Pursuing dental school as a former pre-veterinary student

[gregor5]

Hello,
So several months ago I decided to apply to veterinary schools with hopes of becoming a veterinarian. I was rejected from some schools but got waitlisted at a fantastic school and was eventually pulled off but declined my acceptance. The waiting period was long but during this time I tried to find dental offices to shadow because I was starting to have second thoughts about my career path. I was extremely interested in pursuing dentistry in college but I couldn't find any offices to let me shadow and knew you could do dentistry as a vet - so I found an opportunity in that field and stuck with it.

While I was waiting I ended up finding an office to shadow at and do a few DA relief shifts and I loved it. It made me realize that I didn't want to be a vet anymore and I've accumulated a tad over 100 hours shadowing and DA'ing.

Now my question is when I end up applying to dental school (I'm hoping to do so during the next cycle) will schools question my commitment to the field? I worry that when I apply they'll see that I've applied to veterinary school before and wonder if I'll have second thoughts about dentistry too. I'm aware schools frown upon students applying to both dental school and med school but I'm not sure if that's the case with veterinary school. My grades are strong and I'm confident that I'll do well on the DAT so I'm not worried about that.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

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[Ryxndek]

They care regardless of what professional program you’ve applied to - pharm, vet, optometry, etc.

In your case you need to show them why dentistry is the correct choice. Do so via shadowing hours, working in the dental office, and possibly having an LOR from a dentist. As well as your essays.

Because you declined your offer, you’re in better shape than had you accepted, matriculated, and then dropped out.

Just be prepared to thoughtfully answer the why dentistry question and why not whatever professional school you had applied to. The application asks only if you applied to other programs, I don’t know if it asks specifics but schools would probably ask you to clarify.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

To be fair, you did walk away from a career in veterinary medicine after what I'm sure was a long process to get into that position. We ask that for everyone, but you have had a chance to discern why you have made this change. Dental school has many people who switch in.

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