Help me out please

[mistymountiandr]

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Hey everyone, I am new to this board. I recently was accepted to dental school, but now i am having second thoughts. My choices were down to pharmacy and dentistry, and due to pressure from my parents and other external influences I chose dentistry. Now, with only one month to dentisty school, I am beginning to wonder if I chose the right decision, because after doing some more shadowing of the dentistry field, I don't know if I will feel comfortable with that as my career.
So my question to you all is this, if I decline going to dental school and apply to pharmacy school for the next year, will the admissions office frown on this, or not? I have recieved good grades in my chem and bio classes (3.7 sci gpa) and do you think that would be enough to get me in? I am really having a tough time deciding b/c I have already been accepted to dentistry and my parents are pissed that I am considering another career option. please provide your opinions.

 

[b*rizzle]

Hey everyone, I am new to this board. I recently was accepted to dental school, but now i am having second thoughts. My choices were down to pharmacy and dentistry, and due to pressure from my parents and other external influences I chose dentistry. Now, with only one month to dentisty school, I am beginning to wonder if I chose the right decision, because after doing some more shadowing of the dentistry field, I don't know if I will feel comfortable with that as my career.
So my question to you all is this, if I decline going to dental school and apply to pharmacy school for the next year, will the admissions office frown on this, or not? I have recieved good grades in my chem and bio classes (3.7 sci gpa) and do you think that would be enough to get me in? I am really having a tough time deciding b/c I have already been accepted to dentistry and my parents are pissed that I am considering another career option. please provide your opinions.

This is prob a pre-pharm topic, but nonetheless you owe it to yourself and your future patients to choose what interests you. Is there any reason your parents put so much pressure on you to become a dentist? I don't know why an adcom would frown on it; it's better that you understood what you wanted out of life and out of your career before you toss years and dollars down the drain. You had just better be prepared to defend your choice to a pharmacy adcom, because they'll probably want you to assure them that the same thing won't happen after you choose pharmacy school. You really do need to decide what it is you like about pharmacy relative to what you don't like about dentistry, and make sure you're not running into the same issue you were trying to escape from.

With your GPA you shouldn't have a great deal of trouble finding a program that will accept you...I would just take the PCAT (and do well!) and play up your pharmacy experience.

 

[bananaface]

Moving to pre-pharmacy 🙂

 

[DownonthePharm]

I would take some time and ask yourself some serious questions:
With only a month to go before school starts, is it possible that you just have a case of cold feet? Or is this something you have been harboring for a long time? What about your shadowing experience turned you off to the dental field? Because there are ups and downs to every job. What did you like/dislike about dentistry and pharmacy? Why did you ultimately decide to apply to dental school, dont just say your parents, something had to convince you too, even if it was them saying "money!"?

I you decide to forgo dental school and apply to pharmacy school, dont worry about it. You did not actually attend dental school, therefore you dont need to tell pharmacy adcoms anything about ever wanting to be a dentist. The only way they will know is if you are applying to a school with both a dental and pharmacy program, and even then who knows. It will be up to you, how much, if any you reveal about your prior career aspirations.

 

[mistymountiandr]

I would take some time and ask yourself some serious questions:
With only a month to go before school starts, is it possible that you just have a case of cold feet? Or is this something you have been harboring for a long time? What about your shadowing experience turned you off to the dental field? Because there are ups and downs to every job. What did you like/dislike about dentistry and pharmacy? Why did you ultimately decide to apply to dental school, dont just say your parents, something had to convince you too, even if it was them saying "money!"?

I you decide to forgo dental school and apply to pharmacy school, dont worry about it. You did not actually attend dental school, therefore you dont need to tell pharmacy adcoms anything about ever wanting to be a dentist. The only way they will know is if you are applying to a school with both a dental and pharmacy program, and even then who knows. It will be up to you, how much, if any you reveal about your prior career aspirations.

The reason I applied to dental school was not because I wanted to be a dentist, but rather because I wanted to live the lifestyle of a dentist. I wanted the money, good hours, and job security. Also, I applied to dental school because somehow it seems more prestigious. I think I wanted to be dentist for the wrong reasons. At first it sounded good to me, I figured that I would just get used to the profession, but now I am seeing things in a different light.

I have worked in a lab this past year or so, and I enjoy the atmosphere, which I think is similar to the atmosphere in a pharmacy. I really enjoy knowing how drugs effect the human body, and how they can cure certian aliments. Also, I feel that my abilities would be better suited being a pharmacist.

Thanks for all your replies. One last question though, what is the job outlook for a pharmacist in the next five years? Will I be able to get a job anywhere I want, or will I be forced to move to a new city where there is a bigger market?

 

[b*rizzle]

The reason I applied to dental school was not because I wanted to be a dentist, but rather because I wanted to live the lifestyle of a dentist. I wanted the money, good hours, and job security. Also, I applied to dental school because somehow it seems more prestigious. I think I wanted to be dentist for the wrong reasons. At first it sounded good to me, I figured that I would just get used to the profession, but now I am seeing things in a different light.

I have worked in a lab this past year or so, and I enjoy the atmosphere, which I think is similar to the atmosphere in a pharmacy. I really enjoy knowing how drugs effect the human body, and how they can cure certian aliments. Also, I feel that my abilities would be better suited being a pharmacist.

Thanks for all your replies. One last question though, what is the job outlook for a pharmacist in the next five years? Will I be able to get a job anywhere I want, or will I be forced to move to a new city where there is a bigger market?

What kind of lab did you work in? The lab I worked in wasn't much like my retail job at all. It's funny that you say you wanted the lifestyle of a dentist. I know people who pick pharmacy for the money, job security, and the hours, although I would probably say that dentistry offers a bit more in that department (my roommate's boyfriend just passed his dentistry boards).

Depending on where you work will determine the need for pharmacists. Check out the Pharmacy Manpower Project to figure out what the demand is like in your area: http://www.pharmacymanpower.com/

Best of luck!