5 TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET INTO DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOOL
Hey there!
Let’s get to it.
When I applied to dental hygiene school, it was October 2015. I was working full-time at a job that I really did not like. My boss was very rude (but that’s another story). I was working as a WIC Nutritionist and nearly 3 months in, I knew it wasn’t for me.
I’ve been exposed to dentistry since junior year of high school. My step-dad bought a his own practice back in 2010 with my mom and my two sisters.
I hated teeth. I tried to avoid all discussions about it. I just wanted to be and do something different than my family.
I took a lot of courses while I was studying nutrition at a university in PA. I took biochemistry I and biochemistry II, organic chemistry, regular chemistry, anatomy and physiology I and II. And let me tell you, I struggled. I repeated a few of those courses several times. Thankfully, I made it to graduation and found my first job rather quickly, in my hometown.
While I hit my 3 month mark at WIC, I looked into dental hygiene school. Here’s a list of reasons why dental hygiene is a great career path. I applied to several schools and re-took anatomy and physiology again at a local community college and passed with flying colors - finally. Third time around learning physiology, things actually stuck.
I then submitted my updated transcripts and…
I waited and waited.
And then one day in June of 2016, I received a letter. The letter that looks small, but you hope for wonderful news. I didn’t quite receive what I was hoping for. It was a declination later.
Oh no. I didn’t get in. Damnit.
My heart was broken. I remember telling myself that I wasn’t going to apply again. I couldn’t put myself through that again.
I thought to myself, ‘Welp, it must not be meant to be’. And, so I applied to other nutrition-related jobs.
In July 2016, I was on my way home from a job interview. Not even 5 minutes away from my home, my cell phone rings. My boyfriend, Brian, (now husband) was driving. I answered the phone and the woman behind the phone said “Hi Kelsey, this is blank from the dental hygiene program here at Pennsylvania College of Technology. I am calling in regards to some openings we have and wanted to ask you if you would be interested in taking a spot”.
Without hesitation, but nonetheless, a shaky voice, I glanced at Brian, and said “yes!”.
She congratulated me and eventually I received a ton of welcome and get-your-shit-together emails because I literally had less than 7 weeks until the first day of school. That moment changed my life.
When I applied to dental hygiene school I was 26. All of my classmates, with a few exceptions, were anywhere from 19-23. We all had our own unique story that brought us to this school. Most of my classmates were very familiar with the school, the program and the professors. I was not. Which has its pros and cons, for sure.
Most of my classmates also had the opportunity to take other dental hygiene courses toward the bachelors program while they waited to get into the clinical program. I already had my bachelors degree which increased my changes of getting in even though I didn’t get in right away. Every school is different. Most schools refer to a points system as a guide for applicants and ideal candidates.
I’m not quite sure the exact ins and outs of what it is they’re looking for, but here are some things that might help you out if you’re looking to apply:
Make sure you take all the big science courses and obtain a high B, if not a damn A in all of them. If you have to retake them, so be it. There is no deadline - I promise. It’s your future, not anyone else’s. I make double the amount as a dental hygienist working less hours than I did as a nutritionist. And I’m 10 times happier and more full-filled.
Your math and science cumulative GPA should be no lower than a 2.0, but I would highly recommend maintaining a 3.0 as best as you can. Math sucks, I get it.
If you’re able to, take a few courses at the school ahead of time. Having credit from the school itself increases your total points which increases your chances of getting in. I would definitely call the program and ask for any tips or suggestions that can help guide you in the right direction.
Reach out to the hygiene program you’re most interested in and see if you can set up a meeting to chat. The more they see your face and see that you're committed, the better. Hygiene school is competitive and they only accept and consider x amount of students per year.
Definitely apply to other dental hygiene schools within your state (if possible). Here’s a list of hygiene schools in Pennsylvania. I believe this is how I was considered a candidate. A student declined her acceptance because she was accepted to another school. If she didn’t apply to another school, my spot would have been fulfilled and I most likely wouldn’t be where I am today.
I hope this helped you today! If you have any questions, please reach out. I’d love to hear from you and help you any way I can.
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