My Last 5 Years

[HansWalker]

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I have two questions, any advice/comments would be most appreciated.

First, a bit about myself......

After graduating with a degree in Biology in 1999, I have worked in biotech in both Seattle and San Diego for the past 5 years. My initial intent in college had been to enter medical school, and, in fact, I was accepted to several schools, and enrolled at the University of Washington SOM. However, after much thought and deliberation, as well as conversations with family friends who were physicians, I decided to revoke my acceptance during the summer before school was to begin. I had struggled with this decision while I was applying, as I had heard the same sad stories from disgruntled docs and nearly all of them at one point or another told me "not to go into medicine". Medicine was not, and is not what it is made out to be. I have been happy, but unfulfilled working in biotech research. As trite as it may sound, I strive to work with and help people directly, as opposed to head-nods and grunts while working with introverted lab-rats (another post, for another time I suppose).

Anyhow, I asked my dentist earlier this summer if I could shadow him. It began as a general curiosity, but I soon began to realize that this would be an ideal career. A perfect balance of science, health-care, and an eye for aesthetic detail. His technical skill was very impressive, and contrary to what many dentists say, his patients were for the most part, appreciative of his efforts. He had an ideal work-life balance. So, I purchased a Kaplan DAT book later in the summer, and I plan to sit for the exam on Sept. 26.

So, if you've made you're way through my autobiography, here are my ?'s:

1) I withdrew my spot at UWSOM rather late in the cycle, only a month before school was to begin. Will admission committees have access to this information, and will they see this as a red flag (i.e., immaturity, non-committal)? I have yet to fill out the AADSAS, do they ask you if you have ever been accepted to a medical/dental school in the past? I recall that the med school apps. asked this question, which is why I ask.

2) What are my chances of acceptance?

28 years old
B.S. Biology
GPA- 3.89
Science GPA- 3.87 (or thereabouts, trying to recall from my AAMCAS app.)
DAT- Sept. 26 (MCAT-31, so I assume that will translate into a competitive score on the DAT, I hope 😳 )
Significant research experience as undergrad, resulting in 1 publication
Significant Hospital Volunteer Work, although NO dental volunteering
Shadowed dentist ~20hrs

Sorry for the long post. All comments are welcome.

 

[Generallee]

I have two questions, any advice/comments would be most appreciated.

First, a bit about myself......

After graduating with a degree in Biology in 1999, I have worked in biotech in both Seattle and San Diego for the past 5 years. My initial intent in college had been to enter medical school, and, in fact, I was accepted to several schools, and enrolled at the University of Washington SOM. However, after much thought and deliberation, as well as conversations with family friends who were physicians, I decided to revoke my acceptance during the summer before school was to begin. I had struggled with this decision while I was applying, as I had heard the same sad stories from disgruntled docs and nearly all of them at one point or another told me "not to go into medicine". Medicine was not, and is not what it is made out to be. I have been happy, but unfulfilled working in biotech research. As trite as it may sound, I strive to work with and help people directly, as opposed to head-nods and grunts while working with introverted lab-rats (another post, for another time I suppose).

Anyhow, I asked my dentist earlier this summer if I could shadow him. It began as a general curiosity, but I soon began to realize that this would be an ideal career. A perfect balance of science, health-care, and an eye for aesthetic detail. His technical skill was very impressive, and contrary to what many dentists say, his patients were for the most part, appreciative of his efforts. He had an ideal work-life balance. So, I purchased a Kaplan DAT book later in the summer, and I plan to sit for the exam on Sept. 26.

So, if you've made you're way through my autobiography, here are my ?'s:

1) I withdrew my spot at UWSOM rather late in the cycle, only a month before school was to begin. Will admission committees have access to this information, and will they see this as a red flag (i.e., immaturity, non-committal)? I have yet to fill out the AADSAS, do they ask you if you have ever been accepted to a medical/dental school in the past? I recall that the med school apps. asked this question, which is why I ask.

