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So frustrated
I have decided to go back to school and have been doing a lot of research. I haven't decided exactly which field, but it will either be radiology or dental hygiene. I am interested in both as a career, however, there are very few programs in the area for both. I have about 5 schools I will apply to: 2 for radiology and 3 for dental hygiene. They all require pre-reqs to get admitted to a program and all of them are HIGHLY competitive. This fall I am taking a chem class and biology. While I am excited about this, I feel like the odds are stacked against me!
Last night I attended an info session at one school. It was pretty general in terms of information for their allied health programs. This particular school, which is 42 miles from me (and a solid hour...without traffic), has the least amount of pre-reqs required (just the bio), and I already have a bachelor's degree. They stressed that in order for them to even LOOK at your application, you have to have all pre-reqs completed. This sent me into a panic, of course, because I won't have all my pre-reqs done until summer (with the exception of this one school, I think I am safe to apply).
Because these programs are so competitive, they take priority over those who already attend their school. One school already told me this, flat out, I don't stand much of a chance. All these programs accept about 24-25 students each fall. The one school told me 23 of their students would be accepted, so that leaves one spot left for a transfer!
Ugh! This feels like an uphill battle. I don't intend to quit, and I am going to keep going with what I scheduled myself to take, but it just feels so frustrating to know what my odds are!
Re: So frustrated
I would be frustrated too and to be honest, I was in your very shoes once. College is so overwhelming and you feel like you could in theory, go a million different directions and never really know for sure if you are on a path that even resembles what you hope is your future. When I was applying for grad school I had the very same statement pointed to me. I then proceeded to go directly to the professors and staff themselves and see what I could do. A lot of times, just being able to put a face with a name and make you and actually living breathing person, makes such a difference. It shows how much you want to be in the program and your willingness to do whatever will help you get in. Initiative is huge, IMO.
GL I hope it works out for you....
I am so sorry, that sounds so frustrating! I would try to find someone in the field in which you want to go into and talk to them abou their expereince or like PP mentioned talking with the professors face to face.
Hang in there, if you want something, I say go for it
It is tough, there is a lot of competition. All the hygienists I know had to apply 2-3 times before they got it. A lot of the assistants I work for now are on the hygiene waiting list. However, the program near me has recently changed their application process. I don't know if it is the same for dental hygiene everywhere, but it is a "point system" - you get a point for every year you apply and for other things. They've changed it now so that grades DO matter (instead of someone with a 2.0 and someone with a 4.0 being on equal footing, technically). I might ask how exactly how each school chooses their hygiene candidates at a particular school. IMO I'd much rather have someone with a bachelor's degree than someone who just took a few tech. school courses - in my experience, some of the best hygienists I've met (mainly just because they have common sense and half a brain!) had a bachelor's degree before they went back for hygiene.
If you are really serious about it, a lot of hygienists end up working as an assistant while they are waiting to get into hygiene school. I think it helps when you get to hygiene school, and a dual trained assistant/hygienist is always more attractive to a potential employer. Plus, it gives you an idea of what it is like to work at a dental office to see if it is something you really think you'd like =]
Good luck with everything!