Western Career College vs. Sacramento City College

I am new to the board and have been reading the posts for the past few days. VERY HELPFUL thank you everyone! I am learning so much about the dental hygiene profession. I do have a questions if someone has attended WCC for the dental hygiene program. I was told that you have to take a test in order to be accepted: reading, writing and math. Does anyone know what "math" entales? Are we talking AP Calculus or elementary algebra? Is the test extremely difficult to pass in order to get into the school? Also, the $55 k price is a bit out of my range. Do grants and scholarships cover most of the expense? I already have a student loan and didn't want to add to the inormous balance as it is. Also, I have heard negatives about Sac City's program. Is it that bad? I prefer the school because the cost is extremely affordable compared to WCC. I know that Sac City does not have job placement after graduation. How does one find a hygiene job? Does one keep checking Craigslist or actually go from dental office to dental office to introduce yourself? Does Sac City have a job board of some sort? Any information would be helpful and very much appreciative. Thank you!

I am wondering the same thing! Someone please answer!

I am also looking for answers to these questions.

The tests are low college level. Elementary algebra for math. The reason why WCC is so expensive is because it is not governed, like community colleges are. You can take the re-resiques courses which would take a year to complete BUT in order to qualify you must have DA and taken 30 units of college classes. The expense for one year is 24,000. Just go to a community college for it would be a lot less and even if you went to WCC it does not guarantee you enrollment for the Dental Hygiene Program.

FASA is available for students who qualify and CAL Grant is also helpful. www.FastWeb.com is a great source to apply for scholarships and information center. You would need to talk to the Fanatical Aide over at WCC for more information about scholarships, for they do have information, it is their job! I find it strange that you have to pass all the testing in order to see Fanatical Aide. But, that is why they are a private college.

Does anyone know how much Western Career college charge for a Dental Hygiene program each year? I understand this is a 2-year program?

I have a bachelor's degree in Finance already and have been working in the healthcare field for 10 years as a medical interpreter do you think they will be able to waive any classes for me?

They would not tell me how much the program cost or answer any questions I had over the phone and this makes me think they are hiding something. Please tell me your experiences with this school and program if you have gone throught it already. Thank you so much.

They do not do it by yearly, by the whole course causting. it is 54,000. They do it for a reason they want you to come to a seminar that would count as a credit towards the major you are planning to attend plus they like to check out the people and if they are serious because this is not like a regular college where you just go to go you need to want to be ready so it is something to ask yourself, "are you ready?" It is tuff it is 18 months from Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. going and going all day. It is fast pace.

They have this thng for enrollment (pionts) and education, classes and past work experiences, and if you worked in dental big pionts! All is good, nothing is considered a waste.

With them transfering your credits it all depends on the program your wanting to enroll. But, since you are in Finance you might need to consider the outcome that you will have to do all dental credits... They have a program for that which is awsome..but the sucky part is that even if you pass the DA program it dose not garentee of enrollment of the dental hygiene BUT it does offer the college dental staff to know you better than other ramdom people that do apply, but again, they do not judge applications just by that. But the more you know people, you get places and jobs, too.

If any one has more questions, just hit me on this site I will answer any questions. :) Hope this helps you out.

prerequisites for WWC (Dental Hygiene)

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English/Writing & Compisition.

Speech/Oral Communication.

General Psychology.

Introduction to Sociology.

Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 different classes)

Inorganic Chemistry.

Organic Chemistry.

Microboiology.

General Nutrition.

(Have to pass a GPA higher than a 2.75, minimum C grade or higher.)

-They say that dental work experience or other dosen't matter BUT if you worked or externed in any dental office it gets you higher pionts in your application! So, keep that in mind.

You need to have ALL pre-reps completed before they will even LOOK at your application.

They offer the pre-reps, started in March of 2008 BUT in order to register you need to have a DA and have 30 units total of college units. That caust 24,000 to take all pre-reps (IT DOSE NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL GET IN THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM) so just go to a community college save yourself time and also money...seriously.

