is it too late to apply

[kate333]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

I was wondering if this is too late to apply for dental schools for admission in fall of 2004. I will take the mcat this august but I've decided to also consider dental schools. I was wondering if this is too late for me to apply for dental school right now and take the DAT in around sept or oct... (whenever the test is offered)

I'm a 4th year student at UCSD and have GPA of 3.38 overall, science 3.2

Also, which schools should I consider applying with my GPA because I know my GPA is at the lower end.

Can someone please help.
Thank you so much,
Kate

 

[mcataz]

Originally posted by kate333
Hi,

I was wondering if this is too late to apply for dental schools for admission in fall of 2004. I will take the mcat this august but I've decided to also consider dental schools. I was wondering if this is too late for me to apply for dental school right now and take the DAT in around sept or oct... (whenever the test is offered)

I'm a 4th year student at UCSD and have GPA of 3.38 overall, science 3.2

Also, which schools should I consider applying with my GPA because I know my GPA is at the lower end.

Can someone please help.
Thank you so much,
Kate

Don't apply to dental school. You are obviously applying as a backup and you won't be happy if you think of dentistry as a backup. I'm not trying to be snide although it may come accross that way. Dentistry is very different than medicine. And most people who go into dentistry as a backup end being the dentists who complain most about the profession. You won't be happy as a dentist even if you get in. Just wait a year or do post-bac and reapply to medical school. You sound like a physician at heart. Don't let weaker grades force you into a profession you won't like. One or two years of reapplying is nothing in the long run, especially considering that you will be doing this for the rest of your life. Think carefully and don't settle on dental school because it's easier to get into.

Sure, I know many people who start out as pre-meds but switch to dentistry after learning more about the profession. Then there are those that apply to dentistry as their backup choice because they are afraid of not getting into medical school. You sound like the latter.

 

[Hot-n-Aml]

I have to agree with mcataz on this one. Try to focus your energy on one goal when it comes to your profession. It makes no sense to want medicine and dentistry equally. They are two different careers with few similarities. Medicine seems to be your first choice, so my only advice is not to give up if you don't get in on the first try.

The dental application process, as any other process, can be very stressful. And if you're not fully dedicated to the profession, you may just end up spending fees on applications that you didn't put your heart into...or on the other hand...getting into dental school and hating it.

In the end, it's your decision since you know yourself best. Just remember that this decision will determine the direction of your entire life...so be honest with yourself.

Good luck!!

Hot-n-Aml
________________________________________________
UPitt, SDM, Class of 2007

 

[UBTom]

to Kate:

The answer is no, it's not too late to apply for Fall 2004 admission to dental schools if one moves smartly and get everything in pronto.

That said, have you shadowed any dentists (in private practice, at a dental school, or in a hospital)? Some schools require that you observe dentistry in practice for a period of time before applying. The other reason you should observe dentistry in practice first before applying is as the other guys said-- you should be sure dentistry is for you before you apply. There is a lot of misery awaiting those who applied to dental school as a "backup" and didn't know what they were getting into.

HTH!

 

[Bickle]

Doesnt anyone think that it is ironic that this advice is coming from a guy who's screen name is MCATaz????

Originally posted by mcataz
Don't apply to dental school. You are obviously applying as a backup and you won't be happy if you think of dentistry as a backup. I'm not trying to be snide although it may come accross that way. Dentistry is very different than medicine. And most people who go into dentistry as a backup end being the dentists who complain most about the profession. You won't be happy as a dentist even if you get in. Just wait a year or do post-bac and reapply to medical school. You sound like a physician at heart. Don't let weaker grades force you into a profession you won't like. One or two years of reapplying is nothing in the long run, especially considering that you will be doing this for the rest of your life. Think carefully and don't settle on dental school because it's easier to get into.

Sure, I know many people who start out as pre-meds but switch to dentistry after learning more about the profession. Then there are those that apply to dentistry as their backup choice because they are afraid of not getting into medical school. You sound like the latter.

 

[2thDk]

Found this one on the MCAT discussion board:

Originally posted by mcataz:

Advice for an English major?
I'm in a post bacc program in Biology, thus I feel okay with the biology material. However, I'm struggling with the physical sciences section and organic chemistry. I took these courses nearly 4 years ago.

I agree with the strategy that concerns learning the material prior to taking any practice tests. At this point, practice tests seem to do very little for me as I still feel lost when looking at the physical sciences section and organic chem.

I own the Kaplan and Princeton Review books. I think their practice problems are excellent. But I feel that their review notes are quite poor. The review notes use the easiest examples possible. And I feel these examples hardly correlate with the practice problems they provide.

