Career Change?

[taxnerd]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I'm currently an accountant with a BA and MS in Accounting and I'm on the verge of obtaining my CPA license.

After all this, I'm contemplating a career change into Dentistry. I have no science background and I would have to take science pre-reqs before applying to Dental school.

I'm wondering if anybody knows of any schools out there that will directly accept you after completing pre-req's so I can avoid the one year "transition/application" year?

Thanks!

 

[DIRTIE]

Hi all,

I'm currently an accountant with a BA and MS in Accounting and I'm on the verge of obtaining my CPA license.

After all this, I'm contemplating a career change into Dentistry. I have no science background and I would have to take science pre-reqs before applying to Dental school.

I'm wondering if anybody knows of any schools out there that will directly accept you after completing pre-req's so I can avoid the one year "transition/application" year?

Thanks!

Your problem is you need to take atleast 3 chemistry classes before taking the DAT( 2 gen chem and min. 1 ochem), schools will not interview you until you send them your DAT score.
The quickest that you could start would be fall 2008, and thats if you are fast and smart. Take gen chem this semester and this summer, throw in a bio class or two, take organic chem and some more biology classes next year, then apply and take the DAT that summer, after you apply take physics and some upper level bio classes like cell, immunology and biochem your "application year". Then you will be good to go, and probably be able to work as a cpa the next two years, not to bad of a load.
Good luck

 

[vaio]

Hi all,

I'm currently an accountant with a BA and MS in Accounting and I'm on the verge of obtaining my CPA license.

After all this, I'm contemplating a career change into Dentistry. I have no science background and I would have to take science pre-reqs before applying to Dental school.

I'm wondering if anybody knows of any schools out there that will directly accept you after completing pre-req's so I can avoid the one year "transition/application" year?

Thanks!

as long as u have your pre-reqs completed or in the process, you can apply to any school

 

[klfb80]

as long as u have your pre-reqs completed or in the process, you can apply to any school

You could definitley apply by 2007 application cycle. I wouls take Gen Chem I this semester and then gen chem II this summer, maybe even Ochem I in the summer as well if your school offers the 5 week summer session as mine did. Take BIO I and II during the next regular year and you should be all set. PHY I and II are only required to Matriculate and not to take the DAT. I didn't take PHY until after I applied so it's definitley dooable for the May 2007 app cycle. Most school will accept you with the prereqs if you already have a degree

 

[sidewalkman]

Tufts has this unusual joint acceptance program:

http://studentservices.tufts.edu/postbac/postbacinfo.htm#joint

5 years of Tufts = $$$$$, though, so it may not save you that much money over the long run.

 

[Sprgrover]

Welcome to SDN, taxnerd! Because schools look to your prereqs to assess your likelihood for success in dental school, it's important that you have grades for them. As someone has already pointed out, you'll have to take a full year of inorganic chemistry and at least one semester of organic chemistry (most schools will require you to complete a full year with one semester with a lab). By that point most people are into the winter term and dental schools have already begun to fill up and it's for this reason that many non-traditional students (myself included) finish up that remaining spring semester and apply in that following summer and thus have to go through that lag year between finishing them and attending dental school. Not to mention that many of those classes are pretty tough and trying to juggle them and the application process is enough to cause a person to go crazy. Applying early with all of your pre-reqs completed will also put you at a very strong advantage versus applying with only part of your pre-reqs completed and later in the application cycle. Best of luck!

 

[syn_apse]

i'll play devil's advocate on this one...

i think in your case a transition year might be beneficial. don't rush into this if you don't really know what you're getting into...

the dmd/dds road is long and the debt will cripple you if you have another change of heart. shadow a dentist and make sure you don't hate your pre-reqs when you take them because dental school will take it up a notch or three.

oh, and read plenty of SDN (pre-dental and dental forums). no joke, they are a great resource! good luck

 

[taxnerd]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Here's what I'm planning...please let me know if this seems feasible.

I'm thinking to start my pre-req's in Summer 2006.

Summer 2006: Inorganic Chem 1 and 2 with labs
Fall 2006: Organic Chem 1 with Lab and Biology 1 with lab
Winter 2007: Organic Chem 2 with Lab and Biology 2 with lab
Spring/Summer 2007: Study for and take the DAT
Fall 2007: Apply to Schools and take Physics 1 + other science electives
Winter 2008: Physics 2 + More science electives
Summer 2008: PARTY!
Fall 2008: Start Dental School


Does that seem like a good plan? I would love to take these classes while I maintain my job, but I don't think it's possible as my job is very demanding and I also want to do the best I can in my pre-reqs. I would have to quit my job and do some temporary contract work on the side I guess.

