WESTERN CAREER COLLEGE DH PROGRAM

Has anyone graduated from Western Career College's DH program or has anyone heard anything about it??? GOOD AND BAD COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!!

I am currently a DH student there, going to be a senior next week!!! This program is accelerated, only a year and a half, very intense, fast. Our class is the 4th class and we are graduating in December '08. Teachers are great, supporting, never put you down or make you feel like you are an idiot. The nicest thing about it is that after graduation they offer an additional semester of clinic only where you can go in once a week and screen for board patients, and they help you with that. I heard that not every school offers that opportunity. It is worth the $$$ to go there, and I am learning A LOT. Everything you need to know for the boards is there and then some. The last class that graduated, they all passsed their boards.

THANK YOU OLESYA!That information really does help. It's good to know that the last class passed their boards! Does WCC help with job placements? Did you apply to any community colleges like Sac City? Sometimes do you wish you went to a community college?and by the way, CONGRATS on making it this far in the program (as intense and fast it is!!!) You're almost there!!!

Yes, they do help out with job placement. I applied to eight different schools in CA including Sac City, and I only got accepted to WCC. I couldn't apply to every school in CA because my prereqs were expiring, so that's why my choices were limited. Sac City is a lottery program, and I was #46 on the list, so chances of me getting in were pretty slim. I know some girls waited 5-7 yrs before they got in Sac City. I didn't have that much time to wait and accepted WCC offer. I heard a lot of bad rumors about Sac City, they have a VERY high drop out rate, and barely none of them pass the boards or try multiple times before they pass. I don't regret being in WCC. All teachers are highly qualified and educated. Half of them are DDSs and offer great amount of information and they paint a real picture about dentisty not only hygiene. Good luck to you, hope you'll make the right choice on where to go, but apply to as many schools as you can. Don't hesitate to ask anymore questions. Take care.

hi congratulations! Which other schools did u apply to?

I'm in the same boat if I don't get in this year I will have to take anatomy, chemistry, AND micro over to get into Fall 2009 at the colleges in my area. :(

Does WCC not have an expiration rule?

Were you able to work during school or is it too hard b/c it's accelerated?

Also, whats the best way to get info on or from Western? I've already submitted my info to the Sac and SJ campuses but have yet to receive any info/brochure/phone call anything and it's been over a month.

Also, what was your GPA like if you don't mind sharing? (Feel free not to if you don't want to)

Do you your RDA? And what is the application process like? Interview needed? Statement of purpose?

Thanks in advance.

My GPA in prereques was 3.2. It took me five years to complete them and I worked full time RDA during those years. As of now my GPA is 3.8 in the program and I don't work--NO WAY! NO time. No life. Being RDA, single and no kids helps a LOT.

Application process is pretty simple. When I applied it took about three months to get a reply, and I got a phone call from them. There is no interview, no essay, just an application and official transcript.

As far as expirations I believe they are supposed to be from 5-10years, not sure though, it could be different by now. When I was applying my nutrition and inorganic chem were 7 yrs old and they ok it. Retaking those prereques would be a nightmare.

How did you submit your info? Online, phone call?

Here is the phone# at clinic:
(916) 361-5168
Call that # and they should be able to help you further. Don't give up, keep on trying, you'll get in.

Rdh hopeful from LA said: hi congratulations! Which other schools did u apply to?

Pasadena, Fresno, Hayward, LA or San Diego, Sac City, WCC, and two other ones, i don't remember

I actually got accepted there and am starting Monday! I'm scared/excited at the same time! What should I expect the first term???

Are you serious? You got into Sacramento campus? That's great!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Be excited, but don't be scared. First term was easier for me than the second, for some people it was other way around. The two hardest classes are oral biology and head/neck anatomy, so buckle up for those, if you can pass the first term you will stay 'till the end. If you have family, kids, ect, make special arrangements for drops offs/pick ups from school and such, you know what I mean. If you are married or have a boyfriend, tell him he may not see you as often as he did before, so if he REALLY loves you he'll understand.

