Completely confused about everything... help!

[NeuroscEYEnce]

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I have been on this journey of getting in to health care for the past several years. I initially was medical and switched to dental because I felt that there were things that dentistry profession could give to me that medicine couldn't. For example, I wanted to use my hands and have long term relationships with patients. With a low undergrad gpa and a average DAT score I decided to enroll in a special masters program. I spent this past summer studying for DAT and have my application for dental school all filled but something is holding me back from retaking my DAT and submitting my application. I don't know the reason why. Part of me is even doubting dentistry all together. But, honestly I can't think of any other profession that would suit my passions. How can someone be almost 30 and not know what to do with their life professionally?? I really want to wake up every day and love my job and I shadowed general dentist and wasn't too impressed but when it came to oral surgeon I was AMAZED. I'm amazed how someone can reconstruct a completely shattered mandible, I want to do that! But, I feel like it's too far away to even decide on specialty. I also think by the time I would get into dental school then finish a oral surgery residency I'd be 40!!! I love working with people, science, using my hands, artistry (played violin since I was 7), and surgery. My boyfriend thinks I'd be wasting time by waiting another year to apply and figure things out and thinks I should take the DAT by the next couple weeks and apply this year. But, me personally I'm not sure AT ALL and I'm just so confused because I'm afraid to take the DAT for the second time and do mediocre again or a little better and get no love from any dental school. Plus, it's almost mid september, so it's late in the application game. I'm so lost and confused and at times don't even know if dentistry is right but I know what I love to do and it seems to fit. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing here. Please any constructive advice would help. Thanks! 😀

 

[gn4]

It seems you really love dentistry...I would submit as soon as possible to have a better chance of an interview. From what I hear, schools like non-trads. So you have a chance. Also depends on what you mean by average DAT and low GPA. What are your DAT scores?

 

[Koalafied]

I have been on this journey of getting in to health care for the past several years. I initially was medical and switched to dental because I felt that there were things that dentistry profession could give to me that medicine couldn't. For example, I wanted to use my hands and have long term relationships with patients. With a low undergrad gpa and a average DAT score I decided to enroll in a special masters program. I spent this past summer studying for DAT and have my application for dental school all filled but something is holding me back from retaking my DAT and submitting my application. I don't know the reason why. Part of me is even doubting dentistry all together. But, honestly I can't think of any other profession that would suit my passions. How can someone be almost 30 and not know what to do with their life professionally?? I really want to wake up every day and love my job and I shadowed general dentist and wasn't too impressed but when it came to oral surgeon I was AMAZED. I'm amazed how someone can reconstruct a completely shattered mandible, I want to do that! But, I feel like it's too far away to even decide on specialty. I also think by the time I would get into dental school then finish a oral surgery residency I'd be 40!!! I love working with people, science, using my hands, artistry (played violin since I was 7), and surgery. My boyfriend thinks I'd be wasting time by waiting another year to apply and figure things out and thinks I should take the DAT by the next couple weeks and apply this year. But, me personally I'm not sure AT ALL and I'm just so confused because I'm afraid to take the DAT for the second time and do mediocre again or a little better and get no love from any dental school. Plus, it's almost mid september, so it's late in the application game. I'm so lost and confused and at times don't even know if dentistry is right but I know what I love to do and it seems to fit. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing here. Please any constructive advice would help. Thanks! 😀

Your post is nothing short of an individual whom clearly wanted to become a plastic surgeon with preferred emphasis on the craniofacial area along with all the relevant -plasty procedures, and part of that individual still endearingly exemplifies it. Let me tell you this, prior to matching for OMFS, you have to literally be the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to dentistry; meaning you have to be amongst the best dentists amongst all your classmates/peers, nationwide. I feel the "things" you are looking for in the dental profession is time, especially sunk times; right? Your current predicament metaphorically seems as though you're at a race against a biological clock in the vain efforts in trying to identify the correct wires to cut. Then again, you gotta cut the correct wires in the right permutations. At this point, perhaps taking time out of the equation may actually be benefacial, OP?

 

[wb1]

I have met people who are in their 50's and regretting about what they could have done in life. Go out and get what you want. Take that DAT with 110%.

 

[Ionz]

I have been on this journey of getting in to health care for the past several years. I initially was medical and switched to dental because I felt that there were things that dentistry profession could give to me that medicine couldn't. For example, I wanted to use my hands and have long term relationships with patients. With a low undergrad gpa and a average DAT score I decided to enroll in a special masters program. I spent this past summer studying for DAT and have my application for dental school all filled but something is holding me back from retaking my DAT and submitting my application. I don't know the reason why. Part of me is even doubting dentistry all together. But, honestly I can't think of any other profession that would suit my passions. How can someone be almost 30 and not know what to do with their life professionally?? I really want to wake up every day and love my job and I shadowed general dentist and wasn't too impressed but when it came to oral surgeon I was AMAZED. I'm amazed how someone can reconstruct a completely shattered mandible, I want to do that! But, I feel like it's too far away to even decide on specialty. I also think by the time I would get into dental school then finish a oral surgery residency I'd be 40!!! I love working with people, science, using my hands, artistry (played violin since I was 7), and surgery. My boyfriend thinks I'd be wasting time by waiting another year to apply and figure things out and thinks I should take the DAT by the next couple weeks and apply this year. But, me personally I'm not sure AT ALL and I'm just so confused because I'm afraid to take the DAT for the second time and do mediocre again or a little better and get no love from any dental school. Plus, it's almost mid september, so it's late in the application game. I'm so lost and confused and at times don't even know if dentistry is right but I know what I love to do and it seems to fit. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing here. Please any constructive advice would help. Thanks! 😀

While the sentiment is great, you should enter the dental profession understanding and accepting wholeheartedly that you are much more likely to come out as a general dentist than an oral surgeon or an orthodontist. This is primarily due to the sheer competition of the coveted OMFS and orthodontics residency spots.

 

[doc toothache]

I have met people who are in their 50's and regretting about what they could have done in life. Go out and get what you want. Take that DAT with 110%.

These would be the same individuals that would have regreted whatever other choice they would have made.