Also, since I will probably quit my job to do this, should I be taking a "full load" of classes? (12-15 credits?) Will dental schools frown on me not taking a full load of courses?

 

[taxnerd]

Another question about grades...

Is it better to go to a school with a grading scale with halves(4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, etc) or wholes(4.0, 3.0, 2.0)?

Will Dental schools standardize grades so applicants aren't at a disadvantage?

 

[Sprgrover]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Here's what I'm planning...please let me know if this seems feasible.

I'm thinking to start my pre-req's in Summer 2006.

Summer 2006: Inorganic Chem 1 and 2 with labs
Fall 2006: Organic Chem 1 with Lab and Biology 1 with lab
Winter 2007: Organic Chem 2 with Lab and Biology 2 with lab
Spring/Summer 2007: Study for and take the DAT
Fall 2007: Apply to Schools and take Physics 1 + other science electives
Winter 2008: Physics 2 + More science electives
Summer 2008: PARTY!
Fall 2008: Start Dental School


Does that seem like a good plan? I would love to take these classes while I maintain my job, but I don't think it's possible as my job is very demanding and I also want to do the best I can in my pre-reqs. I would have to quit my job and do some temporary contract work on the side I guess.

Also, since I will probably quit my job to do this, should I be taking a "full load" of classes? (12-15 credits?) Will dental schools frown on me not taking a full load of courses?

Sounds like a great plan to me.

Will attending a school that grades on a +/- system versus one that doesn't place you at an advantage or disadvantage? I don't think so. My undergrad handed out just whole grades and it wasn't an issue at all during interviews nor receiving acceptances to dental schools.

 

[sumozmom]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Here's what I'm planning...please let me know if this seems feasible.

I'm thinking to start my pre-req's in Summer 2006.

Summer 2006: Inorganic Chem 1 and 2 with labs
Fall 2006: Organic Chem 1 with Lab and Biology 1 with lab
Winter 2007: Organic Chem 2 with Lab and Biology 2 with lab
Spring/Summer 2007: Study for and take the DAT
Fall 2007: Apply to Schools and take Physics 1 + other science electives
Winter 2008: Physics 2 + More science electives
Summer 2008: PARTY!
Fall 2008: Start Dental School


Does that seem like a good plan? I would love to take these classes while I maintain my job, but I don't think it's possible as my job is very demanding and I also want to do the best I can in my pre-reqs. I would have to quit my job and do some temporary contract work on the side I guess.

Also, since I will probably quit my job to do this, should I be taking a "full load" of classes? (12-15 credits?) Will dental schools frown on me not taking a full load of courses?

Hello...I have my BS in Accounting and Decided to go to Dental Too!
Congrats! How long have you been working in TAX? How will you afford to take Full load of classes and maintain any payments you have...even school?

This is what I've found - I'm interested in UNLV....I went and Talked to the Admin Counslor....
She waved my BIO and English from my transcripts.
So I have
Chem 1&2
O Chem 1& 2
Bio Chem 1
Physics 1 &

BUT guess what ...there are Pre-recs to get into those classes too!
I have to take Calc to get in to Both Chem 1 and Phys 1.
I have to take Chem 1 befor I take Chem 2. It's a pre-rec not a co-rec.
Chem 2 berof Ochem 1 etc....
Chem 2 befor bio Chem....

My advice is to talk to an adviser of the school u want to get into...

Please let me know where your from and what you think about the above?
🙂

 

[crazy_sherm]

I'm thinking to start my pre-req's in Summer 2006.

Summer 2006: Inorganic Chem 1 and 2 with labs
Fall 2006: Organic Chem 1 with Lab and Biology 1 with lab
Winter 2007: Organic Chem 2 with Lab and Biology 2 with lab
Spring/Summer 2007: Study for and take the DAT
Fall 2007: Apply to Schools and take Physics 1 + other science electives
Winter 2008: Physics 2 + More science electives
Summer 2008: PARTY!
Fall 2008: Start Dental School

Not having a science background, I'm not sure how feasible taking ichem 1 & 2 concurrently would be. Also, it looks like you plan on taking classes at a school under the quarter system. You'll need 3 quarters of each subject, not just 2 at most schools because it has to be 2 semester equivalents. I would take a look at the schools you're intested in applying to and make sure you'll meet the pre-req requirements.

