Apply to both Medical and Dental School.

Started by Wiscobadger13
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Wiscobadger13

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So for awhile I've been on the fence about Medicine and Dentistry. I've just about finalized my decision to apply to medical school (Taking the MCAT soon), but I feel like there are a couple personal things I want to think about over the summer.

Therefore, I'm signing up for the DAT too. My question is: If I apply to the medical and dental program at the same school, will both programs know that, and would it negatively affect my chances at getting into either program? For example, I always thought Seattle would be fun (I know its really competitive if you're out of state), and they have a dental and medical program.

Let me know, thanks.
 
Wiscobadger13 said:
So for awhile I've been on the fence about Medicine and Dentistry. I've just about finalized my decision to apply to medical school (Taking the MCAT soon), but I feel like there are a couple personal things I want to think about over the summer.

Therefore, I'm signing up for the DAT too. My question is: If I apply to the medical and dental program at the same school, will both programs know that, and would it negatively affect my chances at getting into either program? For example, I always thought Seattle would be fun (I know its really competitive if you're out of state), and they have a dental and medical program.

Let me know, thanks.
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bad idea. you need to show commitment to one profession.
 
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Wiscobadger13 said:
So for awhile I've been on the fence about Medicine and Dentistry. I've just about finalized my decision to apply to medical school (Taking the MCAT soon), but I feel like there are a couple personal things I want to think about over the summer.

Therefore, I'm signing up for the DAT too. My question is: If I apply to the medical and dental program at the same school, will both programs know that, and would it negatively affect my chances at getting into either program? For example, I always thought Seattle would be fun (I know its really competitive if you're out of state), and they have a dental and medical program.

Let me know, thanks.
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I know this isn't really what you are asking for but if you really want to do both then Nova Southeastern COM offers a joint DO/DMD program. This program is intended for physicians that plan to work in rural areas so that they can take care of the community's medical and dental needs.
 
It probably would put you at a disadvantage if the programs knew about it. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with the idea, I would just recommend applying to more programs that aren't talking to each other.
 
Interesting idea, I have no idea if, the medical and dental schools of the same institution cross reference the large pools of applicants. I would guess that they do not. As others have said, I wouldn't mention that a program is a back-up to another, or that you are undecided.
 
If medical and dental schools were somehow cross-referencing applicants then it would likely put you at a serious disadvantage. That's a pretty huge "if" though.
 
BA11 said:
If medical and dental schools were somehow cross-referencing applicants then it would likely put you at a serious disadvantage. That's a pretty huge "if" though.
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doubt that would ever happen. Just don't apply to OSU med + OSU Dent and other schools that have both. Pick one at those institutions.

Adcoms are way to busy to talk to everyone they know about every applicant.
 
I would think this might cause a problem with your letter writers, unless you are planning to have totally separate people write your letters for both programs. When someone writes a letter for you, they generally want to know why you are choosing that path, and they will be confused if you tell them you are still deciding between medical and dental school.
 
Holy FranZ said:
doubt that would ever happen. Just don't apply to OSU med + OSU Dent and other schools that have both. Pick one at those institutions.

Adcoms are way to busy to talk to everyone they know about every applicant.
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Pretty much my thoughts. Unless you apply for both programs at the same school I don't see much of a chance of getting found out.

Just make sure it doesnt slip in an interview and have different people write you LOR for each application service. Don't want a medical and dental school getting the same LOR from someone since they might mention both not knowing your intentions.
 
I'd do it but keep each other programs in the dark. It'd take some thorough digging to find out you were applying to two programs at the same school. AFAIK, schools won't know where else you've applied (or what else) unless you divulge that information.

Just make sure you can appear dedicated and committed to either option.
 
according to my next door neighbor who is an orthodontist it is harder to get into dental school than it is medical school. Just something to think over.
 
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ppfizenm said:
according to my next door neighbor who is an orthodontist it is harder to get into dental school than it is medical school. Just something to think over.
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maybe based on applicant vs seats, but I feel that the average pre-med outperforms the average pre-dental. That's just a gut feeling so take what you will of it.
 
notbobtrustme said:
maybe based on applicant vs seats, but I feel that the average pre-med outperforms the average pre-dental. That's just a gut feeling so take what you will of it.
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Lol I agree. He was being a dick b/c he found out I'm going to med school.
 
I just dont understand why someone would want to put themselves through this. Simply put do you want to be a Doctor or a Dentist... You should probably concentrate on one - youre ECs will be better focused to that choice, as will your test prep.
 
