“I’m not the traditional pre-dental student. I graduated years ago with a non-science degree, worked full time, and decided at 28 that I wanted to pursue dentistry. I tried to figure everything out on my own and ended up applying twice and getting rejected both times. I also really wanted to stay as close to home as possible since my life and family were already pretty established.

I found Dental School Guide after my second cycle, and they basically became my roadmap. They laid out an exact plan for which classes to take and when, how to fit shadowing and volunteering around my job, and when to schedule the DAT so I could still apply early. They also helped me explain my career change in a way that made me sound committed instead of flaky.

What I appreciated most was that they understood the nontraditional student struggle. They never made me feel ‘behind’ and always gave me clear next steps.

I ended up with a 420 AA on the DAT, multiple interviews, and an acceptance at a school that values older students and was close to home.”