[xan]

I was a honors student in high school (decent marks... 90%avg?). I then went in to computer engineering at University of Toronto, which turned out to be a bad idea in general. It just wasn't what I thought computer engineering was supposed to be. It had too much theory and nothing practical. I never went to classes and I failed/dropped out after my first year. I then switched to a general science at UT but I also ended up hating the enormous class sizes, the monotonous lectures and the lack of practical application so I failed those courses.

My parents then suggested that I try taking a college program and so I started taking Dental Technology. I've found that I actually enjoy the majority of the courses and so I'm doing quite well (about a 3.45 gpa). I rather like applying the theory I've learnt in lectures to the practical portion. It's my final year in this program now and I'm going to be graduating soon. I still want to get a basic university degree though and I don't think university's will accept me with such horrible university transcripts. Especially since I want to become a dentist.

I live in Canada and most dental programs require a bachelor's degree, so I've thought of doing dental school abroad (like in the UK or Australia). In the UK and Australia, they only require a high school diploma so I'm hoping I might at least have a chance. I am worried that they will require me to send all the transcripts from what I've previously studied and they will find out about all my failed courses. Is there any way I can hide or just leave out those transcripts? Or maybe any programs that don't require me sending all my transcripts, so maybe I can just send the most recent one.

Any advice is very welcome...

[charlotte234s]

Basically, if they ask for transcripts, which any school pretty much will, they get all the transcripts and there's not much you can do.

[vingogly]

Charlotte's right, you're better off being up front about your previous failure, because if you try to hide it you will be found out and your application will go immediately into the circular file.

Contact the departments at a few of the schools you're interested in and explain your situation, asking how you can undo the effects of your youthful failure and get admitted to their programs. Even better, visit them and ask your questions in person. Be sure to also contact the admissions department at these schools and ask the same questions.

You write very well. Draft a letter explaining that when you started university you were immature and since have gotten it together. Cite your decent GPA in Dental Tech, and leverage it to argue your position. Submit this letter with your application for admission, and copy it to the head of the academic department you're applying to (often the faculty will meet to determine which applicants to admit; plus, if you can get him/her on your side as advocate it can't hurt). Follow up with calls, and thank you letters when you get a response even if it's negative. Be persistent. What do you have to lose?

Vasily

[Amy E]

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want to do, which is great, but you may want to also consider going into a dental assisting program (like this one http://www.dbc.ca.gov/da_program/index.shtml). When you're done, you can work as a DA for a while. It's a great way to get experience, references for dental school, and possibly a job offer for when you get done with dental school. Make sure you do a lot of research before you decide on a dental school as well. I found mine through http://dentaldegree.org/ , and I couldn't have been happier with my decision. Good luck with everything!

[Amy E]

Sorry guys! I guess my links didn't work. Here they are again!
Dental Assisting - Index
Dental Degree Programs: Become a Dentist or Dental Assistant