What is Dental Hygiene school like?

Going back to school for dental hygiene?

• I just moved to Baltimore with my boyfriend and we got our own apartment cuz he got a great job offer at the steel mill. I moved here from PA. I lived there for 3 years with my parents, cuz ever since i was born, my family and I lived in Baltimore. They just moved to get out of the city and have a bigger house. Anyways I have a few questions..cuz i wanna go to Community College of Baltimore County 1) Will I have to pay out of state tuition?? Ive only been living here for 2 months. Of course I lived in PA, but for 3 years, from age 1-18 I lived in Baltimore. Some schools require that you live in that state for a certain amount of time before considering you for in state tuition. Like i said, Ive been here for like 2 months only, but except for the 3 years I lived in PA, I lived here my whole life 2) I filled out my FAFSA. I dont have any money for college, and I have student loans taken out before because in PA, I went to school for dental assisting, and got my diploma for that. Well my parents dont want to co-sign for another loan for me, but the school said something about a Stafford Loan that I can get without parents co-signing it. Will the Stafford Loan pay the rest of the tuition that the FAFSA doesnt cover?? 3) How hard is it exactly to get into the hygiene program?? I know its selective, but if I get good grades? And the fact that I have a dental assisting diploma already and have 3 months internship at 2 dental offices? Will that help? 4) How long does it take to complete pre-requisites for the program?? Like how long before I can apply for the program? Thanks guys! My boyfriend and I are really tight on money and barely can afford groceries, and sometimes go days without eating, so thats why i need these loans because I cant afford it right now. Im going to have to get a part time job while in school. Im just worried but if its something I want to do, Im trying to be determined. Thanks!!

• Answer:

  I only know the answer to a couple of your questions. I used a Stafford loan when I was in the program and it paid for pretty much everything else that I needed that my FAFSA didn't pay for. Most hygiene programs are point based systems. They go off of your prerequisite classes. Example (A=3 points, B=2 points, C=1 point). You also get points for your ACT score accordingly. At most colleges, unfortunately, it won't affect you getting in either way if you already have your dental assisting degree. On the plus side, though, once you get into the program, you will already have a couple classes done, so you won't have to retake them (Radiology, Pharmacology, and Dental Anatomy). So, that means you will have some extra time to study or just breathe during your program! You more than likely already have all the prerequisites done for hygiene if you got into assisting, so that might not be something you'll have to worry about. Good luck.