Working After Undergrad...Going to Dental School Later On?

[hooman03]

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Hi,

I am currently undergraduate at NC State University, and have been doing a lot of thinking about future dental school plans. I have also been discussing a lot with my parents and brother. My brother is currently finishing up dental at UNC and will be starting to study Oral Surgery soon.

My plan is to go for general only. However, I would like to finish my undergraduate studies and go work. I will take all the required pre-dental courses and even the DAT next summer.

Basically, I am doing this as a "back-up" plan, because my real aspirations / life passions are elsewhere (not dental). It would be nice to be able to pursue a career in dental later on, if I didn't make it big with my 'Plan A'.

So, my question(s) is/are:

1) if after say 3-4 years of completing undergraduate, I decided to apply to dental school, would I need to retake the DAT?
2) have any of you here first gone to work after completing undergraduate, then decided to pursue dental after several years of work experience?
3) ...and if you said "yes" to (2), then did you apply to dental when you first took the DAT (before going out into your career) or later when you actually decided to go back to school?

Your feedback is much appreciated as I would like to get some fresh opinions on the matter.

Thanks
-hooman03

 

[drkt]

i spent three years after undergrad working in the family business. It was really good life experience, and I think it really helped me realize how much I wanted to go into dentistry. I didn't apply to dental school until this last cycle... hadnt taken the DAT or even most of the prereqs until the last year and a half. Good Luck making your decision. And just remember that just because some people think you should do something doesn't mean that its right for you. (a lot of my family was really upset when i made my decision, but they got over it when they realized how much I wanted to do dentistry)

 

[Sprgrover]

I recommend taking a break after your undergraduate studies. I took a year off and just worked and I think it will make a difference later on in terms of my sanity. In regards to the DAT, it all depends on the school and how old scores are when they become too old. Taking the DAT right after you are done with your schooling is a tremendous advantage because the information is still fresh in your mind. On the other hand having to take the test a second time would be a hassle. I would contact a couple of schools and see what their cut-off points are for the DAT and gain a feel for how long you can go without having to retake the exam and then go out and enter the workforce and use that information as a rough timetable. Best of luck!

 

[TeethVader]

I worked for a year before deciding on Dentistry. After a year of doing biomedical research I realized research did not meet my expectations both personally and financially; I mean it was a strugle to barely make ends meat. Moreover, I used that year to clean my dark credit history from the low teensages years by re-establishing my credit back. If you're still unsure about dentistry, I would recommend you on taking a little break, check out the outside world; and I believe your decision will be a more wise one. I know it was for me. Good luck buddy!!

 

[RockstarDMD]

I took two and a half years off after undergrad and went straight to work. It was an enlightening experience.

 

[ToothMonkey]

I took 2 years off and took the DAT about halfway through. For part of that time I didn't work, which allowed me to study for the test full-time...that was helpful. Anyway, I highly recommend taking time off if that's what you want to do.

 

[bwa102]

I graduated in May 2003 and went to work immediately in the investment/banking industry, not knowing at all what I wanted to do with myself. Took me 2 years to figure it out. I took the DAT while working, as well as the GMAT as a back up if dentistry doesn't work out. I'm glad I went to work, got some perspective on life, and some dollars in the account.

 

[drhobie7]

Basically, I am doing this as a "back-up" plan, because my real aspirations / life passions are elsewhere (not dental). It would be nice to be able to pursue a career in dental later on, if I didn't make it big with my 'Plan A'.

I recommend doing dentistry only if it is your plan A. It's a wonderful profession, if it's what you enjoy doing. Otherwise, you'll just be some person stuck in a job he doesn't like. There are plenty of other jobs that yield a great income where you don't have to go to dental school for 4 years.

I would highly recommend you not apply to dental school until you area certain it is what you want to do with your life. Go out and spend a lot of time with dentists, dental students, and at clinics.

 

[HumbledDDS]

I worked as a management consultant to fortune 500 firms (in the telecom, pharma, and healthcare sectors) for 2 years, and it's given me time to earn some new perspectives, a sense of maturity, a great girlfriend, some new friends in a new city, great experiences, and some ca$hmoney to put down a down payment on a nice condo...

Remember -- it's not a race against others as to how quickly you get that degree... it's about finding the right timing, the right niche, and the right perspective in life

 

[dyc]

glad I ran into this thread.

I am reapplying this year [much earlier than december!] . I graduated UCSD in 97 and have been working until last august. Was not optimistic about my chances, especially because of the long time since undergrad [did get an interview @ BU, but still rejected]. I'm probably still older than most "non-traditional" applicants with work experience.

Work experience is probably not terribly important to admissions committees, but it was the time spent working that allowed me to figure out that dentistry is the right fit for me. I've also been working at a dental office and plan to take a few classes at a CC in the fall.

* Any input on how to better my chances?
* also debating between taking courses @ CC vs. UC's, any difference?
* I plan to take a few classes that I got C's in undergrad [physiology, cell/molec bio], plus some dental assistant courses. Any advice on what kinds of classes would be better??

GPA is low [~3.0 overall & science]
DAT ok [21 AA & 20 PAT]

any input would be appreciated!!

 

[chadDMD]

glad I ran into this thread.

I am reapplying this year [much earlier than december!] . I graduated UCSD in 97 and have been working until last august. Was not optimistic about my chances, especially because of the long time since undergrad [did get an interview @ BU, but still rejected]. I'm probably still older than most "non-traditional" applicants with work experience.

Work experience is probably not terribly important to admissions committees, but it was the time spent working that allowed me to figure out that dentistry is the right fit for me. I've also been working at a dental office and plan to take a few classes at a CC in the fall.

* Any input on how to better my chances?
* also debating between taking courses @ CC vs. UC's, any difference?
* I plan to take a few classes that I got C's in undergrad [physiology, cell/molec bio], plus some dental assistant courses. Any advice on what kinds of classes would be better??

GPA is low [~3.0 overall & science]
DAT ok [21 AA & 20 PAT]

any input would be appreciated!!

Your DAT scores look fine. Taking those courses again would be wise...even wiser if taken at a UC rather than a CC. You might also consider doing a post-bach. Dental assistant courses are a waste of time, you'll learn that hands-on stuff working in an office. Good luck!

 

[aggie-master]

I worked for 4 years before applying. I regret taking so long to make the dental school decision, but at the same time I feel much stronger about the decision now than I would have if I would have jumped right into it after graduation.

 

[dyc]

Your DAT scores look fine. Taking those courses again would be wise...even wiser if taken at a UC rather than a CC. You might also consider doing a post-bach. Dental assistant courses are a waste of time, you'll learn that hands-on stuff working in an office. Good luck!

I felt the same about UC vs CC, but the cost is an issue. I will look into the post-bach as well.
thanks for the advice!

 

[ramona_k]

I'm taking a year of to work on a bioimaging project. I have a friend of mine who has been working for 6 years and is applying to Dental school for the next cycle. We actually had a conversation about this last night. I personally think that working gives you a maturity and assurance about dental career which adcoms would favor. Two thumbs up for those who have worked/ are working before D. School. 🙂