I'd like your opinion

[salmo99]

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I basically wrote the same thing over in pre-dental. Posting here for some different opinions.

Yes, I used the search function.

I'm 27, and I majored in political science, with a minor in geography. I completed university with a 3.4GPA, making the dean's list for 2013. My marks steadily improved over the course of my university career. I worked full-time (32-40 hours weekly) throughout my Ba, and volunteered at a couple of organizations (one healthcare facility, and one conservation group).

I'm currently completing a masters of geography (MA). I did not have the opportunity to take many science courses during my undergrad. I took a half a dozen biology courses or so, but no chemistry, math or physics. This semester, along with my graduate courses, I am taking first year chemistry. My plan is to take chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry over the next couple years - maybe one course a semester while I complete my graduate school.

In terms of life experience, I've been through mental illness, lost close friends to tragedy, travelled southeast asia extensively, learned to live with a disability, and almost ran for political office. I've pretty much seen it all.

I'm interested in healthcare. I'd love to be a doctor or dentist. Both careers appeal to me heavily. My whole life/university career I doubted my potential but I feel that I am capable of it. A recent trip to Asia solidified this career decision.

I appreciate anyone's input. Thanks.

 

[darklabel]

I basically wrote the same thing over in pre-dental. Posting here for some different opinions.

Yes, I used the search function.

I'm 27, and I majored in political science, with a minor in geography. I completed university with a 3.4GPA, making the dean's list for 2013. My marks steadily improved over the course of my university career. I worked full-time (32-40 hours weekly) throughout my Ba, and volunteered at a couple of organizations (one healthcare facility, and one conservation group).

I'm currently completing a masters of geography (MA). I did not have the opportunity to take many science courses during my undergrad. I took a half a dozen biology courses or so, but no chemistry, math or physics. This semester, along with my graduate courses, I am taking first year chemistry. My plan is to take chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry over the next couple years - maybe one course a semester while I complete my graduate school.

In terms of life experience, I've been through mental illness, lost close friends to tragedy, travelled southeast asia extensively, learned to live with a disability, and almost ran for political office. I've pretty much seen it all.

I'm interested in healthcare. I'd love to be a doctor or dentist. Both careers appeal to me heavily. My whole life/university career I doubted my potential but I feel that I am capable of it. A recent trip to Asia solidified this career decision.

I appreciate anyone's input. Thanks.

Come back when you've made a decision.

 

[kj8210]

Input on what exactly?...

 

[3bamboo]

If you are really dedicated to studying medicine then go for it. It is still a long time away for you though, taking all those classes one or two per semester will be at least 3 years. Have you considered nursing or PA at all?

 

[salmo99]

Come back when you've made a decision.

Hard to make that decision when I don't know which career path is more viable. I would be equally happy in either position, given that my plan is to work in a rural community, and occasionally travel overseas to help an non-profit NGO in a particular disadvantaged country of Southeast Asia.

I'm looking for input to see if the steps that I am currently taking, or should be taking, are adequate to make me a desirable candidate for medical school. Any helpful advice is welcome and appreciated. I'm not looking for sarcastic, chastising, or caustic comments.

 

[Escape_Goat]

I'm interested in healthcare. I'd love to be a doctor or dentist. Both careers appeal to me heavily. My whole life/university career I doubted my potential but I feel that I am capable of it. A recent trip to Asia solidified this career decision.

I appreciate anyone's input. Thanks.

What about medicine and dentistry appeal to you? How did your trip solidify your decision to switch careers?

Defining your motivations will help you make a choice between your options, and help us offer advice.

As far as coursework, one prereq course per semester may take a while, but if you're fine with that and that's all you can manage into your schedule, don't sweat it. If you're far removed from general biology, you may want to consider retaking those.

 

[salmo99]

If you are really dedicated to studying medicine then go for it. It is still a long time away for you though, taking all those classes one or two per semester will be at least 3 years. Have you considered nursing or PA at all?

I've considered nursing. I have not looked at PA.

 

[Elevencents]

Not sure what you're looking for here. Both are attainable, you just need to complete the pre-reqs and sit for the DAT/MCAT.

 

[3bamboo]

Hard to make that decision when I don't know which career path is more viable. I would be equally happy in either position, given that my plan is to work in a rural community, and occasionally travel overseas to help an non-profit NGO in a particular disadvantaged country of Southeast Asia.

I'm looking for input to see if the steps that I am currently taking, or should be taking, are adequate to make me a desirable candidate for medical school. Any helpful advice is welcome and appreciated. I'm not looking for sarcastic, chastising, or caustic comments.

