I'm a junior in a vocational high school where I study both academics and am in the dental assisting program, where I can enter the workforce directly after graduation with all the qualifications for a dental assistant. I plan to major in dental hygiene at a 4-year college and earn a BS, but I'm also looking into the possibility of applying to dental school after college to become either a pediatric dentist or orthodontist. I worry about financial aid and student loans, and I don't want to be in debt over something that I may not even be as passionate about in the future.
Is it worth it to apply to a dental school after earning a degree in hygiene, or should I just major in dental hygiene?
For reference:
-4.0 GPA
-990 PSAT
I feel like if you did not apply to dental school you would regret not knowing if you would get in so no matter what I would apply, but be ready to go to a normal college/university too. Then depending on financials or location you can later choose what you want to do, knowing you at least got in (or didn't). To me a dental school would be for if you wanted to work higher up and become a top dentist or orthodontist, but if you want to be a dentist that makes average pay i wouldn't spend the time and money on a dental school considering even wanting to be high-paid and well known, you could work up to that with just four years regular. Then later on if you have time you can get a doctorates, life is long you do not need to do everything now, college would be my choice.
To keep this community safe and supportive: