Switching tracks: MCAT -> DAT

[xxwanderlustxx]

Hello,

So it's my first time posting on here and I just would really like to hear some feedback, encouragement, and of course, any suggestions.

I started off high school and college with the mindset and determination to become a physician. As I have grown and matured, though I still love the medical field, I have come to realize the sacrifices that I'll have to make in the future because of my medical education. Dentistry seemed like a great compromise so that I still get to work with patients and help them and also have a great lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I realized this too late...
Late enough that I took the MCAT twice (and did NOT do well AT ALL) and am currently a senior who has not yet gotten into any medical schools.
My Plan A was to get into medical school and end up with an MD or DO. My Plan B was to take a year off and take my DAT and apply next year and get into an amazing dental school.

Plan B sounds better and batter everyday.

The only thing is that I have exactly 29 days till my DAT and I have not yet studied rigorously. Because I am a full time student, I have final exams coming up and by the end of it I will have exactly 2 weeks to prepare for my DAT. I know that is not the ideal amount, but because of my MCAT study background I have a little bit of knowledge on Bio, GChem, and Orgo. I need to work on PAT, RC, and QR (My verbal was an 11 on my MCAT -- which was also my highest sub score).

Any thoughts?

PS - I had to stick to the Dec. 30 DAT date because I will be out of the country after Jan. 3 and I REALLY wanted to study and finish off the DAT before then. The closest date to the 3rd is the 30th of December. I really hoped it would be the 2nd of January, but it's not :/

PPS - My cumulative GPA is ~ 3.6 and my sGPA is ~ 3.4

Thanks!

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[dp93]

honestly, if you can't get into a DO school, a dental school probably won't work either.

 

[Weakfart]

You've taken the MCAT twice and didn't do well, and now you have the DAT in a few weeks and you haven't studied too hard?

 

[scrambledgreggs]

This is a horrible idea, you are going to get torn apart in the dental apps. The whole couldn't get into medical school thing, so I'm applying to dental school thing is going to really weigh negatively on your application. Not only that but you have basically shown 0 interest in dentistry other than signing up to take the DAT. Also something you should realize is that dental school is numerically more competitive than medical school due to the very limited number of seats and exponentially growing amount of applications in recent years. Unless you want to go to a dental school that costs $500,000+, you should really reconsider your career desires.

My advice, take a year or two off and SUCCEED in a master of science program with a thesis. Then reapply to medical/DO school. And you need to actually study for the mcat/dat, like 2-3 months straight. As someone that got 25+ on the DAT in all sections, that is what it took.

 

[ICUrunning]

Hello,

So it's my first time posting on here and I just would really like to hear some feedback, encouragement, and of course, any suggestions.

I started off high school and college with the mindset and determination to become a physician. As I have grown and matured, though I still love the medical field, I have come to realize the sacrifices that I'll have to make in the future because of my medical education. Dentistry seemed like a great compromise so that I still get to work with patients and help them and also have a great lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I realized this too late...
Late enough that I took the MCAT twice (and did NOT do well AT ALL) and am currently a senior who has not yet gotten into any medical schools.
My Plan A was to get into medical school and end up with an MD or DO. My Plan B was to take a year off and take my DAT and apply next year and get into an amazing dental school.

Plan B sounds better and batter everyday.

The only thing is that I have exactly 29 days till my DAT and I have not yet studied rigorously. Because I am a full time student, I have final exams coming up and by the end of it I will have exactly 2 weeks to prepare for my DAT. I know that is not the ideal amount, but because of my MCAT study background I have a little bit of knowledge on Bio, GChem, and Orgo. I need to work on PAT, RC, and QR (My verbal was an 11 on my MCAT -- which was also my highest sub score).

Any thoughts?

PS - I had to stick to the Dec. 30 DAT date because I will be out of the country after Jan. 3 and I REALLY wanted to study and finish off the DAT before then. The closest date to the 3rd is the 30th of December. I really hoped it would be the 2nd of January, but it's not :/

PPS - My cumulative GPA is ~ 3.6 and my sGPA is ~ 3.4

Thanks!

Have you shadowed any dentists?

 

[DentalDoge]

Oh boy. Im gonna just warn you up front, you're in for a beating.

Boys around here dont take kindly to your kind (especially the kind that see dentistry as a compromise to medicine, which it is not ... at all).


But just in case you're not trolling (because it smells an awful lot like one), I want to lay down a couple of facts:
1.) I've taken both of the MCAT and DAT. If you didnt do well on the MCAT, you're not going to find refuge in DAT. If not, it might even be harder if you suck at perception.
2.) If the only reason you want to pursue dentistry is so that you can still see patients, youre going to have a bad time. I can elaborate on request.
3.) This is all considering how expensive the whole application cycle and education is. Im sure you already know, the DAT aint cheap at $420. The application fees alone will put you back well over $3k-4k ($244+$90/school+$100/supp). Then the travel costs (not unique to dental). IF you get in dental schools are expensive as hell. My #1 dental school is 2x the medical school's tuition. Topping out at ~$500k for 4 years of OOS education.
4.) Seats are limited (ergo makes the process more or less equally if not more competitive than medical). My # has around 75 seats for some 2,000 applicants. And has 200 seats for around the same # of applicants.

Need I go on? I think I will.
5.) As in this state, the adcom will take a whiff at you, take your money, say thank you, and throw your application in the trash. The only people that hates your kind more than the people you are about to meet on this forum are the adcoms. But who knows, you might grow to love dentistry just as we all do.

My opinions: You have average GPAs. Below average MCATs. Provide that you dont suck at PAT and QR you'll pull out with below average DATs. For whatever reasons med schools do not want you, you will most likely be rejected for the same reasons by dental schools ... and thats not including how uninterested you are in dentistry.

I really would like to hear what you have planned on saying to the adcom. Because they WILL ask why you changed your mind and they'll expect a good answer.
If you dont have a good answer and still want to go into a health profession, I would strongly urge you to retake the MCAT, fix your application (this is important), and reapply to MD and DO. Otherwise, consider another line of work (OT, Pharm, Audiology, Opto, etc ... all good lines of work).

In conclusion, I really hope you are trolling. Because if you're not, I hope you have a plan C ready to go.

 

[Masterus]

DAT is easier than MCAT. The science sections are much easier and perception is the only thing you should struggle with initially.

 

[Tmoneymaj]

I took both the MCAT and the DAT, did about average on the MCAT and killed the DAT. I also studied really hard for about 6 weeks for both test. I would strongly suggest studying for a while before you decide to go ahead and take the DAT because there is a ton of material out there that will basically guaruntee a good score. Dental school is even more competitive then medical school and unless you kill your DAT, you wont have a chance because of such a late switch to the dental profession.

 

[CHEtoDentist]

I have come to realize the sacrifices that I'll have to make in the future because of my medical education.

...and am currently a senior who has not yet gotten into any medical schools.

So did you realize the sacrifices before or after you were rejected by medical schools?

Sorry to break it to you but the way you have written your post gives the intention that you believe dental school is a sure fire backup plan. If you didn't get into any medical schools what makes you believe that you will get into an "amazing" dental school.

I switched to dentistry path from engineering as a senior in spring 2014. What you are trying to do is not impossible as I did it, and here is what I suggest. Take your DAT summer 2015 and destroy it (23+). Shadow from January 2015-December 2015. Try to shadow 10 hrs a week until summer 2015. Start studying around May-July take DAT early July. Send Dental school app around July to allow for sufficient shadowing hours. Write essays for dental app so you don't have to worry yourself with them while studying for dat. Try to shadow during summer around 5 hrs a week if taking no classes and volunteer in dental clinics from January 2015-December 2015.

Lastly, come up with one hell of a story for your sudden inspiration to switch.

 

[Ferneezy]

ITT people choose a career in dentistry on a whim without a shred of shadowing

 

[shonster460]

I've been in your shoes before. I grew up thinking that medicine was for me but with more exposure I grew to dislike medicine. Got a 31 on the MCAT, halfheartedly applied to in-state and local med schools and didn't get in. Then I talked to this random guy I got paired up with on the golf course and he suggested I strongly consider dentistry as an option. So I did and after a couple of weeks of shadowing for ~10 hours a week I was hooked. I took the DAT and got a 24AA/25TS after two months of studying after work and on weekends.

I think the most important thing is to shadow and see if this is really what you want. And with regard to your test date dilemma...postpone it for when you come back. Also, if you really are serious about dentistry then you should be preparing for it more seriously, so I agree with some of the harsh criticism you are getting here.

I don't completely agree with what scrambledgreggs said above about the transition weighing negatively on you. You have to report your previous applications and they are going to ask you about it in the interview. I was asked about my transition in each one of my interviews and I gave them a straight and honest answer. They apparently liked my answer and my reasons for going into dentistry since I got accepted to three of the four schools I interviewed at.

I have experience to tell you that this can work. But like others have said this sounds like your backup plan. Shadow and make your decision from there. CHEtoDentist has a great timeline which is more or less what I did for this cycle.

 

[kerfufle]

Oh boy. Im gonna just warn you up front, you're in for a beating.

Boys around here dont take kindly to your kind (especially the kind that see dentistry as a compromise to medicine, which it is not ... at all).


But just in case you're not trolling (because it smells an awful lot like one), I want to lay down a couple of facts:
1.) I've taken both of the MCAT and DAT. If you didnt do well on the MCAT, you're not going to find refuge in DAT. If not, it might even be harder if you suck at perception.
2.) If the only reason you want to pursue dentistry is so that you can still see patients, youre going to have a bad time. I can elaborate on request.
3.) This is all considering how expensive the whole application cycle and education is. Im sure you already know, the DAT aint cheap at $420. The application fees alone will put you back well over $3k-4k ($244+$90/school+$100/supp). Then the travel costs (not unique to dental). IF you get in dental schools are expensive as hell. My #1 dental school is 2x the medical school's tuition. Topping out at ~$500k for 4 years of OOS education.
4.) Seats are limited (ergo makes the process more or less equally if not more competitive than medical). My # has around 75 seats for some 2,000 applicants. And has 200 seats for around the same # of applicants.

Need I go on? I think I will.
5.) As in this state, the adcom will take a whiff at you, take your money, say thank you, and throw your application in the trash. The only people that hates your kind more than the people you are about to meet on this forum are the adcoms. But who knows, you might grow to love dentistry just as we all do.

My opinions: You have average GPAs. Below average MCATs. Provide that you dont suck at PAT and QR you'll pull out with below average DATs. For whatever reasons med schools do not want you, you will most likely be rejected for the same reasons by dental schools ... and thats not including how uninterested you are in dentistry.

I really would like to hear what you have planned on saying to the adcom. Because they WILL ask why you changed your mind and they'll expect a good answer.
If you dont have a good answer and still want to go into a health profession, I would strongly urge you to retake the MCAT, fix your application (this is important), and reapply to MD and DO. Otherwise, consider another line of work (OT, Pharm, Audiology, Opto, etc ... all good lines of work).

In conclusion, I really hope you are trolling. Because if you're not, I hope you have a plan C ready to go.

 

[Syntav]

"My Plan B was to take a year off and take my DAT and apply next year and get into an amazing dental school."

lol obvious troll....

 

[y3nd0]

Look here man, I'm going to be honest with you. This is what is most likely going to happen:

1. You'll do fine on your DAT, provided you study hardcore for the two weeks you have. People have done it before, and if you're motivated enough, you can too. The MCAT has been said to be harder than the DAT (don't have first hand experience, just heard it through the grapevine), and since you do have some MCAT experience, that will help you with studying and acing the DAT.
2. You can get accepted to some dental school in the US. Your GPA's are not bad at all, and if you do the right things (do well on the DAT = 22+, get your shadowing hours in, do dental related volunteer service, convince the adcoms that your change of heart is indeed genuine, do well in your interviews, etc.), you will most likely get accepted to some dental school (whether it will be an "awesome" dental school is up for debate).

The thing you should be most worried about is yourself. Are you REALLY pursuing dentistry because you think it's the right career path for you? Or are you just trying to justify your switch, and failure to get into medical school? Your story somewhat reminds me of a friend. They applied to medical school 3 times to no avail, and is planning on applying to pharmacy this year. They were so adamant upon entering undergrad, saying they wanted to be a physician. Now after speaking to them, they say the same thing you did - "Becoming a medical doctor requires a lot of sacrifices... I don't think I'm up for that. I'm volunteering at a pharmacy clinic now and the pharmacist is so cool. And they get to talk to patients and educate them about the medications they're taking!" Really...? So after THREE years of trying to get into medical school, you realize this now?

I couldn't help but think, if they were accepted to both pharmacy school and medical school, which path would they take? This is a question you should ask yourself. Are you really interested in dentistry? Or do you consider it to be a "backup" to medical school? Are you doing it for the prestige? The "Doctor" label in front of your name? Re-evaluate your true desires because it would suck majorly if you decided to go to dental school, get accepted, and find out that you are spending hoards of money just to end up doing something you hate (unless you live in Texas or come from an extremely wealthy family, you're looking at 250-400K+ in loans).

 

[megajoules]

I took the MCAT before I made the switch to pre-dental. I'd say the DAT is much more manageable than the MCAT just because the test uses a lot more breadth and not as much depth and perceptual ability just comes with practice. The MCAT from what I remember had much more "intuition" and interconnecting subjects which I felt was more difficult to conceptualize. I'd dedicate at least 6-7 weeks without distractions for the DAT though, it's not an easy test. I would recommend taking the test either in the summer when you're not in classes or just take it after you graduate.

As far as just using dentistry as a back-up I think you're just going to anger a lot of people on this forum. Try shadowing your GP/volunteer in a clinic and see if dentistry really is the field for you because 1) you're going to have a tough time getting accepted with 0% experience 2) you're going to be taking the spot of someone who probably worked their butt off trying to get in only for you to hate it down the line.

Also I just wanna add that I probably did much better on my DAT than on my MCAT because I felt a lot more motivated. The goal seemed a lot more tangible than with medicine (which I felt pretty wishy-washy about for a long time anyway). Maybe after you shadow it'll ignite the same sort of fire that I had to help yourself nail the test.

 

[l4dygaga]

You can definitely do it. 3-4 weeks is really ideal for studying DAT. 2 weeks will be very very tight. I was into medicine too. Even took the MCAT. Scored very well, enough to be competitive, but decided to do a 180 because I got totally hooked on oral surgery and facial trauma. Took the DAT and did very well. I understand the situation you're in, but make sure you want dentistry because you really are passionate for it. If not, you'll fall short of expectations or just fall flat on your face. Medicine and dentistry are COMPLETELY different. Best of luck!

 

[doc toothache]

This is a horrible idea, you are going to get torn apart in the dental apps. The whole couldn't get into medical school thing, so I'm applying to dental school thing is going to really weigh negatively on your application. Not only that but you have basically shown 0 interest in dentistry other than signing up to take the DAT. Also something you should realize is that dental school is numerically more competitive than medical school due to the very limited number of seats and exponentially growing amount of applications in recent years. Unless you want to go to a dental school that costs $500,000+, you should really reconsider your career desires.

