So here goes nothing..

[JohnSnow93]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys so this is my first post so try not to be too harsh. I just turned 25 today and graduated with a 3.55 gpa with a Biology degree last Fall.
My family is filled with dentists, my 3 aunts are all dentists and my uncle on my moms sides also a dentist. Ever since my senior year of high school my dad has been pushing me to pursue dentistry simply because I would make a lot of money and maybe one day take over my aunts practice. Because of this, I somehow forced myself to change my major from Business Admin, to Biology and worked my a** off to get a 3.55 gpa during my undergrad. Here's the thing...halfway through my undergrad I started doubting myself and if that was the right career I wanted to be in for the rest of my life. I know there's 100's of posts out there about this but I just wanted to hear from anyone that's been in my position. I'm studying for my DAT right now and am planning on taking it for my first time next week. I have a 150+ hours of shadowing (at my aunts practice/dads friends practice) and over 200+ hours of community service hours. The only thing is..I'm 25..don't feel too prepared for the DAT..and don't know if I should wait and apply next cycle because then I'll be 26 and I feel like I would let my parents down. The only reason I'm taking my DAT so late is because my dad is opening up a Beergarden/Brewery this Fall (I know it sounds random lol) and for some reason I've just been extremely interested in the business he's opening up with and have been giving him advice ever since he decided he wanted to open up the brewery. He's also into commercial real estate and makes a good amount of money but he's also starting to get a bit old and I can't stop thinking about how I could help him in so many ways by managing his property and maybe also the beergarden at some point. I know I should be focusing on dental school right now and what not but I can't stop flirting with the idea of just taking my DAT next week and seeing how it goes and then taking my year off to learn the business from my dad (which he's more than happy to show me). Although my dads pushed me for years to take my DAT and go to dental school, he's also very open minded and knows that if I take over what he's doing and manage his commercial property/Beergarden I would still be in good hands. I guess it ultimately comes down to...should I take the DAT and see how it goes since it's my first time and take my gap year to go into business with my dad and see how I like it? I really don't know what to do and this idea of not doing dental would (in my opinion) seems like I'm taking the easy way out and it's an unsettling feeling because I feel like I'm mooching off my dad with the family business thing. I had a strong passion for dentistry at one point and there was a fire burning under me to pursue dental but it almost feels as if the fires burning out . The thing is, now that I'm older and have gotten to get to know what my dad does for work, I'm getting a better idea of what I'm really interested in but I feel like I would regret not pursuing dentistry in the end :/. I know dentists can make around $150-200+k a year but if I do well in my gap year and get a good grip of how to manage commercial real estate with my dad, I'm sure in the long run I can eventually start bringing in $200+ k all without going to dental school and taking out student loans. I understand that my dads commercial property/beergarden will always be there for me for when I become a dentist but the idea of going to dental school for 4 years then coming out and still not having a better understanding of my dads business while he's getting older won't do me any good. I just think that if I start now I can take over what he's doing in just a few years and make just as much if not more money as if I went to dental school. Just really torn and need some advice with some pros and cons. Let me know what you guys think I should do if you were in my shoes. Also.. I understand that this post makes me sound like a little brat but just wanted everyone to know that I've earned almost entirely everything in my life up to this point so don't judge someone from a post. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I think it's pretty obvious you don't want to be a dentist and would rather go into your dad's business instead. If you aren't serious about pursuing something, don't. Dental school takes a lot of effort and I don't see how you're going to be motivated to push through it.

 

[Axiomatician]

Dentists don't make the money you are dreaming they do. A dream job is just that, a dream. If you can make 200k a year without dental school, don't give dentistry a second thought. Pursue business. People love beer; people hate paying for dental work.

Sent from my Lenovo YB1-X90F using Tapatalk

 

[JohnSnow93]

I think it's pretty obvious you don't want to be a dentist and would rather go into your dad's business instead. If you aren't serious about pursuing something, don't. Dental school takes a lot of effort and I don't see how you're going to be motivated to push through it.

You're right, I just feel like I'd be selling myself short and mooching off my dad. I've always wanted to branch out and do my own thing (even though my dad and I have a great relationship). Idk, I've just been torn between this decision and it's eating me alive not being able to talk about it with my anyone so I came here instead

 

[Faefly]

Since i told my siblings today that they made me lose my way, I would advice you not to lose your way but I'll be a hypocrite.

