What would you do if you had cancer while a D2?

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Dental08?09

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Well I'm currently a D2 (2007) and just this week I was diagnosed with cancer. Its not an easy type to eradicate meaning I start chemo in 2 weeks and I won't be finished until Feb '06. What really sucks is that I am alomst done with D2, but won't be around to take finals (already missed some due to the diagnosis process) so for many class I get incompletes and will repeat 2nd year. But the kicker is because my treatment is proposed to last so long I will have to repeat the 2nd year in the class of 2009.

Good part is I essentially get a 1.5 year vacation, but I go to a private school and tution and cost of living around here is steep. I do not have the option of moving because my student insurance only covers me at local hospitals.

I love going to school here and I have no complaints at all, but the future cost is going to kill me. Considering I have to live here an extra 2 years and other costs, I will have to pay around $70,000 extra for my eduation.

If I decide to transfer, how hard is this process? Which schools can you think of that might take a transfer in my situation? I will try my state school of course, but they are picky as hell.

Sorry for being generic, but I do not want admin at my school to know that I might want to leave.
 
I am so sorry. Nobody should have to go through this. I hope your treatment goes well and that you maintain motivation throughout the process and come back into school with the same drive you have now. Transfering is definitely not a common thing in dental school. I think there are some schools who accept transfers, but I'm not sure which ones off the top of my head. Maybe someone else can help out there.
Good luck and I hope everything ends up well for you.
 
I don't know anything about transferring, but i just wanted to post my sympathy and best wishes for you.
 
I can't answer your question, but still would like to express my sympathy and wish you get well. Keep your spirit up 👍 👍 👍
 
I am sorry to hear this. I really am. I can't even begin to put myself in your shoes, so I won't. I was always told that it would be difficult to transfer while in dental school, but you could always inquire and explain your situation, which is a special case. At any rate, I will pray for you, seriously. You have my word on that. Take care and GOD bless.
 
I've had cancer and my greatest sympathies go out to you. I had mine before school even started and I've been lucky to not have had a recurrence while in school. The whole experience is overwhelming.

I would certainly think that your reasons for wanting to transfer are more than valid and would be viewed as such. It would seem reasonable to me that any school that accepts transfers would be willing to consider your application.

Try to take it easy right now and take care of your health. You have a great attitude and I'm sure that will get you through all of this. Once your health is back on track, I think things will fall into place in terms of school. I would think any school would find your situation and your comeback to be an inspiration and an indication of your committment to becoming a dentist.

Take extra good care of yourself and PM me anytime you need some support.

Margaret

Dental08?09 said:
Well I'm currently a D2 (2007) and just this week I was diagnosed with cancer. Its not an easy type to eradicate meaning I start chemo in 2 weeks and I won't be finished until Feb '06. What really sucks is that I am alomst done with D2, but won't be around to take finals (already missed some due to the diagnosis process) so for many class I get incompletes and will repeat 2nd year. But the kicker is because my treatment is proposed to last so long I will have to repeat the 2nd year in the class of 2009.

Good part is I essentially get a 1.5 year vacation, but I go to a private school and tution and cost of living around here is steep. I do not have the option of moving because my student insurance only covers me at local hospitals.

I love going to school here and I have no complaints at all, but the future cost is going to kill me. Considering I have to live here an extra 2 years and other costs, I will have to pay around $70,000 extra for my eduation.

If I decide to transfer, how hard is this process? Which schools can you think of that might take a transfer in my situation? I will try my state school of course, but they are picky as hell.

Sorry for being generic, but I do not want admin at my school to know that I might want to leave.
 
Dental08?09 said:
Well I'm currently a D2 (2007) and just this week I was diagnosed with cancer. Its not an easy type to eradicate meaning I start chemo in 2 weeks and I won't be finished until Feb '06. What really sucks is that I am alomst done with D2, but won't be around to take finals (already missed some due to the diagnosis process) so for many class I get incompletes and will repeat 2nd year. But the kicker is because my treatment is proposed to last so long I will have to repeat the 2nd year in the class of 2009.

Good part is I essentially get a 1.5 year vacation, but I go to a private school and tution and cost of living around here is steep. I do not have the option of moving because my student insurance only covers me at local hospitals.

I love going to school here and I have no complaints at all, but the future cost is going to kill me. Considering I have to live here an extra 2 years and other costs, I will have to pay around $70,000 extra for my eduation.

