Help!

[SMRama87]

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I have a problem. I constantly keep changing my mind as to what I want to be. I've taken the MCAT, thinking about taking the PCAT and I recently just took the DAT. I'm not planning on sending any applications until May 2010 for the Fall 2011 school year. I don't want to rush things. So, here are my stats:

I graduated in August 2009 with a degree in Micro and Molecular Biology.
Overall GPA: 3.38
Science GPA: 3.21
DAT Score: 21

Other experience:
- Worked in a dental clinic for 2 months and will continue to do so if I choose to pursue the field
- Worked in a health camp in India for an entire summer, last year
- Upon graduation, I was hired by The Walt Disney Company to be a biotechnology professional intern in their biotechnology lab - very hands on; I do plant science research
- Did a semester of undergraduate research
- I've been the vice president of a few clubs
- Resident assistant for a year

Any advice would be much appreciated. I feel so stupid for taking so many different tests and not making my mind up as to what I want to do! Gah!

 

[angelnyc89]

It a decision your going to have to make, no one here can make that for you. What do you enjoy? Teeth or human body? Which lifestyle do you like better? You can go for a D.M.D. Your experiences are good, but what do you want to do? Whats in your heart?

 

[printer21]

And your forum name says Pre-optometry LOL

Take all of the tests and apply to them all and go to the best one..
Optometry > Pharmacy > Dental > Medicine ...

You're indian so thats probably the way your parents would tell you to go too lol.

Or you can do it right and pick one and focus on that.

 

[sajjy]

And your forum name says Pre-optometry LOL

Take all of the tests and apply to them all and go to the best one..
Optometry > Pharmacy > Dental > Medicine ...

You're indian so thats probably the way your parents would tell you to go too lol.

Or you can do it right and pick one and focus on that.

I dont see any connection between stereotyping and his question. 😕

 

[FutureDent020]

This is a question, not a critique. Are not sure what to do because you're unsure if you're GPA can get you into med school or even your MCAT in that case? That's often the situation. Dental school's will see your attention to the other professions and be very interested in your decision not to pursue them. Just something to think about.. Also, they will look at which test you took first.

 

[FutureDent020]

And applying to all would be a very poor decision. It shows that you are not sure about which field you want and I can say in dentistry's case, that will eliminate you almost immediately

 

[SMRama87]

Well, when I first started university, I wanted to be a dentist. First, I have a lot in my family and I've always enjoying listening to them talk about the profession. Second, I was in a lot of dental clubs in my first two years and got a lot of shadowing and learned a lot about the field. Third, my mum always wanted to be a dentist and never got the chance so it's a lot more personal for me to want to do it...

Now, I changed my mind because I thought I wasn't good enough. So, come junior year in college, I decided I wanted to do optometry (scrapped that idea because it bored me) and then osteopathic medicine which has a lower GPA average than dental schools and just a decent MCAT score. I met the requirements and got a decent MCAT score but I was slacking in my application and I was just not that passionate. It took a lot of self evaluating and then I decided that I needed to go back to my original dream because I feel that's what I've wanted to do, what would make me happiest and I'm overall just more passionate about it.

So now, I want to apply and get it done! I wanted to know if my stats are ok and any advice anybody has. I'm not going to apply in this application cycle, but next...Thanks!

 

[americanpierg]

Applying to all will be a HORRIBLE decision, and schools find out about it, you're almost surely out of the running. Applying to medical and dental schools simultaneously is bad enough, adding pharmacy schools and you might as well been better off just donating your application fees to the schools so at least you can write them off on your tax returns.

Being blunt and honest, I feel you have close to a zero shot at MD schools, but you can still be competitive at DO schools, or Dental and Pharmacy schools. I took both the MCAT and DAT too, mostly out of curiosity if anything, and I don't know your MCAT scores, but judging by your DAT score, I doubt it is high enough (38+) to save your GPA on your applications to MD schools.

I'm in dental school, so im kinda partial to that route, but I also contemplated pharmacy my freshman year in undergrad. It was an easier and shorter route, but at the end, i didn't want to work for a corporation like CVS or some healthcare facility, I wanted to be my own boss, so I chose Dentistry. Just look at the pros and cons and weigh it out yourself.

 

[SMRama87]

Thanks for all the advice.

I got a 27R on my MCAT and so I know I could have applied to osteopathic schools this year, but I just wasn't feeling it. That's why I've decided to remove myself totally from any professional school admission cycle for the Fall 2010 start term.

I have a lot of pharmacists in my family and once they heard I didn't want to do medicine, they encouraged me to do pharmacy. I pondered the thought but after much thinking, I don't think I'd enjoy the profession.

