Chance for 4 schools?

[AdamJehangir]

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Hi Friends,

I'm a pre-med student currently in a 8 yr BSMD program...and I'm really starting to think I don't want to do this. Medical school, residency, that stuff just seems too long for me. I don't want to be 32 and JUST getting a decent job with like a 20 year loan payment system going on...so I'm highly considering Dental School.

Here are my stats: 3.82 cGPA, 3.70 sGPA (I got a C+ in Orgo I, and a A in Orgo II, apart from that C+ I have all B+ or better science grades).

shadowed a dentist, have 4 decent EC positions, 22 DAT.


Schools: Columbia (Dream), UPenn (Another Dream), VCU, UMD (Those b/c I live close to them)


Any thoughts?

 

[dieanotherday]

Is a bsmd means ure already in md school?

 

[AdamJehangir]

Is a bsmd means ure already in md school?

Yeah If I score a 26+ on my MCAT, I'll be in the medical school at USF, it's a guaranteed admit program.

 

[sjv]

Is a bsmd means ure already in md school?

It means he's guaranteed entrance once he finishes his bachelors/meets X requirements.

Hi Friends,

I'm a pre-med student currently in a 8 yr BSMD program...and I'm really starting to think I don't want to do this. Medical school, residency, that stuff just seems too long for me. I don't want to be 32 and JUST getting a decent job with like a 20 year loan payment system going on...so I'm highly considering Dental School.

Here are my stats: 3.82 cGPA, 3.70 sGPA (I got a C+ in Orgo I, and a A in Orgo II, apart from that C+ I have all B+ or better science grades).

shadowed a dentist, have 4 decent EC positions, 22 DAT.


Schools: Columbia (Dream), UPenn (Another Dream), VCU, UMD (Those b/c I live close to them)


Any thoughts?

Solid stats, definitely think you'll pull some interviews at those schools. After that its a tossup but you have definitely have that "chance".

 

[dieanotherday]

Yeah If I score a 26+ on my MCAT, I'll be in the medical school at USF, it's a guaranteed admit program.

Nothing is guaranteed in the admissions process all anyone will say is apply early broadly you will definitely make it in with those stats

But to those specific schools? No one knows.

It's amazing you're throwing away the md for the DDS I love it!

 

[AdamJehangir]

Nothing is guaranteed in the admissions process all anyone will say is apply early broadly you will definitely make it in with those stats

But to those specific schools? No one knows.

It's amazing you're throwing away the md for the DDS I love it!

Haha why is it amazing? I think many premedical students have some magical notion of what it means to be a doctor.

What does it actually mean? Being in school for 8+ years AFTER college, get paid nothing during that time, being a slave to the medical system and working 80 hrs per week. Honestly, I have those notions of medicine being a calling too, but I hate the thought that I'd have to give up my life for that....ya know?

 

[HaverfoodsDDS]

Nothing is guaranteed in the admissions process all anyone will say is apply early broadly you will definitely make it in with those stats

But to those specific schools? No one knows.

It's amazing you're throwing away the md for the DDS I love it!

100% correct.....good application and if you apply to 10+ you WILL get in. With 4 schools it's a toss-up (although i'd say you still have a pretty good shot).

 

[dieanotherday]

Haha why is it amazing? I think many premedical students have some magical notion of what it means to be a doctor.

What does it actually mean? Being in school for 8+ years AFTER college, get paid nothing during that time, being a slave to the medical system and working 80 hrs per week. Honestly, I have those notions of medicine being a calling too, but I hate the thought that I'd have to give up my life for that....ya know?

It's amazing cause the most terrifying part of pursuing grad school is applying for it!

You wouldn't have to apply and go through the grueling process if you stuck it out. But that's what ultimately pushed me to dentistry as well. I wanted to learn something highly technical and specific and be useful early on in the prehealth profession

Medicine required way too much and you kind of become an encyclopedia for a lot of uselessness but that's just my opinion

Welcome to the wonderful world of dentistry and predents. I honestly think we are less neurotic than those premeds!

 

[Illfavor]

Like everyone else said, you're a very good applicant, but 4 may be a bit too few to be truly comfortable. I think 6-8 would be better. I think folks with good stats tend to over-apply, but it is indeed better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Why Columbia and UPenn, specifically? They're great schools, don't get me wrong, but VERY expensive. If you start reading these forums a good bit, you'll realize what those loans payments will look like. Unless you are loaded or have some major scholarship (such as through HPSP), it can be crippling. Do you have a state school?

Or, if money is no object, disregard what I've said.

You have solid stats. I wouldn't be too enamored with prestige, though. I'd cast a wider net and look into cheaper school options.

 

[Troyvdg]

Why Columbia and UPenn, specifically? They're great schools, don't get me wrong, but VERY expensive. If you start reading these forums a good bit, you'll realize what those loans payments will look like. Unless you are loaded or have some major scholarship (such as through HPSP), it can be crippling. Do you have a state school?

Or, if money is no object, disregard what I've said.

You have solid stats. I wouldn't be too enamored with prestige, though. I'd cast a wider net and look into cheaper school options.

Geeze, way to kill the dream...


Jk
I second this, otherwise you'll still be looking at 20+ years of debt.

 

[AdamJehangir]

Geeze, way to kill the dream...


Jk
I second this, otherwise you'll still be looking at 20+ years of debt.

Really? How bad is the debt at UPenn/Columbia as compared to UMD (cause I'm OOS for UMD). VCU is instate for me, but it's a really competitive school.

 

[Gaucho4Life]

Hi Friends,

I'm a pre-med student currently in a 8 yr BSMD program...and I'm really starting to think I don't want to do this. Medical school, residency, that stuff just seems too long for me. I don't want to be 32 and JUST getting a decent job with like a 20 year loan payment system going on...so I'm highly considering Dental School.