First couple weeks are going to be fun and easy going, but more towards the midterms it may get a little crazy, but it all works out. Are you an RDA? If you are, you are going to fly through radiology and morphology--piece of cake, if you are not, it may be a little hard. But a lot of my classmates were new to dentistry, and they did just fine.

Clinic is going to be easy, however, there are a lot to memorize and understand (such as instrument types, use, positions, fulcrums and etc). You will be working on each other the whole term, no outside patients, (that's in term II). If you got into Sac campus, where I am at, you will have Ms. Durand as your clinical instructor for term I & II, and she is great. If you follow and study everything she says, you will be a great hygienist. She will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know!

The main thing don't get overwhelmed, take one step at a time, never panic or break down, feel confident and believe in yourself. Arrange your schedule wisely, get priorities organized, don't start studying on the weekend right before the test, study a week prior and review constantly. And remember, you are on your way to become an RDH which is a prestigous and well recognized carreer in dentisry. There are going to be obsticles on the way, but there are ways to overcome them. Good luck! I'll see you Tues!

Oleysa,

I submitted my stuff online. I will give that number a try this upcoming week.

Is tuition ridiculous? I know SJVC (private RDH j.c. in So. Cal) is estimated to be around $55,000. Is that Western expensive too? I'm kind of hesitant applying to schools like that. Yes, they are accelerated so you get working faster but I'm trying to pay off my undergrad, looking into financing grad school in case I don't get hygiene right away, AND I'm going to be getting married soon. Well, scratch that I'll be getting married either next year (if I don't get into school then I can plan a wedding) or right after hygiene school. So money is tight, especially since I will also be taking out loans for living expenses on top of education. Wow.... that ramble made my head hurt ;P

Tuition is the same for WCC. Congratulations on getting married!!!

Thanks Olesya for the low down! lol The orientation letter says that I should bring a rolling cart for all my books that i'm going to get tomorrow. Is it really necessary because I don't have one. Also, I am deciding which area I want to live in. I have a choice between Natomas Park and West Sacramento (off the Harbor exit. I think the area is called Bridgewater????). Do you know anything about these areas? If so, which do you recommend? I know that both houses are the same distance from the school. Thanks again for all your help!

You are gonna get a TONS of books! There are going to give you books for the whole program, and they are HEAVY! You don't have to have a rolling cart, but bring like a small suit case or any kind of large bag on wheels. I brought a medium sized airplane carry on (on wheels) and it was perfect. Otherwise, you are going to be making several trips to your car trying to load all those books.

As far as the area, I would prefer Natomas Park. It is nicer than W. Sac, but may be a little bit more expensive. I used to live in Natomas for 10 years, and I liked it. Shopping centers are nearby, so is the freeway.

Good luck tommorow. Please, don't get overwhelmed, it's going to be OK, it always works out. Our class is not going to be there monday, but we'll be there tues, and we have something special for all of you guys. It's going to be a lot of fun!!!

Olesya in Sacramento, California said: Tuition is the same for WCC. Congratulations on getting married!!!

Thanks for all the info Olesya. To tell you the truth I'm not that excited about the whole wedding ordeal. I'd much rather get into school first and get married later. Weddings just seem very time consuming and nerve wracking. That's why the date all depends on school. *Sigh*

MizKrys,

Good luck today! I'm so proud of you on your first day of school hahaha :)

I would like to ask? What is the schedule time for a day. Do we go to school 5 days a week from 8 to 5. Is there any hybrid class that we can study at home for the first term. I mean, I'm just being accepted into SCC and I'm pregnant, due in Nov. Do they have any special support for a student like me?

H in Stockton, California said: I would like to ask? What is the schedule time for a day. Do we go to school 5 days a week from 8 to 5. Is there any hybrid class that we can study at home for the first term. I mean, I'm just being accepted into SCC and I'm pregnant, due in Nov. Do they have any special support for a student like me?

Hey H. I'm not sure about the pregnancy thing. So sorry about that. The schedule is Tues-Fri. Tues, Thurs from 8-5. Wed they assign you a certain lab time but its only 2hours for that day. Fri is 8-12. You should prob call and find out more. I'm no longer attending that school so maybe you can take my place =)

Are the one who was asking me about Western, did you drop?

