My future
Well, I'm a senior in high school and I'm going to be graduating and moving on to that next step in life called college. I would like to get into the field of dentistry. I was wondering if there were people here that could give some advice on how to get accepted into college, because I'm a little worried about that part, and what dentistry is like. I haven't really looked into how competitive it is or anything like that. Anyone willing to help me?
Comments
It's September 3-- around the time most colleges begin accepting applications. I would begin immediately by asking teachers that know you to write letters of recommendation. They'll usually need a few weeks minimum. In the meantime, apply early action if you can since most colleges have higher acceptance rates for those types of binding and non-binding early admissions.
Lots of universities have pre-dental programs.
(However, college life as a science major is not exactly good for your social life lol.)
can you afford it monetarily to sit out a year? Nowadays it seems that schools are not just necessarily looking for the most academically qualified student. Evidenced by the decreasing role of the SAT, ACT and class rank in admissions. It is possible that if you put your time to good use in the intervening year (work in a dentist's office, research, volunteering), you might not just help your chances with college, but with dental school later.
That sounds like a good idea, but I have a question. What do you mean by "can I afford it monetarily to sit out a year"? To me it seems that if I don't go to college that I will be saving money. I would like to get a medical assistants license so that I can work in a dentists office (someone told me that they did this and it turned out great for them, they just took a class at a community college for a semester.). I think that would work well.
Placebo, I wanted to be a fighter pilot too, and an astronaut for that matter, but then my vision crapped out on me so both of those are out of the question.
When you're asking advice to get into college, that's a pretty large question. Lots of things go into it. GPA, SAT/ACT scores, money, the impactation of the school, blah blah blah blah blah...
Go here. http://www.colleges.com/
This is a great place to get started on just getting into college. Also, make sure you check at your local junior colleges. If you don't get into the college you want, many times your local JC has a program that will automatically get you in once you complete their 2 year BA program. Many high school graduates here in California don't have the grades to get into the UC system, so instead of going to a state college, they enroll in a JC for two years and go straight to the UC of their choice after two years. I had a buddy who had a 2.5 GPA in high school and ended up going to UCLA after doing his time at a JC for two years.
Shawn was right. Apps actually need to be turned in by December 31st. Which means your ACT and SAT scores need to be completed, as well as any essays or letters of recommendation you might have to submit to any colleges.
P.S. The dental industry is extremely competitive. Be aware that many of the people you'll be up against have extemely good grades and are at the top of their class. Be ready to bust your ass if or when you get in.
Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask any questions. There's plenty of people who are willing to help.
That sounds like a good idea, but I have a question. What do you mean by "can I afford it monetarily to sit out a year"? To me it seems that if I don't go to college that I will be saving money. I would like to get a medical assistants license so that I can work in a dentists office (someone told me that they did this and it turned out great for them, they just took a class at a community college for a semester.). I think that would work well
All I mean is that if you are going to spend any time in the intervening year doing stuff to buff your application, it might not pay particularly well. You may need to take the hit in terms of the money you have coming in to your pocket. Some people cannot easily make ends meet even though they are doing it as part of a bigger plan.
Until now I didn't really see the point in working hard in school. To me people are much more important than random busywork. Now I wish I had worked a bit harder.
I read this and it reminded me of my own attitude towards school about 10 years ago when I started college. After four years, I didn't get into medical school because I had spent a lot of time in college "learning about myself". This basically amounted to switching jobs every 9 months, getting drunk with my friends and messing around with chicks. I did learn a lot about myself, the world, and how people work, but I sabotaged myself too. Still, two years later after picking up a second degree and working in a research lab, I got the chance to get the education I wanted. Now I am three months into my anesthesiology residency. What's my point? That hard work does generate rewards, that busywork is the price you pay to get to where you want to go, and nothing worth having ever comes easy.