GetThePointe77 said:
I just dont understand why someone would want to put themselves through this. Simply put do you want to be a Doctor or a Dentist... You should probably concentrate on one - youre ECs will be better focused to that choice, as will your test prep.
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Whats wrong with options?
 
GetThePointe77 said:
I just dont understand why someone would want to put themselves through this. Simply put do you want to be a Doctor or a Dentist... You should probably concentrate on one - youre ECs will be better focused to that choice, as will your test prep.
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My dad (a dentist) is going to be pretty mad when I tell him he isn't a doctor anymore. :meanie:









I know what you meant though. Just thought it was funny.
 
well chiropractors, pharmacists, and podiatrists run around calling themselves doctors too



He's a dentist, not a doctor. Going by Dr.____, doesn't make you a "doctor"
 
SORRY MEDICAL PHYSICIAN...

and part of becoming an adult is letting certain options doors close. Unless youre George Clooney/ James Franco, most people end up having to choose one person/one career/ ect ect somewhere down the line...
 
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GetThePointe77 said:
SORRY MEDICAL PHYSICIAN...

and part of becoming an adult is letting certain options doors close. Unless youre George Clooney/ James Franco, most people end up having to choose one person/one career/ ect ect somewhere down the line...
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meh, once you get to med school most of us don't know what we're gonna be when we grow up. The difference between psychiatry and orthopedic surgery, between forensic pathology and OB/GYN... it's almost an absurdity that we are all a cohesive group, and yet, somehow, podiatry and dentistry are outside this... it could just as easily be just another medical specialty.

But it's true, unfortunately in our current system you have to rule a few things out at this stage, I mean, OP, if you got into both med and dental school, which would you choose? I think applying to that one has gotta be your answer, the system's dumb but you don't wanna be put at a disadvantage, and you're gonna have to decide now or in a few months anyway.
 
If you want to practice medicine and dentistry, why not apply to veterinary school? Just a thought.

Sent from my PC36100 using SDN Mobile
 
BA11 said:
If medical and dental schools were somehow cross-referencing applicants then it would likely put you at a serious disadvantage. That's a pretty huge "if" though.
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I highly doubt they do.

I know a guy who applied to both and got into med school.
 
this was on my dental school application:

"Have you previously, or are you currently applying to a health profession school other than dental school? "

yes...it would hurt you
 
bing12 said:
this was on my dental school application:

"Have you previously, or are you currently applying to a health profession school other than dental school? "

yes...it would hurt you
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It was a good run with the laugh face.

OP, don't do both. There should be no reason for that. They are drastically different career paths (via licensure, residency, one is much longer.) Pick one and stick with it. If you can't pick one, sit out a cycle and think about it.
 
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BA11 said:
Pretty much my thoughts. Unless you apply for both programs at the same school I don't see much of a chance of getting found out.

Just make sure it doesnt slip in an interview and have different people write you LOR for each application service. Don't want a medical and dental school getting the same LOR from someone since they might mention both not knowing your intentions.
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A girl in my dental school class was accepted to the medical class of the same school because she too couldn't decide.

If you're willing to lie...or at least withhold information, you CAN do it if you're so inclined...I actually took the MCAT and the DAT and applied to both, but made a final decision early enough to cancel my med school interviews.

It's an important decision, so putting out the extra funds for tests, apps, and interviews is worth it if you're really struggling with the decision...you will have to decide at some point tho 🙂
 
Sublimazing said:
A girl in my dental school class was accepted to the medical class of the same school because she too couldn't decide.

If you're willing to lie...or at least withhold information, you CAN do it if you're so inclined...I actually took the MCAT and the DAT and applied to both, but made a final decision early enough to cancel my med school interviews.

It's an important decision, so putting out the extra funds for tests, apps, and interviews is worth it if you're really struggling with the decision...you will have to decide at some point tho 🙂
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I don't know about this though, the med school app cycle has already put me back a good $2500. I was planning on applying to dental school too, and when I started to think I was interested in medicine, I had to ask myself which one I would go to if I got into both. So, after taking the DAT, I decided to take the MCAT and apply to medical school instead because I knew I would choose med over dental. If you are leaning one way or another, you owe it to yourself to put 100% into that app this cycle, the other schools aren't going anywhere next year.

These apps are really expensive, especially when you factor in hidden costs like travel costs for interviews. Don't apply to both, it's a waste of time and money.
 
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