Med Tech to Dentist career switch

[StumpMT]

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Hey everyone! I am really considering switching careers and would like some guidance, but first a little about myself. I am currently 31 years old and graduated with a bachelors in biology and associates in chemistry in 2008. After that I attended a 1-year medical technology program and have been working as a medical technologist ever since. While I find the field of medical technology interesting, for me it is not rewarding at all. Even while I was in the med tech program I had only viewed it as just a stepping stone to other medical professions. My current GPA is 3.2 with a science GPA of just a shade lower but higher than 3.0, and I have yet to take the DAT.

With me graduating five years ago does anyone think it would be wise to retake the pre-req classes ie chemistry, organic, etc before applying? With an awesome DAT score and great letters what would the chances be of me getting an interview and accepted with a 3.2 GPA? And would being a medical technologist increase those chances?

Thanks for any advice anyone is willing to offer.

 

[Koalafied]

Hey everyone! I am really considering switching careers and would like some guidance, but first a little about myself. I am currently 31 years old and graduated with a bachelors in biology and associates in chemistry in 2008. After that I attended a 1-year medical technology program and have been working as a medical technologist ever since. While I find the field of medical technology interesting, for me it is not rewarding at all. Even while I was in the med tech program I had only viewed it as just a stepping stone to other medical professions. My current GPA is 3.2 with a science GPA of just a shade lower but higher than 3.0, and I have yet to take the DAT.

With me graduating five years ago does anyone think it would be wise to retake the pre-req classes ie chemistry, organic, etc before applying? With an awesome DAT score and great letters what would the chances be of me getting an interview and accepted with a 3.2 GPA? And would being a medical technologist increase those chances?

Thanks for any advice anyone is willing to offer.

You're chances will be reasonable under the assumption that you continue to demonstrate work ethic and the desired traits of a good dentist the d-school(s) of interest is/are looking for. Avoid or try to avoid thinking/contemplating about age. There are many people that begin dental school at later stage in life. My take: just positively move on.👍

Relevant links to consider: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=14447706&postcount=12

 

[StumpMT]

Thanks for your reply. Having taken most of the pre-req biology/chemistry courses in 2006-2008 do you think it would be beneficial to re-take those? I know at some schools the pre-reqs expire after so long.

 

[Koalafied]

Thanks for your reply. Having taken most of the pre-req biology/chemistry courses in 2006-2008 do you think it would be beneficial to re-take those? I know at some schools the pre-reqs expire after so long.

Realistically and idealistically, where would you prefer to attend ds?

 

[dent777]

IMO you have been 4-5 years out of school and your GPA is lower than average for acceptance. You definitely have to retake prereqs to show them that you are still capable to study hard & you must ace them. Moreover, it is hard to assess without DAT. Be prepared for a lot of work if you are planning to take this path. Good luck

 

[tendram]

IMO you have been 4-5 years out of school and your GPA is lower than average for acceptance. You definitely have to retake prereqs to show them that you are still capable to study hard & you must ace them. Moreover, it is hard to assess without DAT. Be prepared for a lot of work if you are planning to take this path. Good luck

I agree with dent777 but keep in mind that some dental schools require that your prerequisite classes be no older than 5 years anyways. It would probably be best to see which schools you are interested in have this requirement and go from there. Calling around to some of those schools and getting their opinion on your situation might not be a bad idea either. The schools themselves will likely be able to give you better advice than we can on here. Good luck 👍

 

[doc toothache]

Repeating courses is not the wisest investment in time. Why not try taking some upper level courses to see if the synapses are still in working order?

 

[StumpMT]

Realistically and idealistically, where would you prefer to attend ds?

Realistically and idealistically I would prefer to attend DS west of Ohio as I plan on moving out to the Pacific North West area. In a perfect world I would like to attend Washington State, but their OOS percentage is pretty low (I live in Indiana). Getting accepted to IU would be nice for the in-state tuition.

I agree with dent777 but keep in mind that some dental schools require that your prerequisite classes be no older than 5 years anyways. It would probably be best to see which schools you are interested in have this requirement and go from there. Calling around to some of those schools and getting their opinion on your situation might not be a bad idea either. The schools themselves will likely be able to give you better advice than we can on here. Good luck 👍

That's exactly what I plan on doing from the advice of a family member who recently graduated from CO ds.

Repeating courses is not the wisest investment in time. Why not try taking some upper level courses to see if the synapses are still in working order?

I realize it's not the wisest investment in time, but if they expire wouldn't it be best to re-take them to give myself more options in terms of where I'm able to apply?

 

[doc toothache]

I realize it's not the wisest investment in time, but if they expire wouldn't it be best to re-take them to give myself more options in terms of where I'm able to apply?

Time for you to do a little research on the topic, preferably from a reliable source.

 

[StumpMT]

I have a cousin that graduated from dental school in Colorado a year ago and a family friend who has been a dentist for quite some time. I will be using both of those sources. I will also be combing through your guide to US DS.

 

[doc toothache]

I have a cousin that graduated from dental school in Colorado a year ago and a family friend who has been a dentist for quite some time. I will be using both of those sources. I will also be combing through your guide to US DS.

Info from first, second and third cousins is usually not as reliable that you obtain from ds.

 

[Koalafied]

Realistically and idealistically I would prefer to attend DS west of Ohio as I plan on moving out to the Pacific North West area. In a perfect world I would like to attend Washington State, but their OOS percentage is pretty low (I live in Indiana). Getting accepted to IU would be nice for the in-state tuition.



That's exactly what I plan on doing from the advice of a family member who recently graduated from CO ds.



I realize it's not the wisest investment in time, but if they expire wouldn't it be best to re-take them to give myself more options in terms of where I'm able to apply?

Better start eating at WICHE Which? Superior States from here on out.....🙄🙄🙄