You apparently have not been paying much attention to what is going in either medical or dental schools.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2008-2012-ds-statistics-at-a-glance.992270/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/head-to-head-combat-medical-dental-schools.989609/
https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/ (table 17)

 

[Dentalguy8621]

Hello,

So it's my first time posting on here and I just would really like to hear some feedback, encouragement, and of course, any suggestions.

I started off high school and college with the mindset and determination to become a physician. As I have grown and matured, though I still love the medical field, I have come to realize the sacrifices that I'll have to make in the future because of my medical education. Dentistry seemed like a great compromise so that I still get to work with patients and help them and also have a great lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I realized this too late...
Late enough that I took the MCAT twice (and did NOT do well AT ALL) and am currently a senior who has not yet gotten into any medical schools.
My Plan A was to get into medical school and end up with an MD or DO. My Plan B was to take a year off and take my DAT and apply next year and get into an amazing dental school.

Plan B sounds better and batter everyday.

The only thing is that I have exactly 29 days till my DAT and I have not yet studied rigorously. Because I am a full time student, I have final exams coming up and by the end of it I will have exactly 2 weeks to prepare for my DAT. I know that is not the ideal amount, but because of my MCAT study background I have a little bit of knowledge on Bio, GChem, and Orgo. I need to work on PAT, RC, and QR (My verbal was an 11 on my MCAT -- which was also my highest sub score).

Any thoughts?

PS - I had to stick to the Dec. 30 DAT date because I will be out of the country after Jan. 3 and I REALLY wanted to study and finish off the DAT before then. The closest date to the 3rd is the 30th of December. I really hoped it would be the 2nd of January, but it's not :/

PPS - My cumulative GPA is ~ 3.6 and my sGPA is ~ 3.4

Thanks!

Students on here (mostly pre-med/dents who have never worked) have this odd view of DO or PA. Weird ego status mentality. Pretty gross lol. If you have ever worked in a hospital, no one gives a rats ass. But that's besides the point. Moving on to OP. You seem to be rushing things. Entrance exams are extremely important...like really important. My guess is you really didn't prepare all that well for the MCAT. By what you stated on your post. You aren't preparing well for DAT. On another note 11 on verbal is awesome! That's very impressive. So go you! But that also means you bombed the science portion. That stinks. My advice. Stop rushing. Take some time off after undergrad. Figure it and really put your best effort into the DAT.

 

[xxwanderlustxx]

So did you realize the sacrifices before or after you were rejected by medical schools?

Sorry to break it to you but the way you have written your post gives the intention that you believe dental school is a sure fire backup plan. If you didn't get into any medical schools what makes you believe that you will get into an "amazing" dental school.

I switched to dentistry path from engineering as a senior in spring 2014. What you are trying to do is not impossible as I did it, and here is what I suggest. Take your DAT summer 2015 and destroy it (23+). Shadow from January 2015-December 2015. Try to shadow 10 hrs a week until summer 2015. Start studying around May-July take DAT early July. Send Dental school app around July to allow for sufficient shadowing hours. Write essays for dental app so you don't have to worry yourself with them while studying for dat. Try to shadow during summer around 5 hrs a week if taking no classes and volunteer in dental clinics from January 2015-December 2015.

Lastly, come up with one hell of a story for your sudden inspiration to switch.

May I ask what your reasoning was?
And thank you for responding

 

[xxwanderlustxx]

Thank you to everyone that posted. Upon reading my original post again, I realize how horrible I must of sounded. I did not, in any way, mean to put down either field.

I was just feeling really defeated because I did work my butt of almost four years. I worked so hard, and it's tough seeing others who didn't care as much and don't care as much receiving acceptances to medical schools.

I never wanted to take a year off. As a first generation immigrant and the first child to graduate from all of our families abroad, I am looked up to as the example or role model. It's rough when I need to explain why I am taking a year off and that too after everyone has seen me overcome other obstacles. Just not the MCAT.

I have decided to cancel my DAT for now. I have final exams right now and school still matters. I will revisit my options after my exams.

Thank you...and no, I was not trolling...some people's lives are just like this.