MBA Before Dental School?

[Riley007]

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Hi, everyone.

My end-goal is to enter dental school and specialize in either pedo or OMS (non MD). In either case, I don't want to enter academics, in favor of private practice. As a result, I also want to get an MBA, as I feel this will help me further my business potential for my eventual practice.

1. My question to you all is whether I should get my MBA before dental school, or after.

I could be mistaken, but wouldn't having a masters degree before dental school help me get accepted to more competitive dental schools, and help me land residencies, which I know are awfully competitive?

Getting my MBA before dental school is the route which I'm leaning towards, so I just wanted to get some input on this, with you knowing my overall career goals.

2. Also, my parents are not financially able to help me pay for any of my schooling, and I was wondering if there will be enough loans available to pay for both my MBA and DMD/DDS before I actually start earning income.

Thank you very much for your time and input!

 

[periopocket]

I personally think its a great idea. But many others on this forum will disagree. Why do I think its a great idea: (1) Almost every chair from every dental department I have worked in has an MBA, (2) It will help you run your practice. Believe it or not, there is financial work involved in running a practice. Actually, a lot of it. (3) It's always a great back up plan in case you don't get into dental school your first time. (4) Any Masters degree will make you a more competitive applicant (so get it before dental school If you need to enhance your credentials), believe it or not but some schools critique applicants with a Masters degree in a totally diff fashion. Also, many MBA programs offer assistant ships, where you have a side job for a few hours a day and they pay your tuition.

 

[doc toothache]

1. My question to you all is whether I should get my MBA before dental school, or after.
I could be mistaken, but wouldn't having a masters degree before dental school help me get accepted to more competitive dental schools, and help me land residencies, which I know are awfully competitive?
Getting my MBA before dental school is the route which I'm leaning towards, so I just wanted to get some input on this, with you knowing my overall career goals. 2. Also, my parents are not financially able to help me pay for any of my schooling, and I was wondering if there will be enough loans available to pay for both my MBA and DMD/DDS before I actually start earning income.

Any advanced degree helps, but some become more appealing than others. Science master degrees would be preferred over non science since, after all, pre clinical courses are science based. All of this is based on the presumption than the gpa and dat scores are not average or below average. Unless you are guaranteed an acceptance to a dental school it would seem that your conclusion on the effect an MBA on dental school, specialization and on eventual practice environment is premature. Incidentally, there are number of school that offer an MBA geared for health professionals.

 

[jeffity]

I'm with doc. An MBA just doesn't seem to fit the bill based on those things you've mentioned. Focusing solely on the future practice management aspect, I don't think an MBA is the greatest idea. At least not a generic one before school. They just don't work like that.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Most MBA's are not geared toward owning and operating a small business. They focus mainly on corporate finance and macroeconomics. Sure, i am sure some of the accounting classes might help, but there is no sense spending 2 years of your life and 50K just to learn a few things. I think the cost out weighs the benefits.

If you really want to prepare yourself for practice ownership, the best thing you could do now would be to get a job at a small business and learn all you can from the owner. Things like: management, hiring/firing, marketing, basic accounting, employee training, sales, etc. Those things are best learned in a hands on environment, not in a classroom geared toward placing people at wall street, the big 4, and consulting firms.

 

[valueyourvision]

Hi, everyone.

My end-goal is to enter dental school and specialize in either pedo or OMS (non MD). In either case, I don't want to enter academics, in favor of private practice. As a result, I also want to get an MBA, as I feel this will help me further my business potential for my eventual practice.

1. My question to you all is whether I should get my MBA before dental school, or after.

I could be mistaken, but wouldn't having a masters degree before dental school help me get accepted to more competitive dental schools, and help me land residencies, which I know are awfully competitive?

Getting my MBA before dental school is the route which I'm leaning towards, so I just wanted to get some input on this, with you knowing my overall career goals.

2. Also, my parents are not financially able to help me pay for any of my schooling, and I was wondering if there will be enough loans available to pay for both my MBA and DMD/DDS before I actually start earning income.

Thank you very much for your time and input!

The MBA program I attended was always offering assistantships. Even if you see that it's past the deadline, it's worth it to email and inquire. Generally, there were always positions that needed to be filled.

They finance the semester along with giving a stipend, so why not Definitely less debt in the long run.

Assistantships allow you to get more research experience as well.

One crucial note, however, is to remember that your graduate GPA is calculated with your dental application, I believe. Just keep that in mind throughout your enrollment.

Make sure the program is AACSB accredited, for longevity's sake

Best.

 

[JLT223]

I personally know a DDS/PhD/MBA who did the MBA for "fun". The extra degree is 100% not needed to be successful in private practice. If you like business, go for it, but don't think you'll be at some crazy advantage.