San Antonio Dental School, Applying To Dental Schools?

Q: I am currently applying to dental schools, anyone with any tips or experiences with the application process please email me. In addition, how does everyone feel about their decision to pursue dentistry. Any regrets, surprises, experiences, etc. you would like to share?

A:This is unfortunate. A preceptor-based dental program could be a real pleasure and assure every graduate that he knows what he/she needs to about the profession. Just look at how dentists reach out for continuing education. If someone is qualified enough to be accepted, then they are qualified to graduate also. As for debt, all higher education should be based on merit and should be free. Dr. E, I agree. Believe me I have searched for the "model" dental school and have found none. I am happy with my choice of dentistry as a profession, but must endure the hell of school. Where did you go and where do you practice? My best advice to you is make sure you heavily research all the schools you get accepted into, because you'll have to spend the next 4 years of your life (perhaps more), at the school you choose. I think you have to pick the dental school that is best for you and not what some poll or ranking system says. I went to the University of pennsylvania (1964) and I practice in Philaddelphia. At the time, there was a "heavy" atmosphere in dentistry which I thought had

since passed. Lots of qualified students flunked out. At the same time Penn Med (also one of the finest schools) told their students, focus on learning - not grades. Every single person will graduate. The Penn Med dean was Ezra Staples. Penn Dent was an elitist school from the time of Napoleon II. Really! Thomas Evans who founded the school was his personal dentist. The school attracted "brilliant professors" but could have done better with the students. If I were a teacher, I would have improved lots of things. I later applied for that position because I believe that I could contribute a lot. But they were back in the "elitist mode," so I forgot about them.