general predental questions

[littlephiLLy]

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I am a premed who will be applying to allopathic schools summer '06. I will be taking a prep course and registering for the April '06 MCAT. given the fact that admission to medical school is highly competitive, i am exploring other options should medicine does not work out. Thus, i am considering applying to some dental schools in addition to medical schools (but not both programs of the same school).

With ample preparation upon completion of the MCAT, can I expect to score acceptably on the DAT? I have seen DAT questions before, and feel as if I can do okay given a month or two of solid prep after the MCAT. Honestly, it is my ambition to become a surgeon one day, so if I cannot do it in the medical field, then why not try the dental? I do research in a biochem/pathology lab, and have volunteering experience. I'm guessing all i'd have to add to cater to a dental app is clinical experience in dentistry? (shadowing, perhaps).

If anyone else has done the same I'd really appreciate advice/suggestions. If you intend to post a negative reply to my post, go right ahead i don't care, it just won't be of any use to me.

 

[crazy_sherm]

There are a couple sections, mainly the PAT on the DAT that is not on the MCAT that you will need to study for the most. Everything else should be something you've seen before.

That being said, you should really look into dentistry a little more before applying. You shouldn't use dentistry as a fall back on medicine because if your heart's not in it, you'll be miserable. If you really are set on becoming a surgeon, you should really focus on that. If you don't get into med school this time around, you can consider doing a masters to make yourself a better candidate and reapply. If becoming a surgeon is really your dream, follow through with it. It'll be worth it in the long run.

 

[airvent]

I agree with Sherm. There is no need for a fall back. Just improve your Med school application and reapply. If you have good score and GPA you will get in eventually somewhere if you keep working torwards your goal.

 

[ziptree]

Yay, another med school wanna-be dentist. =)

Someone in my dental class has already dropped out because he never really wanted to be a dentist but used it as a backup anyways...now someone else is thinking about it too....lesson? Don't do it if you don't want to be a dentist...you'll just rack up $60,000 in loans and then drop out.

 

[littlephiLLy]

those responses are exactly what i've been hearing from other students, as well as my dentist. it seems that the prehealth advisors and other professors with whom i speak keep stressing the need for "alternatives" in the "what if" events, so i do hear conflicting opinions.

 

[Sprgrover]

those responses are exactly what i've been hearing from other students, as well as my dentist. it seems that the prehealth advisors and other professors with whom i speak keep stressing the need for "alternatives" in the "what if" events, so i do hear conflicting opinions.

Having a backup plan is indeed a good thing to have. Should your primary goal fall through it's good to have other options available, not only for peace of mind but also to help give your life a new direction. However it is important to also have a backup plan that you have researched and are comfortable with; merely picking something because it seems to be along the same vein as your other interests is a risky venture as that alternative could very well become your reality along with all of the politics and drawbacks associated with it.

 

[airvent]

those responses are exactly what i've been hearing from other students, as well as my dentist. it seems that the prehealth advisors and other professors with whom i speak keep stressing the need for "alternatives" in the "what if" events, so i do hear conflicting opinions.

Yea , I think when they are talking about alternatives they mean a school teacher, or TGIF manager.