 

[JavadiCavity]

Taxnerd, I earned my BS in Accounting in 2002, and worked in industry until 2003. Decided it wasn't for me, so I started taking classes in fall of 2003 (The only pre-req I had finished was Physics I). By spring of 2004, I applied to dental schools. By December of 2004, I was finished with all the pre-reqs, and I started school during the Summer of 2005.

So, if you feel good about it, go for it. You're in good company--there are plenty of non-traditional students on these forums who are accepted to dental schools every year. Good luck!

 

[sumozmom]

Taxnerd, I earned my BS in Accounting in 2002, and worked in industry until 2003. Decided it wasn't for me, so I started taking classes in fall of 2003 (The only pre-req I had finished was Physics I). By spring of 2004, I applied to dental schools. By December of 2004, I was finished with all the pre-reqs, and I started school during the Summer of 2005.

So, if you feel good about it, go for it. You're in good company--there are plenty of non-traditional students on these forums who are accepted to dental schools every year. Good luck!

Hey would you mind listing your course of action...and did yoiu work?

 

[PickMe]

I don't think taxnerd meant he was going to take chem 1 and 2 concurrently. If his school is like mine, he can take 2 6 week long summer sessions and therefore take chem 1 before chem 2. Someone had a good point to look at prereqs, but check with your school about their prereqs. I didn't need calc to take chem, and although I took calc before physics, I could have taken a different sequence of physics courses that didn't require calc. Talk to a pre-dental (pre-med if there is no pre-dental) advisor and make a plan with him/her. They are your best resource for finding out prereqs and when the classes are offered.

 

[Slash]

For someone with no science background, making the transition from accountant to science student will be easier said than done. When he first steps into a chemistry lab, he won't even know his elbow from his a-hole. College-level science courses are not just something you can enroll in and breeze through, ESPECIALLY with no previous science background. I'd advise taxnerd to temper his expectations and not be so quick to rush through his pre-req's. He'll want to retain as much knowledge from these courses as he can because he'll see it all again on the DAT and some of it later on in dental school. You have to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. As an accountant/wannabee science student he hasn't even popped out of the womb yet.

In my opinion, he's realistically looking at a minimum of three years before he's actually ready for dental school. Two years of that will be consumed with the chemistry series of classes (G-chem1, G-chem2, O-chem1, O-chem2), and I wouldn't advise him to take any chemistry classes in the summer. The classes are watered-down, move too fast, and he'll retain hardly anything. If he just wants to take the class and pass, then by all means he should take them in the summer. Just passing won't get him into dental school. If he wants to actually do well and retain the information and build a solid foundation in the sciences he should take his science courses during regular fall/spring semesters where he can better absorb the material. After he finishes all his chem and bio pre-req's then he'll be ready to start thinking DAT and applying. He'll consume a third year applying, interviewing, and taking more science classes to strengthen his science background.

 

[titan305]

For someone with no science background, making the transition from accountant to science student will be easier said than done. When he first steps into a chemistry lab, he won't even know his elbow from his a-hole. Science classes are not just something you can enroll in and breeze through, ESPECIALLY with no previous science background. I'd advise taxnerd to temper his expectations and not be so quick to rush through his pre-req's. He'll want to retain as much knowledge from these courses as he can because he'll see it all again on the DAT and some of it later on in dental school. You have to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. As an accountant/wannabee science student he hasn't even popped out of the womb yet.

In my opinion, he's realistically looking at a minimum of three years before he's actually ready for dental school. Two years of that will be consumed with the chemistry series of classes (G-chem1, G-chem2, O-chem1, O-chem2), then by that point he'll be ready to start thinking DAT and applying. He'll consume a third year applying, interviewing, and taking more science classes to strengthen his science background.

What kind of science backgound does one need to have? Most of the prereq courses are lower level college science classes. If an 18 year old fresh out of high school can enroll and do well........ I dont think it would be that difficult considering he doesn't have to fill a schedule with eng, history, foreign lang, math, speech, ect.

Although I do agree you would need to retain the info for the DAT, and a solid science background would extend further than just the prereqs.

Motivation and time is all you need! Take this post with a grain of salt because I am just starting my prereqs this spring. I am considering a career change myself and have no idea what I am about to get myself into.

 

[sumozmom]

What kind of science backgound does one need to have? Most of the prereq courses are lower level college science classes. If an 18 year old fresh out of high school can enroll and do well........ I dont think it would be that difficult considering he doesn't have to fill a schedule with eng, history, foreign lang, math, speech, ect.

Although I do agree you would need to retain the info for the DAT, and a solid science background would extend further than just the prereqs.

