Has anyone taking BOTH the PCAT and the DAT?

[ataha]

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Hey guys, am I correct in thinking that if I prepare for the DAT, that I will be prepared for the PCAT? My dad is a pharmacist so he urges me to pursue pharmacy (so he can pass his pharmacy down to me) and it's a good idea so I want to keep my options open. What do you guys think 🙂

 

[Bis-GMA111]

i took a free PCAT test just bc i wanted more tests to study from for the DAT last year. it wasn't difficult at all, EXCEPT for the precalc/calc part (i haven't taken either in about 6 years). not bad at all though, imo. oh and theres physics on there too if i remember correctly

 

[ataha]

Physics on the PCAT or DAT? I'm worried about the gen chem mainly to be honest. I don't remember much, I kind of regret taking chem I and chem II in one semester I don't recall much.

 

[433439]

Hey guys, am I correct in thinking that if I prepare for the DAT, that I will be prepared for the PCAT? My dad is a pharmacist so he urges me to pursue pharmacy (so he can pass his pharmacy down to me) and it's a good idea so I want to keep my options open. What do you guys think 🙂

If you're thinking pharmacy, I suggest spending your time wisely and plan on studying for the PCAT. Studying for the DAT as "practice" for the PCAT well be of no use. In fact, the PCAT hardly tests organic chemistry, the bulk of the PCAT is general chemistry 1 and 2. Ochem is 1/3 of the natural sciences in the DAT along with biology 1/2 and general chemistry 1/2. PCAT has calc 1, the DAT does not test past trigonometry, nor will it test physics. The DAT has a perceptual ability test, PCAT does not, you get the point... You'll be studying a lot of unneeded material. Unless you're aiming for those highly coveted DDS/PharmD joint-degree programs, do what have you.

 

[wired202808]

If you're thinking pharmacy, I suggest spending your time wisely and plan on studying for the PCAT. Studying for the DAT as "practice" for the PCAT well be of no use. In fact, the PCAT hardly tests organic chemistry, the bulk of the PCAT is general chemistry 1 and 2. Ochem is 1/3 of the natural sciences in the DAT along with biology 1/2 and general chemistry 1/2. PCAT has calc 1, the DAT does not test past trigonometry, nor will it test physics. The DAT has a perceptual ability test, PCAT does not, you get the point... You'll be studying a lot of unneeded material. Unless you're aiming for those highly coveted DDS/PharmD joint-degree programs, do what have you.

Agreed. Pick a professional degree and stick with it. 2 tests wont help you and will make you look worse, esp if you apply to 2 professional programs. Dentistry is a better profession in my mind esp from a financial perspective. Pharm is better if you dont want to get your hands dirty. Both will help you live comfortably.

 

[ataha]

Thanks, truth is I'm attracted to the 'being my own boss' that comes with being a dentist. Something that is difficult to do in pharmacy (my dad's pharmacy is overseas). And I kind of love the red white and blue, I don't plan on leaving really lol.
Is there anything in dentistry similar to being a pharmacy technician in pharmacy? Something I can test to get certified for and then work?

 

[timwatley]

There's actually a member here that went to pharmacy school and then ended up getting into dental school this cycle. Hmmmm....can't remember their name though.

I wouldn't think you'd be adequately prepared though. Each test stresses a bunch of different material.

 

[433439]

Thanks, truth is I'm attracted to the 'being my own boss' that comes with being a dentist. Something that is difficult to do in pharmacy (my dad's pharmacy is overseas). And I kind of love the red white and blue, I don't plan on leaving really lol.
Is there anything in dentistry similar to being a pharmacy technician in pharmacy? Something I can test to get certified for and then work?

Here, this should explain it. . .

 

[ataha]

Lol amusing, about being a dental assistant, do I have to go to school or is it a matter of just self studying and taking a certification exam? If it's the latter what is the test called?

There's actually a member here that went to pharmacy school and then ended up getting into dental school this cycle. Hmmmm....can't remember their name though.

I wouldn't think you'd be adequately prepared though. Each test stresses a bunch of different material.

That's the girl/guy I need to talk to, if you ever run into them on the forums again or remember their name let me know please 🙂

 

[433439]

Lol amusing, about being a dental assistant, do I have to go to school or is it a matter of just self studying and taking a certification exam? If it's the latter what is the test called?



That's the girl/guy I need to talk to, if you ever run into them on the forums again or remember their name let me know please 🙂

Lots of community colleges have associate degree programs in dental assisting. It's primarily two years of study, then again, you can probably volunteer as a dental assistant for free.

 

[wired202808]

Thanks, truth is I'm attracted to the 'being my own boss' that comes with being a dentist. Something that is difficult to do in pharmacy (my dad's pharmacy is overseas). And I kind of love the red white and blue, I don't plan on leaving really lol.
Is there anything in dentistry similar to being a pharmacy technician in pharmacy? Something I can test to get certified for and then work?

