Dental Post Bacc Career Change

[artist2022]

Hello,

I am a recent college graduate (class of 2021) with a non-STEM undergraduate degree and a 3.71 GPA. Since graduating, I have been seriously considering going back for a post-bacc to pursue dentistry. However, I don’t know what my chances are for these kinds of programs. I don’t have shadowing or (relevant) volunteer experience. I just started a job in consulting in August. Should I continue with my job for the rest of the year while pursuing research, shadowing, etc. on the side? Should I just shoot my shot and apply for the post bacc programs? Should I resign from my job and look into working at a dental office full time while applying? Any advice and insights would be appreciated.

Thank you!

It's going to take a couple of years for you to have a strong enough app, if you're starting from scratch. Are you sure you want to pursue dentistry? Have you shadowed at all? I would shadow a couple of different doctors in different offices and see what it really entails because it is so different than what we imagine sometimes. Why are you interested in dentistry?

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[artist2022]

It will take a couple of years starting from scratch for a post-bacc career changer? What should I do in those couple of years?

Sorry, I meant it will take a couple of years from now to starting dental school, including the post-bacc. Essentially you have to show that you are serious about dentistry.

Yes I did shadow in high school but was discouraged from pursuing it in college. After graduating though, I was hit with a lot of remorse, and have already scheduled some shadowing.

Okay, I'd shadow a general dentist (not a specialist) for a good 20-30 hours and then decide again if you want to pursue it.

In terms of your original question about post-baccs, your GPA is fine for admission, and all you might need is a DAT score so I would first do some research using this spreadsheet (~* List of Post-Bacc/Masters Programs (EXCEL SHEET) *~) and there's even a section for career changers.

 

[PerioDont]

Sorry, I meant it will take a couple of years from now to starting dental school, including the post-bacc. Essentially you have to show that you are serious about dentistry.

Okay, I'd shadow a general dentist (not a specialist) for a good 20-30 hours and then decide again if you want to pursue it.

In terms of your original question about post-baccs, your GPA is fine for admission, and all you might need is a DAT score so I would first do some research using this spreadsheet (~* List of Post-Bacc/Masters Programs (EXCEL SHEET) *~) and there's even a section for career changers.

Agreed. Start with shadowing and making sure this is something you want.

Did you do any type of science pre-reqs in your undergrad degree? that may save you some time

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Agree with shadowing a general dentist. I thought I wanted to do dentistry but found out it wasn't for me after shadowing. You don't want to start down a path with a bunch of courses to find out you don't want to do something.

 

[artist2022]

Thank you, I am planning on shadowing and have been scheduling some time to do so! I was wondering what I should be doing in the meantime to make my application competitive for a post-bacc program - I think this would be the best option for me considering my non-STEM ug background. They want to see commitment to the field, so do I need to rack up some number of shadowing/volunteer hours before applying?

I don't think there are any hard requirements for post-bacc programs, except for a GPA, Letters of Rec, etc. If the programs you're interested in applying to require commitment to the field, then yes you'd need a decent number of shadowing and volunteering hours (volunteering doesn't have to be dental related, but shadowing definitely should be with a general dentist).

I also was hoping to do the DAT after taking certain courses in the post-bacc as this would help me prepare rather than taking it now (as some post-baccs seem to only require the ACT and college degree).

Makes sense, so then to answer the main question in your original post, shoot your shot and apply for post-bacc programs now and go from there.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

You also don’t need to go to a formal post bac program. DIY is an option as well.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Yes, I’d been considering this, but the formal post bacs look like they have great opportunities re: shadowing, research, linkages, faculty support, etc.

That’s true. Some of them do. If you feel you can’t get these things on your own it may be good for you. Look into the cost as well.

 

[PerioDont]

I have a lot of volunteer experience from undergrad including being the president and VP of clubs focused on volunteering, but hope to build this up. My issue is that certain post-bacc applications are coming up, and that I won’t have the time to prove that I am a worthy candidate who is committed. I also have been working at a full-time job for two months that have somewhat rigorous hours, which makes it difficult to shadow as not many dentists work on the weekends. What would you recommend?

Before you embark on this journey, really get in some solid shadowing hours to make sure it’s what you want. Find the people who are open when you are available, I know it’s definitely not that easy to find people who work weekends but you can look up hours on google/Yelp and target those places.

 

[artist2022]

I also have been working at a full-time job for two months that have somewhat rigorous hours, which makes it difficult to shadow as not many dentists work on the weekends. What would you recommend?

Search harder. Even though there might not be many, keep trying to reach out to a bunch and get the hours in. You could also perhaps take a day off here and there to shadow for a full workday at an office.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you, I am planning on shadowing and have been scheduling some time to do so! I was wondering what I should be doing in the meantime to make my application competitive for a post-bacc program - I think this would be the best option for me considering my non-STEM ug background. They want to see commitment to the field, so do I need to rack up some number of shadowing/volunteer hours before applying?

it depends on the postbac program, but I think many programs will look at what you already have as clinical experience and community service before they favorably admit you. Therefore, work on getting your experience first.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi! Thanks so much. I have about ~35 shadowing hours under my belt. I also volunteered and went to a good undergraduate program. Looking at Bryn Mawr and Scripps (know these would be a long shot), but also Tufts, Temple, University of Vermont, Agnes Scott, American, George Washington University, Loyola Marymount, Mills, UPenn, and WashU. Any thoughts on these programs for post baccs for dental, and my chances with current stats?

I'd check for postbac programs at dental schools first. I think there are 8 of those for sure.