**URGENT, Need help NOW.**

[Cofo]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey fellow sdn members, I need some help. I am debating on what do I really want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be a dentist, but I am very interested in law and foreign affairs as well. I am really good at being tact with people, and I really do feel I would make a great diplomat. But...I would make a great dentist too. My question...Since I cannot decide right now, should I work on getting a degree in international studies, and continue to take pre-reqs for dental school at the same time, then take the DAT? There are A LOT and I mean A LOT of job opportunities for those with a BA degree in International Studies. Of course, I would minor in French then if I did that. HEEEEEEEEELP!!! What should I do? BTW, I do not and will not do anything with a Biology degree.

 

[eyrobinson]

Try getting an internship to see if that is what you want to do with the rest of your life. I'm assuming you have already shadowed a dentist.

 

[SuperDuper]

I agree. You should shadow several dentists (and possibly in different specialties) and do an internship at a government agency or at a international law firm.😀🙂😎

Try getting an internship to see if that is what you want to do with the rest of your life. I'm assuming you have already shadowed a dentist.

 

[dmd2011]

Hey fellow sdn members, I need some help. I am debating on what do I really want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be a dentist, but I am very interested in law and foreign affairs as well. I am really good at being tact with people, and I really do feel I would make a great diplomat. But...I would make a great dentist too. My question...Since I cannot decide right now, should I work on getting a degree in international studies, and continue to take pre-reqs for dental school at the same time, then take the DAT? There are A LOT and I mean A LOT of job opportunities for those with a BA degree in International Studies. Of course, I would minor in French then if I did that. HEEEEEEEEELP!!! What should I do? BTW, I do not and will not do anything with a Biology degree.

someone can correct me if i'm wrong but don't you need to be appointed to become a diplomat? if that is the case i hope you have some political connections

 

[Frederico Albin]

Those are two really different carrers. The only person that can answer that question is yourself. If you have already shadowed a dentist you know what it is like.
I think a question that might help you right now is, "Do you like what you are doing right now? and by that I mean, do you like the direction that you are going right now, taking all those science pre-reqs, or are you interested on something else.
Hope that helps.

 

[UNR.Grad]

Major in International Studies, you can get into dental school with any degree.

 

[icechewer]

Major in International Studies, you can get into dental school with any degree.

I agree with UNR.Grad, go on and get a master's or PhD in whatever interests you. Just make sure you are up to date with the DAT and dental pre-reqs too. The Adcoms really like to see diversity in applicants. Just be honest, saying you have a variety of interests and you were willing to try each of them shows that you have determination and will make you stand out. Even better, when you graduate with this degree you can apply your international studies and work for a few years while still shadowing dentists and doing a dental simulation course at a dental school. Then you will be well equipped to make an informed decision about your career choice.

 

[SuperC]

As the others have said, you can major in what ever you choose and become a dentist. You have already created a good plan. However, I too considered a life serving the public. I finally decided on dentistry because I feel like everyone starts politics with good intentions and eventually gets broken. A compromise here, another one there and before you know it, you are a political tool.

My final choice for dentistry was that I can always get involved in politics later in life. I have known dentists that ran for mayor in the past also consider that Ron Paul, and Howard Dean were both MD's. While Dean's bid at the presidency was short run, and Paul may or may not make it, the point is they made it to the big show in a non-traditional sense (not attorneys).

So there it is, pursue dentistry if you choose, and then go for politics.

-C

 

[DrSmiles12]

Sounds like dentistry really isn't where you want to be, maybe I am reading this wrong, but you seem to have less of a desire for it. Why do you want to get into dentistry? What reasons or motives? What about this international stuff, whats your reasons there?

As mentioned before shadowing really helped me decide I wanted to be a dentist. I loved it a ton and wanted to get into the field more.

 

[ChoDog]

International law and dentistry are two fields that are completely different. Choose one or the other. Ask yourself, if you were appointed to become a diplomat and at the same time accepted to a dental school, which would you choose? Don't choose a path simply because you think you could enter one field more easily than the other.

 

[estrella00]

Difficult decision. I, too, majored in International Relations and wanted to go into a field of public policy. This was a long time ago as I graduated from school in 2000. Several events and some real world experience that I won't go in to since this post isn't about me, led me to reconsider my career choices and after sorting through many different vocations I decided on dentistry. One of the things that helped me make my decision was to sit down and list out what I wanted out of my life and what I wanted out of my career. If you're anal like me , you might consider doing the same.

I haven't started school yet, and am still hoping and waiting on some acceptances, but I'm so happy with the decision I've made and I still plan to do a LOT of work internationally. Who knows, maybe I'll be better served doing international work with a skill that is more unique than just a law degree or international studies degree.

My advice would be to really think about what your life will be like in your career, day in and day out for many years. Think about a family (if you want one) and what you want for them. I know this seems daunting when you are in college and all this stuff is so far away. I definitely just followed what was interesting to me, but I forgot to really think about the reality of work. Trust me, things are different out there, but maybe you don't really understand until you experience it for yourself. As you can see, I was able to major in International Relations and go to dental school (I'm very optimistic that I'll get in this year 😀) so you still have time to think about it.

Good luck!!