Need some help with determining the right path.

[MartialFarts]

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Hi everyone. So I'm doing a B.Sc. right now in biomedical physiology and I'm getting around a 3.1 GPA but I'm hoping to raise my GPA to around a 3.2/3.3 by the time I graduate in the summer. My degree has included many difficult anatomy and physiology courses so I'm hoping that will help me in the application process as well. I've also taken the DAT and gotten a 21 AA 23TS 22PAT 22Quant and 15RC but I essentially only studied 2 weeks for it and I didnt bother studying the quantitative and reading sections, so I'm thinking if I retake it I can do very well. I have decent volunteering and shadowing experience, but I'm worried my low GPA and RC would mess me up

Now another thing is that while I've wanted to go into the dental field for most my life, I dont really enjoy the idea of being a general dentist. I could definitely do it if I had to but I would much rather specialize. Surgery seems cool and I enjoy it, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much time in school. Also recently I've really started to dislike science based courses and I'm not sure I could put up with it for 4-8 more years. Although I have a good memory I hate having to do mass memorization, and I find that I'm better in Math and enjoy it more too. I've been considering a switch to engineering or Investment banking recently, and I probably would have if it wasnt for one thing.

My dad is a successful dentist himself and owns two practices. He told me he would essentially give me one if I decided to become a dentist. My tuition is completely paid for so I wont have to take loans or get into debt, and he is very proficient at the business aspect of running a dental office so he could give me a lot advise and expertise on how to keep my overhead very low. He is also willing to give me a bit of spending money throughout my education. Looking at it all together it seems like the most viable option for me, but Im still not entirely sure it would be the right career for me. The money I could potentially make right out of school is very enticing, and I'm aware of the fact that the majority of engineers and investment bankers will not be making much above 100k. As much as people say money isnt everything, its a big factor for me.

I guess I have 3 main questions:
1) Is my application too weak to get accepted into dental school
2) What would you do if you were in my position
3) Would I be a fool not to capitalize on this opportunity that I have

TL;DR - I can become a dentist without having to go into debt, and I have a successful practice for me to own for free right after graduation due to father reducing work and possibly retiring. Problem is I don't really enjoy general dentistry, I mostly enjoy surgery but I dont like how long it takes, and I'm not sure if I would even be able to get in with a 3.2 GPA and poor RC section in DAT. I've been considering Investment banking or Engineering because I'm really good at Math and I enjoy it more than human physiology and anatomy courses. See above main questions.

 

[cacajuate]

Seems like you are wanting to do what you father wants and not what you want.

 

[grivacobae]

With those grades it will also be pretty difficult getting into Investment Banking, you'd have to get into MBA program where (im assuming you wanna work) big bracket investment banks recruit, plus you have to have pretty stellar MBA grades as well. And banks like Merryl Lynch, J.P Morgan, Goldman Sach, etc... do their recruiting mainly at Ivy MBA schoools.

You don't have to take over your fathers practice if you want to do surgery (OMFS?), but also getting in OMFS residency is one of the most difficult to get into.

It's a difficult decision you are at, either spend more time and energy trying to get into dental school, which who knows, you might come to love. Or having to start a new career path essentially.

If I were you, which I kinda am like considering money is a big factor for you, I would definitely go the Dentist route. You essentially have the most ideal situation any of pre-dents/dental students would want to have. Debt free education, and a successful, thriving business awaiting your command. The money you'll be making will be what some dentist have been working 5+ years for and paying off debt, you are starting with that money right away and WITHOUT any debt! That's awesome IMO.

 

[techyguy]

Have you looked into other specialties, like periodontics or prosthodontics, that only take 3 years?

Also, if you're interested in math, computer science is a similar field, and software engineering gets pretty high marks as far as careers go. All I've ever heard about IB is that it leads to quick burnout. You'd have to be more specific about the field of engineering that you're most interested in to offer any suggestions there.

You're definitely not crazy for questioning it, though.

 

[MartialFarts]

It's a difficult decision you are at, either spend more time and energy trying to get into dental school, which who knows, you might come to love. Or having to start a new career path essentially.

If I were you, which I kinda am like considering money is a big factor for you, I would definitely go the Dentist route. You essentially have the most ideal situation any of pre-dents/dental students would want to have. Debt free education, and a successful, thriving business awaiting your command. The money you'll be making will be what some dentist have been working 5+ years for and paying off debt, you are starting with that money right away and WITHOUT any debt! That's awesome IMO.

The bold is pretty much exactly what I've been thinking. I'm not sure whether I'll love dentistry or not. Also my hesitation could be because I'm just tired of the anatomy and physiology courses I've been taking. I want a change which might make an MBA a good choice as it will allow me to become better at the business side of dentistry.

Have you looked into other specialties, like periodontics or prosthodontics, that only take 3 years?