**You also need to be Certification for Basic Life Support and Immunizations** (hep B series and TB)

(always check for TB every six months while working, going to college or even externing and make sure your college has medical insurance covering that, too! You are the student you shouldn't be at risk till you are fully trianed and aware while externing for free, don't make yourself the profit!)

AND

**Observaton form by a RDH** (To know dental procedures of DH, and gain undertsanding.

!!!!!!!You need to attend the seminar to get the packet and forms needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or Charles Lee will send you an e-mail

Application fee is $40.00

You also need to write an essay as well.

They have FASA financial assistance and CAL Grand ect.. but in order to see them you need to pass the "test" which I hear is easy and all but still study because you only have two times to pass or have to wait a year before you can retake it.

You do have to take the "entrance exam" before they will review your application but it is very basic grammar and math and it is timed. Your test score is valid for 1 year, so if you have to reapply if it is more than 1 year from that date you will have to take it again. If you happen not to pass the first time they had said that you can take it 2 times, if you still don't pass I believe you have to wait until the next application time. The seminar is just to give you extra information. Your application has a point breakdown with your GPA being majority of the points, I believe it is worth 75/100 of the points possible, excess science related schooling gives you an extra 10 points (such as a previous bachelor degree in some kind of science, etc), there is also an extra 5 points if you reapply so if you aren't accepted the first time when you apply the next time you have 5 points more than the first time applicants. I believe it was up to an extra 10 points for dental related work experience or RDA. There is no interview although you do end up meeting with them a couple of times during the process. There is also no longer an essay for application, they are not sure if they will bring it back to their application process but as of right now it is not. While the entrance exam is required and you have to get above a certain score it is not part of the point system for acceptance. You are also allowed to have up to 2 in progress classes when you apply. If you had to retake any classes they do make you average the two grades for your application GPA, but they do have a section to explain why you had to retake it and will take it into consideration. Any other questions let me know!

Hey when does the DH program start for WCC? How many students are let in the program??? How many pass the boards? Info much appreciated.

They start up twice each year Once in January and other in July. Every person that has attend that I know due to their externships get placed in a job before they graduate and WCC has the highest background rate of their students passing the boards. I think to 12-17 students get in the program because they want to keep the groups small.

For the people asking how many students attend for each program, it is exactly 30.

What's the difference between taking the DA program w/out the prereq if thats possible in WCC and getting all your prereq in a community college? This forum is REALLY helping me get to know how everything works!! Thank you guys!!!

Hi all

Can someone tell me about the dental Hygiene Program in sacramento city college..If in any way is it inferior to the WCC?? When both the colleges are offering associate degree , why is such huge difference in their tution fee??..Also when does the DH program start for Sacramento city college? How many students are let in the program??? How many pass the boards?

I will appreciate any help

Thanks

Does anyone know if the certificate that the ROP dental assistant program offers meets teh requirements for WCC's DH prgram or Sac City's DH program? I heard that the ROP dental program doesn't offer a state certificate, just some certificate...?????

Does anyone know if a Sac City College student has to take separate electives/courses @ Sac City for the DA program in order to get their certificate along with the A.A.S.?

Is there anyone who finished the DH program @ Sac City? I understand that it is extremely cheaper than Western Career becuase it is state governed, but are there any negatives to Sac City since there aren't many people applying for their DH program? Any info is highly appreciated. Many thanks.

Thank you very much for your sharing.
It is so detail and very helpful.

I have a question about "Enterance Exam".
Is there any good resource or book to prepare the exam?

Please give me advice to enter into WCC DH program.

Did you pass your high school sat testing? If so you will be fine, if you need to brush up on it just go to your local libary and get a sat book or ask a libarian for a referance study book. It is basic math, english and grammer, from what others have told me that actually graduated from there (WCC) it is very simple, so you know you can take the test twice incase you want a better score or what not.