By the way being a dentist is kinda like business, when you open your own practice, it's business + health care.

Anyway, take the dat and decide later, at least if you fail the dat, you'll say I tried but it didn't work.

 

[redhotchiligochu]

You are fortunate to have family members essentially handing you financial security on a silver platter. Not many of us have that kind of luxury. As much as I want to throw shade regarding your cushy situation and that you come off as whiny and entitled with your original post, you should definitely follow your heart. Don't like dentistry and your dad's pushing you? That's okay, follow your dreams despite what others tell you.

Edit: I want to add that that most of my family members, coworkers, and even regional dental society members have discouraged me from pursing dentistry. But I did it anyway because I am confident in pursuing my dreams and achieving goals

 

[JohnSnow93]

You are fortunate to have family members essentially handing you financial security on a silver platter. Not many of us have that kind of luxury. As much as I want to throw shade regarding your cushy situation and that you come off as whiny and entitled with your original post, you should definitely follow your heart. Don't like dentistry and your dad's pushing you? That's okay, follow your dreams despite what others tell you.

Why be bitter and throw shade? You obviously read my reply post saying that I don't want to mooch off my parents and want to branch out. I'd obviously work up to being at a respectable position with my dad, no way he would hand me anything that holds that much weight. In my opinion, things like that should only be earned, not handed to. Regardless, thanks for your 2 cents.

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

Decide soon, winter is coming

 

[Axiomatician]

Why be bitter and throw shade? You obviously read my reply post saying that I don't want to mooch off my parents and want to branch out. I'd obviously work up to being at a respectable position with my dad, no way he would hand me anything that holds that much weight. In my opinion, things like that should only be earned, not handed to. Regardless, thanks for your 2 cents.

I don't think he was bitter. I think he was saying that because it's all about perspective. You come on the dental forum where some people don't have much at all, no parental help, nothing, and are working their tail off to try and be a dentist.

And you come around, throwing around the idea of being a dentist because all of your family is and it's your dad's dream for you, and you ask if you should just take the DAT to see if you do well enough to get into school. That's pretty entitled.

Like I said, it's all about perspective. Don't do what your dad wants you to do. Do what you have the drive to of. You obviously aren't driven about dentistry, but you seem pretty driven about opening up businesses. AND, you're got a great family business to take over now.

Realize how blessed you are and stop second guessing yourself. You went to college as a business major but switched to biology.

I think you should stick with business. Forget about the DAT and pursue the brewery. Trust me, 4 years of dental school is gonna suck when you could have been overseeing Operations and making real money at the brewery. 4 years of dental school is gonna be at least 400k dollars of income you could have made.

Sent from my Lenovo YB1-X90F using Tapatalk

 

[JohnSnow93]

I don't think he was bitter. I think he was saying that because it's all about perspective. You come on the dental forum where some people don't have much at all, no parental help, nothing, and are working their tail off to try and be a dentist.

And you come around, throwing around the idea of being a dentist because all of your family is and it's your dad's dream for you, and you ask if you should just take the DAT to see if you do well enough to get into school. That's pretty entitled.

Like I said, it's all about perspective. Don't do what your dad wants you to do. Do what you have the drive to of. You obviously aren't driven about dentistry, but you seem pretty driven about opening up businesses. AND, you're got a great family business to take over now.

Realize how blessed you are and stop second guessing yourself. You went to college as a business major but switched to biology.

I think you should stick with business. Forget about the DAT and pursue the brewery. Trust me, 4 years of dental school is gonna suck when you could have been overseeing Operations and making real money at the brewery. 4 years of dental school is gonna be at least 400k dollars of income you could have made.

Sent from my Lenovo YB1-X90F using Tapatalk

You're right, it's just the feeling of letting myself down for some reason. I just feel like I worked so hard during undergrad to get good grades and apply to dental school and that I'd be throwing it all away for an opportunity that sprouted out of the blue (which of course, I'm extremely thankful for). Thank you for your input

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

you will be more successful in whichever one you are more motivated to become. it's all about the "why."

 

[WIinNC]

You know what's better than managing your dad's commercial businesses??? Having a sure shot fall back plan of being a part time dentist while managing your dad's commercial businesses. The commercial real estate bubble is one of the next to pop along with student loans and the usd. Choose wisely.