Also, if you're interested in math, computer science is a similar field, and software engineering gets pretty high marks as far as careers go. All I've ever heard about IB is that it leads to quick burnout. You'd have to be more specific about the field of engineering that you're most interested in to offer any suggestions there.

You're definitely not crazy for questioning it, though.

Dental anesthesiology seems pretty cool, so does endo.

I was thinking either software engineering or biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineering may be a bit quicker and it still encompasses human physiology which I'm good at, so it might be a suitable degree for me. Software engineering seems really cool too but I suck with computers so I'd have a lot of learning to do. I was thinking if I could do very well in engineering classes I could get a co-op and potential career in a really good company, generate some capital and start up a biotech company. It seems fun but dentistry is still the sure bet.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

1) You have a shot if you raise your GPA and retake the DAT. Do an informal post bac( take upper division bio classes) after graduation and do well. I think you are academically capable of doing it.

2) After reading how you dislike the sciences and you don't think that you can put up with it for 4-8 years, then how exactly are you going to find the motivation to get through dental school? It will be HELL for you. Most dental students go through hell on a daily basis but they love what they are studying because they all want to be the best dentist they can be.

3) Your situation is simply a blessing. Tuition paid for? check. Debt free? check. Dental practice waiting for you? Check. You will be very well off financially speaking. However... you must get through dental school. I'm not saying you won't be a great dentist. You just need to be sure you are going to dental school for the right reasons. Regarding the MBA, it doesn't truly help. You get an idea about business and all that but every dentist, retired dentists, and dental students have said that you will learn the business side of dentistry on the job AKA working as an associate.

I think you should take a gap year and do a post bac. While doing this, you should shadow another dentist besides your father. Maybe talking to another dentist will give you a different perspective whether or not you really want to be a dentist or not. Plus, it doesn't seem your father is forcing you to be a dentist. Maybe you are afraid of disappointing him?

 

[MartialFarts]

1) You have a shot if you raise your GPA and retake the DAT. Do an informal post bac( take upper division bio classes) after graduation and do well. I think you are academically capable of doing it.

2) After reading how you dislike the sciences and you don't think that you can put up with it for 4-8 years, then how exactly are you going to find the motivation to get through dental school? It will be HELL for you. Most dental students go through hell on a daily basis but they love what they are studying because they all want to be the best dentist they can be.

3) Your situation is simply a blessing. Tuition paid for? check. Debt free? check. Dental practice waiting for you? Check. You will be very well off financially speaking. However... you must get through dental school. I'm not saying you won't be a great dentist. You just need to be sure you are going to dental school for the right reasons. Regarding the MBA, it doesn't truly help. You get an idea about business and all that but every dentist, retired dentists, and dental students have said that you will learn the business side of dentistry on the job AKA working as an associate.

I think you should take a gap year and do a post bac. While doing this, you should shadow another dentist besides your father. Maybe talking to another dentist will give you a different perspective whether or not you really want to be a dentist or not. Plus, it doesn't seem your father is forcing you to be a dentist. Maybe you are afraid of disappointing him?

Thanks for the reply. I dont really think its about disappointing him, he's cool with whatever I choose to do my problem is just that I have commitment issues. I flip flop from one thing to another, not because I dont want to work at it but simply because I always lose motivation, get bored, and move onto something else. Im thinking I just need to shadow more. I've shadowed a specialist who said to go into med, but I know thats not an option or even a desire for me.

If I do the post bac could I take non-bio courses like math or engineering sciences, or would that not be ideal?

 

[Fondue]

Bio classes would be more beneficial for applications. Taking engineering classes post bac might look a little odd, but if you're up in the air I recommend taking them to help yourself decide.

If I were in your spot, I would think long and hard about what you would be passing up. Debt free and a successful practice waiting for you before you even start dental school school--that's a dream come true for many of us on here. But if you truly think you may not be happy as a dentist, then you need to follow what your gut is telling you.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

Thanks for the reply. I dont really think its about disappointing him, he's cool with whatever I choose to do my problem is just that I have commitment issues. I flip flop from one thing to another, not because I dont want to work at it but simply because I always lose motivation, get bored, and move onto something else. Im thinking I just need to shadow more. I've shadowed a specialist who said to go into med, but I know thats not an option or even a desire for me.

If I do the post bac could I take non-bio courses like math or engineering sciences, or would that not be ideal?

I see.
Well, you can take classes at any school. I'd pick the cheapest school. If it's your alma mater, then that makes life a bit easier. Ideally, you would want to take a full semester load (12 hrs) of upper division biology classes that are relevant to dental school. This is what adcoms would want. You did say you were good at math so if that is thecase... I recommend 2 biology classes (6 hrs) and 2 math/engineering science (6hrs). If you can add another bio class, that would be great but if you are still exploring career options then maybe the latter option is better. Don't rush it. If your post bac is a year or two, it's okay. Your career is too important.