Dental School, Medical School, Pharmacy School

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Freshmen year of college (UF) is just over the horizon and I'm still reviewing my choices. I've read almost all the threads about Medicine and how it should be pursued in interest and not money. I'm not sure what is driving me to pursue a career in health. Sure I love science, I enjoy studying biology and genetics and I score well on those subjects, I want to make a difference in the world and provide healthcare to people in the best way I can. But do I want to spend 15+ years pursueing a career in medicine and still have a hard life dealing with malpractice insurance, long hours, and insurance companies? I realize the pay is not as good as it seems and money can only drive you so far.</p>

<p>First of all, I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do, but my aims are either dental/medicine/pharmacy. Are the prerequisites generally the same for all of these? I know there are a few different classes here and there but would it still be DOABLE to do Pre-dental/medical/pharmacy considering they are generally the same??????</p>

<p>My Options:</p>

<p>I. DENTISTRY
Dentists are doctors too, they require a 4 years BA degree (usually), 4 years dental school, and then (this is where it's most different from medicine) an OPTIONAL residency. Residency is not required for dental school graduates, but even so I have been told that at least 1 year is highly recommended. And I also know that additional years of residency is required if you want to specialize (ex. periodontics, endontics). Dental school is just as difficult as medical school, I want to clarify that so everyone realizes that I'm not just picking this because I may of thought it was easier than medical school. The first 2 years of dental school is similar to Medical school, you take many science courses and learn the fundamentals. Where it really differentiates is in the 3rd and 4th year, where medical school is more observational study, dental school is more hands on experience.</p>

<p>My Questions:
1. Is it true that dentists generally get paid more than doctors in medicine (money is not my primary motive, but in the end it is an important information to know when choosing a path)?
2. Can someone give me some information of how malpractice ties into dentistry, I haven't heard much on malpractice regarding dentists, mainly only M.D's
3. Is there anyone here who is a dentist or knows a dentist that can give some information about the lifestyle of a dentist, is it worth it? How do you feel about it now? Do you enjoy your job?
4. I've read many places that dentist must have good skills in business (mainly because many of them have there own private practice), would a double major be recommened? ex. Biology/Finance
5. Can somone who has taken/planning on taking/knows someone who took the DAT give me some information about it regarding difficulty, comparison to MCAT, and just some general information?
6. What is the job outlook for dentists? I've read on some websites that job outlook will be slower because more and more dental hygienist and assistants are doing the normal tasks dentists use to do, is this true. Are there going to be a lower demand for dentists?
7. Is dental more competitive to get into than medical school? I'm gonna guess it is considering the only dental school in my state (Florida) accepts only 80 students a year, but I could still use some extra information on other schools.</p>

<p>II. Pharmacy
I've read all over this site of how great it is to become a pharmacists, how good the pay is, the flexible hours, and demand. But what concerns me is whether or not it would truly interest me, could I do it for years on end? But, I could advance in pharmacy. Pharmacy generally takes 6-8 years, and right out of there you would start out with 80k a year, but max out around 100k. I've read in other post that I can move up in the career ladder using pharmacy as a part-time job and getting a masters and phd in subjects such as chemistry or chemical engineering, thus increasing my choices of jobs and thus increasing income, all without having to go into debt.
My questions:
1. Can someone who is doing pharmacy or has done pharmacy give me some information regarding pharmacy school and lifestyle of work?
2. Is it really possible to become a pharmacist part-time and still get a masters/Phd?
3. I could use any information about pharmacy in comparison to medicine in dentistry.</p>

2

<p>-bump-</p>

<p>I'd like to see some of these questions answered as well (especially the Pharmacy ones)</p>

3

<p>no one seems to care...:(</p>

4

<p>still nothing?</p>

<p>ah well.</p>

5

<p>My Questions:
1. Is it true that dentists generally get paid more than doctors in medicine (money is not my primary motive, but in the end it is an important information to know when choosing a path)?</p>

<p>The average dentist gets paid more than the average doctor. Doctors who are specialists, however, still have more earning potential than your average dentist.</p>

<ol>
<li>Can someone give me some information of how malpractice ties into dentistry, I haven't heard much on malpractice regarding dentists, mainly only M.D's</li>
</ol>

<p>I haven't heard too much about this either. Malpractice definitely has a much larger impact on doctors as compared to dentists. (This would be a good reason to pick dentistry over medicine)</p>

<ol>
<li>Is there anyone here who is a dentist or knows a dentist that can give some information about the lifestyle of a dentist, is it worth it? How do you feel about it now? Do you enjoy your job?</li>
</ol>

<p>I would say in some ways, it is definitely more relaxing. It is a much more lifestyle friendly occupation. The hours are regular working hours and there's no such thing as call. That may be boring to some people and really nice for others.</p>

<ol>
<li>I've read many places that dentist must have good skills in business (mainly because many of them have there own private practice), would a double major be recommened? ex. Biology/Finance</li>
</ol>

<p>I don't believe a finance degree would help too much. What you've read means that a dentist needs to have a good business sense. Where should I open a business? How do I advertise? How can I attract business? How can I spread word about myself through the community?</p>

<ol>
<li>Can somone who has taken/planning on taking/knows someone who took the DAT give me some information about it regarding difficulty, comparison to MCAT, and just some general information?</li>
</ol>

