pre dent who is now pre med

[futuremdihope]

Hey guys, so I have quite a dilemma. I just finished my junior year as an undergrad. Throughout my college career, I have been contemplating between md or dentistry. I started off college as pre med, but quickly switched to dentistry and stuck with it for almost the last 3 years. However, this past year I have been going back and forth between being pre med or pre dental, and I chose pre med because I realized it is what I want to do, and it's what I am passionate about.
-----( I have worked with a dentist as an assistant and shadowed a medical doctor, and I liked the md path more)

That being said, most of my extra curricular's have been for dental school. I have volunteered in dental programs for the underprivileged, I have worked as a dental assistant, and I have been on the executive board of my pre dental club at my university for the last 2 years. Nothing I have done is medically related other than shadowing a doctor and volunteering at the hospital for 6 months- so my question is, what should I do to help me stand out, extra-curricular wise, for my medical school application?? I will not be applying this year, I will be applying next year.

My brother, who's in med school, keeps telling me to do research, but I absolutely hate research, and I don't think I'd get anything out of it because I am not cut out for lab work. I'd rather do something that I enjoy, like work with patient contact, that I know will impact me in ways that will allow me to be honest about why I want to be a doctor in my apps, and ****hopefully**** interviews someday. I want do something that will be worthwhile.

I will be spending this summer studying for MCAT, and I was planning on taking a CNA course and work as an ER tech?? But does certification take a while? Would that be enough, considering I shadow more doctors and volunteer more?

Should I just stick with dentistry, even though my heart is truly set on medicine?? I will be adding a year to my undergrad to double major (bio and psych), so I do have SOME more time to get EC's in, but not much considering I will be applying in one year.
Also, please no trolls, my anxiety level is through the roof trying to figure my life out.

Thanks!

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[Neosgift]

I think you need to pick one path and focus on it. I really do think you should take your own advice about what you want to do. My personal experience.. My orthodontist seemed a lot happier than ANY doctor I've seen! While not all doctors are happy or fufilled some are. Just saying pick what makes you happy. My orthodontist just made me feel like he was a cool guy. Whistling and singing. Just let it be. If you choose to be a md truly give it your best.

 

[Chlorophyll Oracle]

It’s not too late to switch. I switched my junior year from dentistry. I even took the DAT prior to that. Just do a complete 180 and focus on medically orientated stuff from now on. Mention your switch in your personal statement and explain why you made it. You’ll be just fine!

 

[futuremdihope]

It’s not too late to switch. I switched my junior year from dentistry. I even took the DAT prior to that. Just do a complete 180 and focus on medically orientated stuff from now on. Mention your switch in your personal statement and explain why you made it. You’ll be just fine!

thank you! so comforting to know!

 

[futuremdihope]

I think you need to pick one path and focus on it. I really do think you should take your own advice about what you want to do. My personal experience.. My orthodontist seemed a lot happier than ANY doctor I've seen! While not all doctors are happy or fufilled some are. Just saying pick what makes you happy. My orthodontist just made me feel like he was a cool guy. Whistling and singing. Just let it be. If you choose to be a md truly give it your best.

Yea I know what you're saying..the one thing that really made me stick with dentistry was for the amazing lifestyle I would always hear about; but I would not be happy as a dentist because I truly don't find the the field intriguing for me. I know that it is a WONDERFUL and amazing career choice, but only if you truly love it. I don't. I'm set on medicine and will continue to pursue that career. Thank you for your advice

 

[Chlorophyll Oracle]

Yea I know what you're saying..the one thing that really made me stick with dentistry was for the amazing lifestyle I would always hear about; but I would not be happy as a dentist because I truly don't find the the field intriguing for me. I know that it is a WONDERFUL and amazing career choice, but only if you truly love it. I don't. I'm set on medicine and will continue to pursue that career. Thank you for your advice

Your mind works exactly the same as mine. Coming out of high school, I wanted a safe job that would ensure I'd have time to spend with my family. However, I really just didn't like the job. I decided that I'd rather have a job that I'm passionate about and enjoy work every day. I think you'll make a heck of am M.D. OP

 

[futureDocDD]

No need for doing research if you aim for your "low-ranked" state school(s). Research is a must for mid to top ranked schools.

 

[Neosgift]

Yea I know what you're saying..the one thing that really made me stick with dentistry was for the amazing lifestyle I would always hear about; but I would not be happy as a dentist because I truly don't find the the field intriguing for me. I know that it is a WONDERFUL and amazing career choice, but only if you truly love it. I don't. I'm set on medicine and will continue to pursue that career. Thank you for your advice

It's okay. I find myself and believe others feel the same way when I think we all long for that " DOCTOR" title.

You know that feeling when you compare EVERY other profession you would want to do VS being a doctor.

Yea I feel the same way. And it sucks because I have a uncle that is a doctor in California and is making serious money.

And my orthodontist has a beautiful wife and two boys. He's a freaking boss.

But choose what you want. But with all that said. Who am I?
Think about that. And tell me what you come up with. I'd like to hear

 

[jeffk805dent]

Dentistry has pretty much three routes - associate, owner, and specialist. In recent years the owner has taken a lot of the specialist work in house.

Medicine: Pretty much any route depending on your drive and Step 1 score (and honors I guess for the more prestigious specialties).


Keep in mind dental school is insanely expensive (outside of Texas) and that it may take 10-20 years to repay it depending on what school you go to, where you decide to work and open shop and how fast you are able to produce as an owner or how good you can be at owning multiple practices.

 

[katie24seven]

The above poster touched on it, but there is a heck of a lot of business and entrepreneurship that goes into being a dentist or orthodontist and you really can't avoid it. Running a dental practice requires another skill set totally outside of what you'll need to succeed in dental school, and not being business savvy could tank your practice no matter how good of a clinician you actually are. So that's another factor to keep in mind. Many medical specialists don't have to do this.