Does working in another profession hurt your application?

[Mstoothlady2012]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I work as pharmacy technician over an year now. Before I started working as technician, I looked for job in dental clinic but I was not successful so finally I gave up and got a job in pharmacy, thinking that atleast I will be learning something instead of working as a cashier in a grocery store. When I was applying last year, my advisor told me that this job might hurt my application and I kind of just laughed at her and said nah I don't think so! Well Bummer! UF (my first choice) told me that working in pharmacy was one of the reasons that they rejected me, because it looked like I was having second thoughts about dentistry, hence I was leaning towards pharmacy. I was very disappointed to hear this! Anyways, I am quitting my job... already told my pharmacist what happened and he understands. Its sad! Even after I explained so well in my personal statement how becoming a dentist is my dream ever since high school and I have never though about any other profession 🙄 So other pre-dents who are working in other professional field just watch out. I know this was not the only reason that they rejected me for...but she told me that this was the 2nd reason after my GPA.

 

[rose786]

Sorry to hear that.

I think your GPA is fine if you retake your DAT.

Keep trying to get a dental office/lab job...I work as an assistant and it took a loooong time and much praying before I finally got lucky.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Sorry to hear that.

I think your GPA is fine if you retake your DAT.

Keep trying to get a dental office/lab job...I work as an assistant and it took a loooong time and much praying before I finally got lucky.

that's the funny thing...i was expecting her to point out DAT as the first reason for rejection...instead she said GPA, then pharmacy and I was kind of arguing about why I work in pharmacy. Then after the conversation was over...I asked her about DAT and she was like oh yess...that is below average too try to bring that up as well! yeaa finally it looks like I will be getting a voluntary work in dental lab.

 

[rose786]

that's the funny thing...i was expecting her to point out DAT as the first reason for rejection...instead she said GPA, then pharmacy and I was kind of arguing about why I work in pharmacy. Then after the conversation was over...I asked her about DAT and she was like oh yess...that is below average too try to bring that up as well! yeaa finally it looks like I will be getting a voluntary work in dental lab.

If you blew them away with your DAT (20's), that GPA wouldn't look as bad.

If you can't get a job in a dental setting try a science related job, such as a research assistant position. Then add on more shadowing or volunteering hours whenever you are free. Sure it looks good, but no one said a dental job is the only way to gain acceptance.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

If you blew them away with your DAT (20's), that GPA wouldn't look as bad.

If you can't get a job in a dental setting try a science related job, such as a research assistant position. Then add on more shadowing or volunteering hours whenever you are free. Sure it looks good, but no one said a dental job is the only way to gain acceptance.

true.... yea m also getting a voluntary work in research lab as well. So I have many improvements in my application before I re-apply. I know that getting a job in dental clinic is not the only way to get acceptance. But i want to work in dental clinic, so I can learn more about dentistry.

 

[rollypolly]

That's kind of surprising that they would tell you that. Everyone has their own reasons for having the job that they have, and they shouldn't make assumptions based on a part-time job you have in undergrad. I worked in a physician's office for a number of years doing a job that I absolutely loved, but had nothing to do with my future career plans. The funny thing is, I was never once asked at any interview the "why dentistry and not medicine" question, which I was totally ready to address since I had worked for a physician for so long. 😕

 

[SugarNaCl]

I'll be honest but of course am no ADCOM member. I really don't think working as a pharmacy tech was the main reason for rejection. Maybe some schools think like this but I highly doubt that is why you received a rejection from multiple schools. If I were to look at your application, from what I have heard... I too would focus on those DAT scores. 17 is pretty low to be competitive. I don't think your GPA looks horrible.

I received my MS in neuroimmunology and worked for 3 years in the dept of medicine at a cancer hospital (research assistant) conducting prostate cancer research (in vitro and clinical trials) before I decided to apply to dental school. Last I checked, the prostate had little to do with the oral cavity yet I was accepted at my first choice.

If you bring your DAT up and get at least some dental experience, I'd think you should be good to go if you apply to enough schools. Not so sure I would have dumped that pharm tech job so quick, but that's just me. Good luck next cycle if not this one.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

I'll be honest but of course am no ADCOM member. I really don't think working as a pharmacy tech was the main reason for rejection. Maybe some schools think like this but I highly doubt that is why you received a rejection from multiple schools. If I were to look at your application, from what I have heard... I too would focus on those DAT scores. 17 is pretty low to be competitive. I don't think your GPA looks horrible.

