u/Antique_Agency_8916

I’m really torn and would appreciate honest opinions, especially from current hygienists/students or people who were in a similar situation. I have a BS in science with a 2.82 cumulative GPA. I currently work as a dental assistant, so I know I genuinely enjoy the dental field. Dental hygiene has been my goal for a while, but I’ve struggled with how competitive the programs are and whether my GPA is going to hold me back.
I’ve completed most/all of the typical science prerequisites, but some of my science courses are getting older and I may need to retake certain classes depending on the school’s expiration rules. I’m willing to retake courses and improve my application, but I also don’t want to spend years retaking classes and applying if my chances are realistically very low.

Here’s where I’m stuck: I was recently accepted into a Respiratory Care program, which starts soon and would take about 2 years. RT seems like a solid career and gives me a guaranteed path forward, but my heart is still with dental hygiene. I’m worried that if I choose RT, I’ll always wonder “what if I had just kept trying for hygiene?”
Would it be reasonable to start RT and continue applying or just completely denying my seat for rt. Or would that be waste of money and time😩
For those who had a lower GPA or had to reapply multiple times:
Were you eventually accepted?
Did retaking prerequisites make a meaningful difference?
Would you pursue RT as a backup while continuing to apply?
At what point would you personally stop pursuing hygiene?
I’m not looking for “just follow your heart” advice. I’d genuinely appreciate realistic opinions based on admissions experience. 😭

I’m really torn and would appreciate honest opinions, especially from current hygienists/students or people who were in a similar situation. I have a BS in science with a 2.82 cumulative GPA. I currently work as a dental assistant, so I know I genuinely enjoy the dental field. Dental hygiene has been my goal for a while, but I’ve struggled with how competitive the programs are and whether my GPA is going to hold me back.
I’ve completed most/all of the typical science prerequisites, but some of my science courses are getting older and I may need to retake certain classes depending on the school’s expiration rules. I’m willing to retake courses and improve my application, but I also don’t want to spend years retaking classes and applying if my chances are realistically very low.

Here’s where I’m stuck: I was recently accepted into a Respiratory Care program, which starts soon and would take about 2 years. RT seems like a solid career and gives me a guaranteed path forward, but my heart is still with dental hygiene. I’m worried that if I choose RT, I’ll always wonder “what if I had just kept trying for hygiene?”
Would it be reasonable to start RT and continue applying or just completely denying my seat for rt. Or would that be waste of money and time😩
For those who had a lower GPA or had to reapply multiple times:
Were you eventually accepted?
Did retaking prerequisites make a meaningful difference?
Would you pursue RT as a backup while continuing to apply?
At what point would you personally stop pursuing hygiene?
I’m not looking for “just follow your heart” advice. I’d genuinely appreciate realistic opinions based on admissions experience. 😭

I’m really torn and would appreciate honest opinions, especially from current hygienists/students or people who were in a similar situation. I have a BS in science with a 2.82 cumulative GPA. I currently work as a dental assistant, so I know I genuinely enjoy the dental field. Dental hygiene has been my goal for a while, but I’ve struggled with how competitive the programs are and whether my GPA is going to hold me back.
I’ve completed most/all of the typical science prerequisites, but some of my science courses are getting older and I may need to retake certain classes depending on the school’s expiration rules. I’m willing to retake courses and improve my application, but I also don’t want to spend years retaking classes and applying if my chances are realistically very low.

Here’s where I’m stuck: I was recently accepted into a Respiratory Care program, which starts soon and would take about 2 years. RT seems like a solid career and gives me a guaranteed path forward, but my heart is still with dental hygiene. I’m worried that if I choose RT, I’ll always wonder “what if I had just kept trying for hygiene?”
Would it be reasonable to start RT and continue applying or just completely denying my seat for rt. Or would that be waste of money and time😩
For those who had a lower GPA or had to reapply multiple times:
Were you eventually accepted?
Did retaking prerequisites make a meaningful difference?
Would you pursue RT as a backup while continuing to apply?
At what point would you personally stop pursuing hygiene?
I’m not looking for “just follow your heart” advice. I’d genuinely appreciate realistic opinions based on admissions experience. 😭

I’m really torn and would appreciate honest opinions, especially from current hygienists/students or people who were in a similar situation. I have a BS in science with a 2.82 cumulative GPA. I currently work as a dental assistant, so I know I genuinely enjoy the dental field. Dental hygiene has been my goal for a while, but I’ve struggled with how competitive the programs are and whether my GPA is going to hold me back.
I’ve completed most/all of the typical science prerequisites, but some of my science courses are getting older and I may need to retake certain classes depending on the school’s expiration rules. I’m willing to retake courses and improve my application, but I also don’t want to spend years retaking classes and applying if my chances are realistically very low.