 

[JohnSnow93]

You know what's better than managing your dad's commercial businesses??? Having a sure shot fall back plan of being a part time dentist while managing your dad's commercial businesses. The commercial real estate bubble is one of the next to pop along with student loans and the usd. Choose wisely.

That's a great point, my dads commercial property's luckily already paid off so I wouldn't think the bubble would affect him as much but you're right, going to dental school and doing that on the side would be a smart/beneficial move. Much appreciated!

 

[DDS22_DH15_CDA13]

Hey guys so this is my first post so try not to be too harsh. I just turned 25 today and graduated with a 3.55 gpa with a Biology degree last Fall.
My family is filled with dentists, my 3 aunts are all dentists and my uncle on my moms sides also a dentist. Ever since my senior year of high school my dad has been pushing me to pursue dentistry simply because I would make a lot of money and maybe one day take over my aunts practice. Because of this, I somehow forced myself to change my major from Business Admin, to Biology and worked my a** off to get a 3.55 gpa during my undergrad. Here's the thing...halfway through my undergrad I started doubting myself and if that was the right career I wanted to be in for the rest of my life. I know there's 100's of posts out there about this but I just wanted to hear from anyone that's been in my position. I'm studying for my DAT right now and am planning on taking it for my first time next week. I have a 150+ hours of shadowing (at my aunts practice/dads friends practice) and over 200+ hours of community service hours. The only thing is..I'm 25..don't feel too prepared for the DAT..and don't know if I should wait and apply next cycle because then I'll be 26 and I feel like I would let my parents down. The only reason I'm taking my DAT so late is because my dad is opening up a Beergarden/Brewery this Fall (I know it sounds random lol) and for some reason I've just been extremely interested in the business he's opening up with and have been giving him advice ever since he decided he wanted to open up the brewery. He's also into commercial real estate and makes a good amount of money but he's also starting to get a bit old and I can't stop thinking about how I could help him in so many ways by managing his property and maybe also the beergarden at some point. I know I should be focusing on dental school right now and what not but I can't stop flirting with the idea of just taking my DAT next week and seeing how it goes and then taking my year off to learn the business from my dad (which he's more than happy to show me). Although my dads pushed me for years to take my DAT and go to dental school, he's also very open minded and knows that if I take over what he's doing and manage his commercial property/Beergarden I would still be in good hands. I guess it ultimately comes down to...should I take the DAT and see how it goes since it's my first time and take my gap year to go into business with my dad and see how I like it? I really don't know what to do and this idea of not doing dental would (in my opinion) seems like I'm taking the easy way out and it's an unsettling feeling because I feel like I'm mooching off my dad with the family business thing. I had a strong passion for dentistry at one point and there was a fire burning under me to pursue dental but it almost feels as if the fires burning out . The thing is, now that I'm older and have gotten to get to know what my dad does for work, I'm getting a better idea of what I'm really interested in but I feel like I would regret not pursuing dentistry in the end :/. I know dentists can make around $150-200+k a year but if I do well in my gap year and get a good grip of how to manage commercial real estate with my dad, I'm sure in the long run I can eventually start bringing in $200+ k all without going to dental school and taking out student loans. I understand that my dads commercial property/beergarden will always be there for me for when I become a dentist but the idea of going to dental school for 4 years then coming out and still not having a better understanding of my dads business while he's getting older won't do me any good. I just think that if I start now I can take over what he's doing in just a few years and make just as much if not more money as if I went to dental school. Just really torn and need some advice with some pros and cons. Let me know what you guys think I should do if you were in my shoes. Also.. I understand that this post makes me sound like a little brat but just wanted everyone to know that I've earned almost entirely everything in my life up to this point so don't judge someone from a post. Thanks for everyone's input!

I don't think you are old at all. I'm 30 (soon to be 31) and I would be applying this year. I believe when you are passionate about a career you are going to do it no matter what people says. My two cents would be, learn your father's business because it seems obvious that you are more interested on that. In addition, try to travel abroad for dental mission trip...it would give you another view in dentistry, maybe you can find the passion in dentistry that you had before. While doing all that still study for the DAT just in case you decide to take it next year.