Year Off?

[shamrock2006]

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I know a thread like this was created a while back but I didn't feel like diggin around for it...i just wanted to get some opinions. I recently graduated and am taking a year off. I'm not taking any classes or anything like that right now. I'm working and trying to pay back some of my loans and just keep my head above water (w/ rent, bills, insurance etc...)...is this going to hurt me when it comes to getting admitted somewhere? I mean yea i'd like to go back to school but I simply cannot afford it nor do I have the time. I've already had 4 interviews and going on my 5th this weekend...so maybe its not a big deal to these adcoms? the last interview i was at the guy didn't even realize i had graduated until i kind of slipped and let the cat out of the bag. I dont have stellar stats, in fact i'd say they are pretty mediocre, but i still have been given a handful of interviews...so would you guys say the fact that i'm just working right now isn't a big deal? I am working in an animal hospital so it is "medical" related haha...good luck to all you guys!!!!!

 

[jim85213]

I don't really understand what you are getting at. Are you concerned that you will not be accepted because you haven't been taking classes all the way up until you start dental school? If that's it, it shouldn't matter. Plus, having a degree is a plus. You have five interviews too and that's good odds. We actually have the same stats (DAT and GPA) and I am still waiting on my interview invites. Don't sweat it. I actually wish I had a year to pay off some loans and take a break from the academic world before being thrown to the wolves.

 

[djeffreyt]

no one has even mentioned anything about me taking a year off. Only one interviewer asked me anything about it and it was because they also slipped up and thought I was still taking classes. So I corrected her and said I wasn't taking anymore classes and was just working.

I told her my job (non-dental related) and she just said that it sounded interesting and asked if I was just paying off loans. I said yes and the conversation more or less dropped after that.

 

[lifeisgood]

I am in month 5 of my year off and I am just wokring in a non-healthcare related field. And there are others who have been out of school for longer than that. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Good luck!

 

[_veo_]

I was worried about this too. During my interview one professor asked me what I was going, if I was taking any classes.. and I told him I was only working (non-dental related job). This was the only question I found myself uncomfortably answering 🙁

 

[DentalBoarder]

detroit michigan cares if you have some time off before dental school.

 

[Euphoria36]

as long as the schools dont have a problem with it, I wouldnt worry. considering you already have 5 interviews this cycle, i am sure you will be accepted to atleast one of those schools, so it shouldn't be an issue for you.

the only time taking a year off and not taking classes becomes a problem is if your chances of acceptance are low. if your stats are not good and in the mean time you have graduated and are not doing anything constructive towards the application process, then it will hurt you. suppose if you dont get accepted this cycle and come june you want to reapply, you wont have anything new to add to your application to show an improvement from last cycle. but as i said before, this should be of no concern for you. you will get in, so enjoy the time off! 🙂