Yes i did =( I didn't even get to meet you. I dropped last week because I got into DVC (15 mins from home). I'm happy and sad at the same time. I just hate that its a longer program! *sigh

mizkrys where did u decide to go?

I decided to go to DVC. I'm not sure if you know where it is but its in concord (or pleasant hill). A lot of people haven't heard of it. I really liked WCC but the commute and $$ was a huge factor. Too bad I didn't get into any schools down south. I would have loved to move to so-cal! My BFF lives in Pasadena and my sister lives in LA! Oh well! =)

wow! I'm sure that was a big decision for u. I'm in a similar situation cause I'm supposed to start sjvc on fri but got into cerritos and still waiting for wlac. and an alternate for Pcc .u can just move down here when ur done and making $$$$$!!! Good luck!

Question for anyone who can answer...i myself am interested in the DH program at the WCC sacramento campus. Can anyone tell me if they require any type of healthcare background. I only have my AA in liberal arts. I havent even taken any science classes required for health careers such as anatomy, physiology, etc. Would they accept me based on my status? And also how long is the program and whats the cost, just so I can know what to expect to pay.

Yeah, you need to complete all the required science courses to be eligible to apply for the program. It doesn't matter if you got your AA in liberal art, but its great that you do. You still need to take all the science courses otherwise you won't understand the concepts of dental hygiene without scientific background. The cost of the program when I was accepted was $53,000, but I heard it is higher now. The program is VERY accelarated, 16 months. Hope this helps

wow thank you for that info its does help alot. Kind of depressing though knowing that I have to spend another 1 1/2 to 2 years just to complete the prerequisites but your right its best that you at least know what your getting into. I guess I was just trying to take the easy way out.

I'm also very interested in the program at WCC. I have done all the prereqs for the program here at Shasta and they meet most other prereqs but I can't find a list of prereqs for the WCC program. Does anyone know what they are? I went to the website and requested information, I hope it gets here soon! Any help would be amazing.

Here is the ph# of Sacramento campus 916-361-5168. Call Tues-Fri from 9am-3pm. They should be able to help you further.

Olesya in Sacramento, California said: Here is the ph# of Sacramento campus 916-361-5168. Call Tues-Fri from 9am-3pm. They should be able to help you further.

Have you graduated or know anyone that has and have had success at finding employment?

Does anybody know when the next DH program starts at WCC or SCC? What are the deadlines? I need two semmesters (Spring 09 and summwer/ fall 09) to finish my prereqs. Do WCC or SCC offer enrollment every semester? What are the chances to get picked from the eligible applicants pool from SCC?

From what I understand, the next class starts in Sept. 09. BUT that could just be the enrollment month or deadline. Best to check that out now.

I'm not sure about WCC but I graduated in september from SJVC and just took my state boards and found out that I passed yesterday! Yay! SJVC enrolls twice a year...new class just started in september so the next enrollment will probably be in march..possibly june! They have 2 campuses..one in visalia that I attened and one in rancho cucamonga. Its a private school accellerated 16 month program. They accept 30 students per enrollment and pick based on gpa from prereq's, letter, interview, test, and extra points for having ur RDA. :) good luck!

Congrats!!!!!! I'm taking my national boards in Dec and state boards in march in LA. Any hints on national boards? I've been studying the heck out of it and still feel like I know very little, and I'm a little overwhelmed by the amount of information. Thanks

Does anyone know if it's really hard to get accepted into WCC. My friend is so crushed.... she sent her application in for the Jan. 09 class and she just got her denial notice. Her grades were all A's & B's w/ a few C's. She's worked in dentistry for atleast 12 years and has her RDA so she can't figure out what went wrong and why they didn't pick her. I want to apply to WCC also but now I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

Does someone who's gone through the application process and been accepted have any suggestions for the next time the school starts accepting applications? Have you ever heard of the school changing their mind and contacting someone to attend even though they've been denied?