Motivation and time is all you need! Take this post with a grain of salt because I am just starting my prereqs this spring. I am considering a career change myself and have no idea what I am about to get myself into.

Titan-Me too
I'm starting my first class since 91-
Calc and Chem 1

 

[-OB-]

For someone with no science background, making the transition from accountant to science student will be easier said than done. When he first steps into a chemistry lab, he won't even know his elbow from his a-hole. College-level science courses are not just something you can enroll in and breeze through, ESPECIALLY with no previous science background. I'd advise taxnerd to temper his expectations and not be so quick to rush through his pre-req's. He'll want to retain as much knowledge from these courses as he can because he'll see it all again on the DAT and some of it later on in dental school. You have to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. As an accountant/wannabee science student he hasn't even popped out of the womb yet.

In my opinion, he's realistically looking at a minimum of three years before he's actually ready for dental school. Two years of that will be consumed with the chemistry series of classes (G-chem1, G-chem2, O-chem1, O-chem2), and I wouldn't advise him to take any chemistry classes in the summer. The classes are watered-down, move too fast, and he'll retain hardly anything. If he just wants to take the class and pass, then by all means he should take them in the summer. Just passing won't get him into dental school. If he wants to actually do well and retain the information and build a solid foundation in the sciences he should take his science courses during regular fall/spring semesters where he can better absorb the material. After he finishes all his chem and bio pre-req's then he'll be ready to start thinking DAT and applying. He'll consume a third year applying, interviewing, and taking more science classes to strengthen his science background.

Taxnerd, do not listen to this post, you will be just fine. I got a BA in Business in 04'. In Fall 05' I started my pre-requisites and I finished ALL the pre-requisites in one calander year with a 3.75 GPA. I took the DAT in October and I did pretty well. I have one interview this Thursday and another interview in early Febuary. The classes you need to take are not very difficult, but you will need to put ALOT of time in. Good Luck.

 

[Slash]

Taxnerd, do not listen to this post, you will be just fine. I got a BA in Business in 04'. In Fall 05' I started my pre-requisites and I finished ALL the pre-requisites in one calander year with a 3.75 GPA. I took the DAT in October and I did pretty well. I have one interview this Thursday and another interview in early Febuary. The classes you need to take are not very difficult, but you will need to put ALOT of time in. Good Luck.

You guys act like you can just decide to be a dentist one day, jump into some science courses, and presto you're a dental student.

I gave taxnerd some sound advice. And if you took the time to read my post you would have seen that the track you are recommending is a two-year track vs. the three-year track I mentioned in my post. All I can say is knock yourself out taxnerd. Don't underestimate the science courses you'll have to take because somebody says they're easy. If they were easy everybody would be doctors and dentists.

 

[DIRTIE]

From seeing people in my class and having friends that are non-traditional students go back and take the prereq's for d-school or med, they are much more successful in the classes than the majority of the class. Maturity and focus is a big factor. They really aren't that hard, and its not like you have to get an A in every class, so go for it and take them as fast as you can, if it gets you into school 1 year earlier, that will be money in your pocket.
I also find it interesting that any school would require calculus, unless they don't have algebra based physics. Calculus does'nt help for dental school or anything closely related, there is no calculus on the DAT, non in biology classes, non involved with chemistry prereqs. I would try and bypass it if I were suzmom, its a lot of work with no benefit.

 

[leehrat]

taxnerd,

if you don't mind i'd like to ask you a couple of questions about accounting. i majored in econ as an ug with no accounting courses taken. recently i've considered getting a MAcc, working in a Big 4, and then lateraling out post-CPA and getting an MBA after that to get into investment management. do you know if this is a common plan among big 4 accountants? i have a 750 gmat and a 3.6 ug gpa. thanks

 

[JavadiCavity]

Hey would you mind listing your course of action...and did yoiu work?

I've posted it on the forums before...I'll see if I can find it and link it for you. If not, I'll list it all out again. And, yes, I worked part-time while I went back to school full-time.

 

[luder98]

Maturity and focus is a big factor.

Very well said. I took GChem I in 96, earned a BS in EE in 2000, started taking GC II at night in 2003 and finished the rest in 2005. I worked full-time all five years, commuted several hours per day and have a family too. If you know this is what you want to do, you'll be fine. So make sure this is what you want. Shadowing some dentists sounds like a great idea. Make sure you nail the DAT too. Good Luck!

 

[taxnerd]

WOW!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I didn't expect this many. I haven't checked this board in a few days so I'll try to respond to everyone's questions in this response.

