How disadvantageous to apply to both MD and DDS programs?

[plexwriter5]

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I applied to med school in 2003 and didn't get in. My gpa was okay (3.8) but my mcat score was low (25). I retook MCAT this april but I am not sure how I did on it. I am planning to reapply to med school this summer but at the same time, I am planning to apply to Carribean med schools and US dental schools as well. How disadvantageous is it if med schools find out that I am applying to dental schools? I have been out of school a couple years and I really don't want to wait another year to separately apply to dental school in case I don't get in to any med program. Can anyone give me an advice?

 

[Kazema]

They will probably never know unless you tell them.

That said, I think you should do some shadowing of both physicians and dentists and decide which career suits you better. Maybe it's just me and you wouldn't have a problem with it, but I feel uncomfortable with the idea of applying to dental schools if you don't actually want to become a dentist. But I guess if you apply to both and in the process decide you like one better than the other, at least you're choosing as opposed to being forced into a choice.

Your MCAT score is on the low side for MD programs, but is competitive for DO schools if well balanced (like 9 8 8 or something). If you really want to be a physician, I'd recommend applying to both MD and DO programs over applying to MD and DDS schools, unless you actually want to do dentistry as much as medicine and just haven't decided yet which you prefer. If you're not interested in the DO philosophy then of course don't apply, but still, I would recommend starting on the AMCAS immediately, work on getting more clinical/volunteer/research experience in the meantime, and if your scores are decent (a balanced 27+) you should be fine. If not, retake in August.

 

[Hoya11]

There is a section of the DDS application that asks if you are applying to medical schools also. I do not think the dental schools like it very much, but I do not think they will close their doors to you. I do not know what the consequence is of lying on this section. BUt if you do, be SURE to not apply to dental schools that also have a medical school because they will surely not like that. Maybe apply to only a few dental schools as you will probably find getting in easier. I thought about this myself when I was applying, good luck.

 

[nockamura]

There is a section of the DDS application that asks if you are applying to medical schools also. I do not think the dental schools like it very much, but I do not think they will close their doors to you. I do not know what the consequence is of lying on this section. BUt if you do, be SURE to not apply to dental schools that also have a medical school because they will surely not like that. Maybe apply to only a few dental schools as you will probably find getting in easier. I thought about this myself when I was applying, good luck.

It's not disadvantageous at all. I have a friend that recieved a lot of interviews for dental and got into an ED med school program (NYU). She eventually decided to go dental since she felt it would be a better lifestyle.

 

[mx_599]

They will probably never know unless you tell them.

That said, I think you should do some shadowing of both physicians and dentists and decide which career suits you better. Maybe it's just me and you wouldn't have a problem with it, but I feel uncomfortable with the idea of applying to dental schools if you don't actually want to become a dentist. But I guess if you apply to both and in the process decide you like one better than the other, at least you're choosing as opposed to being forced into a choice.

Your MCAT score is on the low side for MD programs, but is competitive for DO schools if well balanced (like 9 8 8 or something). If you really want to be a physician, I'd recommend applying to both MD and DO programs over applying to MD and DDS schools, unless you actually want to do dentistry as much as medicine and just haven't decided yet which you prefer. If you're not interested in the DO philosophy then of course don't apply, but still, I would recommend starting on the AMCAS immediately, work on getting more clinical/volunteer/research experience in the meantime, and if your scores are decent (a balanced 27+) you should be fine. If not, retake in August.

good advice... just wanted to add that i am all signed up to take the DAT, since last august!, but that was not where my heart was. i am so glad i applied to both DO/MD this year...because now i will be a physician!! i am thinking about taking the DAT just for fun because they won't give refunds!! 😡