Dental School Back-Up Plan

[cellardoorxo]

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I am hoping to be able to get into Dental School soon, but I have been trying to figure out a back-up plan just in case things don't work out. I've seen numerous times that a BS in Bio is not a very helpful degree to have if you are not going to pursue med/dental school, and limits your job opportunities as well as pay. What is another degree that could be helpful if dental school does not work out?

 

[awaitsimpatient]

Physician Assistant or Nurse practitioner!!

 

[NDPitch]

I recently did some research on podiatry school. Not a bad gig either. Had I known more about podiatry a few years ago, I would have spent some more time deciding between dentistry and podiatry. I'm glad in pursuing dentistry, though. I'm just saying I never knew much about podiatry and its another viable and interesting option. I think it's "easy" to get into as well, relatively speaking that is. All professional programs are hard to get into.

 

[Junebug1665]

I hate feet. So I don't know what the heck I will do from here.

 

[LaughingGas]

DO or pharmD

 

[Jbrowndds]

I would probably be a nurse practitioner or something like that.

 

[Zbtb7]

The thing is... if you gear your undergrad towards dental school admission, you miss out on the opportunity to pursue many other non-health careers (and vice-versa).

Engineering/Comp sci is a field that makes you the most employable, but if you can't hack it it'll destroy your gpa and ruin your chances of DS admission. A field in business like accounting also makes you employable and is easier than engineering. However, in both fields, you need internships if you want to be able to find a job in this economy.

Science is actually an excellent major choice for the prehealth student because lab tech jobs are plentiful (due to high turnover because people work 2 years and go on to grad/professional school). This ensures that if you don't get in, you can support yourself while you try and try again. Same story though... don't expect to easily find a job in the field unless you have work experience (intern or work in a prof's lab).

If you definitely can't get into dental school, I'd assume it'll be because your gpa is terrible so med schools are off the table (unless you do an SMP or postbacc for DO). I suppose podiatry school and being a nurse of some sort are viable options. What's nice about being predent is that your prereqs overlap with all other health profession schools and as a science major, you can take a 2 year bridging program to get an BSN.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

I recently did some research on podiatry school. Not a bad gig either. Had I known more about podiatry a few years ago, I would have spent some more time deciding between dentistry and podiatry. I'm glad in pursuing dentistry, though. I'm just saying I never knew much about podiatry and its another viable and interesting option. I think it's "easy" to get into as well, relatively speaking that is. All professional programs are hard to get into.

👍👍 I went pre-dent to pre-pod! Same school model, and more surgery!

 

[little Buddy]

I recently did some research on podiatry school. Not a bad gig either. Had I known more about podiatry a few years ago, I would have spent some more time deciding between dentistry and podiatry. I'm glad in pursuing dentistry, though. I'm just saying I never knew much about podiatry and its another viable and interesting option. I think it's "easy" to get into as well, relatively speaking that is. All professional programs are hard to get into.

I'd rather be a garbage man. Get a DO degree or do a masters and get into dental school. Don't sell yourself short. No one pursues dentistry because its easy, they do it because its hard.

 

[free99]

they do it because its hard.

A gross oversimplification dripping with joke potential.

 

[predentalguy20]

I'd rather be a garbage man. Get a DO degree or do a masters and get into dental school. Don't sell yourself short. No one pursues dentistry because its easy, they do it because its hard.

HAHA.

To OP:

pharm D aint a bad thing either.