Thanks for the advice. Do I need to have them write to a specific college/university or are they going to just write a general letter? As of right now, I'm in the middle of applying on-line to Indiana University. Does anyone have anyother ideas of where I should apply for dentistry?
I'm not sure really. I only applied to the two colleges I knew I would get full-tuition exemption at. I think they were general letters. But if there's really a school you want to go to-- I would recommend asking your teachers to write letters specifically addressed and tailored to that school. You'd have to talk to them to explain what it is about that school that you find appealing, though. If you really want to go to a certain school, definitely show interest by sitting in on classes, taking guided tours, talking to admissions counselors, and so on. Every time you contact the school or go on one of those events, your file is flagged (that's a good thing, unless you were rude or otherwise). Show interest and be unfailingly polite.
That's great advice. I really am planning on a college visit to IU I just need to find the time. I'm pretty sure I can pull of the "unfailingly polite" thing. How many letters of recommendation will I need? Is it a specific number or just a sweet spot that I have to guess at for each college?
Check the requirements at each school, but I would guess around 2. Some won't accept more than 2-- some may accept more than 2. It varies.
IU is a good school. What's your high school GPA like?
My gpa is about 3.1 right now, I think. I failed pre-calc last year, so it might not be there now, but I'm retaking that class, so it will go up.
Well, you have a shot. A good SAT/ACT with a letter of recommendation should at least get them to notice. Are you trying to stay close to where you live now?
On a side note, Shawn, where do you go to law school? Just kind of curious...I'm takin' the good ol' LSAT in early fall.
On a side note, Shawn, where do you go to law school? Just kind of curious...I'm takin' the good ol' LSAT in early fall.
Widener.
It's "4th-tier" but perfectly fine for first-year education since we cover pretty much the same courses as everyone else: contracts, property, civil procedure, legal methods and research, and torts. I'm a little worried about 2nd and 3rd year-- because I want a better variety of courses and a city with greater resources than the small state capital of Pennsylvania.
So over holiday break i'm preparing transfer applications for schools in boston, philly, and dc.
Yeah, btw, study your ass off for the LSAT. It's definitely a controlling factor in where you get accepted to.
What would you deem as a good SAT score? I've been comparing myself to my friends and I think I did awful.
I'm not sure...It's different now then when I took it. They have a essay now if I'm not mistaken. When the scores were based on a 1600 score, 1200 and above was considered a "good" score...
What is it out of now?
Widener.
It's "4th-tier" but perfectly fine for first-year education since we cover pretty much the same courses as everyone else: contracts, property, civil procedure, legal methods and research, and torts. I'm a little worried about 2nd and 3rd year-- because I want a better variety of courses and a city with greater resources than the small state capital of Pennsylvania.
So over holiday break i'm preparing transfer applications for schools in boston, philly, and dc.
Yeah, btw, study your ass off for the LSAT. It's definitely a controlling factor in where you get accepted to.
I have a couple buddies that are doing the same thing you are. Except they went to the smaller schools because they got wait-listed to the ones they wanted at first.
I'm pretty confident that I'll do well on the LSAT. I've been destroying the Kaplan tests. That's not a sure-bet, but it does tell me I'm a hell-of-a-lot more ready than most of the people in my damn prep classes.
Are you applying to any big boys?
I have a couple buddies that are doing the same thing you are. Except they went to the smaller schools because they got wait-listed to the ones they wanted at first.
I'm pretty confident that I'll do well on the LSAT. I've been destroying the Kaplan tests. That's not a sure-bet, but it does tell me I'm a hell-of-a-lot more ready than most of the people in my damn prep classes.
Are you applying to any big boys?
Awesome!
Yeah, Georgetown because they offer transfer acceptance based on first semester grades if you choose. Maybe Boston College and Boston University. UConn and Northeastern too. I might give Penn a shot. But I think I have to be more realistic with my choices because honestly I don't have a grand to fart away. Some of these apps cost $100 each when you get done with lsac report fees and everything.