MBA before dentistry?

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skyguy1

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Hey guys so I applied this cycle and things aren't looking great. This is most likely due to my low gpa. I was thinking of doing a MBA (with a health specialization) in hopes of becoming a more competitive applicant. Do you guys think this is a good idea?

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I'm in the same situation as you. My backup is to get my MBA with a healthcare concentration if things don't work out this cycle. To be honest though, I'm not sure how schools consider this decision. I contacted a school I applied to and asked for their opinion on what's more competitive: this particular MBA, taking more upper-level science classes, or a master's program in a science. They highly recommended the extra science classes, post-bac,or science masters. To be honest though, I find the MBA with a healthcare concentration more beneficial if things don't end up working out as planned. More opportunities with this degree whether it's a hospital exec, consulting position, etc. I'm sure not all schools see this as a bad idea, but I'm sure a majority prefer the extra science classes. Just my 2 cents though..
 
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question to both of you is what is your primary goal? if it's dentistry, load up on sciences in a post bacc or an smp. an MBA has little to nothing to do with what you'll be expected to be responsible for in a dental curriculum.

the idea is to make moves that position you closer to your ultimate goal.
 
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waste of time+ money. improve your statistics by doing a masters in sciences.

you have to realize something. a good part of the admissions process is about numbers. if you don't have them, getting a random degree will do nothing, because your degree means nothing. for instance, if you have a 2.5 undergrad science gpa...what makes you think a 2.5+mba is better than someone who say, has a 2.8 undergrad science gpa and a 3.7 masters in science gpa. the difference between you 2 is that, you show that you have no direction where as the other applicant shows that he/she fought to raise the science gpa.

getting a masters in music would probably be as beneficial, to be honest. why? because it just shows that you have a masters in something completely unrelated to the dental profession

@mrdocta @skyguy1
 
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I completely agree with both posts above. The science classes are the way to go if things don't work out this cycle for skyguy if he's willing to reapply and wants to improve his app. I meant earlier that an MBA might be a little more giving with potential career opportunities if dental school never worked out, because in some cases it doesn't for people even after a few cycles of applying.
 
I completely agree with both posts above. The science classes are the way to go if things don't work out this cycle for skyguy if he's willing to reapply and wants to improve his app. I meant earlier that an MBA might be a little more giving with potential career opportunities if dental school never worked out, because in some cases it doesn't for people even after a few cycles of applying.

the best MBA programs are ones that require a lot of corporate work experience on top of great GMAT scores. if you have those, then more power to you.

if you mean to tell me that getting an MBA without any relevant work experience will be a ''little more giving'' then you've got it ALL wrong. you can hope to push midlevel management with a random MBA from a non reputable university+connections that you make along the way
 
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I'd have to disagree with you claiming I have it "all" wrong, but thats alright. Of course it's important to obtain an MBA from a reputable university. I just believe there's a lot of opportunities career wise with an MBA as opposed to doing a post bacc or masters in science. That's only if the person doesn't get accepted into d-school and decides to move on in life.
 
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thanks so much guys, I completely understand what you are saying. As a person with a lower science gpa, the science masters would probably be a better option! thanks alot!
 
MBA is a bad move even as a backup for another career.
 
MBA is a bad move even as a backup for another career.

Just curious, but what is your reasoning for this statement?

I respectfully disagree. I have an undergrad business degree and also an MBA. I'm making a career change to dentistry, but I don't regret my business degree one bit. In the OP's situation perhaps the MBA is not the best route, but I've learned things in business school and in the business workplace that I know will benefit me in dentistry and in any other business venture that I pursue.
 
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the best dentists (and i use the term ''best'' to describe well off monetarily) that i know of personally learned the 'business' aspect of dentistry through private practice.

any other business venture? i don't doubt it at all.

for the dental profession? i'm not convinced.
 
the best dentists (and i use the term ''best'' to describe well off monetarily) that i know of personally learned the 'business' aspect of dentistry through private practice.

any other business venture? i don't doubt it at all.

for the dental profession? i'm not convinced.

Yep I am not disagreeing with you. Just because someone has an MBA does not mean they automatically become successful or knowledgeable in any career. As an example, I know very little about running a dental practice right now since this is all new to me. Experience in any field is definitely the key to success, but certain things that I've learned in business school will definitely help me in understanding the basics of the business in general. That's not to say you cannot learn it or be very successful without a business degree though.

I just don't agree with the other poster that an MBA is a bad move overall. I can't say with certainty that it is the best option in the OP's situation though. If I had known for sure I wanted to do dentistry back then, I may not have taken the business route. Life had other plans for me though, but I wouldn't change a thing even if I could. I think it has taught me some very valuable things.
 
An oral surgeon that I know stressed so much that taking some business classes is absolutely necessary if you want to be able to do the business aspect on your own and not have to hire outside accountants, managers etc. He has been practicing for nearly 15 years and has gone back this year to get his MBA while maintaining his practices. Just another opinion that I received from an EXTREMELY successful oral surgeon.
 
yeah that's an oral surgeon though.

a couple of things you need to consider:

1. most GPs hire specialists for in house work, so a large amount of the business dealings stacks up on the GP's plate.

2. you need to go into dental school with the mindset that you're going to be trained to be a general dentist first. not to say that you shouldn't try to do your best, of course. this notion doesn't necessarily apply if you go to a more prestigious school (i.e. penn, columbia, harvard)

and saying that you won't have to hire an accountant or anyone else to manage your funds seems nice, but you've gotta have some sort of balance. you don't wanna burn yourself out.

establish yourself as a dentist, make smart moves, and you'll have money working for you...not the other way around.

*edit: not to have managers? dude, most successful practices are nothing without efficient office managers. you can't have your practice run as a 1 person show...you'll go insane. a good manager isn't someone who just regulates your office..a good manager goes above and beyond to increase your net profit...i.e. helps with marketing, and if you're lucky enough, can also serve as a dental assistant
@Baileyy259
 
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