Yep, if it wasn't for full academic scholarship in undergrad, I'd never be able to repay them. I'll probably be around 280K by the end. Should have gone to med school.

Not quite done with it yet, but thank you. However, today is my last day in the classroom.

He may be a dentist, but he doesn't sound like a very smart financial guy. I don't think a single person could incur that much debt if they tried. The max is usually $50K/year or so.

Yep, if it wasn't for full academic scholarship in undergrad, I'd never be able to repay them. I'll probably be around 280K by the end. Should have gone to med school.

The average dental student last year graduated with $241,097 of loans, according to the American Student Dental Assosiation. That's the average, and private schools can be significantly more. Add undergraduate loans (if no scholarship or family paying) and it can get on up there. Add a private practice and watch it triple or quadruple.

I am 30 and a few years ago decided to change careers and go back to school for an associates degree, I already had a bachelors degree. I had to take out a small loan ($5000) to pay for school. I finished this summer, got a better job with my associates degree in September. I just paid off the loan 1 day before my grace period ended, so I didn't pay any interest on it. I'm not going to lie it felt good to stick it to the man just a little bit. I know he will get me back on down the line though.

My wife and I both graduated auburn in 09 and had roughly a quarter mil worth of student loans. To say I was scared to death is an understatement. I hate those things but honestly neither of us would be where we are today if we had not been able to borrow money for our education. It also helps with motivation when you know that YOU, and not anyone else, will be paying on those loans. I'm glad to say that if everything stays the course we will have them paid off within the next few months. That will be a good day! My biggest complaint with student loans is that some people can write off the intrest on taxes and some can not. I guess what I am saying is that for me student loans are a love/hate relationship but I'm about ready to break it off with them.

You make a very good point David. And Jess, we have to do it all in school. You can kind focus on certain aspects when you get to clinics, but are still required to do small animal, food animal, and equine blocks. I didn't come from a farm background for the most part, but spent a good bit of time with livestock and horses. I plan on focusing on small animal and food animal.