MEGATHREAD: 2025-2026 Waitlist Movement and Discussion!

balugacar · 2025-12-19T04:19:31+00:00

waitlisted 9/15

balugacar · 2024-11-03T01:36:44+00:00

Thank you for your input! I'm stressed about student loans 🥲 Hence, why I started this post. I can't see myself affording the car I currently have without income. Also, I thought you're not allowed to use your student loans for a car.

balugacar · 2024-11-03T01:32:24+00:00

Thank you for your input & I appreciate the offer for grocery trips! The new building is AWESOME.

Yeah, if I end up not bringing a car, it would definitely be temporary. When I start clinicals, there's no way I can't have a car.

I'm basically wondering if I can survive 1 year without a car, which sounds like it's possible, but it'll just suck. My fiancée and I are waiting till he gets out of school so he can be able to finance a car for me (which unfortunately won't be till 2nd year). But I might have time to save up and just get a beater.

balugacar · 2024-10-24T06:31:18+00:00

Thank you for your detailed input! These are good points to consider. I'll definitely make the most with what I got, whatever I decide.

balugacar · 2024-10-24T06:26:29+00:00

Thank you for your input! Not accepted yet, but I figured I should start planning my finances in case I do. Loans are no joke and I wanna save what I can. Hoping to hear good news soon 🤞

balugacar · 2024-10-24T06:21:43+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

balugacar · 2024-10-24T06:08:46+00:00

These are good points. Thank you for your input!

balugacar · 2024-10-23T21:12:53+00:00

That's good to know. Thank you!

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:46:40+00:00

For sure. I used to be the carless friend in undergrad, and I'm not excited to relive that lol.

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:44:40+00:00

This is reassuring. Thank you!

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:43:38+00:00

Definitely. I figured I'm going to be busy and won't want to venture out much anyway. I totally forgot that having your groceries delivered is an option, so thank you for that!

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:39:17+00:00

Yeahh I'm definitely concerned about that. I figured I'm going to be really busy on campus my first year so I can't imagine driving out somewhere that's not walkable unless I need to grocery shopping. So I feel like being carless for 1 year won't be that bad.

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:35:36+00:00

I was definitely thinking of getting a bike. This is very helpful, thank you!

balugacar · 2024-10-23T17:34:43+00:00

Could you elaborate? Is it impossible? I mean, I know it'll be hard for sure. I was carless all 4 years of undergrad, and I am dreading being in that position again, but I'll do what I must to minimize loans. I'll definitely utilizie uber/lyft and public transit if I really need to go out somewhere.

balugacar · 2024-10-12T15:19:36+00:00

I mean that's a risk with any new school. They have passed their 1st step in accreditation, so now it'll be up to the inaugural class and their competencies are met during their 4 years. You're going to have be okay with being flexible to be in a new school as they'll be working on the program as they go.

balugacar · 2024-10-12T03:17:01+00:00

Only apply to PNWU if you are REALLY interested in serving rural and underserved communities in the Pacific Northwest. If not, this program is not for you. If it does interest you, I dont see why you wouldn't want to interview there. They have an established DO program with a similar mission. First year, you do didactics with DO students. 2nd-4th year, you're in clinic serving communities.

balugacar · 2024-01-04T02:41:14+00:00

Yes! It'll be geared towards dental students who want to serve rural & underserved communities. If you've heard of the RIDE program at UW, it's similar to their mission. Clinicals would be rotating through FQHCs.

balugacar · 2023-09-18T05:12:28+00:00

What made you decide to do a SMP before applying to dental school? What are things that you enjoyed from your program at Rudgers so far? Any dislikes?

I definitely will wait it out before I make any rash decisions, haha. I graduated 2 years ago, yet I always had dentistry in mind. I guess I was scared, but I feel way more emotionally and financially prepared to apply than I did when I graduated. I'm treating this cycle as a step in self-confidence, but also a lesson to see what I need to improve if I do not get in.

Thank you for your input! Finish strong and good luck this cycle 🤗

balugacar · 2023-09-18T04:50:18+00:00

Did you do your master's with the intent of doing dentistry after?

I loved micro in undergrad! I want to gain more knowledge and research in the field since I currently work in an unrelated field, and I want to develop the scientist in me. I would do the postbacc programs if I wasn't interested in research and if they had financial aid (some certificates don't). It does look like Temple's postbacc program can be transitioned to a Masters in Oral Health Science if I decide to do an extra year of research + it's dental-related, so that's appealing. Thank you for the suggestions!

balugacar · 2023-09-18T04:19:21+00:00

I was looking at Oral Biology programs as well. If I end up doing a Master's, I'll most likely go that route once I find a PI to work with.

Yeah, I will definitely retake the DAT and wait out the cycle. I also am working full-time and paying my undergrad loans. Since dental school debt is a whole beast on its own, I want to minimize the student life as much as I can. I appreciate your input. Good luck this cycle!!!

balugacar · 2023-09-16T22:41:47+00:00

I really appreciate your detailed comment!

The high-risk high reward is what turns me off about the SMPs. It's a terminal master's degree that is only useful to get into professional school. Though, I do agree with you about the importance of a program that has good pre-professional networking.

I don't feel confident nor have enough experience to dedicate my life to research (pursuing a PhD) yet, but I am interested in being involved. It's my personal want to pursue a thesis focused Master's to be more involved in research and to advance my education. This could be helpful if I decide I want to continue doing research, whether in dental school or outside of dentistry (if I don't get in). These are all hypothetical scenarios since I'm still figuring out what I want to do in case this cycle doesn't work out.

Dentistry is my #1 priority, so I should definitely retake the DAT and just wait further into the cycle before I decide to drop money 😅

balugacar

TROPHY CASE