Pre-med switching to Pre-dental

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kkkkatie

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Hey guys,

any input would be extremely helpful =)

I'm a pre-med senior at a top tier US college right now, and I'm applying to medical schools with a 3.12 GPA (3.0 BCMP) and a 31P MCAT.

needless to say, so far I haven't gotten any interviews =(

I got a job as a medical receptionist for a famous doctor in NYC for the next year or two. My original plan was to work this job for the first year, and then do a SMP the second year to boost my GPA and retake the MCAT. But after viewing this thread... I'm seriously considering dental school instead.

I think i would be equally happy in both careers. My concerns are:

- assuming I can get a decent DAT score, will my GPA be too low to get into Dental school?
- I only have premed related clinical experiences. Will dental schools frown upon that? Should I start shadowing Dentists?

Thanks for your help!
 
I'd put on your flame-proof suit because you're about to catch some hell. But, before that happens why don't we get you in and out real quick with some good info, eh?

1. Your GPA is on the low end but it's still within the realm of possibility assuming you do well on the DAT (These days I'm thinking 22+)

2. You flat out need dental experience or it's a no go. You might want to list some of your pre-med volunteer type activities but any shadowing there isn't really going to get you anywhere, same with the medical receptionist thing.

3. Lastly, this isn't our father's dental school. The field isn't the "affirmative action" for medicine that it used to be, and you're still looking at an uphill battle (with a slightly less graded incline).

I'd also highly suggest doing that shadowing and seeing if you're truly interested in dentistry or you may have a very unsatisfying career. As I'm sure you know there are still options for someone in your position to get in to med school.
 
If you are seriously considering dentistry, perhaps you should think about taking more classes and possibly getting a masters degree.

It sounds like you are planning on taking a year or two off anyway, and it probably doesn't help much for dental school application to work with a doctor (at least not more than getting your GPA up).

You should take a look at www.predents.com to see what the GPA average is for students who get admitted at specific schools. The information is a couple of years old so you can expect current stats to be slightly higher 😉😀🙂
 
It might actually have a negative impact on your dental application if you have previously applied to med schools.

But I agree with others: shadow a dentist and do well on DAT are what you need to focus on now.
 
thanks for your speedy (and honest 🙂) replies

how do you think I can get my GPA up? I've already taken all pre-req sciences courese, so I'm not qualified for a lot of post-bac programs. Should I just take some evening courses (orgo etc) at nyu? Work for doctor for a year, and then work for a dentist the second year while applying?

Another question: what are my chances for a SMP program? Maybe I should just focus on getting my grades up for Med school, and not spread myself too thin with too many options? I can work for this doctor for a year, and then do SMP program the second year.

what do you think?
 
kkkkatie said:
thanks for your speedy (and honest 🙂) replies

how do you think I can get my GPA up? I've already taken all pre-req sciences courese, so I'm not qualified for a lot of post-bac programs. Should I just take some evening courses (orgo etc) at nyu? Work for doctor for a year, and then work for a dentist the second year while applying?

Another question: what are my chances for a SMP program? Maybe I should just focus on getting my grades up for Med school, and not spread myself too thin with too many options? I can work for this doctor for a year, and then do SMP program the second year.

what do you think?
Click to expand...

I think you should make decision and then focus on just one field. I believe dental schools don't look kindly upon double-applicants, and I am sure med schools feel the same way. You should pick a field and just work hard for that one field.

If you do choose dentistry and plan to take two years off, I would recommend getting a masters degree in something in science (eg. Biology, Biochem, Public Health, etc) In the mean time, you can shadow several dentists or work as a dental lab technician during summer breaks. Guys here probably have better ideas on what you can do, so read their posts as well 😀🙂😉
 
Your gpa's fine, partly cuz you went to a top school. You can work as a dental assistant for a year.

If you want med school, do research for another year. Or find something else to do. There are things you could do for about 2 years to increase your acceptance chances to virtually 100%. I'll leave it up to you to find out what that thing is.
 
Your best option is to apply to a masters program at a dental school like BU that has a masters of medical science program specifically designed for future DMD students who might not have the strongest applications out of undergrad. If you are going to go through the process of taking graduate courses, why not do it right through a dental school? This gives you some great networking experience and also shows that you've committed to dentistry. I know of other students who have gone down the med route with applications and the whole bit that are in dental school now, so it's not the end of the world, but you definitely have your work cut out for you.

Still, you should definitely shadow a dentist and speak to several about dentistry to see if it's for you. Good luck.
 
