DO as a second career

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
D

drgioiadds

DDS c/o 2002; DO c/o 2016
10+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
1,317
Reaction score
7
Members do not see this ad.
Ok so here are the stats, just looking for opinions. I graduated with a DDS degree in 2002 and a bachelors degree in Physiology in 1998. I just took the mcat so it I hadn't used first year science courses since 1994!!

BS GPA 3.77
DDS (denitstry) Gpa - 3.46

Mcat Verbal - 9, Biology - 9, Physical 7 M (25 M)

9 years practicing dentistry with real patients!! 🙂

Seriously, not liking the 7 and would like feed back.
 
Hey, nicely done, especially as you didn't retake any prerequisites. I think that stats-wise, you'd be fine applying to DO schools. Your MCAT score is just ~1 point below the average for entering DO students, and your cGPA is ~0.3 higher.

Are you specifically targeting a nearby school? In that case you probably know where you stand in respect to that school's average stats.

Have you paid attention to other expected ECs too, like shadowing and community service?
 
Thanks for the response. I do not live close to DO schools I applied to. I do communicate regularly with a DO because I run a weightloss/nutrition advice website as I am a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. Being a full time dentist I don't have a lot of extra time for volunteer work. I do try to follow a healthy lifestyle and set an example for my patients. We shall see how real life experience will factor into the equation.

Thanks again.
 
drgioiadds said:
1) I run a weightloss/nutrition advice website as I am a certified personal trainer and nutritionist.

2) Being a full time dentist I don't have a lot of extra time for volunteer work.
Click to expand...
1) If you don't profit from this financially, the activity might be looked on as an altruistic one that provides a community service. Regardless, I'd mention it.

2) Do you have kids? If so, involvement in scouts, soccer, daycare, etc is volunteerism.


So, you've already applied this last season? What response have you gotten? And what did you do about the required LORs?
 
Catalystik said:
1) If you don't profit from this financially, the activity might be looked on as an altruistic one that provides a community service. Regardless, I'd mention it.

2) Do you have kids? If so, involvement in scouts, soccer, daycare, etc is volunteerism.


So, you've already applied this last season? What response have you gotten? And what did you do about the required LORs?
Click to expand...

I've submitted 3 secondaries and 3 schools will wait for MCAT scores. My letters of recommendations came from 2 dental school science instructors (one who ran a board review course for part 1 and I received the highest score in the class), also have a LOR form undergraduate Science Dean and the DO I'm working with. He's pretty well known in the weightloss/bodybuilding world and has a published a couple of books.

I'm interested to see what's going to happen.
 
Update: after faxing Mcat scores to some schools today, I received another secondary and submitted it.
 
After faxing MCAT scores I received the secondaries from the schools that were waiting for them.
 
Starting to hear back from schools now. So far positive.
 
I've had an interview and will be finding out soon. A little hope for those who applied late.
 
Interview 2 coming up this week. Pretty happy, so far.
 
Catalystik said:
When will you hear about interview #1?
Click to expand...

Should be this week coming up! Probably tuesday or wednesday. I felt that the interview went well. I was even called in for a few more questions after I had finished.
 
On the High Waitlist; One more interview this week.
 
Second interview completed! We were told that there were seats left and the number was quite significant, considering the remaining number of people to be interviewed. I'll know that result in less than week - next thurs/friday.

So, 2/6 for interviews - most likely do to a late application cycle. Both of these schools were A1 and I would be honoured to be in any of the classes. I'll fill in the result of this journey next week!
 
2 waitlists - both schools are said to have significant movement with them so we will see. If not I guess I 'll just apply at the beginning of the cycle.
 
i just stumbled upon this thread and wanted to wish you the best of luck. is there any chance you could do something along the lines of oral maxillofacial surgery when you get your medical degree since you already have a dds? just an idea.
 
MD/OS is 6 years minimum - but you have to really like surgery. I'd be more interested in primary care. This has been quite the learning experience - its all about applying early and numbers - I don't think my professional degree with real life experienced helped that much. I'm happy with my numbers since it had been so long since I took premed classes. I'll just wait it out.
 