Ali...National boards...wow glad that is over! Best advise is to try to attend a board review class or get your hands on a copy of someones book they gave them at a board review class! Dentalhygienedecks.com makes a great flashcard deck for national boards! I used the board review book and flashcard deck and passed easily! Just put a few hours aside each week to study and don't stress!it is a ton of info but u know more then you think! Relax and u will be fine! :) try to do practice tests online...used to have then on anyrdh.com so try that! :) u will do great!

Dela...the biggest problem for your friend was probably grades. Unfortunatly c's are not a good thing! I had a 3.8 gpa when I applied and almost everyone else had at least a 3.5. She might do better applying to schools who are lottery like SCC because grades are not used in picking dh students. She can keep applying...but people with higher gpa's are going to get first pick! And yes...quite often if a applicant drops or chooses a different school...the school will contact an alternate to take his/her place. She might want to call WCC and see what # she is on the alternate list. Our school had 12 people drop cause they got accepted to schools closer to home so they accepted 12 alternates. She might also want to think about applying to SJVC...in visalia....only 45 minutes past fresno. Good luck!

Lacey from tracy, ca said: Ali...National boards...wow glad that is over! Best advise is to try to attend a board review class or get your hands on a copy of someones book they gave them at a board review class! Dentalhygienedecks.com makes a great flashcard deck for national boards! I used the board review book and flashcard deck and passed easily! Just put a few hours aside each week to study and don't stress!it is a ton of info but u know more then you think! Relax and u will be fine! :) try to do practice tests online...used to have then on anyrdh.com so try that! :) u will do great!

Dela...the biggest problem for your friend was probably grades. Unfortunatly c's are not a good thing! I had a 3.8 gpa when I applied and almost everyone else had at least a 3.5. She might do better applying to schools who are lottery like SCC because grades are not used in picking dh students. She can keep applying...but people with higher gpa's are going to get first pick! And yes...quite often if a applicant drops or chooses a different school...the school will contact an alternate to take his/her place. She might want to call WCC and see what # she is on the alternate list. Our school had 12 people drop cause they got accepted to schools closer to home so they accepted 12 alternates. She might also want to think about applying to SJVC...in visalia....only 45 minutes past fresno. Good luck!

Thanks Tracey. That's what everyone keeps telling me too. Yeah, I've put a lot of time into studying. I have decks that I've been reading over and over again, Mosby's review which is a little complex, then I have SUCCESS in DH review book which I totally love. It's very user friendly, and easy to understand. Unfortunately, there isn't a review course offered close to home because Dec is a weird time of the year, very few schools take boards in this time of year. But my school offers a board review class which is helpful. I think I'll be ok. Thanks for your support

Hi. I was looking in the dh program at western and i was just trying to get some info. I'm at a community college right now and I was wondering what classes I would have to take before starting the dh program. I also was wondering what the average cost for the program is. I'm looking into the sac. location. if anyone has any info. for me it would be really helpful. thanks.

Olesya in Sacramento, California said: Yeah, you need to complete all the required science courses to be eligible to apply for the program. It doesn't matter if you got your AA in liberal art, but its great that you do. You still need to take all the science courses otherwise you won't understand the concepts of dental hygiene without scientific background. The cost of the program when I was accepted was $53,000, but I heard it is higher now. The program is VERY accelarated, 16 months. Hope this helps

Hi. I'm at a community college right now and i was just wonderin what classes are needed to get in the dh program in sac.at western. theres just so many science classes and other classes. I just don't know where to start. I also was wondering what they do for the student loans, do you need to have great credit and do they offer a way to do monthly payments. i also was wondering what the classes were like during the week. do u go mon. thru. fri. and is it all day?thanks for any info.

Western Career College is $54,000. The prereqs (I'm not sure what the specific titles are) are English, General Psychology, General Sociology, 2 coures in chemistry (intro chem and organic chem i think), anatomy, physiology, microbiology. I hope I helped even a little bit =) Oh one more thing... admissions is a selection process so make sure you try to get A's in all your classes!

thanks for all the helpful info.