Your background gives you a plus and will be useful when you write your personal statement.
My advice:
Volunteer at both a dental clinic and a medical clinic and decide which to focus on.
Begin volunteering now so that you can have a solid three years on your application
Strongly consider some research at your school (just a semester or two is fine)

Keep up grades, begin studying for MCAT around the time you take ochem.

Just remember, this is a super long process and requires a huge amount of dedication.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Come back when you've made a decision.

+ 1 👍

 

[Dreamstoo]

Your background gives you a plus and will be useful when you write your personal statement.
My advice:
Volunteer at both a dental clinic and a medical clinic and decide which to focus on.
Begin volunteering now so that you can have a solid three years on your application
Strongly consider some research at your school (just a semester or two is fine)

Keep up grades, begin studying for MCAT around the time you take ochem.

Just remember, this is a super long process and requires a huge amount of dedication.

I agree with that. I have one physics class left but I've already started my prep.

 

[salmo99]

What about medicine and dentistry appeal to you? How did your trip solidify your decision to switch careers?

Defining your motivations will help you make a choice between your options, and help us offer advice.

I am attracted to the opportunity to work in a rural work setting, the job security, and the ability to help those in need or those who have no means of helping themselves. I grew up in a rural setting which has changed over the years and become more suburban/city-like and to be honest, I'm not a fan. I'd much prefer to work in a rural setting and I feel that healthcare, particularly dentistry or medicine would allow me to do so. My primary choice would be medicine, but I think that dentistry would be a close second. No, I'm not in it for the money. If I was in it for money, I would have taken petroleum engineering or went to law school.

I travelled to Asia during April of 2013. After leaving Myanmar I felt that I wanted to help some of the people that I met and encountered. I'm not a millionaire, and I don't have much of a skill-set to do so now. The completion of a professional degree in medicine or dentistry would help me improve things on the ground, in Burma. I cannot stress enough how brutal the conditions are in that country, or how upset I became after seeing such conditions of utter inequality and suffering.

I saw what happens when citizens do not have adequate access to even basic healthcare. I encountered tuberculosis, HIV, polio, and a few other infectious diseases that I wouldn't be able to recall without speaking to my travel-partner. I saw young men in their twenties, who hardly had a tooth in their head. I saw 17 and 18 year old boys who resembled six and seven year old children due to malnutrition. This experience moved me. It made me question our whole way of life in the West. Unless you've travelled to a desperately disease-ridden, impoverished nation and saw similar things in person, I'm not sure you would understand where I'm coming from. I've been back in the West for around two months, but the experience is still fresh with me. I question everything in our society. Our ridiculous power usage, the ridiculous rates of obesity, the numerous luxury cars I encounter on a daily basis. I was left with the feeling that I could help out there. The people sure as h*** need it.

 

[as1212559]

If you genuinely want to go rural I doubt you need to worry about job security in either field. Do you like technical work or using your head more?

 

[salmo99]

If you genuinely want to go rural I doubt you need to worry about job security in either field. Do you like technical work or using your head more?

I prefer critical thinking, for sure. I've worked labour jobs since I was 17.

 

[salmo99]

Your background gives you a plus and will be useful when you write your personal statement.
My advice:
Volunteer at both a dental clinic and a medical clinic and decide which to focus on.
Begin volunteering now so that you can have a solid three years on your application
Strongly consider some research at your school (just a semester or two is fine)

Keep up grades, begin studying for MCAT around the time you take ochem.

Just remember, this is a super long process and requires a huge amount of dedication.

Thanks.

 

[darklabel]

Hard to make that decision when I don't know which career path is more viable. I would be equally happy in either position, given that my plan is to work in a rural community, and occasionally travel overseas to help an non-profit NGO in a particular disadvantaged country of Southeast Asia.

I'm looking for input to see if the steps that I am currently taking, or should be taking, are adequate to make me a desirable candidate for medical school. Any helpful advice is welcome and appreciated. I'm not looking for sarcastic, chastising, or caustic comments.

I'm not being sarcastic. Many people have low stats and can still do both. I agree you have a good story and sound ready to tackle situations, but you're essentially asking us to make a decision you need to make for yourself.

Once you're committed to medicine and done shopping around, then you can come on here, lurk and ask any question you have about what is a good idea and what to do.

Despite the old adage of "Dentists are failed doctors", they're both very different careers and different process of applying. For instance, AACOMAs has grade replacement so your GPA will be easier to repair. AADSAS doesn't and you have to take the DAT.

 

[SurgeDO]

If you can be happy doing dentistry, I would highly encourage you to pursue that path over medicine.