Here are my stats: 3.82 cGPA, 3.70 sGPA (I got a C+ in Orgo I, and a A in Orgo II, apart from that C+ I have all B+ or better science grades).

shadowed a dentist, have 4 decent EC positions, 22 DAT.


Schools: Columbia (Dream), UPenn (Another Dream), VCU, UMD (Those b/c I live close to them)


Any thoughts?

Like everyone else said, you're a very good applicant, but 4 may be a bit too few to be truly comfortable. I think 6-8 would be better. I think folks with good stats tend to over-apply, but it is indeed better to be safe than sorry.

I agree with the 6-8, at the most 10. I applied to only 5 schools due to limited funds... it was very scary and I am very fortunate for my outcome. You're a competitive applicant, but this process is a complete and utter crapshoot. Another thing... are Columbia and UPenn your dream for the ivy league name? Those schools are very expensive... the debt will be comparable to the one you're tying to avoid in the first place.

 

[sjv]

VCU < UMD (OOS, IS after one year) < Columbia < Penn in terms of cost. The amount for Columbia and Penn is nontrivial and you would likely spend more than $100,000 more to attend there, up to you though to decide if it is worth.

http://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic_programs_admissions/dmd_program/tuition_fees

 

[Blake1e]

Hi Friends,

I'm a pre-med student currently in a 8 yr BSMD program...and I'm really starting to think I don't want to do this. Medical school, residency, that stuff just seems too long for me. I don't want to be 32 and JUST getting a decent job with like a 20 year loan payment system going on...so I'm highly considering Dental School.

Here are my stats: 3.82 cGPA, 3.70 sGPA (I got a C+ in Orgo I, and a A in Orgo II, apart from that C+ I have all B+ or better science grades).

shadowed a dentist, have 4 decent EC positions, 22 DAT.


Schools: Columbia (Dream), UPenn (Another Dream), VCU, UMD (Those b/c I live close to them)


Any thoughts?

As long as you don't have a low score in any section of the DAT, you have an excellent chance.

However a problem you might encounter is d schools thinking you're not serious about being a dentist, they'll question your level of dedication. So some schools may look past your app or take you less seriously, resulting in you having a certain amount more difficulty getting in.

To prevent this make sure you shadowed a dentist a minimum of 100hrs. That should help a good amount. If you're still worried and/or you want to be absolutely sure d schools get that you're set on being a dentist shadow 150hrs or 200hrs or more at multiple private offices and maybe even a clinic or if you can a clinic at any dental school, and shadow for different types/specialties of dentists. Do that and schools won't question your interest in dentistry and theyll know you know a lot about the field.

Like others said you should apply to at least 8 schools. Schools' decision-making processes about who gets in can sometimes (or often) be unpredictable and seem random or bizarre to applicants.

Also during your interviews schools will probably ask why you changed your mind. So be prepared with a good answer.

 

[Troyvdg]

Really? How bad is the debt at UPenn/Columbia as compared to UMD (cause I'm OOS for UMD). VCU is instate for me, but it's a really competitive school.

Penn-$405k Columbia-$377k UMD-depends if you apply for in state residency, but still v. expensive

 

[AdamJehangir]

Penn-$405k Columbia-$377k UMD-depends if you apply for in state residency, but still v. expensive

400 THOUSANDS DOLLARS. WHAT THE HECK. That is nuts!

 

[techyguy]

Skimming the answers, I just want to second that you should shadow a few more dentists, and be ready with a damn good answer for, "why dentistry," since you're coming from an MD track. "I don't like all that work," isn't going to cut it. The admissions cycle(s) suuuuuck, even for people who end up with more than one offer, so giving up guaranteed entry (particular to USF) just seems out of the ordinary.

 

[AdamJehangir]

Skimming the answers, I just want to second that you should shadow a few more dentists, and be ready with a damn good answer for, "why dentistry," since you're coming from an MD track. "I don't like all that work," isn't going to cut it. The admissions cycle(s) suuuuuck, even for people who end up with more than one offer, so giving up guaranteed entry (particular to USF) just seems out of the ordinary.

I don't plan on mentioning premed at all. I've shadowed my family dentist since last year, have about 150 hours, they shouldn't question my dedication to dentistry because I'm not dumb enough to tell adcoms I used to be a premed.


Is there any other way they'd be able to find out?

 

[Troyvdg]

400 THOUSANDS DOLLARS. WHAT THE HECK. That is nuts!

Yeah, dental school cost quite a bit more than med. Haha, might want to explore cheaper school options unless you plan on doing military/nhsc/Indian reserve.

 

[techyguy]

I don't plan on mentioning premed at all. I've shadowed my family dentist since last year, have about 150 hours, they shouldn't question my dedication to dentistry because I'm not dumb enough to tell adcoms I used to be a premed.


Is there any other way they'd be able to find out?

Well, they'll ask you how you got where you are today, and you hopefully won't lie through your teeth.

It's really no cardinal sin to jump from med to dental, you just aren't doing it for the right reasons, as near as I can tell, from this thread. I would usually help, but I reread your posts, and I don't want to. Others may. Know thyself, young padawan.

 

[Silent Cool]

There are no right or wrong reasons. Whatever your reasons are--those are right. Everyone has their own personal and professional reasons. OP, if you feel that medicine is simply "too much" and that dentistry is a more palatable option that you would like and be happy with, that's great. Do it. I have no idea what's wrong with that. People act like you need to have some burning passion for your job. That's ridiculous. It's a JOB. As long as you are ethical and practice with integrity and a high degree of quality, that's all anyone can reasonably expect of you .

You will definitely get in with your stats, but I would apply to a lot more schools.
good luck.