Would you recommend the Berkeley review, or would it just be a waste of money? I have read that they provide more in-depth solutions to practice problems. Is this true? Are there any other textbooks that you would recommend?

Also, the MCAT is in 7.5 weeks. I have plenty of time to devote to the exam. And I have the drive and endurance to study for hours at a time. However, I want to be realistic. I'm not a biochem major nor a very good test taker in general. Should I just wait until the August MCAT? Or do you think I'm just being paranoid?

 

[mcataz]

2htDK

Nice attempt at trying to discredit me but you wasted your time. Everyone on here knows about my situation because I have been quite candid about it. Do you really think the rest of the board wouldn't be suspicious about a member with the name "MCATAZ." Nice of you to leave out the date of that post since it was nearly 6months ago

But for those who don't know me. I'm doing a post-bacc at Midwestern U. which has a DO school. I was going to apply to my DO school as a backup to dental school. I have a better chance of getting into my DO school than any dental school because of my high post-bac GPA. However, upon learning more about dentistry and medicine simultaneously[/b], I have concluded that dentistry is for me. I have not taken the MCAT. And I have not applied to any medical school. On my AADSAS form, I clicked "no" to applying to any other school. And I wouldn't lie on that because I could get kicked out of dental school if I lied about it. In addition, I have over 300 hours in a dental clinic.

This member is different. She has taken the MCAT and already applied to several medical schools. She is just applying to dental school as a backup. She just reminds me of my classmate who applied to dental school as a backup when he wants to start at our DO school.

 

[Bickle]

mcataz,

first of all, kate didnt ask for our opinion on whether she should apply to dental school. Her question was whether it was too late to apply for 2004. After reading your response to her question, not only did you give her your unnessary advice (which she did not ask for), but you never answered her question in the first place!

For before you give another person your "300 hours of dental clinic advice" make sure that they actually asked for it.

Originally posted by mcataz
2htDK

Nice attempt at trying to discredit me but you wasted your time. Everyone on here knows about my situation because I have been quite candid about it. Do you really think the rest of the board wouldn't be suspicious about a member with the name "MCATAZ." Nice of you to leave out the date of that post since it was nearly 6months ago

But for those who don't know me. I'm doing a post-bacc at Midwestern U. which has a DO school. I was going to apply to my DO school as a backup to dental school. I have a better chance of getting into my DO school than any dental school because of my high post-bac GPA. However, upon learning more about dentistry and medicine simultaneously, I have concluded that dentistry is for me. I have not taken the MCAT. And I have not applied to any medical school. On my AADSAS form, I clicked "no" to applying to any other school. And I wouldn't lie on that because I could get kicked out of dental school if I lied about it. In addition, I have over 300 hours in a dental clinic.

This member is different. She has taken the MCAT and already applied to several medical schools. She is just applying to dental school as a backup. She just reminds me of my classmate who applied to dental school as a backup when he wants to start at our DO school. [/B]

 

[aphistis]

2thdk, Dentaldream, what's with the hostility?

We're all on the same team here, folks 😀 (Of course, the physicians/optos/vets/pharms/etc are all on different squads, but we're all after the same goal!)

Let's not be hatin' on each otha, yo! 😛

 

[Bickle]

mcataz,

first of all, kate didnt ask for our opinion on whether she should apply to dental school. Her question was whether it was too late to apply for 2004. After reading your response to her question, not only did you give her your unnessary advice (which she did not ask for), but you never answered her question in the first place!

So before you give another person your "300 hours of dental clinic experience" advice make sure that they actually asked for it in the first place.

Originally posted by mcataz
2htDK

Nice attempt at trying to discredit me but you wasted your time. Everyone on here knows about my situation because I have been quite candid about it. Do you really think the rest of the board wouldn't be suspicious about a member with the name "MCATAZ." Nice of you to leave out the date of that post since it was nearly 6months ago

But for those who don't know me. I'm doing a post-bacc at Midwestern U. which has a DO school. I was going to apply to my DO school as a backup to dental school. I have a better chance of getting into my DO school than any dental school because of my high post-bac GPA. However, upon learning more about dentistry and medicine simultaneously, I have concluded that dentistry is for me. I have not taken the MCAT. And I have not applied to any medical school. On my AADSAS form, I clicked "no" to applying to any other school. And I wouldn't lie on that because I could get kicked out of dental school if I lied about it. In addition, I have over 300 hours in a dental clinic.