<p>This I can't help you with. Sorry!</p>

<ol>
<li>What is the job outlook for dentists? I've read on some websites that job outlook will be slower because more and more dental hygienist and assistants are doing the normal tasks dentists use to do, is this true. Are there going to be a lower demand for dentists?</li>
</ol>

<p>I would say that there will always be room for dentists. Tooth pain is one of those things that is untolerable and few will wait months before seeing a doctor. I do believe, however, that the demand on medicine will be much greater. (If job stability and job demand is the thing you're looking for)</p>

<ol>
<li>Is dental more competitive to get into than medical school? I'm gonna guess it is considering the only dental school in my state (Florida) accepts only 80 students a year, but I could still use some extra information on other schools.</li>
</ol>

<p>I think in general, dental is more competitive to get into because there are fewer dental schools than medical schools. Both, however, will require a lot of dedication! Good luck!</p>

6

<p>I read somewhere that the average gpa of those accepted to dental schools was between 3.1 to 3.2, and I was wondering if anyone could confirm this. Thanks.</p>

7

<p>"The average dentist gets paid more than the average doctor. Doctors who are specialists, however, still have more earning potential than your average dentist."</p>

<p>No, the average salary even for pediatricians is higher than that of dentists. Doctors almost always get paid more, but of course have more years of residency.</p>

8

<p>Dear Rav-I am a hospital pharmacist in CA. I really enjoy what I do. Someone once told me you fall into a pile on money when you graduate and them the pile just stays there. Well 25 yrs ago I fell into a 30K pile and it is now much higher. Locally retail pays more (my biased opinion is that you have less freedom to use your knowledge) than hospital. It is rather easy to find pay at 100K a yr w/o overtime. Night are ofter $10 an hour over the base pay. PLEASE do not go into anything for money. My dentist and I were talking about the high cost of housing in CA. She mentioned that is it very expensive to set up shop, she is fortunate to have funding to set up her office. Her husband is also a medical professional. There is another pharmacist mom on CC, she is great at answering questions.</p>

9

<p>Dear Rav-- I have a friend who is a pharmacist. Loves her job, owns her own store, does lots of patient education classes, and ties her profession into many community services. She is also doing very well financially, much more than any GP I know.</p>

<p>My husband is a cardiologist and one S. is looking at medical school. Hours are long. Malpractice is a pain as people are looking more and more for the quick buck and why not sue for it? Also government has gotten so involved that one cannot do what is best for patient, the insurance co. tell you what, how and how long someone can be treated. I'm trying to talk my son out of medicine. My older son always said that he didn't want to be a doctor because when he had kids, he wanted to be able to spend time with them.
Don't know much about denistry---but they sure have short work weeks, no call, and I imagine few fatalities!</p>

10

<p>The avg. accepted GPA for dentistry is about 3.4, whereas it is a 3.6 for medical school. Pharmacy school also follows at about 3.4-ish.</p>

11

<p>That's interesting...so dentistry seems to offer a cushier lifestyle and yet doesn't demand a higher GPA? I know where I'm going to apply :-)</p>

12

<p>Well, the best dental schools will still demand 3.5+ GPAs. I really don't think there's a huge difference in GPA between successful dental school applicants and medical school applicants.</p>

<p>For example, Harvard Dentistry's average is about 3.6.</p>

13

<p>would Dental school be harder to get in to since there is more med schools than dental schools?</p>

14

<p>Most universities have a higher acceptance rate into dentistry as opposed to medicine. However, there are generally fewer applicants so it does make it a little easier.</p>

<p>However, it is important to note that these are two different professions and it may not be wise to use dentistry as a back-up if you don't get into medical school.</p>

15

<p>Hello,
I think dentistry is best field. i am also a dental student. right now i am in third year. so i think dentistry have some good options and better future.</p>

<p>good luck!!</p>

<hr>

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16

<p>Dude, 4 years old.</p>

17

<p>I don’t know the average GPA, (I’m pretty sure it’s around a 3.4) but from what I’ve been told by dentists that I’ve shadowed, (I too aspire to be a dentist. ;D)to be a competitive applicant for dental school you will want to have a 3.5+. I would personally like to have a 3.5+ when I apply and have a high DAT score. That is because it is better to have one of the highest score, then just ro be barely eligible for Dental school. If you were going to accept someone into dental school would you pick that person with a 3.1 that barely passed the DAT, or the person who has a 3.6 and did a preeminent job on the DAT? Anyways, good look with your Dentistry desire.</p>

18

<p>is it better to go to a private school as opposed to public when it comes to getting into dental school?</p>

<p>also, can anybody comment on UM’s pre dental versus NOVA SOUTHEASTERN pre dental? which one is better?</p>

19

<p>Dental school!!! Do it now and you won’t regret it.</p>

20

<p>Are you capable to do what dentists do? I do not believe it is for everybody who is brilliant in any other way. It is ton of skills that might be more on a talent level, like surgeon. I do not see that every single brilliant student out there is capable of obtaining these skills. Can anybody become an artist, a singer even after extensive training? My tooth got pulled last week. My dentist had to take a break in a middle of it. I am not sure if he felt very good about it. I was OK, but I also realized that if he was a she, I could have been in more trouble…or thinking about it, if he was not as strong as he apparently was. There are skills but then there is also pure strength aspect, steady hand aspect … etc.</p>