Should I take it..

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[STACM]

dont take the MCAT, it will look bad on your application

however, the prep course does still have value, the materials and knowledge you've gained so far will help you alot in your studies towards the DAT (since the material between them blends in a bunch of the subjects)...so don't think of it as a loss if you don't take the MCAT. The cost of a test seat is small potatoes when you think of the big picture and how much you will spend if you reach your goal of being a dentist.

 

[austinsanity]

Hi guys,

So.. Before the break.. I' was on track in applying for medical school.. have been taking a MCAT prep.. have a seat saved for the May 28th exam.. Now i have a sudden change of heart.. i want to go for dental school.. (a lot of thinking went in.. talked to many dentists and physicians too..) Now the decision comes down to.. if i should still take the MCAT i have registered for. I heard it reflects badly i take both MCAT and DAT? But i already paid for the seat.. and i can get my money back guarantee for my prep course if i bomb it? I know it's terrible.. but it's 1700 dollar! Should I take it.. bomb it on purpose.. get my money back? I sound like a douche.. i'm sorry. Or should i just cancel the seat.. I dont want them to think I switched to dental school because I bombed the MCAT either... Your help is greatly appreciated!

I agree with the idea of taking the course and treating it as DAT preparation. Skip or attend physics classes depending on what you want to do and whether there are days totally devoted to individual sciences.

As far as taking the MCAT goes, I honestly don't see how it hurts that much. I was in essentially the same boat as you at one point. I took the MCAT twice (bombed the 1st, did well on the 2nd), but after a bunch of shadowing, speaking with doctors, and sitting in on dental and medical school events and classes, I decided to go with dentistry and chose Tufts out of several options. What matters is how you explain yourself in the personal statement and interview. You should definitely mention the switch; you'll be better off being open and honest than trying to cover it up.

But that's all beside the point. My take is that you should stick with the course because it will help. Take the MCAT if you want. If you don't, cancel your appointment. Seeing as how a significant life-changing decision was made and it was a "sudden change of heart", I'd take it just in case.

 

[tooth hurty]

dont take the MCAT, it will look bad on your application

I don't recall having to write whether or not I'd taken the MCAT on any dental school applications, or being asked about it at any interviews, so I call BS on this.

 

[bigstix808]

I don't recall having to write whether or not I'd taken the MCAT on any dental school applications, or being asked about it at any interviews, so I call BS on this.

the only app i filled out that asked for it was for Univ of Tenn - memphis. no one else cares.

just don't apply to both med and dental school during the same cycle and you should be fine

 

[STACM]

I don't recall having to write whether or not I'd taken the MCAT on any dental school applications, or being asked about it at any interviews, so I call BS on this.

I'm pretty sure I remember some application asking if I'd taken the MCAT, don't remember which though.

 

[AggieDDS]

I don't recall having to write whether or not I'd taken the MCAT on any dental school applications, or being asked about it at any interviews, so I call BS on this.

I hope you didn't lie on your app.

"Question #29 of the Dental Admission Test Candidate Confidential Form states: Have you taken (or do you plan to take) the MCAT, OAT, VAT, PCAT, AHPAT? 1) Yes 2) No"

And I believe you have to sign the form stating that what you put is correct/true.

On another note: Doesn't the app itself have a section about whether or not you have applied to other professional schools? Not 100% sure on this since I haven't applied.

 

[dent2009]

Look bad on app? That's nonsense. Just make sure you do some dental shadowing, volunteering, etc.

dont take the MCAT, it will look bad on your application

however, the prep course does still have value, the materials and knowledge you've gained so far will help you alot in your studies towards the DAT (since the material between them blends in a bunch of the subjects)...so don't think of it as a loss if you don't take the MCAT. The cost of a test seat is small potatoes when you think of the big picture and how much you will spend if you reach your goal of being a dentist.

 

[STACM]

Look bad on app? That's nonsense. Just make sure you do some dental shadowing, volunteering, etc.

well its not going to make it look better, that's for sure. One more thing to worry about explaining at the interview

 

[STACM]

I hope you didn't lie on your app.

"Question #29 of the Dental Admission Test Candidate Confidential Form states: Have you taken (or do you plan to take) the MCAT, OAT, VAT, PCAT, AHPAT? 1) Yes 2) No"

And I believe you have to sign the form stating that what you put is correct/true.

On another note: Doesn't the app itself have a section about whether or not you have applied to other professional schools? Not 100% sure on this since I haven't applied.

Yea that's what I was referring to originally, couldn't remember it

 

[MichaelVicksDog]

I hope you didn't lie on your app.

"Question #29 of the Dental Admission Test Candidate Confidential Form states: Have you taken (or do you plan to take) the MCAT, OAT, VAT, PCAT, AHPAT? 1) Yes 2) No"

And I believe you have to sign the form stating that what you put is correct/true.

On another note: Doesn't the app itself have a section about whether or not you have applied to other professional schools? Not 100% sure on this since I haven't applied.

Noob, that question is part of the optional survey. If you're one of the cool kids, you skip the entire survey, which means you don't have to answer that question. The app does have a section whether or not you've applied to other professional schools. But this is just concerning the MCAT, not the medical school application.

Also OP, you're an idiot too because the money back guarantee is not really a money back guarantee. Depending on the company, they just let you take the class again for free. If you still feel like you might pursue medicine, take the MCAT. If you're quite sure about the dentistry, spend those 5 hours more productively like going to a strip club during the day 😱

 

[dentalmagnet]

Noob, that question is part of the optional survey. If you're one of the cool kids, you skip the entire survey, which means you don't have to answer that question. The app does have a section whether or not you've applied to other professional schools. But this is just concerning the MCAT, not the medical school application.

Also OP, you're an idiot too because the money back guarantee is not really a money back guarantee. Depending on the company, they just let you take the class again for free. If you still feel like you might pursue medicine, take the MCAT. If you're quite sure about the dentistry, spend those 5 hours more productively like going to a strip club during the day 😱

Dear Michael Vick's Dog,

why are you so angry?

 

[doc toothache]

Hi guys,
But i already paid for the seat.. and i can get my money back guarantee for my prep course if i bomb it? I know it's terrible.. but it's 1700 dollar! Should I take it.. bomb it on purpose.. get my money back? I sound like a douche.. i'm sorry. Or should i just cancel the seat.. I dont want them to think I switched to dental school because I bombed the MCAT either... Your help is greatly appreciated!

Both professions are in dire need of applicants who know how to work the system.