I received my MS in neuroimmunology and worked for 3 years in the dept of medicine at a cancer hospital (research assistant) conducting prostate cancer research (in vitro and clinical trials) before I decided to apply to dental school. Last I checked, the prostate had little to do with the oral cavity yet I was accepted at my first choice.

If you bring your DAT up and get at least some dental experience, I'd think you should be good to go if you apply to enough schools. Not so sure I would have dumped that pharm tech job so quick, but that's just me. Good luck next cycle if not this one.

I never said that pharmacy was the major reason for rejection. And i never said that I got rejection from multiple schools because of that reason. I just pointed out what I found out...and just trying to warn some pre-dents.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I never said that pharmacy was the major reason for rejection. And i never said that I got rejection from multiple schools because of that reason. I just pointed out what I found out...and just trying to warn some pre-dents.

Sorry, Mstoothlady. I was just looking at your pre-dents profile you posted. I just meant personally for you that your other experience looks pretty positive except for the DAT. If I offended you, I didn't intend to. Good luck.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Sorry, Mstoothlady. I was just looking at your pre-dents profile you posted. I just meant personally for you that your other experience looks pretty positive except for the DAT. If I offended you, I didn't intend to. Good luck.

that's ok! I just dont want people to think that I am making an excuse for my rejections by blaming on pharmacy, because I very well know that pharmacy is not the major issue...but it definitely played a little part according to UF. That's all!

 

[scuzfly]

If they look at your job applications I'm screwed. I've never worked in a dental lab. I've held jobs that paid well since I needed the money in life. I didn't have stuff paid for I had to pay for it. Going to school full time and working full time is hard enough, finding a job that works with school and pays well is even harder. I need to make at least $10/hour to live (bills, food, gas etc.) so I couldn't afford to quit and make $8/hour part time so my application looks good.

 

[doc toothache]

I work as pharmacy technician over an year now. Before I started working as technician, I looked for job in dental clinic but I was not successful so finally I gave up and got a job in pharmacy, thinking that atleast I will be learning something instead of working as a cashier in a grocery store. When I was applying last year, my advisor told me that this job might hurt my application and I kind of just laughed at her and said nah I don't think so! Well Bummer! UF (my first choice) told me that working in pharmacy was one of the reasons that they rejected me, because it looked like I was having second thoughts about dentistry, hence I was leaning towards pharmacy. I was very disappointed to hear this! Anyways, I am quitting my job... already told my pharmacist what happened and he understands. Its sad! Even after I explained so well in my personal statement how becoming a dentist is my dream ever since high school and I have never though about any other profession 🙄 So other pre-dents who are working in other professional field just watch out. I know this was not the only reason that they rejected me for...but she told me that this was the 2nd reason after my GPA.

Working in a pharmacy may have given UF more ammo to reject your application but it is unlikely the outcome would have been any different had you been working as a dental assistant. When it comes to rejection one reason (GPA or DAT) is more than enough.

 

[anon1025]

I work as a pharmacy tech. It is better than working at a gas station. You learn about public healthcare and get better with people interaction. It should count as positive...not negative.

 

[informatique]

Now I'm hesitating to put information on the work experience section when I apply this summer.

I worked as a pharm tech too(over a year) during freshman/sophmore year because I initially thought that I wanted to go into pharmacy, but I absolutely hate the job. I came upon dentistry and really enjoyed it and started shadowing this year.

🙁

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Working in a pharmacy may have given UF more ammo to reject your application but it is unlikely the outcome would have been any different had you been working as a dental assistant. When it comes to rejection one reason (GPA or DAT) is more than enough.

true...

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

I work as a pharmacy tech. It is better than working at a gas station. You learn about public healthcare and get better with people interaction. It should count as positive...not negative.

That is what I was thinking as well when I accepted that job offer!

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Now I'm hesitating to put information on the work experience section when I apply this summer.

I worked as a pharm tech too(over a year) during freshman/sophmore year because I initially thought that I wanted to go into pharmacy, but I absolutely hate the job. I came upon dentistry and really enjoyed it and started shadowing this year.

🙁

Well, just make sure you explain why you worked in pharmacy and that you are 100% committed to Dentistry!