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I'm sure similar questions have most definitely been asked on these forums many times before but I am looking for more personal answers. My case is that, I'm 23, am married and have a 2 yr old and another baby on the way as I'm 9 weeks pregnant today (surprise blessing). I have a GED received in Michigan in 2008. I have absolutely no college credits, or college experience as of yet. Therefor, no pre-req's or even basic level science/math classes.
My plan was that after this summer I was going to apply for the federal aid and join community college and begin to get my pre-req's in line, and maybe if we could afford it, pay for summer classes on our own to get them done sooner. But with this surprise pregnancy my plans seem to be quite out of reach. Not that I couldn't start classes after the summer as I had planned just because I am pregnant, but because I do not want to have to take a break from college in October after the baby is born for 3 or so months to take care of the baby. My fear is that the break will pull me right back out of my "groove" and I'll lose the devotion/passion for college after the baby is born as my need to be there for the baby will be dominant. I just don't want to stop in the middle and risk losing fed aid (doubt that would happen, though I've heard it can).
My gut tells me to just apply for fed aid straight away and start classes immediately and if a break must be taken for some months than so be it. But I'm not sure if I'll feel the same way once the baby is actually here. Although, I guess I could just wait till after the baby is born plus the 3 or so months and then start.....but that would be such a waste of time........
My questions:
What would be the fastest way to become a dentist from step one(not just get into dental school, but to actually be working? That is, what to do from here (GED) and/or which pre req's to take and how well to do in which ones in order to get at least the 90 credits fulfilled well enough that taking the DAT from there could be a successful step, not just to leave it to chance and still have to go a year or two more just cause I failed. Meaning, are there certain classes I could take to assist me in passing the DAT for sure. And if I were to pass the DAT with my 90 credits done would I definitely get into Dental College/School or is it still chancy since I wouldn't have the full 4 yr degree, despite getting a good score?
How much, on average, would taking classes in summer (may they be lab or non lab classes) cost out of pocket. Are there any loans I may be able to get to help cover those costs, or even part of them?
Day care, I know about the day care vouchers but I'm not sure whether I can get them here in Michigan in order to go to college. How would I go about getting the vouchers? What proofs would I need to apply since I'm not applying cause of work, but education?
How long could it take to get those 90 credits down, say if I took one additional summer of college classes, or two, or three etc?
Generally put, what is the fastest way to become a dentist w/ a 2 yr old and another baby on the way, w/ fed aid etc, especially if I'm quite behind on my math and science and may need some extra assistance to get back on track with those subjects after being out of school for so long, not that I was particularly well at those subjects while in school in any case. And, are there any tips anyone would like to share with me to help me with my science and math weakness dilemma? Any cheap classes or courses I could take to prepare me for those classes in college?
Sorry for the longest, most useless post of all time. Feel free to skim through.
I really appreciate any and all help!
Last edited by MumtazG38; 03-05-2012 at 04:44 PM..
Well, nobody becomes a dentist fast - you're no exception. It's four years of dental school minimum, then a residency. I don't know how many students get accepted to dental school without a bachelor's, but in a best case scenario you should figure at least three years of college with a high gpa. I think you need to talk to some college admissions people to see how realistic your time frame would be.
I would spend some time on the student/doctor network website and see how realistic your chances are of getting into medical school. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but doing your gen ed's at a community college is pretty much frowned upon for med and dental school applications. It happens, sometimes, but given that you have a GED as well, that is already 2 strikes against you. I would visit with the pre-med advisor at the closest 4 year college/university and see what they have to say about your plans.
Also, getting financial aid for community colleges is next to impossible. If you qualify for aid there, you can pretty much count on not paying anything at a 4 year college, including having your room/board covered. Given that you are an older student there may be some opportunities for you to become a staff resident and have an on campus apartment in your pay. It would certainly make it easier to go to college with 2 small children and you would have a dorm full of babysitters as needed. Just something to think about.
I agree with golfgal - you really need to go to a 4 year college to be competitive for dental school. I want to make sure you realize that even if you blew through the whole thing full time, you are at least 10 years from being a dentist? There is no "quick" way through dental or medical school.
Community college could be a good way to gauge where your math and science skills. What level of math did you get to before you got your GED? If you were in anything less than calculus, you should get that out of the way in community college before getting to the tougher math in a 4 year school. Lab sciences absolutely should be done at a 4 year.
Go to a community college. ( If you need income, you might even want to see about being a dental hygenist. Have good friends that the wife put husband through engineering school AND paid off a house by the time hubby graduated )
Until age 26
Then goto 4 yr school with pre med as curriculum.
Until age 30
Get accepted in dental school.
Until age 34
Do residency.
Until age 38
Join practice.
Retire at age 50 ..right after paying off student loans
May I say........I think I love ya gdogfball! Thanks for the hope and the wonderful, VERY DOABLE plan!
About becoming a dental hygienist, through my limited research Ive come to learn that dental hygienist is a degree (or is it a certification?) of it's own, and that it cannot be used to assist in the completion of an actual DDS degree, am I right? It does seem quite strange to me that many of the classes and credits necessary for getting into Dental school are much the same, though you would have to start all over after dental hygienistry in order to become a dentist, rather than use what classes and credits you've already gotten while achieving that degree/certification for the DDS degree??? I believe the aforementioned is a 2 yr AA degree, not bachelors....maybe this is why credits/classes may not be used to achieve the 4 year bachelors for getting into Dental school am I right?
Wish it were possible to transfer such credits after completing and working as a dental hygienist to become a dentist. That would be AWESOME!
May I say........I think I love ya gdogfball! Thanks for the hope and the wonderful, VERY DOABLE plan!
About becoming a dental hygienist, through my limited research Ive come to learn that dental hygienist is a degree (or is it a certification?) of it's own, and that it cannot be used to assist in the completion of an actual DDS degree, am I right? It does seem quite strange to me that many of the classes and credits necessary for getting into Dental school are much the same, though you would have to start all over after dental hygienistry in order to become a dentist, rather than use what classes and credits you've already gotten while achieving that degree/certification for the DDS degree??? I believe the aforementioned is a 2 yr AA degree, not bachelors....maybe this is why credits/classes may not be used to achieve the 4 year bachelors for getting into Dental school am I right?
Wish it were possible to transfer such credits after completing and working as a dental hygienist to become a dentist. That would be AWESOME!
I think you are correct, much in the same way that a BS in nursing is not the best path to take to get into medical school. Now, dental assistants/hygienists make pretty good money for what they do so it might be worth looking into if you don't want to take on the debt/time to become a dentist.
Whether you go to community college or a 4-year, wait until after the baby is born. But that doesn't mean you can't be working on your dream.
Go to khanacademy.org and start working through the math and science sections. Also, get ahold of a couple textbooks (library, ebay, used books through Amazon) and start working through them. You can do this with whatever time you have available.
Then, when you are ready to start college, you will be better prepared. You'll be able to skip remedial classes, and you won't have to put as much time into your classes.
Whatever you do don't postpone. Take action right away and sign up for an anatomy or bio class at your community college for the summer. Each baby step will bring you that much closer to your dreams. It's always better to focus on what's right in front of you than looking way down the road. Start with one or two summer classes. That is all you should focus on right now.
I have friends who are both doctors and dentist. Basically they all did it when young and it was a real struggle fiancially even single. Then of course they had to struggle for years to get a practice that they were even a partner in.
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And, are there any tips anyone would like to share with me to help me with my science and math weakness dilemma? Any cheap classes or courses I could take to prepare me for those classes in college?
)
BUT it is doable.
