I am Sarah, an Iraqi High school graduate (Class of 2018). I got into the dental school at the University of Baghdad, and now I am a sophomore. I want to be an oral surgeon, and I knew that I had to attend the dental school to do it.
My problem is: $$$, I have exactly $0 to spend on my education, and I want to get a US education and career so badly that I would do anything for it.
I haven’t taken any AP classes since the education system in Iraq has nothing like that to offer. But I scored 90 at my TOEFL and 1100 on the SAT (I am taking the SAT again in 6 months to get a higher score.
Also, there are no extracurricular activities locally, so I had some virtual volunteering experiences.
I really need help to think about any possible way to make my life dream come true!
Without funding, I don’t know how you would accomplish your goal. American universities are very expensive and there isn’t an endless supply of money. Since you aren’t a citizen, you wouldn’t qualify for federal or state funding.
Do you have relatives that would loan you some money? You may want to ask @“b@r!um” who has more experience with international students.
Are you still in your dental school in your country? I would strongly suggest you complete your studies there.
To go to dental school in the U.S. you first would need to get a bachelors degree. With your SAT score taken two years ago, the likelihood of you getting full funding to attend undergrad school here is extremely extremely low.
Assuming you somehow completed undergrad, you would then have to apply to and get accepted to dental school here…which very competitive for admissions.
You would need to come up with funding for many years of costs to become an oral surgeon here.
Frankly, I don’t think this is realistic for you now.
Get your degree where you are…and celebrate that you can do so.
Adding…the SAT is supposed to be taken by high school students…not second year college students. Schools you apply to will notice this, and it likely won’t work in your favor.
I forgot to add…oral surgery is a specialty and requires additional study.
It is not likely at all that you would receive full funding in the United States as an international student for all of undergrad, and dental school…and post dental studies to become an oral surgeon.
U.S. citizens aren’t fully funded for this type of study.
Agree that taking the SAT as a current college student wont really help. Any school would be looking at your current abilities, oral surgeon shadowing, coursework, and GPA.
Your current score doesn’t really make you eligible for any merit funding if any were available for international transfers. You also should have a TOEFL of, at least, 100.
As for career, if an American university accepted you, you would be a guest of the country and school. After your education, immigration officials would expect you to return to your country. The university and the country should not be expected to provide you with a career/job.
It appears your best bet is to continue the program you are in. The cost is going to be a roadblock, unless you can secure funding from your own country (American banks won’t lend to you). Perhaps you can study for a semester in the USA?
If this student comes to the U.S., they will first need to get an undergrad degree. The oral surgeon shadowing will not be a significant thing undergrad schools look at. And dental schools will want to see shadowing work done while the student is an undergrad.
And totally agree…as a non-citizen, you would not be able to get work here after graduation with any kind of ease.
I am fully aware that it looks like impossible or at least extremely hard to get into the dental school without funding.
As for the scores, I know that they might not be competitive enough, but I currently have an offer from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina with a partial scholarship with these scores.
Also, I thought about other solutions for the money problem. Maybe I can get a job offer after my undergrad to get some money. And I have another chance that my father would lend me some money after selling a house he owns, which is about $100,000 worth.
How much would Warren Wilson cost per year? Make sure to include travel to and from Asheville, NC ($1-2K per trip?), and mandatory health insurance (likely $2K at a minimum). How will you pay for all of this?
After you graduate from undergrad, it will be difficult to secure a job in the US because you will have to get a different visa (not a student visa).
Plus…after you graduate from undergrad, you will need to apply to dental school…and that is not a guarantee of admission…it’s competitive. And you won’t be receiving funding for dental school here. Not very many students receive dental school funding.
And as a dental school student, you won’t have the time to work.
You’re a transfer student, so you won’t get much aid from US colleges. The best grants go to freshmen. Even if you increase your scores, you’ll be ineligible for freshmen grants.
I wouldn’t count on getting one in the US. In good economic times international students have a difficult time getting approval for US jobs. The current economy isn’t good. US citizens are getting laid off in droves. When the economy recovers, US citizens will be first in line for jobs.
How many homes do your parents own? If your dad can sell off a home to raise $100,000 it doesn’t sound like your family has $0 for college.
Please don’t ask them to sell off assets in the hope that you’ll be able to move permanently to the US. You should plan on returning home after graduation. If you borrow $100k from your dad, can you earn enough in your home country to repay it?
There are only a very short list of universities in the US that provide full need based aid for international students. 90 on the TOEFL and 1100 on the SAT is not going to be enough to get accepted to any of them.
University in the US is very expensive for students unless they can qualify for a LOT of financial aid.
Also, international students who study in the US are normally expected to return home after they graduate.
I am sorry to be giving bad news, but I do not know how you could make your dream come true to move to the US.
Your path exists but it requires patience and stubbornness:
You’ll need to get your dental degree in Iraq first.
If your university offers a semester or year in the US, apply for it (tip: if there are several universities, choose a smaller one or one in a small town since your odds are better - this website can help. You’re not going to be a tourist, right? You can ask for advice on all choices on this website.)
Get your dental degree. Do your best to survive till then.
Be aware that right now there are terrible student visa difficulties.
Your father should hold on to his extra house for the next step.
You need to complete your education:
Then follow these steps https://www.asdanet.org/index/dental-student-resources/tips-for-international-dental-students
You can ask for advice on all choices on this website.)