Here’s where I’m stuck: I was recently accepted into a Respiratory Care program, which starts soon and would take about 2 years. RT seems like a solid career and gives me a guaranteed path forward, but my heart is still with dental hygiene. I’m worried that if I choose RT, I’ll always wonder “what if I had just kept trying for hygiene?”
Would it be reasonable to start RT and continue applying or just completely denying my seat for rt. Or would that be waste of money and time😩
For those who had a lower GPA or had to reapply multiple times:
Were you eventually accepted?
Did retaking prerequisites make a meaningful difference?
Would you pursue RT as a backup while continuing to apply?
At what point would you personally stop pursuing hygiene?
I’m not looking for “just follow your heart” advice. I’d genuinely appreciate realistic opinions based on admissions experience. 😭

Why is it that I notice a lot of RRT going back to school for something else like nursing?

I’m starting rt program this fall but I want to shadow an rt before I start to make sure I know what I’m getting myself into. Could you guys point me to the right direction and how to contact hospitals to shadow. I am located in the suburbs but I’m willing to commute. Thank you

I’m 26 and was accepted into a Respiratory Therapy program, but it wasn’t my first choice. My dream career has always been Dental Hygiene, but I wasn’t accepted, and there’s no guarantee I’ll get in next cycle.
I’m really torn. Part of me thinks I should accept the RT program and give it an honest shot since it’s a stable career. The other part of me wonders if I should wait and keep pursuing Dental Hygiene. One of my biggest fears is that if I turn down RT, spend another year applying to Dental Hygiene, and don’t get accepted again, I’ll have lost an entire year that I could’ve spent becoming an RT. But I’m also scared of committing to a career I’m still unsure about because I honestly don’t know what to expect from RT.

If you were in my position, would you accept the RT program and give it a shot, or keep waiting for your dream career? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

I’m 26 and was accepted into a Respiratory Therapy program, but it wasn’t my first choice. My dream career has always been Dental Hygiene, but I wasn’t accepted, and there’s no guarantee I’ll get in next cycle.
I’m really torn. Part of me thinks I should accept the RT program and give it an honest shot since it’s a stable career. The other part of me wonders if I should wait and keep pursuing Dental Hygiene. One of my biggest fears is that if I turn down RT, spend another year applying to Dental Hygiene, and don’t get accepted again, I’ll have lost an entire year that I could’ve spent becoming an RT. But I’m also scared of committing to a career I’m still unsure about because I honestly don’t know what to expect from RT.

If you were in my position, would you accept the RT program and give it a shot, or keep waiting for your dream career? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

I was recently accepted into a respiratory therapy program, and I’m struggling with whether I should go through with it. My original goal was dental hygiene and second option was Rad Tech but I wasn’t accepted into either. Some of my science courses are on the verge of expiring and my gpa is slightly below 3.0. RT was the only program I got into. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I’m worried if it’s the right career for me.
Some of my concerns are:
-Working nights, weekends, and holidays long term.
-Dealing with critically ill patients and death.
-Whether the stress level is sustainable.
-Whether I’ll enjoy working in a hospital environment.
I’m worried I’ll spend two years in school only to realize it’s not the right career for me.

For those of you who are RTs:
Did anyone else start the program with doubts?
How long did it take you to know if RT was the right fit?
If you could go back, would you choose RT again? Why or why not?
Are there outpatient or lower-stress RT jobs after getting experience?
If someone truly wanted dental hygiene but couldn’t get in, would you recommend starting RT anyway or waiting and reapplying?
I’m looking for honest opinions, both positive and negative. I don’t want to make a decision based on fear, but I also don’t want to ignore my instincts.
Thank you.

I got accepted into the respiratory program but my first choice was dental hygiene. I’m bumped out and unsure of rt. Is dental hygiene worth it?

I recently got accepted into the rt program. While I’m very excited I’m also very nervous because I hear you have work every weekends and holidays. I’m currently a dental assistant so dental office typically have 9-5 M-F And most offices no weekends. I am freaking out because I do want to have a family in the future and I am scared I might not have that flexibility. Can I get advise from an rt and what do you think?