At WCC, do they require to complete other general education classes(1 extra yr) on top of the 9 prerequisites before you apply for the program and to get the Associate degree in science?
Is it the same at SCC?
please advise

thank you

I already had an AS degree before going into hygiene at WCC, so I don't know. I know for sure that in Sac City you have to have all courses completed in addition to prereques to get AS, otherwise, you won't be able to graduate. The best thing for you would be call WCC and ask. You can even call admission office and find out. Visit WCC website to get ph#. If I were you, I would take all neccessaty requirements just to be sure, because you never know what school you'll end up going to.

Oleysa your a sweetheart for being so patient and answering everyones questions.Do you think it would be just as easy to go to the campus instead of waiting for a call back? I am currently in the DA program in Pleasant Hill at WCC and am trying to obtain information on the DH program prereq's.I have no college and am currently enrolled in the RDA program, so I really need to figure out when I can start chipping away at the neccessary prerequisites.Does anyone know if an appointment is neccessary?

If anyone is interested WCC also has a great DH program in San Jose. The instructors are great and people do commute from all over the area.
Good Luck!!!!

It's not until recently that I feel I'm wasting time and money to continue my education at Western Career College. My original goal was to get into the Dental Hygiene program at WCC, but I applied to the Dental Assisting program instead because my admissions representative advised me to get into the DA program first.

Everything here at WCC seems fine, but I feel that the pace of the DA program and the cost aren't working out for me right now. I figured that if I can't handle the pace and cost of the DA program now, how will I be able to handle the pace and cost of the DH program in the future?

I wish that I had think everything through carefully and that I had dropped out of the Dental Assisting program the first month, because I'm almost in my third month here already; I think it's a little late to drop out now. I know that I can drop out of WCC any time I'd like, but I'm afraid of the consequences I will face if I were to drop out of this college at this time. The amount of loaned money I will have to pay back after I end my education here is the biggest factor of all. Has anyone dropped out of the WCC? What was asked of you after you dropped out? Your reply will be greatly appreciated!

- Erin

Hi Erin. I dropped out after 2 1/2 weeks and they charged me $5000. They told me if I wouldve dropped out the first week then they would not have charged. I think that is ridiculous but i guess it's better than paying 54k! I was able to return my books and instruments becuase they were still unopened. But sometimes I guess it's the price you pay for a FAST education!!

My admissions rep suggested the same thing.That I first do the dental assisting program and then the dental hygiene.It does help to have gone through the dental assisting program first in terms of the points you will recieve when applying for the dental hygiene program.The more points you have out of a possible 100 the better your chances are for acceptance.If you are a former WCC that has completed the Dental Assisting program that counts for 15 points.I am pleased with the dental assisting program but definitly don't want my career to end with this position.The fact that I will be charged some ridiculous price for not continuing definiely helps me to keep at it.

I have also questioned whether 8-5 will be doable.What is the day like since it is so long?Can anyone in the dental hygiene program allay some of my concerns in this regard?If so thank you.

I recently visited the Sac WCC campus because am looking into completing the DA program first, before completing the DH program. I'm pretty sure that I'd succeed in this career, and I know that I could complete the work, but I'm a guy. I know that the dental assistant and hygienist fields are predominently female, so I am wondering if I would have a hard time finding a employer willing to hire a male RDA or RDH? Cuz it would suck if I finished all that schooling only to not get hired. Anybody who has graduated from a DA or DH program thats a dude or just knows anything about it please help me out.

How hard is it to get into one of the many DA programs in one of the many local community colleges? I want to be a DH and plan to attend Foothill College, but I heard the program is crazy full and very hard to get into, and that I'd have better chances if I am a DA first. I thought about WCC here in San Jose, but not sure about the $$$. The price for a quick timeline just doesn't seem to justify the costs. Also, the DA program at WCC is half time. You get out WAY early. So, why not just make it a regular full time day and get through the program quicker? The guy and the San Jose WCC told me the same stuff about "points" and admission to their program and to do the DA and then the DH program. Sounds like a way for them to get more money out of me.