If I decide to transfer, how hard is this process? Which schools can you think of that might take a transfer in my situation? I will try my state school of course, but they are picky as hell.

Sorry for being generic, but I do not want admin at my school to know that I might want to leave.
My sincerest sympathies to you. i am sure your program and the program you want to transfer to will be sympathetic to your cause, good luck.
 
Thanks everyone!
 
good luck to you. hope everything works out for ya. you have made it so far and i am sure you will do just fine. take care of yourself 1st. thats the most important issue right now.
 
I am so sorry to hear your situation. It's hard to transfer, does not matter how understanding the admin at any school.

First of all, not all schools curricullum are the same. Even if you go to the same four year program, you know that you learn different things from different school.

Transfer is possible, but you have to find a school with a very similar program to your own school.

If you go to UOP now, I'm certain transfer is not an option. Because UOP program is special, and you won't fit in any where.

The best thing for you is to ask the dean to give you a scholarship due to your hardship. They should be able to cough up some dough to help you.

I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. Let us know how your treatment go.
 
I am an optometry student. I just wanna express my sympathy and I hope you get well soon and become a good dentist.
 
Sorry to hear that man. Hang in there and beat this thing.


Could you at least tell us what state you're in? I know UF takes transfers and living in Gainesville is cheap.
 
Sometimes an unplanned break can give us an opportunity to refocus and redirect our path for the good. For example, I know that the DDS/PHD academic route is not too popular right now because of the perceived financial disadvantage. However, looking ahead at all the exciting things that are going on with genome research these days might give one pause to ponder the thought that the academic/research route will prove to be the most financially rewarding in the end. Brings to mind the old Robert Frost poem about taking a different less popular path making all the difference.
 
Maybe you can convince your school to let you take the finals for your spring classes? Strut up to the Dean and say, "OK I'll make you a deal...I pass all my finals and I won't have to retake any classes. Waddaya say?" Or perhaps they'll let you just retake the spring quarter/semester? Well, a positive is you have plenty of time to go through the dental decks. You'll kill part I!!! If the timing works out so you have a couple months between post-treatment and the start of school you could take out a fat stafford loan and head to Europe! Booyah! Seriously though, I really hope the treatment goes well and you're back to the madness of dental school ASAP. Take care.
 
Well because of school politics I can't do all you said drhobie7, but they are not making me retake any classes I passed, so essentially I start in spring term. The school is going to waive my tution next time and all the other things I paid. So if I do transfer I will end up paying for 2nd year twice and need to factor that in.

I e-mailed UF and currently they have no space to accept transfer students.

I like my school a lot and will probably stick through it here.
 
UT Houston is a great school located right next door to MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is the #2 Cancer Hospital in the World. Cost of living in Houston is low, and UT Houston does accept transfers. It is a state school, and tuition is very low. I also attended hygiene school here so I may have some helpful names of administrators if you are interested. Please contact me and all the best to you.

Donna
Dental08?09 said:
Well I'm currently a D2 (2007) and just this week I was diagnosed with cancer. Its not an easy type to eradicate meaning I start chemo in 2 weeks and I won't be finished until Feb '06. What really sucks is that I am alomst done with D2, but won't be around to take finals (already missed some due to the diagnosis process) so for many class I get incompletes and will repeat 2nd year. But the kicker is because my treatment is proposed to last so long I will have to repeat the 2nd year in the class of 2009.
Good part is I essentially get a 1.5 year vacation, but I go to a private school and tution and cost of living around here is steep. I do not have the option of moving because my student insurance only covers me at local hospitals.

I love going to school here and I have no complaints at all, but the future cost is going to kill me. Considering I have to live here an extra 2 years and other costs, I will have to pay around $70,000 extra for my eduation.

If I decide to transfer, how hard is this process? Which schools can you think of that might take a transfer in my situation? I will try my state school of course, but they are picky as hell.

Sorry for being generic, but I do not want admin at my school to know that I might want to leave.
 
Sucks man. I can't even imagine what you must be going thru but you're definitely stronger than I am. Hang in there and keep your hopes up. Heck, look at Lance terrorizing the French on his bike as we speak...that's gonna be you in a few years. On a different note, how were the grades up to this point?
 
currently I'm above the mid-mark in my class. All A's and B's, but more B's.
 
I hope get better after the chemo and my deepest apologies for your pain. Also, I know that transferring will be easier for you because you have a very legitimate reason. Best of Luck!!!!!We all wish you a speed recovery 🙂
 
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