Wisdom please...

[Sterling684]

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I, like many of you have had a nontraditional life. I grew up with a single mother and a life riddled with many homes and schools. Since the beginning I have always known that I was destined for success but I have always fallen short. I remember in the 7th grade job shadowing a local dentist in a town that was short lived, and I loved it. My childhood was consumed by dreams of becoming a pilot or a dentist. As I grew up, my interests started to take the back burner and I started to fall short of my own expectations. I was lucky enough to graduate and soon moved on to the Air Force where I found a new love to help people as a fire fighter. I was fortunate enough to find the love of my life, but I still lacked the career that I have always wanted. After morally supporting my wife through school, I have completely lost confidence in myself. I have now started and am trying to finish bachelors in biology. My lack of confidence, leads me to believe that dentistry is unachievable. I am completely scared to fail my family and invest valuable time and money just to fail. I know that it all comes down to confidence and my drive to succeed but in this economy there is no room for failure. I guess really what I’m asking for is some success stories and some enlightenment. God bless and happy New Year.

 

[HopefulDent]

I can just say that reading your post alone is encouragement for anyone out there. No matter how good of a student you are, or anyone is for that matter, we all have doubts. I promise you that if you put your mind to this and really put in effort you will succeed. Just a month ago there was a post asking how many cycle it took to succeed. Someone took FIVE cycles to finally get accepted. I'm sure this is on the more extreme side for number of cycles before acceptance. I only interviewed at three school and at everyone of them i met someone who already have a family with kids or kids on the way. This just shows that it is never too late to pursue a career that will ultimately lead to a more stable life for the family. I know what it can feel like to be an underdog, but i PROMISE that if you put your heart into this, you will succeed. There are a lot of very helpful people on this site that want to help and would be more than willing to give you advice. I may not be a perfect student, but if you PM me i would be more than happy to give you any help i can even if you want to talk on the phone. This forum has hundreds of stories of people hurdling over even the greatest obstacles. I truly wish you the best and hope whatever is your fate, be realized.

 

[zeldadds]

I agree with HopefulDent too. Though I AM a traditional student and am blessed enough to attend dental school straight after college, I know other friends who are non-traditional applicants and have made it to the dental school of their choice. All of them never gave up! One of them actually scored LOWER on their second DAT exam than their first and still did not give up. Not to mention his GPA was wayyy wayyy below average. The reason he made it second round was because of his personal statement and his well-rounded extracurricular experience. And I don't mean being involved in 10-15 clubs but showing LONG-TERM dedication in just a FEW volunteer activities and community services. Seems like you have an interesting background story in which you can pour it all out in your personal statement. Also, study your VERY HARDEST on your DATs. Think of taking it only ONCE and that it is THE LAST exam of your undergraduate years. Honestly, it's no point doing well in all 4 years of college if ur gonna take it lightly with the DATs. Study ur hardest and be diligent everyday and never give up. It was hell for me being in the library 24/7 during the hot summer weather, but it really did pay off once I clicked to see my final scores on the computer screen. No regrets!! lol

Wish you the very best luck and God Bless~~

 

[doc3232]

Do your best. Do it for your family.

 

[SugarNaCl]

Having doubts and insecurities is insanely common. More common even than the probably over 50% of families that didn't have the standard upbringing. I think many feel they fall short...not many with different upbringings, but many OVERALL. I know this is a recurrent theme in my life, too. When you are younger, things are smaller scale so when you set out to do something, often you can find the determination that accompanies that need to succeed. Over time a LOT of things get in the way. They did for others and they did for me too. Some were my own fault and some weren't.

In college I struggled with some things I won't mention here during my 3rd and 4th year... but my desire.. no no... NEED to succeed and distinguish myself, falling short on multiple occasions, subsequent activites I involved myself in and time spent being more than a bit bitter about the outcome and direction I was going cut me down quick along with my good GPA. When all was said and done, it took me 2 years of an MS program and 3 years of cancer research before I realized I may as well get on with getting on.

If you want dentistry... you will get dentistry. Contact schools you are interested to see what you can do to improve your odds or check on your chances. Get feedback. I found this helpful. Do what they tell you, show your hard work and TRUST me. I'm in my 2nd semester of my 3rd year... the insecurities do NOT go away when you get into school. I feared failing classes my first 2 years... but you know what? I didn't. I feared messing up my first operative procedure... but you know what? I didn't. I still fear the insane debt... I still fear the requirements for graduation.... not having enough points for certain classes... competencies... messing something up... balancing time with my husband etc. Funny thing is not everything turns out perfect and that is how we learn, right? You aren't going to kill someone. Fear and insecurites often dominate our lives... but it should NOT be a reason for scrapping your dreams and goals. Get on with getting on. Do this... for you and your family. What is the worst thing that can happen? What's meant to be is meant to be but in the wise words of Wayne Gretzky "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." 😉

Good luck to you. If you want to relate stories in more detail PM me. It's YOUR life. Take charge and have no fear!

 

[SugarNaCl]

Oh... and schools don't want you to fail. Most will do anything and everything in their power to see you get through to the end if you put in the effort. Some need an extra year but they WANT you to end up a dentist.

 

[LNinlove]

First of all, thanks for that post Sugar! It was well written and hit home for me too.

To the OP, I too am a non-trad. Married with a baby who has special needs. It took me 3 cycles to get accepted to dental school, but the most important thing is that I never gave up! Before this cycle, I was seriously reconsidering the last 6 years of my life to get through undergrad while working 40+ hours a week. It was tough, but every day I hammered through it and now, I look back and it doesn't even seem that bad. In fact, I look forward to the day that I don't have to work while going to school...I have never known that. It's going to be interesting, as my son is expected to have a few more surgical procedures in the coming years, but what is meant to be will happen. One of my son's doctors asked how applications were going, and I told him I was accepted, he said congratulations, the future is looking much brighter for you now! That is how I felt, but I haven't heard it yet, so it felt great to hear.

I have been blessed with a very supportive wife, who is willing to do whatever it takes to help get me through school. I didn't have the same childhood as you, but I have faced my own struggles. Not knowing how much money will be in the account at the end of the month is pretty scary. But we always trusted God and He saw us through. I think the most important thing is to remember your roots and don't ever deny them. We are getting into a field that can have a lot of dynasty. I wasn't "lucky" enough to be one of those, but hopefully (if they would like) my kids may consider dentistry as well. No matter what, I will always remind them of the more difficult days that we faced as a family, to hopefully make them appreciate what they have.

Sorry I got off topic a bit, but I do think it all ties in together. Whatever it is that you want to do, don't give up, I am living proof that it can be done! Now, I just have to make it through dental school... 😳

 

[SugarNaCl]

Congrats LNinlove! Good job.

 

[Laceigh]

Wow, all I can say is, God bless you. With Him, anything is possible!