I've pretty much decided on dental. I'm not too worried that I took the MCAT because I can always justify myself. I'm not choosing dental because I couldn't get into medical, I'm choosing it because after a lot of exploring, I've discovered that I enjoy the field. So, for the 2011 start term, I'll be the first sending my dental applications in May/June 2010!

That being said, are my numbers (GPA/DAT) and extracurricular competitive for dental schools? I know my GPA is a little low. Thanks.

 

[Lurchdubious]

Thanks for all the advice.

I got a 27R on my MCAT and so I know I could have applied to osteopathic schools this year, but I just wasn't feeling it. That's why I've decided to remove myself totally from any professional school admission cycle for the Fall 2010 start term.

I have a lot of pharmacists in my family and once they heard I didn't want to do medicine, they encouraged me to do pharmacy. I pondered the thought but after much thinking, I don't think I'd enjoy the profession.

I've pretty much decided on dental. I'm not too worried that I took the MCAT because I can always justify myself. I'm not choosing dental because I couldn't get into medical, I'm choosing it because after a lot of exploring, I've discovered that I enjoy the field. So, for the 2011 start term, I'll be the first sending my dental applications in May/June 2010!

That being said, are my numbers (GPA/DAT) and extracurricular competitive for dental schools? I know my GPA is a little low. Thanks.

Congrats on choosing dentistry. I would say your stats are competitive. If I were you I'd apply to 10-15 schools.

 

[FutureDent020]

Congrats on choosing dentistry. I would say your stats are competitive. If I were you I'd apply to 10-15 schools.

Apply to schools that are appealing to you and you would attend. The application process gets very expensive. If you are competitive, then have confidence and apply to 7 or 8 (which I still think is a lot). You often see people who applied to around 15 schools start getting interviews and next thing you know they have withdrawn from 8 others. Well that's about $ 800 down the drain. Just thoughts... I don't mean to tell you what to do...

 

[Andrew324]

You can go for a D.M.D.

???

 

[Lurchdubious]

Apply to schools that are appealing to you and you would attend. The application process gets very expensive. If you are competitive, then have confidence and apply to 7 or 8 (which I still think is a lot). You often see people who applied to around 15 schools start getting interviews and next thing you know they have withdrawn from 8 others. Well that's about $ 800 down the drain. Just thoughts... I don't mean to tell you what to do...

Really, OP can do whatever they want. I was just pointing out that since his/her stats aren't blowing anyone away (Though still good), he/she should maybe out to apply to several schools. Obviously, don't apply to a school you would hate to attend, but don't just pick your top 4 and hope for the best either. I applied to 11 because I wanted to get in SOMEWHERE, but I left out a lot of schools that were either too expensive, had a low OOS acceptance rate, or places that I did NOT want to live, like The People's Republic of California.

 

[Lurchdubious]

???

Perhaps Angel meant D.D.S. M.D? or D.M.D. M.D? i.e. getting both degrees.

 

[Sauce]

It a decision your going to have to make, no one here can make that for you. What do you enjoy? Teeth or human body? Which lifestyle do you like better? You can go for a D.M.D. Your experiences are good, but what do you want to do? Whats in your heart?

Choosing dentistry does not mean choosing between teeth and the human body. This is a rather short-sighted and old fashioned notion. Sure you specialize in treating pathologies and cosmetic problems in the oral cavity but I would not want to go to a dentist that doesn't see dentistry extending beyond the oral cavity. This is much like saying to someone who is considering becoming a heart surgeon, do you like the heart or the body better?

If you are to choose dentistry a love of teeth and the oral cavity is a must, however no dentist should ever feel that they are only treating teeth. This is why so many schools are awarding DMD degrees (doctor of dental medicine) because you are a doctor that has specialized in treating the oral cavity. (although not necessarily a MD/DO). Don't feel like if you choose dentistry you are throwing an opportunity away to improve people's overall health. Lest I write a book on here I would suggest doing some research on the oral-systemic connection, I predict that we will hear more of this in the comming years.

 

[doc3232]

Choosing dentistry does not mean choosing between teeth and the human body. This is a rather short-sighted and old fashioned notion. Sure you specialize in treating pathologies and cosmetic problems in the oral cavity but I would not want to go to a dentist that doesn't see dentistry extending beyond the oral cavity. This is much like saying to someone who is considering becoming a heart surgeon, do you like the heart or the body better?

If you are to choose dentistry a love of teeth and the oral cavity is a must, however no dentist should ever feel that they are only treating teeth. This is why so many schools are awarding DMD degrees (doctor of dental medicine) because you are a doctor that has specialized in treating the oral cavity. (although not necessarily a MD/DO). Don't feel like if you choose dentistry you are throwing an opportunity away to improve people's overall health. Lest I write a book on here I would suggest doing some research on the oral-systemic connection, I predict that we will hear more of this in the comming years.

This is what I was trying to say.

EDIT: I was trying to say this in a different thread but that's not what matters.