Not to sound rude, but if your dream is to become a doctor... then work your butt off to become a doctor. DO schools are way less competitive, and you can still apply to MD residencies. It just seems like your "dropping" to dentistry because your grades aren't exactly stellar. Medical school is still possible! It may take an extra year or two, but it will be worth it in the end.

If you are committed to dentistry and feel you'll enjoy it for the rest of your life, then yes, I think you have a chance at dental school if you do well on the DAT. And even a better opportunity if you establish residency in Kentucky 😉
Good luck!
 
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I am premed as well and am about to switch to predent. Here are my reasons, tell me if this makes sense.

I love science, I want to work with people, I want to be autonomous. I have 3 kids and a stay at home dad husband - and we want more kids. I have been premed because I just never really thought about dentistry, but lately I realized that I can enjoy what I am doing as a dentist, be working in a shorter time span, make my own hours which are conducive to having a family, and have more kids before i am too old when dental school is over. I didn't have a preference as far as a type of physician i wanted to be, and I would love to work with the mouth as much as any other area of the body. My GPA is 3.99 at my current school, and a little lower if including my first attempt at college with a year of bad grades. I haven't taken the DAT, but i scored well on the MCAT so I believe I can do ok on the DAT. Are my reasons "good enough" to qualify me wanting to switch my career path? I truly feel that this is the right choice, but i hate having to defend myself too much. I feel I have the right to switch my focus. What do you guys think?
 
I think many people choose dentistry because of the lifestylel it provides, so I think your reason is completely valid. Have you applied to med school in the past? It sounds like you have good stats, so if you've never applied to med schools in the past (and got rejected) then it won't be hard for you to convince dental adcoms that you are not a med school reject trying to get into a dental school. For some reason 🙄 dental schools don't like med-school rejects trying to get into dental school. Good luck!😎😀🙂

clerman said:
I am premed as well and am about to switch to predent. Here are my reasons, tell me if this makes sense.

I love science, I want to work with people, I want to be autonomous. I have 3 kids and a stay at home dad husband - and we want more kids. I have been premed because I just never really thought about dentistry, but lately I realized that I can enjoy what I am doing as a dentist, be working in a shorter time span, make my own hours which are conducive to having a family, and have more kids before i am too old when dental school is over. I didn't have a preference as far as a type of physician i wanted to be, and I would love to work with the mouth as much as any other area of the body. My GPA is 3.99 at my current school, and a little lower if including my first attempt at college with a year of bad grades. I haven't taken the DAT, but i scored well on the MCAT so I believe I can do ok on the DAT. Are my reasons "good enough" to qualify me wanting to switch my career path? I truly feel that this is the right choice, but i hate having to defend myself too much. I feel I have the right to switch my focus. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
 
SuperDuper said:
I think many people choose dentistry because of the lifestylel it provides, so I think your reason is completely valid. Have you applied to med school in the past? It sounds like you have good stats, so if you've never applied to med schools in the past (and got rejected) then it won't be hard for you to convince dental adcoms that you are not a med school reject trying to get into a dental school. For some reason 🙄 dental schools don't like med-school rejects trying to get into dental school. Good luck!😎😀🙂
Click to expand...

Just a quick break in this thread since you seem to be checking it a lot.

Check your sig for a rather embarrassing typo 😉
 
To clerman and anybody else who is thinking about switching to dental: you do not need anyone's approval or permission on SDN to make the switch. Realistically, you dont know the motives behind what people write on these forums. If you need facts or opinions (based on what people have already gone through) then SDN is a great place. Please take what people say, or dont say, with a grain of salt and dont let it determine if dentistry is what you should be doing or not doing. Everybody else, please dont get butt hurt; I too have used these forums for usefull info.
 
i switched after applying med. i had less than stellar numbers (3.2/27m) but was accepted to a DO school after I stumbled onto dentistry. I declined for the lifestyle, i'm 26 which isn't old but working at 31 sounds better than scrounging for residencies at 30.

my advice: take some upper level science and get As. dental schools have more requirements than med.. biochem/anatomy/physio/microbio, depends on where u apply. you're brand name school might buy you some GPA leverage, i went to UIllinois for ECE.. thats a top 5 engineering program, but ultimately that was my choice and I should still pull As.

