So, I think I'd like dentistry. Any pointers?

[Conflagration]

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Hello, pre-dentistry forum! I'm Conflagration, a senior in high school.

For a while, I thought that I wanted to do pharmacy work. But lately, I've been thinking about it, and pharmacy is too closed off from people and I've gotten my fair share of people telling me that the profession is going down the drain.

However, that's not my only rationale. I want a job that lets me talk to people, allows me to see the results of my work right in front of me, and allows me the freedom of taking the reins if I want and allows me to be on the sidelines when I don't.

So, pre-dents, what should I do for college? I'm currently accepted to a decent school for undergrad, and my current major is Biochemistry. My dentist is a really chill dude and he works with someone else and I think I'd be able to shadow him during the summer, which I've learned by lingering on SDN is a crucial part of any application.

Anything else that you'd recommend? Please post it here! Thanks for reading, sorry it's a little long.

 

[timwatley]

Make sure to stay involved with EC's in college. Not just the ones that look good on your app but the ones that you like to do in your free time. If you're into hiking then find a hiking club and stick with it for 4 years. It will help balance your life in undergrad and will also help you stick out as an applicant, maybe even give you something to talk about during interviews, etc. I was asked about my hobbies pretty regularly.

 

[TheToothsayer]

I'm beginning to see a lot of pre-pharm turned pre-dents. Regarding the profession going down the drain...well, SDN is a small representation of the nation's pharmacists. The profession is NOT necessairly going down the drain. Over-saturation is something I cannot see being avoided for pharmacy in the near future. Too many schools. Toooooo many schools with tooooo low standards.

You need to research the DAT, shadow dentists, volunteer, etc. It's simple really, pre-med/pre-pharm/pre-dent follow the same undergrad path besides the variations in shadowing and standardized test. Your reasoning is very sound. After practicing pharmacy for about 5 years, my wife decided the same thing. Pharmacy is very different from the more clinical dealings of dentists and physicians.

See if you like it. You may decide you want to do something else, and that's ok.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Change your major to something fun. Ace the prereqs. Unless you just love biochem.....

I just saw that prepharm thread you posted in. Make sure dentistry is something you really want to do. Go shadow that dentist before you decide.

 

[Conflagration]

Make sure to stay involved with EC's in college. Not just the ones that look good on your app but the ones that you like to do in your free time. If you're into hiking then find a hiking club and stick with it for 4 years. It will help balance your life in undergrad and will also help you stick out as an applicant, maybe even give you something to talk about during interviews, etc. I was asked about my hobbies pretty regularly.

Really? I'll keep that in mind. I've been debating trying to find some sort of intramural sport for mental floss. I currently make bracelets in the downtime now that my classes are starting to slow down.

Thanks for your response! =)

 

[Conflagration]

I'm beginning to see a lot of pre-pharm turned pre-dents. Regarding the profession going down the drain...well, SDN is a small representation of the nation's pharmacists. The profession is NOT necessairly going down the drain. Over-saturation is something I cannot see being avoided for pharmacy in the near future. Too many schools. Toooooo many schools with tooooo low standards.

You need to research the DAT, shadow dentists, volunteer, etc. It's simple really, pre-med/pre-pharm/pre-dent follow the same undergrad path besides the variations in shadowing and standardized test. Your reasoning is very sound. After practicing pharmacy for about 5 years, my wife decided the same thing. Pharmacy is very different from the more clinical dealings of dentists and physicians.

See if you like it. You may decide you want to do something else, and that's ok.

Thank you for the response! I'm young, so I'm at least mildly cognizant that the job market for pharmacy could improve, but it made me realize that I wasn't willing to risk it(and I hear that when one loves their job, they're willing to work tirelessly because it's almost never easy). The work seems a little too menial, the people seem to dislike their job, and with the somewhat recent dispute between Walgreens and the insurance companies it works with, the number of schools that are now exploding out of control, it occurred to me that I just wasn't interested in it.

Change your major to something fun. Ace the prereqs. Unless you just love biochem.....

I'll definitely consider it. I love Biology, but I'll see if there's something else I'd like better.

Thank you both for the responses!

 

[Conflagration]

I just saw that prepharm thread you posted in. Make sure dentistry is something you really want to do. Go shadow that dentist before you decide.

I will, I posted over there because I was trying to see why exactly everyone was in such a hype about the market(and partially because I'm an optimistic person and it makes me a little sad that they're so down in the dumps about something they've worked at for literally years of their lives). It's true that I'm a little early in the decision making process, and I'll definitely try my hand at shadowing before confirming my decision.

 

[TheToothsayer]

You getting into all of this at such a young age already tells me you're more than capable. You're way ahead of the game, but don't let people here convince you that you're doing the wrong thing. It's great to be ahead!

I'd actually advise against choosing a non-science major. The majority of admissions are given to science majors for a reason. Science degree programs will better prepare you for the intense coursework of dental/medical/pharmacy schools. I can't emphasize one thing enough: ENJOY COLLEGE. Don't force anything. By all means, minor in something you love that will build you. Don't worry about "easy A" electives. Select something you enjoy and you will do well in it regardless. As for the degree, biochemistry is a difficult undergrad major and it will prepare you well for your DAT, PCAT whatever as well as your time in D-school.

The truest saying is what every adult will tell you, pick a job you enjoy working and you will never work a day.

Also, regarding SDN's pharmacists...they're mostly cynical people. Don't let that represent the field of pharmacy. There are many intelligent, driven, innovative pharmDs out there that are changing the game of health care. Yes, pharmacy is becoming saturated. It's simple math. Too many schools with too few standards + no method of ranking(for dentistry it's price of school) + older pharmDs delaying retirement due to the economic status + mail order pharmacies becoming more popular + the legal debacle in washington = a big ? for potential pharmDs. According to my wife, right now it's hard to find a job. You just have to relocate, but you'll find something and you'll make money. It's stressful and somewhat boring working in retail, but you can get by. By the time class of 2015 graduates? It'll be cut throat.

Just my take on the situation. All that being said, I always felt that a film or psychology major who is successful is the greatest kind of success. If you're driven and motivated and smart - you will do well. Maybe not as well as how you would have done in the 90s but you will do well.

 

[Conflagration]

You getting into all of this at such a young age already tells me you're more than capable. You're way ahead of the game, but don't let people here convince you that you're doing the wrong thing. It's great to be ahead!

I'd actually advise against choosing a non-science major. The majority of admissions are given to science majors for a reason. Science degree programs will better prepare you for the intense coursework of dental/medical/pharmacy schools. I can't emphasize one thing enough: ENJOY COLLEGE. Don't force anything. By all means, minor in something you love that will build you. Don't worry about "easy A" electives. Select something you enjoy and you will do well in it regardless. As for the degree, biochemistry is a difficult undergrad major and it will prepare you well for your DAT, PCAT whatever as well as your time in D-school.

The truest saying is what every adult will tell you, pick a job you enjoy working and you will never work a day.

It is great to be ahead. Thank you for your response! It seems like those who are in the field for the most part are happy with their jobs. I only hope to find that same satisfaction. =)