2) What are my chances of acceptance?

28 years old
B.S. Biology
GPA- 3.89
Science GPA- 3.87 (or thereabouts, trying to recall from my AAMCAS app.)
DAT- Sept. 26 (MCAT-31, so I assume that will translate into a competitive score on the DAT, I hope 😳 )
Significant research experience as undergrad, resulting in 1 publication
Significant Hospital Volunteer Work, although NO dental volunteering
Shadowed dentist ~20hrs

Sorry for the long post. All comments are welcome.

Wow, your turning down an acceptance at UWSOM! I personally know so many people that would love that opportunity.

(1) Admissions committee will have access to the information that you were once pre-med because the application asks about that. As far as adcom seeing this as a red flag....I'm not sure. I would say that based on your stats and the fact that you got into UWSOD, your commitment is unquestionable. I personally think that they will see that you are really committed to becoming a dentist because you were willing to turn down a very presitigious acceptance at UW to attend dental school.

(2) Your chances at acceptance to Dental School is purely up to you. YOu have a very competitive GPA and it really just depends on how you score on your DAT's. I would say that you need to score 20's or above to be strongly considered for this cycle. Now, if you applied back in May/June/July, then you could get in with 18's. Even still, if you did end up getting 18's and 19's, I would say you still have a chance! At the very least, you have a chance at the wait list for many schools if you applied late. My advice would be to apply ASAP! Get all your documents in ASAP (i.e. LOR's, Transcripts, etc.). People ususally say that applying before August is still early... This is September, so you be the judge if your late... I'm sure different people think differently about this. Again, you choose your destiny. Just kill the DAT and you should be a pretty much sure thing this cycle (2006).

Good Luck!

 

[Confucius]

Your GPA looks great, and there is no question that you appear to be a very committed student towards academics. However, dental admissions committees probably won't be so kind on you. In my opinion, you have an uphill battle to get into dental school. Your decision to not pursue medicine even when you already had a seat waiting on you is a major red flag. Basically, family, friends, and disgruntled docs told you not to pursue medicine because you'd be miserable and you let that sway your aspirations which you had worked so long and hard to obtain. And in a mere 20 hours of dental shadowing you had a revelation that dentistry was "right" for you. I don't know, sounds questionable. Admissions committees are likely to think you have not demonstrated a genuine committment to dentistry. Good luck though.

 

[HansWalker]

Your GPA looks great, and there is no question that you appear to be a very committed student towards academics. However, dental admissions committees probably won't be so kind on you. In my opinion, you have an uphill battle to get into dental school. Your decision to not pursue medicine even when you already had a seat waiting on you is a major red flag. Basically, family, friends, and disgruntled docs told you not to pursue medicine because you'd be miserable and you let that sway your aspirations which you had worked so long and hard to obtain. And in a mere 20 hours of dental shadowing you had a revelation that dentistry was "right" for you. I don't know, sounds questionable. Admissions committees are likely to think you have not demonstrated a genuine committment to dentistry. Good luck though.

Confucius,

Thanks for the reply. In truth, the seeds of doubt about my commitment to medicine had been festering in my head for nearly the entire application cycle. I am personally amazed that I was able to convey a sense of commitment to the adcoms in the first place. By the time it came for me to make a decision (rather late, I know, but hey, I just didn't want to make a mistake), I just couldn't take away a spot from a more deserving applicant. So, my decision wasn't as capricious as you make it out to be. Indeed, I had worked long and hard to get to that point, but if my heart wasn't in it, then how could I continue. It was the best decision for all parties.

Also, I wouldn't say that my experiences with dental shadowing could be properly classified as a "revelation", I simply knew that it was infinitely more interesting, enjoyable, and fulfilling than toiling in a lab conducting research in an effort to publish results that nobody really cares about, or performing R&D in big pharma, where the only thing anyone cares about is the bottom line. That's not what I want in a career.

