DO or DDS/DMD

[RICEman]

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Yeah, it's really weird....

Am I alone?

I was a medic in the service.
I've maintained a 3.0 while working part-time and with a family.
I have a bachelor's degree already.



I've been debating both options for a year.
If DDS/DMD I would be satisfied with GP/AEGD or obtain a residency and become
and orthod.

If DO I would want to specialize in ENT or Orthop.

Anyone in similar situation?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Yeah, it's really weird....

Am I alone?

I was a medic in the service.
I've maintained a 3.0 while working part-time and with a family.
I have a bachelor's degree already.



I've been debating both options for a year.
If DDS/DMD I would be satisfied with GP/AEGD or obtain a residency and become
and orthod.

If DO I would want to specialize in ENT or Orthop.

Anyone in similar situation?

You'd be hard pressed to get into a dental school with those numbers, but you might be able to swing a spot at a DO program if you do very well on the MCAT and have good EC's.

What branch of the service were you in?

 

[Kuba]

You'd be hard pressed to get into a dental school with those numbers, but you might be able to swing a spot at a DO program if you do very well on the MCAT and have good EC's.

What branch of the service were you in?

😕 Gpa's for dental school are generally right about or slightly lower than the DO averages... Try asking the pre-dents for better advice though.

 

[MaximusD]

It is school-dependent. Just like MD/DO schools there are good and bad dent schools... I suggest a little research on the pre-dent forums, too.

 

[KOM]

Pre-dent here...unless you're a minority or absolutely kill the DAT (22+) you're going to have one heck of a time getting into dental school with a 3.0 GPA. Generally, to be competitive, they recommend a 3.3 GPA (both cumulative and science) and a 19DAT.

Don't get me wrong, those with below 3.0 gpa's and up to 3.3 gpa's are still getting acceptance letters, but most of those are either A)minorities or B) people who have done very well on the DAT.

Good luck

 

[KOM]

Also-

When you say you'd be "content" to specialize in orthodontics, it makes me think you need to do some more research. For example, orthodontics is the most popular specialization program in dentistry and the competitiveness for entrance into this specific program is insane. The consensus is that you need to score above the 95 percentile on your dental boards to even have a shot at orthodontics...not an easy thing to do.

I don't doubt your motivation, nor do I want to discourage you, but I just wanted to throw that idea out there.

Good luck!

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Yeah, it's really weird....

I've been debating both options for a year.
If DDS/DMD I would be satisfied with GP/AEGD or obtain a residency and become
and orthod.

If DO I would want to specialize in ENT or Orthop.

Anyone in similar situation?

I love people that speak nonchalantly about how they will settle for a very competitive residency.

 

[Fin-Nor]

those are all very competitive specialties...

lol, which to choose? are you ron jeremy?

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Volunteer at both for a month and see where you're happiest...

 

[makushin]

Yeah, it's really weird....

Am I alone?

I was a medic in the service.
I've maintained a 3.0 while working part-time and with a family.
I have a bachelor's degree already.



I've been debating both options for a year.
If DDS/DMD I would be satisfied with GP/AEGD or obtain a residency and become
and orthod.

If DO I would want to specialize in ENT or Orthop.

Anyone in similar situation?

Quite frankly, I'm making a similar consideration. I think you will need to ace the MCAT or DAT to have a good shot. A 3.0 is very medicore. I think dental and DO admissions are comparable numbers wise, but alot of the dental programs are state schools, which makes it quite competitive. The more I think about it, you will really have to ace the DAT to get in with 3.0. And as someone pointed out, 3.0 study habits will not get you ortho.

 

[RICEman]

Quite frankly, I'm making a similar consideration. I think you will need to ace the MCAT or DAT to have a good shot. A 3.0 is very medicore. I think dental and DO admissions are comparable numbers wise, but alot of the dental programs are state schools, which makes it quite competitive. The more I think about it, you will really have to ace the DAT to get in with 3.0. And as someone pointed out, 3.0 study habits will not get you ortho.

My gpa is actually 3.2ish
The last 2-3 semester gpa's were around 3.6-3.8
I think my study habits is not the problem. I've been working FULL-TIME.
I've worked less since.......a whole lot less (part-time)

I've been acing many exams I've 'had INCLUDING ORGANIC and upper div Biol where most pre-meds/dents in my class struggle or failed misserably. Not to be condescending - but I think I could do as good as the "cream of the crop..."(current cummulative gpa)

Thank God - I found WAYs to improve my GPA......however, I still have to prove my worth in med school by getting more A's and acing the DAT or MCAT.

Well, thanks for ALL.