Should a 27 Y.O. Single mommy plan to go to dental school this late in life?

I have been a Dental Assistant for 7 yrs and now I am the practice manager. My boyfriend of 3 yrs is a dentist and I love dreaming of being a dentist one day myself. I live alone with my two toddlers. I have saved more money for their college ed than I have for my own. I would basically start from ground up b/c I have no degree. I am doing classes online now but I cannot do much with the kids and my job assisting and managing. In 2009 both of my tots will start school, should I start school too? Should my late start and family/marital status affect my acceptance? PLEASE BE HONEST!

Should a 27 Y.O. Single mommy plan to go to dental school this late in life?
Realisticly speaking, no. You need a 4-year degree which I assume will take you longer because you'll be working and handling your kids. If that extends to say 7 years, you'll still need to do dental school full-time. It also is doubtful that they will accept you because of your age. I know medical schools don't admit people over 26 (I think). If you do get accepted, that will take you a few more years. I'm not sure how many, but it should be in the vecinity of 3 to 5 years. All that time you'll need to have enough money saved for your children, yourself and your studies. This all means that you'll need to be in school for the next 10 years or so, while involuntary neglect happens towards your children and your relationships.





I will tell you that you should try to do the community college thing first. If it doesn't work out for you in the years you're there, you will know it is best not to transfer and continue persuing this goal.





Good luck.
Reply:THANK YOU SHAWNA P FOR THE BEST ANSWER, SORRY I DID NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO RATE IT BEFORE NOW!!!!!! Report It

Reply:no because you should never let age keep you from being something you would want to be someday!!!
Reply:Go for it, you will be glad you did.
Reply:To be blunt, HELL YES you should go back to school.





It will NOT be easy by any means, but I'm sure raising kids isn't either. You don't have to give up dreams just because of a family. In fact, this is a great reason to go back to school so you can make sure you can provide the kind of life you want for yourself and your kids





Good luck!
Reply:Yes she should. Better a little late then never. The extra 50 thousand a year (thats alot of loot) at any point in life is going to be very useful.And as for marital status, yes it will effect you in a possitive manor. You will most definatly get more funding being single with two children.
Reply:Why not? Of course you should. You're never too late nor too old to learn something, to gain experience, to fight for your satisfaction, to pursue your dreams?





Besides, are you that sure that you and your boyfriend will still be together some time from now? The more learning you have the better to help in your financial indpendence.





Who told you that 27 years or as a matter of fact even 60 years is old?





I'll tell you a little story or fable:





Once upon a time there was a competition among rabbits, the toughest and physically best had to climb up a greased pole and get the bagfull of carrots hanging there.





Everyone was shouting "There's no way to de this... it's no use... give it up..." etc. etc.





Indeed, all of these tough and sporty guys tried and came tumbling and slithering down the pole.





Finally, a skinny, weak-looking, little fellow came along, walking towards the pole. All the others started laughing, jeering, whistling.





But our little friend walked on, reached the pole, climbed to the top, took the bag and climbed triumphantly down......





Everyone was amazed and they asked each other "... how did he do it?... what does he eat?.... who's his coach?..."





One wise rabbit replied: "...He's deaf! He didn't hear one word of discouragement or jeering that you yelled at him.... and he didn't find it impossible to compete and win..."





So single Mommy, go for it, ignore the defeatists, just do it!


You deserve it!





I wish you all the best success in the world.
Reply:Nope, my wife and I both worked full-time, and raised 3 kids that were not in school while I went to school. I might add that I was a deckhand working 84 hous a week and doing full time classes, and taking care of the kids 40 hours a week while she was at work. No, I didn't get much sleep, and yea, I was a real pain in the asss, but I got it done. Your never to old to improve your life especially when it comes to finances. Retirement is becoming a thing of the past. You really gotta get somewhere fast and start saving. The sooner your a dentist and can start puttin more away the better.
Reply:I am fully in support of your continuing your education. I am in the same process myself- I am a dental assistant who decided I want to become a dentist. I had my bachelor's degree, although not in science, so I have spent the past 3 years basically doing my undergraduate work over again at the community college (it's only $20 a unit). From my experience, I suggest you go for it, but you will need some help. Do you have family that can help you financially, or by providing child care?





Set realistic expectations. It will be very hard academically, but admissions committees do not discriminate on age, I don't care what any one else has told you.





I actually applied this year and had interviews at several schools. I met a 33 year old first year dental student with 3 kids. I know that admissions committees are impressed by individuals that have overcome hardships. I also know that they care a lot about GPA and DAT scores, you need to be prepared to make a lot of A's in very difficult science classes that will require a lot of studying. I think the pre-dental work- chemistry, organic chemisty, physics, biology- are actually MORE difficult than what you do in dental school! (If you've been an assistant like we have, and all the dental terminology and procedures are so familiar to you that you could do them in your sleep, with or without a DDS degree...)





The road is long and exhausting. Committees give preference to individuals that have finished a 4 year bachelor's degree, and they also have limits on the amount of your education that can be completed at the community college level. Community college credits can be difficult to transfer as well, and at this point you don't want to waste any time. I recommend you enter a bachelor's program that has a cooperative degree with dental schools which will allow you to attend 3 years of college, complete all your pre-dental pre-requisites, and then enter dental school (4 year program- there are a couple of 3 year programs out there- University of the Pacific in San Francisco- but it is a very expensive private school). Upon completion of your first year of dental school, you recieve your bachelor's degree, then 3 years later your DDS or DMD.





Look into state schools. They are more affordable. No matter what anyone tells you, you do NOT want to get out of school with over $200,000 of debt. You will be pressured to work hard to pay that back. What if youw ant to work part time? Be a Mom?





I am going to school in Texas- if you move there and gain residency, you can attend school as a resident for $15,000/ year (that includes the loans that cover living expenses as well as tution and supplies). At most other schools outside of Texas, tutition alone exceeds $20,000/ year, not to mention living expenses!





Good luck with everything!