My question to you, and to anyone else who cares to comment is whether I should have to pay for mistake in judgement when I was 20-21 years old (not exactly my peak intellectual years). I am older, wiser, and much more sure of what I want out of my career now than I was at that time in my life. So far, I like everything I am able to see in dentistry, save for the business side of the practice. How else can I demonstrate to adcoms that I am genuinely committed to dental school? I have a full-time job, and my spare time is spent shadowing or studying for the DAT. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Demeter]

For the most part the stats are what count. If you have a strong GPA and DAT score you will get in somewhere. The fact that you turned down a position at a MED school might translate into a rejection from some schools not all. Maybe you were immature 5 years ago. But that was 5 years ago... You will probably get in. Just apply to more programs.

 

[HansWalker]

For the most part the stats are what count. If you have a strong GPA and DAT score you will get in somewhere. The fact that you turned down a position at a MED school might translate into a rejection from some schools not all. Maybe you were immature 5 years ago. But that was 5 years ago... You will probably get in. Just apply to more programs.

So as long as my GPA and DAT scores are strong in an ADCOM's eyes, the additional aspects of an application can be overlooked. I find that hard to believe. Are there any others out there who have left medical school in favor of dental? If so, did the issue come up in the interview? I'd love to hear from you?

 

[hondo55]

I thought I would give you my view on this...

I think that if you have a strong desire to become a dentist, you should definately apply. You should confirm your desires through experience, bc I'm sure you want to be sure about it before embarking on the whole application process if you may turn down the acceptance.

I do not think your deciding not to enter medical school will matter for you to get into a dental program. I personally know one individual that turned down medical school the first acceptance only to reapply later to get into a prestigious medical MD/PHD program. I also know of at least one individual who applied to dental school while in medical school and was accepted. I have also heard of physicians that go to dental school.

You don't fit into either of those situations. You decided what was best for you at the time based on your own desires and reflections. The above examples only show that you can make changes. Medical school was not right for you and you didn't enter. End of story.

You have great grades and can probably ace the DAT given your previous success with the MCAT. You have the maturity to know what you want and your multitude of experiences will serve you well when applying.

The only downside is that you will be applying somewhat later for this cycle. It's not bad, just not as optimal for your chances. If you do well on your DAT I think you have a good chance though this year to get into at least a school.

I am not a dental student but a medical student. Two of my family members are dentists and I have ponderred the profession. It give you great autonomy.

 

[hondo55]

So as long as my GPA and DAT scores are strong in an ADCOM's eyes, the additional aspects of an application can be overlooked. I find that hard to believe. Are there any others out there who have left medical school in favor of dental? If so, did the issue come up in the interview? I'd love to hear from you?

I'm not sure other aspects of your application have to be overlooked. You really sound like a great applicant, and I think your experiences really will work toward your advantage rather than to a disadvantage. Many people apply to schools only to realize they don't want to go. Its not a big deal.

 

[AUG2UAG]

the general rule in sciences is any data that is five or more years old is obsolete-- your decision in 1999 in no way reflects who you are as a person today. in fact it's better that you didn't go through med school only to realize you'd rather do something different. i think your history will work to your benefit.

 

[maksidaa]

i agree. you made a decision that medicine wasn't right for you and now you know what you want. i would just get all the application stuff done as quickly as possible. even if schools see your episode with med school as a negative your stats should get you an interview (as long as you do well on the DAT) and during interviews you can really explain what happened and schools will appreciate you decisions i think. i even think there is a place for you to explain extraneous circumstances regarding your application so you could explain all this on there. just get your app in fast!!

 

[HansWalker]

Thank you everyone for all of the replies. What I keep hearing is that the earlier you get in the AADSAS application, the better your chances are for acceptance. So, I wonder if it might be a better strategy to submit my AADSAS before I take the DAT. What I'm thinking is that if it takes 3-4 weeks for the AADSAS to reach schools after you submit, then that's an extra month or so to study for the DAT, and hopefully, a better score. Is this even possible? Has anyone done this themselves?