I scored in the top 5% on the DAT, but have only 1 interview. I also had one suspect letter of rec, which i fixed a little late.. but I'm sure changing fields looks fickle and I'm sure thats why I got waitlisted.

its possible, but its definitely not easy. if you just want a prof degree asap, seriously considering carribean med schools.
 
jeezy said:
I scored in the top 5% on the DAT, but have only 1 interview. I also had one suspect letter of rec, which i fixed a little late.. but I'm sure changing fields looks fickle and I'm sure thats why I got waitlisted.

its possible, but its definitely not easy. if you just want a prof degree asap, seriously considering carribean med schools.
Click to expand...

Actually, lots of people change fields. I did too, so I do not think that is the reason you got waitlisted. It might be that other parts of your appiication was a bit weak, i.e. ECs and research. Just speculating.
 
SuperDuper said:
I think many people choose dentistry because of the lifestylel it provides, so I think your reason is completely valid. Have you applied to med school in the past? It sounds like you have good stats, so if you've never applied to med schools in the past (and got rejected) then it won't be hard for you to convince dental adcoms that you are not a med school reject trying to get into a dental school. For some reason 🙄 dental schools don't like med-school rejects trying to get into dental school. Good luck!😎😀🙂
Click to expand...

do dental schools adcoms ask you if you ever applied for med school?
 
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sl2obel2ts said:
do dental schools adcoms ask you if you ever applied for med school?
Click to expand...

During every interview, I was asked why I chose dentistry and if I ever considered going into general medicine.

Also, your AADSAS application will ask the following: "Have you previously, or are you currently applying to a health profession school other than dental school?" 😀😉😎
 
SuperDuper said:
During every interview, I was asked why I chose dentistry and if I ever considered going into general medicine.

Also, your AADSAS application will ask the following: "Have you previously, or are you currently applying to a health profession school other than dental school?" 😀😉😎
Click to expand...
Don't know what it means but I was asked every time as well. Do you think they look down on pre meds that switch?
 
DrSmiles12 said:
Don't know what it means but I was asked every time as well. Do you think they look down on pre meds that switch?
Click to expand...

I have no idea.
I am thinking that at least some schools do, because otherwise I don't see why AADSAS application would have this question on the application (also why schools ask this during interviews). 🙂😉😎
 
Your stats seem borderline but still could have gotten you in possibly into a dental school if you had some experience working with a dentist and aced your interview. Since you don't have any experience working with a dentist, have a lower gpa and are planning on taking a couple of years off I suggest you look into the masters program at NOVA southeastern which is geared towards people who have already taken pre-req science courses and also the MCAT or the DAT and are trying to take upper level courses to improve their science gpa.

http://medsciences.nova.edu/aboutbs.html

I was going to consider this program if I hadn't gotten into dental school this year. You can probably also shadow a resident at the dental school while you're in this masters program to get more experience. I think this would be a great option if you're seriously considering dentistry, or even trying to improve your gpa for med school and it gets you a master's degree. But you do have to make a choice about med or dent before you go about applying.

 
DrSmiles12 said:
Don't know what it means but I was asked every time as well. Do you think they look down on pre meds that switch?
Click to expand...

Do you know other pre-med kids who look down on pre-med kids? I know so many. Deep inside, they think having MD after their name is better than DDS/DMD, and complain how much harder it is get into med school (requiring higher GPA and MCAT is "harder") Having switched from pre-med to pre-dental may raise a redflag for you being not determined. But who knows. lol. I also know many pre-med dropouts who could not get into med schools, taking pre-med failure->pre-dental route. I don't think they look down on pre-meds, but I do think they want to find out if you REALLY wanna be dentist, not a pre-med failure.

But switching do dental is fine I think as long as you want it. I do want to ask a question to people who switched from pre-med: if you get into both dental school and medical school of your choice, which one would you go?
 
kkkkatie said:
Hey guys,

any input would be extremely helpful =)

I'm a pre-med senior at a top tier US college right now, and I'm applying to medical schools with a 3.12 GPA (3.0 BCMP) and a 31P MCAT.

needless to say, so far I haven't gotten any interviews =(

I got a job as a medical receptionist for a famous doctor in NYC for the next year or two. My original plan was to work this job for the first year, and then do a SMP the second year to boost my GPA and retake the MCAT. But after viewing this thread... I'm seriously considering dental school instead.

