CompSci grad: how feasible is dental school for me?

[CStoDentS]

Hey all,

I graduated with a degree in computer science in 2014 and have been working full-time as a software engineer since.

My undergrad performance was spotty at best. I was late into the program, so I devoted all my time and effort into my major courses and mathematics. My ending GPA was 3.21. I took an entire sequence of chemistry and lab, and received C+s and B-s across the board. However, I'm confident that if I took them today, I would do much, much better.

So I guess my question is, how feasible would it be to go to dental school, given my low GPA. I know I'd have to take organic chemistry, biology, and physics, but I don't think with a full-time job that I could realistically get all As across the board. The earliest I could probably finish up the pre-reqs would be spring of 2017 if I wanted to pace myself, and by then I'd already be 25.

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[darknightzzz]

you aint happy with 60-80k salary as a software engineer since graduation?

I sense thirst to prove yourself, never settle for less, very ambitious.

Gryffindor.

 

[CStoDentS]

you aint happy with 60-80k salary as a software engineer since graduation?

I sense thirst to prove yourself, never settle for less, very ambitious.

Gryffindor.

The money is nice, but the job itself isn't very interesting. Limited opportunities outside of the Bay area as well. This Hufflepuff wants to work a little closer to home.

 

[Pro-Dentite19]

You can do it if you dedicate yourself....and 25 is not even close to old to start dental school.

 

[CStoDentS]

Do people usually quit their jobs to do an informal post-bacc? I feel like that's the best case scenario for me to dedicate myself to the pre-reqs, but I'm worried that if I can't make the cut that I just wasted time and I couldn't get back into engineering.

sGPA isn't so hot (~3.0 at the moment, if CS courses are included), but my BCP GPA is pretty much a clean slate aside from the chemistry, which I plan to retake anyways.

 

[Typical Average Student]

Depends how fast you want to get in, if you were being conservative and safe, take at least 12 hours of prereqs and upper level bios at a local college (not community) try to cut back a few hours of work to part time if studying gets too intense.... If possible.

 

[Incis0r]

You'll have no problems. I've taken comp sci before, and let me just say this: if you can master hours of coding, debugging etc., then you can easily master the sciences and get into dental school. Don't worry about that GPA- in my opinion, it's much easier to do well in natural sciences than in comp sci. Just bring your CS work ethic to Predental coursework and you'll kill it.

And congrats on your engineering degree!

 

[jmcunnin]

I'm 29, and I quit my job to pursue dentistry. I am coming from undergrad and master degrees in business. Haven't had science classes in 7 years, and I've taken 10 classes so far. 8 A's and 2 B's. Applying to dental school next year. It hasn't been easy, but it's definitely possible. Good luck!

 

[ortlurker]

if money is a big factor in your life, think again. i've been practicing for years.

in major cities such as sf, la, nyc, a software engineer makes more $$ if you work for the right firm. given that gps/specialists cannot make much in cities. we, dentists, tend to be in the bottom of the food chain, working as contractors without benefits as parttime at multiple offices unless you own one. software engineers (w/ poss mba) can make more $$ with benefits and stock options. we may make over 6 figures, but we pay out of pocket benefits, liability insurance, diability insurance, dea license, state license, membership fees, etc, which add up to tens of thousand dollars. that being said, if you really love dentistry, you should pursue it. otherwise, your profession isnt so bad. i love dentistry but most of my pts are rich engineers who are really cheap and demanding. they take us for granted.

3.21 as a compsci major isn't bad. although you should get near 4.0 in prereqs. dschools love nontrads, compsci is one of them.

btw, i was a software engineer and worked for 4 years before dschool. different lifestyle, i like me right now, but i do question whether all that loan + effort were worth it (because I am still in debt.)

 

[CStoDentS]

I'm 29, and I quit my job to pursue dentistry. I am coming from undergrad and master degrees in business. Haven't had science classes in 7 years, and I've taken 10 classes so far. 8 A's and 2 B's. Applying to dental school next year. It hasn't been easy, but it's definitely possible. Good luck!

Are you working full time while doing this? Very impressive.

if money is a big factor in your life, think again. i've been practicing for years.

in major cities such as sf, la, nyc, a software engineer makes more $$ if you work for the right firm. given that gps/specialists cannot make much in cities. we, dentists, tend to be in the bottom of the food chain, working as contractors without benefits as parttime at multiple offices unless you own one. software engineers (w/ poss mba) can make more $$ with benefits and stock options. we may make over 6 figures, but we pay out of pocket benefits, liability insurance, diability insurance, dea license, state license, membership fees, etc, which add up to tens of thousand dollars. that being said, if you really love dentistry, you should pursue it. otherwise, your profession isnt so bad. i love dentistry but most of my pts are rich engineers who are really cheap and demanding. they take us for granted.

3.21 as a compsci major isn't bad. although you should get near 4.0 in prereqs. dschools love nontrads, compsci is one of them.

btw, i was a software engineer and worked for 4 years before dschool. different lifestyle, i like me right now, but i do question whether all that loan + effort were worth it (because I am still in debt.)

Not really about the money for me. Dentistry fascinates me. I also like the idea of not being limited the Bay Area for the rest of my life.

 

[jmcunnin]

Are you working full time while doing this? Very impressive.

I'm actually in the process of turning a hobby into a full time online business. It's flexible enough to work around my school schedule, but it's still work. It was tough giving up my career though because I had it pretty good, so I understand your thought process. It's a tough decision. I took time to myself after I resigned from my job to really think about what I wanted to do. I highly suggest doing the same. Maybe take a short trip/vacation by yourself to clear your mind and really give it some thought.