I got an interview at a LECOM BA/DDS program; should I go?

[Shumax]

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This is my first post on SDN. I am a senior living in Northern Virginia and I applied to Gannon university's BA/DDS program with LECOM. I am positive I want to be a dentist. I applied on a whim because there were no application fees.
My question is that even if I got into the program, should I still go. Also, is it even worth flying to Florida with my parents just for an interview.

 

[doc toothache]

This is my first post on SDN. I am a senior living in Northern Virginia and I applied to Gannon university's BA/DDS program with LECOM. I am positive I want to be a dentist. I applied on a whim because there were no application fees. I have a 1390 SAT (740 Math, 650 Reading). I have pretty good extracurricular and a 4.23 GPA.
My question is that even if I got into the program, should I still go. Also, is it even worth flying to Florida with my parents just for an interview.

Your reasons for applying do not inspire much confidence.

 

[allantois]

No, go to a regular undergrad and explore all your options for graduate school.

 

[LFA20]

No, go to a regular undergrad and explore all your options for graduate school.

Don’t mean to hijack but did you end up going to dental school or some other field?

 

[allantois]

Don’t mean to hijack but did you end up going to dental school or some other field?

waiting to start PA program next year

 

[LFA20]

waiting to start PA program next year

nice! good luck! get into dermatology if you can haha.

 

[sobertiger]

Have you shadowed a dentist?

Sent from my XT1575 using SDN mobile

 

[amariesa]

Damn you need to make a pros and cons list and scour the web and ask students and profs. I say go but this is a very important decision. Why? Because on one hand you dont need the extra burden of the mental stress of trying for dental school. It is honestly nauseatingly stressful. Do I have my shadowing in order? Do I have a decent DAT score? Do I have extracurriculars? Are my grades good enough. I have a C on this course, what should I do? Applying for dental schools and going to their interviews can cost up to 10 grand easily, how do I pay for that? I am a senior in college and have yet to get in, what now? Its such a mental game that have defeated many students before you.

On the other hand, you may get to discover yourself in a regular university. Maybe you like medicine? Research? You are kinda locked in at 17 if you decide to go. But you are locked into an amazing degree.

IMO, go. If you decide you dont like it 2 years in, all your undergrad courses should be transferable and you would be able to graduate in the regular 4 years in a science field anyways.

 

[setdoc7]

I did a BA/DDS program. If the mentoring in undergrad is good, and there is a real program director looking after you, then do it. If you are mostly on your own, there is no point. I had a full time program director who was basic science faculty at the D school. She watched over all of us (25 per year) and there were some major perks. We all had full academic scholarships, attended all the University parties hosted by the president, registered early before the rest of the students, and most of us had at least half scholarships to D school. If there are few perks, go to a fun 4 year school with spirit, sports, and parties. You only live once. We only went to college for three years BTW. The first year of D school counted as out 4th year of college.

 

[stitcherator]

No. You seem like you are a very smart individual who could go to a regular (CHEAPER) undergraduate school and get into a much more reputable dental school than LECOM.

 

[Shumax]

Thanks all! I appreciate the advice

 

[Guocamole]

Don't know if same is true for you, but I grew up in Erie PA! Currently a senior in undergrad applying to dental schools so if you want to talk message me