Hope this helps you out.

-Emily

Sac City accepts 24 students a year. It is a very competitive program with nice facilities and a fabulous staff. I believe the program begins in August. It is significantly less expensive than WCC. I can not speak for the the WCC program, since I don't know much about it, only that it is very expensive and you graduate a few months earlier. I recently graduated from the DH program at SCC and I think I can speak for the entire 2009 class when I say our experience there was a great one. I loved the people, curriculum, and facilities. I left with the feeling that a DH career is going to be wonderful with so many doors and options in the field. I feel very prepared for finding work (they do not place you). I would HIGHLY recommend the SCC DH program to anyone who is interested.

Thank you for the information! I have a question about employment... do you think it will be hard to find employment as a hygienist in Placer or Sacramento County? I'm afraid to go through the program and then not be able to find work. Also, does SCC teach you everything you need to know in order to pass all board tests and license? They don't set you up to fail? What does the average hygienist make per hour up here?

Thanks!

I've passed the state board for an RDA license but didnt take any DA program . Will WCC accept that over a Da ?

Thanks,

ashley in Sacramento, California said: Sac City accepts 24 students a year. It is a very competitive program with nice facilities and a fabulous staff. I believe the program begins in August. It is significantly less expensive than WCC. I can not speak for the the WCC program, since I don't know much about it, only that it is very expensive and you graduate a few months earlier. I recently graduated from the DH program at SCC and I think I can speak for the entire 2009 class when I say our experience there was a great one. I loved the people, curriculum, and facilities. I left with the feeling that a DH career is going to be wonderful with so many doors and options in the field. I feel very prepared for finding work (they do not place you). I would HIGHLY recommend the SCC DH program to anyone who is interested.

Hey Ashley in Sacramento - Do you know what the SCC DH program fees are & who can I contact about this application seminar? Also, do you know of any SAFE inexpensive student housing? All I need is a studio apt or even a weekly/monthly motel so I can come home to Reno on the weekends. Any help you could give me would be great! Thanks! Tami, Reno NV

here4info in Sacramento, California said: Hi all

Can someone tell me about the dental Hygiene Program in sacramento city college..If in any way is it inferior to the WCC?? When both the colleges are offering associate degree , why is such huge difference in their tution fee??..Also when does the DH program start for Sacramento city college? How many students are let in the program??? How many pass the boards?

I will appreciate any help

Thanks

Sac City is way superior to WCC because of the criteria and classes are much more detailed in comparison to WCC. You can also transfer to a four year college after attending Sac City college. But I can tell you that WCC is making a lot of money off of all the poor girls that decide to go there. Add up your tuition plus the interest over time and you will see how expensive it really is.

Hello everyone! I am currently in the DA program at WCC and very interested in going on to hygiene at the San Jose campus, but I have so many questions, my biggest is has anyone compared the program at DVC to WCC for hygiene?? Has anyone come across scholerships for living expenses while going to the hygiene program????

kmplumb in dublin, California said: Hello everyone! I am currently in the DA program at WCC and very interested in going on to hygiene at the San Jose campus, but I have so many questions, my biggest is has anyone compared the program at DVC to WCC for hygiene?? Has anyone come across scholerships for living expenses while going to the hygiene program????

Please read other threads for the Dental Hygiene field. The job situation for many isn't enough to pay monthly bills, or loans, etc. back to who you borrowed in the first place. I'd recommend seeing what the job situation is in the state you wish to ultimately work in...NOW. A lot of backstabbing for a job, and the Dentists are inundated with many....MANY....resumes. Not a lot of stability, and don't count on ben's (you'll think more about this as you age)...being real about the field. Are there any other science related fields you might be interested in? Nursing? ....or maybe becoming a Dentist (they are in demand, not R.D.H.'s). It's a lot of $$$ for 2-3yr. program with a ?able future ($30-40,000).