This member is different. She has taken the MCAT and already applied to several medical schools. She is just applying to dental school as a backup. She just reminds me of my classmate who applied to dental school as a backup when he wants to start at our DO school. [/B]

 

[Bickle]

Dear aphistis,

I agree with you 100% that we are all on the same team here. However it doesn't feel like we're all on the same team when someone tells another person, rather bluntly, to not apply to dental school.

Unless mcataz personally knows kate, and is aware of her interests/personality/history I dont think he should be telling her that she shouldn't apply (unless she specifically asked for his opinion).

Later,

Originally posted by aphistis
2thdk, Dentaldream, what's with the hostility?

We're all on the same team here, folks 😀 (Of course, the physicians/optos/vets/pharms/etc are all on different squads, but we're all after the same goal!)

Let's not be hatin' on each otha, yo! 😛

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Dentaldream
Dear aphistis,

Unless mcataz personally knows kate, and is aware of her interests/personality/history I dont think he should be telling her that she shouldn't apply (unless she specifically asked for his opinion).

Later,

? Dentaldream: Did mcataz ask for your specific opinion on his screenname? Do you know his interests? Do you know his personality? Did you take the time to see that he has posted MANY posts here on the dental forum? I think not.

Originally posted by 2thDk Found this one on the MCAT discussion board:

Originally posted by mcataz:

? 2thDk: Do you think we are idiots who don't know how to use the search function? Clicking on a members' name shows you they've posted. I don't care where other people have posted. Don't insult our intelligence by playing detective.

 

[mcataz]

Originally posted by Dentaldream
mcataz,

first of all, kate didnt ask for our opinion on whether she should apply to dental school. Her question was whether it was too late to apply for 2004. After reading your response to her question, not only did you give her your unnessary advice (which she did not ask for), but you never answered her question in the first place!

So before you give another person your "300 hours of dental clinic experience" advice make sure that they actually asked for it in the first place.

Dentaldream

Don't act like you have Kate's best interests at heart. You didn't answer her question either. You were obviously peeved by my response and you decided to attack me personally with your "ironic" comment. So don't act like you are some victim that's looking out for members of the board. And don't put my 300 hours in quotations. You know nothing about me so don't demean my hours. I earned those hours by doing a lot of grunt work for my dentist., something Kate has yet to do.

And try actually reading my post next time instead of assuming the worst about me. I clearly stated that many people switch from medicine to dentistry. However, I doubt that someone who is taking the MCAT in less than a week is seriously considering switching to dentistry. She is obviously using dental school as a backup.

You may feel that my advice was unnecessay but that's your opinion. Many members happened to agree with my advice. The last thing we need is someone who is going to dental school because she couldn't get into medical school. It's not only doing a disservice to the profession, but it's also doing a disservice to dental applicants and herself. If her true passion is in medicine, then giving up a year to reapply is not a huge sacrifice in the long run. I made that same conclusion when I decided not to apply to my DO school as a backup and hurt those who have a sincere desire to pursue medicine.

 

[zazzookode]

We better hire Ben Matlock, Sherlock Holmes and the crew of Law and Order to solve this mystery. Here, we have a girl who is taking the MCAT in a couple days. She is applying to medical school but she admits that she has a low GPA. Then all of a sudden, she coincidentally has an epiphany and inquires about dental school. Yeah, I'm sure it was all a coincidence. I bet her MCAT jitters and low GPA have nothing to do with her decision to apply to dental school. Sorry but you wouldn't have to share the same bed with this girl to figure out what's going on. I sure as hell wouldn't want her going to dental school. I thought MCATAZ was actually being mild. But since everyone hates me, I best shut my yapper on this one.

 

[Bickle]

Hi gavin,

I am aware that mcataz has posted ALOT of messages on this board. I think thats great. But that does not give him the right to tell someone he doesn't know that her heart is not in dentistry. mcataz has given me advice in the past, and I welcomed it. However, I asked for advice. Clearly Kate was not asking whether she should apply, but if it was too late to apply.

mcataz,
i am not personally attacking you. Believe me if you want. I am not demeaning your hours, my point is the fact that you have those hours does not give you the right to coldly tell someone that she isn't dental material.

This will be my last public post about this matter. I have made my point and this continued debate does not really help anyone here at SDN. mcataz, you can pm if you would like to discuss this furthur.

It was however a good debate.

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
? Dentaldream: Did mcataz ask for your specific opinion on his screenname? Do you know his interests? Do you know his personality? Did you take the time to see that he has posted MANY posts here on the dental forum? I think not.



? 2thDk: Do you think we are idiots who don't know how to use the search function? Clicking on a members' name shows you they've posted. I don't care where other people have posted. Don't insult our intelligence by playing detective.

