If the worst does happen get a govt job and do public service loan forgiveness with paye/IBR.

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

I think you can repeat a full academic year if necessary, and if you do fail out, you might qualify for a dental assisting license I think. Schools don't want you to fail out, they will help you get tutors and such when necessary.