I live and work in Atlanta and work for one of the "Big 4" accounting firms as a tax accountant. I've been working here for about a year now and I'm 24 yrs old. It's a great place to work, but I'm craving a profession that is more personally satisfying beyond money and has good work/life balance. I will make good money if I stick with the CPA thing, or even if I quit in a few years and bought out some local retiring CPA's practice I'd still do pretty well. Having said that, I'm looking for work/life balance and more personal satisfaction so that's what is making think about this career change. I really don't want to end up like one of these upper level managers and partners working too many hours and on their 3rd marriages with kids who hate them.

For my science background...I actually started out in college as pre-med/pre-dental thanks to parental pressure(but now I'm thinking about doing this because I want to, not for the parents sake). So, I have a slight science background but nothing substanial. I don't remember anything so I'd have to take these courses over. I've taken Inorganic Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs as well as Biology 1(cell and molecular). I did OK, averaged about a 3.2 in these science classes. I didn't really study for them or take them seriously since I was too preoccupied freshman/sophmore year with partying and drinking 😛 .
But now with all the partying out of my system, I'm sure I can handle the courses(especially since I've been working full time and studying for the CPA exam, I feel I can handle it). I never took Calculus, but my undergrad school offered non-calc based physics so I think I'll have no problem enrolling.

If I do indeed go on this new path, I will probably quit my job as I want to actually learn the material inside out and so I can ace the DAT.

Somebody mentioned that I should take 3 yrs vs 2yrs to do the pre-reqs. That is a good point, I'd probably be more prepared for Dental school versus just getting into dental school. Here's a question though...are upper level pre-requisits science courses actually helpful to those of you already in Dental school? Or should I just take the basics, take the DAT, and go to Dental school ASAP?

Thanks to you all for your comments.

 

[maisuree]

make sure you take all your classes in a 4-year institution...

 

[starvinstudent]

WOW!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I didn't expect this many. I haven't checked this board in a few days so I'll try to respond to everyone's questions in this response.

I live and work in Atlanta and work for one of the "Big 4" accounting firms as a tax accountant. I've been working here for about a year now and I'm 24 yrs old. It's a great place to work, but I'm craving a profession that is more personally satisfying beyond money and has good work/life balance. I will make good money if I stick with the CPA thing, or even if I quit in a few years and bought out some local retiring CPA's practice I'd still do pretty well. Having said that, I'm looking for work/life balance and more personal satisfaction so that's what is making think about this career change. I really don't want to end up like one of these upper level managers and partners working too many hours and on their 3rd marriages with kids who hate them.

For my science background...I actually started out in college as pre-med/pre-dental thanks to parental pressure(but now I'm thinking about doing this because I want to, not for the parents sake). So, I have a slight science background but nothing substanial. I don't remember anything so I'd have to take these courses over. I've taken Inorganic Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs as well as Biology 1(cell and molecular). I did OK, averaged about a 3.2 in these science classes. I didn't really study for them or take them seriously since I was too preoccupied freshman/sophmore year with partying and drinking 😛 .
But now with all the partying out of my system, I'm sure I can handle the courses(especially since I've been working full time and studying for the CPA exam, I feel I can handle it). I never took Calculus, but my undergrad school offered non-calc based physics so I think I'll have no problem enrolling.

If I do indeed go on this new path, I will probably quit my job as I want to actually learn the material inside out and so I can ace the DAT.

Somebody mentioned that I should take 3 yrs vs 2yrs to do the pre-reqs. That is a good point, I'd probably be more prepared for Dental school versus just getting into dental school. Here's a question though...are upper level pre-requisits science courses actually helpful to those of you already in Dental school? Or should I just take the basics, take the DAT, and go to Dental school ASAP?

Thanks to you all for your comments.

My sister actually was a CPA and went to dental school. She did it for the money. She always tells us that dental school was a breeze compared to working for KPMG. I believe her.

 

[starvinstudent]

make sure you take all your classes in a 4-year institution...

This is what so many people say but it is untrue. Just a SDN myth.

 

[sumozmom]

This is what so many people say but it is untrue. Just a SDN myth.

Sometime people don't have a choice so - i too am taking them at a CC. But BIOCHEM will be at the UNiv.

 

[starvinstudent]

Sometime people don't have a choice so - i too am taking them at a CC. But BIOCHEM will be at the UNiv.

It wont hurt you. These kids here read from others that it will and they spit out the info to others not knowing if what they are typing is really the truth or not.

Reall its hilarious. It hasnt hurt anyone in my state (NC)