 

[zazzookode]

my point is the fact that you have those hours does not give you the right to coldly tell someone that she isn't dental material. [/B]

Hey junior

Did you happen to miss the fact that she is taking the MCAT in a few days? Hey, I hear ya! I too am one of those rare pre-dental students who enjoys spending his Saturday taking an 8 hour exam just for the hell of it. But from what I hear, most students don't take the MCAT unless they are serious about medical school. Go figure!

 

[mcataz]

I never said she wasn't dental material. That wasn't the point. The point is that her heart is in medicine and she is applying to dental school as a backup. And I know that feeling because I was doing the same thing. I was considering applying to one DO school as a backup when my heart wasn't in it. It's scary to think that you may have to wait for a year. I can empathize with that fear. And thus you rationalize that any school is better than no school. I realized that way of thinking is wrong. I'm fully aware that I may not get into any dental school this year, and that scares me. But at the same time, I would rather reapply to dental school than settle on DO school. Sure, I may give up a year. But I would rather give up a year than spend 7 years being miserable in DO school and residency. When I look back on my life, I never want to say "Man, I wish I did dentistry." Likewise, I know a lot of people who would have been great physicians but they settled on dentistry because their GPA was too low. To those people, I say follow your dreams. Don't settle because you couldn't get in one year.

That's my take. You can have the final word if you need it. Anyway, I apologize to Kate if I offended her with my first response. Yes, there is plenty of time to apply. It's not too late.

 

[2thDk]

NEVER did I express my opinion on this post, I just merely wanted to point out that BEFORE we judge others we should realize that most of us come from situations that are not exactly ideal. MCATaz, you applied to a DO school as a "back up".

I don't care to argue over this or anything for that matter. I am sorry that I didn't state that the post was from six months ago. However, I don't want Kate to be discouraged as she may be in the same transitional period that MCATaz was (learning about medicine and exploring her options). Good luck to you all.

 

[critterbug]

MCATaz, you applied to a DO school as a "back up".

I don't think Mr. Mcataz ever applied to DO school. He just considered it like I'm sure all of us have *considered* med school at one point in our lives. But, in my opinion, mcataz is right.

There is a big difference between considering to apply for both med school and dental school and actually doing it. It is hard for me to imagine an admissions committee understanding why someone would do this. Considering how competitive admssion to both dental school and med school has become, it could do nothing but hurt your chances at each, since it shows that you are not truly committed to either. And if you don't divulge this information, you are compromising your ethics. Bottom line, pick a profession and give it your all. Settling will be unfair to the individuals who truly love this profession and everything it offers.

 

[rsweeney]

So how 'bout those bears😀

 

[zazzookode]

NEVER did I express my opinion on this post

You didn't have to. Pasting a poster's old message did the trick.

MCATaz, you applied to a DO school as a "back up".

From MCATAZ own words in this thread: "And I have not applied to any medical school. On my AADSAS form, I clicked "no" to applying to any other school."

I am sorry that I didn't state that the post was from six months ago.

I'm sure it was just a "typo"

However, I don't want Kate to be discouraged as she may be in the same transitional period that MCATaz was (learning about medicine and exploring her options).

Am I missing something here? Is it just me but when someone tells me she is taking the MCAT in a week, I doubt she is just "learning about medicine." A lot of us considered medical school. But considering med school and taking the MCAT and actually applying are two separate things. I'm surpised this isn't obvious to you.

 

[ecdoesit]

totally agree with critterbug.
Just think things through, if there is only one place you want to be, where will you go?

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

Originally posted by rsweeney
So how 'bout those bears😀

Thinks Grossman will give 'em a chance? I really love the Bears, but not quite as much as the Eagles. The Bears have been owned by the same family since the 30's and need some new owners to shake things up. I also harbor a secret love for the Lions.

 

[mcataz]

Originally posted by jaap
Thinks Grossman will give 'em a chance? I really love the Bears, but not quite as much as the Eagles. The Bears have been owned by the same family since the 30's and need some new owners to shake things up. I also harbor a secret love for the Lions.

hey jaap

I'm a Cowboy fan. Can I have your quarterback

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by mcataz
hey jaap

I'm a Cowboy fan. Can I have your quarterback

Diehard Cowboy Fan here *....critterbug is now putting on the papersack* AND DAMN PROUD

 

[mcataz]

Kate

Just know that on the AADSAS dental school application, they ask if you are applying to medical school at the same time. And most dental schools do frown upon candidates who apply to medical school too. It's not a death sentence but it will hurt your chances at many schools. You could lie but that's a risk I wouldn't take.