I think i would be equally happy in both careers. My concerns are:

- assuming I can get a decent DAT score, will my GPA be too low to get into Dental school?
- I only have premed related clinical experiences. Will dental schools frown upon that? Should I start shadowing Dentists?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

Hello,

Many people had gone into dentistry as an alternative career when they cannot get into the medicine. I personally knew some who did this. Although dentistry is an excellent career (I can't be happier than what I have become), you need to know that as an alternative career choice, you will always wished that you could be a physician and envy others who succeeded. Therefore, you most likely will look to "other side" and there is nothing but "green green grass..." in front of your eyes. Anytime that you put yourself in a position that is not your first choice, you will run a possibility of " wishing I was this and that ..." You should consider dentistry if there is absolutetly no other way of getting into med schools. Nowadays, getting an MD from off-shore medical schools and getting matched into US residency programs are more of the norm rather than the rare exception say 15-20 years ago. Ofcourse you will face huge task when comes to competitive residencies but to become a licensed MD is not difficult at all in the US. With the stats needed to get into dental schools exceeding DO schools and way more compared to foreign MD schools, you should consider these options if becoming a physician is what you truly want. However, if you think about dentistry because you like what it has to offer, then by all means go for it. You will see that it is such a goldmine that many people are discovering. DP
 
kkkkatie said:
Hey guys,

any input would be extremely helpful =)

I'm a pre-med senior at a top tier US college right now, and I'm applying to medical schools with a 3.12 GPA (3.0 BCMP) and a 31P MCAT.

needless to say, so far I haven't gotten any interviews =(

I got a job as a medical receptionist for a famous doctor in NYC for the next year or two. My original plan was to work this job for the first year, and then do a SMP the second year to boost my GPA and retake the MCAT. But after viewing this thread... I'm seriously considering dental school instead.

I think i would be equally happy in both careers. My concerns are:

- assuming I can get a decent DAT score, will my GPA be too low to get into Dental school?
- I only have premed related clinical experiences. Will dental schools frown upon that? Should I start shadowing Dentists?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

first of all, i think you'd still make it to med-school even if your gpa is low. just be smart in your school selection. you went to a good school and you have a good MCAT score. you'll get in.
as far as your change of heart, be very careful before you make the decision. whatever decision you make, there are 2 things you MUST do: 1-you must assist a dentist or a specialist within the dental profession. you MUST! this is not important for becoming a successfull applicant as much as it is important for you to really know whether or not you like dentistry or whether or not you're cut out for it. seeing dentistry is one thing and doing it is totally another. it's uncanny!!! 2-you MUST do some research on the experience of dental school. keep reading SDN posts and you'll find out more. don't let the lifestyle promises blind you. ask SDNers and read posts about both pros and cons of dentistry and dental education.
 
clerman said:
I am premed as well and am about to switch to predent. Here are my reasons, tell me if this makes sense.

I love science, I want to work with people, I want to be autonomous. I have 3 kids and a stay at home dad husband - and we want more kids. I have been premed because I just never really thought about dentistry, but lately I realized that I can enjoy what I am doing as a dentist, be working in a shorter time span, make my own hours which are conducive to having a family, and have more kids before i am too old when dental school is over. I didn't have a preference as far as a type of physician i wanted to be, and I would love to work with the mouth as much as any other area of the body. My GPA is 3.99 at my current school, and a little lower if including my first attempt at college with a year of bad grades. I haven't taken the DAT, but i scored well on the MCAT so I believe I can do ok on the DAT. Are my reasons "good enough" to qualify me wanting to switch my career path? I truly feel that this is the right choice, but i hate having to defend myself too much. I feel I have the right to switch my focus. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...


your reasons are good enough IMHO. and by the way, only you can decide if they are truly "good enough" because people's priorities might be different. but it's not only about having reasons that are "good enough". it is also about fitness and interest. i suggest to you what i suggested to the OP in my previous post: 1-assist. 2-do research on the experience of dental school. it's like no other. also avoid first yr students when you inquire about dentistry and dental education/school because they are beginners themselves.

as far as science, both medicine and dentistry are science based. there is no doubt about that. in medicine there are specialties that are based on science but do not involve the practice of science on a day-to-day basis. a pulmonologist though practices the sciences of physiology and pathology every day. in fact, there are many medical specialties that are like that. in dentistry however, most general dentistry and dental specialties do not entail the practice of science on a daily basis, save for a few specialties. most of daily dentistry is about fine motor skills, craftsmanship, precision, promptness, art, business skills, and practicality. if you're the analytical or meditative type, there might be a wider selection for you among the allopathic specialties. not trying to burst your bubble here. if dentistry is your calling, you should do nothing but dentistry! it's just that so many people get blinded by the lifestyle promises and fail to consider all the pros and cons in the big picture. also, don't underestimate the experience of dental school. you really need to know what you're getting into. as a professional school, dental school is not like other professional schools including allopathic and osteopathic. it's a totally different animal.
 
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