Update: Waitlisted x2 for the 2010/2011 cycle - So I reapplied on time this year to 12 schools and have completed all secondaries that were sent to me already -- about 6.
This summer I'll do more shadowing and attend a CME course (DO specific) that's in my area. Also, getting additional LOR from undergrad sciences profs and dean of the dental school I attended.
 
drgioiadds said:
Ok so here are the stats, just looking for opinions. I graduated with a DDS degree in 2002 and a bachelors degree in Physiology in 1998. I just took the mcat so it I hadn't used first year science courses since 1994!!

BS GPA 3.77
DDS (denitstry) Gpa - 3.46

Mcat Verbal - 9, Biology - 9, Physical 7 M (25 M)

9 years practicing dentistry with real patients!! 🙂

Seriously, not liking the 7 and would like feed back.
Click to expand...

Seems a bit low, even for DO. I would raise the MCAT: with all your EC's and degrees and clinical experience, you only have to prove yourself academically. With a ~30 MCAT you will have a great chance to get into MD schools (and definitely get in for DO).

You probably forgot all your pre-med sciences: going through dental school and learning anatomy and real biomedical sciences will do this. The things you will have to concern yourself with are MUCH more basic: general chemistry (enthalpy, batteries, quantum mech), ochem (NMR, synthesis, rings, SN1/2 E1/2 reactions), physics (kinematics, thermodynamics, gasses, E/M), and biology (genetics, cell bio, etc). Consider getting a professional review course such as Kaplan/Examkrackers : this will cost money (~1500 bucks, with student discounts if you're in a pre-med society) but will come with A LOT of practice questions, review materials, and even a nice lecturer to teach you what you forgot from undergrad many moons ago.

Consider that any non-academic LOR will be read with more interest, but LESS consideration than academic LOR's. It is important to know that you knew professors in classes that you did well, rather than that you knew people who ran weight-loss clinics. If after ~5 LORs they can't ascertain your basic "character" then no more LORs will.

DO schools do run a later application cycle, so best of luck 👍

(Can I get discounts for adult braces? I was also an MCAT instructor :laugh: )
 
I thought this thread was dead. Sorry for the late reply. My interests in healthcare are much more broad than dentistry. I like the preventive and treatment aspect of oral health, but I dislike many of the cosmetic aspects.

Update: Accepted! Had 3 interviews (probably 2 more will follow.) I contemplated retaking the MCAT, but working full time, I decided to take DO related CME as well as increase my exposure to the field with more shadowing.
 
drgioiadds said:
Update: Waitlisted x2 for the 2010/2011 cycle - So I reapplied on time this year to 12 schools and have completed all secondaries that were sent to me already -- about 6.
This summer I'll do more shadowing and attend a CME course (DO specific) that's in my area. Also, getting additional LOR from undergrad sciences profs and dean of the dental school I attended.
Click to expand...

I also attended a CME course for DO's with my mentor... pretty fun affairs, and free food! 😀
 
drgioiadds said:
I thought this thread was dead. Sorry for the late reply. My interests in healthcare are much more broad than dentistry. I like the preventive and treatment aspect of oral health, but I dislike many of the cosmetic aspects.

Update: Accepted! Had 3 interviews (probably 2 more will follow.) I contemplated retaking the MCAT, but working full time, I decided to take DO related CME as well as increase my exposure to the field with more shadowing.
Click to expand...
Awesome, congrats!👍
 
Thanks everyone!! The best part of medical CME is that I could use it for my dental requirements.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
MD Am I doing enough as a “Career Changer”?
Replies
4
Views
890
Faha
F
V
WAMC as a re-applicant
Replies
15
Views
751
Faha
F
T
WAMC as a re-applicant
Replies
3
Views
779
candbgirl
C
V
WAMC as a re-applicant
Replies
13
Views
1K
veil_ca
V
Topizungochico
WAMC as a former college drop out?
Replies
8
Views
513
Topizungochico
Topizungochico
Top