I dont know why you would want to waste time learning how to be a tech or assistant instead of just going for the pharmd or DDS degree. If you're curious you can always shadow a professional and see if you're interested in that field. Techs / assistants degree wont help you get into pharm or dental school. You wont seem more competitive.

 

[ataha]

I dont know why you would want to waste time learning how to be a tech or assistant instead of just going for the pharmd or DDS degree. If you're curious you can always shadow a professional and see if you're interested in that field. Techs / assistants degree wont help you get into pharm or dental school. You wont seem more competitive.

Sorry I didn't know that... I'll look into shadowing this summer, maybe the guy that put on my braces lol.

Lots of community colleges have associate degree programs in dental assisting. It's primarily two years of study, then again, you can probably volunteer as a dental assistant for free.

Is that the same as shadowing?

 

[433439]

Is that the same as shadowing?

No.

 

[ataha]

I will definitely look into that this summer, thank you.

 

[wired202808]

Sorry I didn't know that... I'll look into shadowing this summer, maybe the guy that put on my braces lol.



Is that the same as shadowing?

Shadowing is the not the same as working as a dental assistant. Shadowing is merely watching, you dont get to touch anyone or do anything. Dental assistant hand instruments to the doc, assists with procedures and have real patient interaction. For those that are seeking admission to dental school there is no need or advantage to become an assistant. Hope this clears it up for you.

 

[timwatley]

Lol amusing, about being a dental assistant, do I have to go to school or is it a matter of just self studying and taking a certification exam? If it's the latter what is the test called?



That's the girl/guy I need to talk to, if you ever run into them on the forums again or remember their name let me know please 🙂

Their name is actually 'hmmmmm', not sure how many m's there are though.

 

[ataha]

Shadowing is the not the same as working as a dental assistant. Shadowing is merely watching, you dont get to touch anyone or do anything. Dental assistant hand instruments to the doc, assists with procedures and have real patient interaction. For those that are seeking admission to dental school there is no need or advantage to become an assistant. Hope this clears it up for you.

Thank you so much for clearing that up, forgive me if I'm wrong, but shadowing is usually something you do for a month at most correct? Schools like to see that you shadowed a dentist because it shows them that you do know what you're getting into. But it's not like volunteering and volunteering makes you a more well rounded applicant than simply shadowing.

 

[wired202808]

Thank you so much for clearing that up, forgive me if I'm wrong, but shadowing is usually something you do for a month at most correct? Schools like to see that you shadowed a dentist because it shows them that you do know what you're getting into. But it's not like volunteering and volunteering makes you a more well rounded applicant than simply shadowing.

Most schols require anywhere from 30 to 100 hours of shadowing. I wouldnt rush it over a month because then you wont build the necessary relationship with the dentist to get a letter of recommendation from him/her. Do it over the course of 6 months to 1 year to learn about the profession, see all sorts of cases, and really build a good relationship to secure a great letter. 👍

 

[ataha]

Most schols require anywhere from 30 to 100 hours of shadowing. I wouldnt rush it over a month because then you wont build the necessary relationship with the dentist to get a letter of recommendation from him/her. Do it over the course of 6 months to 1 year to learn about the profession, see all sorts of cases, and really build a good relationship to secure a great letter. 👍

You have a good point, thanks I will definitely try to accomplish some shadowing this summer!

 

[Ragekage]

Shadowing is the not the same as working as a dental assistant. Shadowing is merely watching, you dont get to touch anyone or do anything. Dental assistant hand instruments to the doc, assists with procedures and have real patient interaction. For those that are seeking admission to dental school there is no need or advantage to become an assistant. Hope this clears it up for you.

I must disagree with this. My interviewers were interested in my occupation and the knowledge I gained out of my occupation as an assistant. Having shadowed and assisted I can tell you actually working as an assistant is NO COMPARISON AT ALL to shadowing. Plus I can tell you a letter of rec from your boss can have the potential to be a lot stronger than from a dentist who had you shadow for a month... Take it with a grain of salt guys.

 

[wired202808]

I must disagree with this. My interviewers were interested in my occupation and the knowledge I gained out of my occupation as an assistant. Having shadowed and assisted I can tell you actually working as an assistant is NO COMPARISON AT ALL to shadowing. Plus I can tell you a letter of rec from your boss can have the potential to be a lot stronger than from a dentist who had you shadow for a month... Take it with a grain of salt guys.

I think your assuming that you wouldn't get into school without being an assistant which isn't true at all. Your interviewer only brought up your background and discussed it, I discussed things at my interview that pertained to be my file, thats the point of the interview. Meanwhile, being an assistant wasn't the reason you got into the school, just the like OP does NOT need to be an assistant to get into school. Just like majority of pre dental students were not assistants and got in. Catching my drift? Assisting for the sake of going to dental school is like learning to swim for the sake out trying to swim the Atlantic Ocean