What education or training is required to become an orthodonist?

Right now, I've been thinking about becoming a orthodontist. As of now, I applied to local/community colleges (CUNY) in NYC b/c I want to improve my grades to transfer out later on as my stepping stone since I have low passing grades from high school. What courses should I take during college? Does anyone know what education or training is required to become an orthodontist? Also, how much does tuition usually cost? How many years of residency do you need after college? Does anyone know any good schools in NY state? Please and Thank You! I really appreciate it. :]

What education or training is required to become an orthodonist?
--Requirements: " To become a dentist one must attend a dental school that is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). To be accepted into one of the 56 (as of 2004) dental schools in the U.S., one must complete at least two years of predental education. Most dental school applicants have a bachelor's degree. All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). There is a great deal of competition for admission to dental school...After graduating from dental school, one must be licensed by the state in which he or she wants to practice. Individual states or licensing agencies administer written and practical exams which dental school graduates must take in order to become licensed. Candidates may take (and pass) the National Board Dental Examinations to fulfill the written part of the state licensing requirement."





Salary: Salaried dentists earned a median annual salary of $129,920 in 2004.





Tuition: Depends on the school





Classes, etc.: In college, you usually need to take biology, chemistry, and physics. Electives you can take: Choose from the social sciences, philosophy, history, foreign languages, business, accounting, and mathematics. So you can major in any science-type thing--especially bio, chem, and physics, though.





Good undergrad schools in NY for the sciences: Columbia, Cornell, Syracuse, NYU