Q: (Initially posted June 21, 2004) FROM STUDENT MEMBER HOLLY Y. IN CA
I have somewhat of an understanding of what medical schools look at when admitting a student--GPA in college, MCAT scores and a well-rounded personality. I was wondering, then what dental schools look at when admitting their students? I don't think that dental students have to take the MCAT...so is there a specific test that they have to take? Also, do dentistry schools look at college grades? I want to go to medical school in the future, but I am also considering going into dentistry. Thank you for your help!

June 23, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH IN INDIANA
Holly, Dental school admission committees look at essentially the same qualifications that medical schools do. Those applying to dental school take the DAT, which stands for Dental Apptitude Test. This is comparable to the MCAT except it probably has more spatial testing. Dental students and medical students take similar courses their first two years. During high school it will be important for you to prepare yourself in the sciences - biology, chemistry, physics. Both applications will be assessed for your well-roundedness, overall GPA, outside activities, etc. Dental schools will look at both your overall GPA and your GPA in the sciences only. The primary science course grade they will look at will be Organic Chemistry (taken during college). You will need a B in this course in order to be competitive. I realize you have time, but you will want to know before taking the MCAT or DAT which course you plan to pursue. Good luck! My daughter is a 4th. year dental student now. She has never regretted her decision. Her father is a practicing dentist for over 25 years. Our son is an Orthopedic Surgery resident. He, too, is happy with his decision! You must make the choice. Examine both careers. Determine which lifestyle suits you better - as well as which looks like more 'fun'. Again, good luck in your decision.
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A: FROM MENTOR KHANH VU IN TX
I was in your shoes 10 ys ago when I was deciding on a profession; so, I applied to both. Applying to dental school is similar to medical school. It's not quite as competitive though. Nonetheless, you are required to fulfill certain college prerequisites for dental school, which are pretty much the same as those for med school. Yes, dental schools do look at closely at your college GPA and extracurricular activities. But you also need to do well on the dental admission test, which is called the DAT. It tests biology, chemistry, physics like the MCAT. But it also has this section on image perception (eg depth) which is definitely not on the MCAT. If I remember correctly, the DAT does not have a writing section (which is part of the MCAT). You can get more information by going onto a search engine and typing in "admission requirements for dental school" or specifically about the ! DAT.

You can do what I did and apply to both. But I think (as cheesy as this may sound) it might be more prudent to sincerely reflect on what you think you'll enjoy most and hope to get out of life. Keep in mind that regardless of whichever path you choose, this will be a life-long commitment. Both dental and medical school will be intense, rigorous, challenging, and demanding. (My sister is a dentist, so I do have some idea of what dental school is like.) Of course, the responsibilities and demands are different between medical and dental school. It's not even over when you finish med/dental school. After med school, you have to do a residency (duration depends on your specialty but minimum of 3 yrs). After dental school, which is also 4 yrs if you were wondering, you may choose to do a dental residency or subspecialty (e.g. orthodontics, periodontics, pedi-dentistry, etc). Becoming a doctor! or dentist is not as glamorous as your preconceived notion may be. Don't let anyone fool you- it's hard work. But, at least for me, it's been incredibly rewarding. I would strongly recommend that you shadow a dentist as well as a physician to help you decide. And if you really can't decide, you can apply to an oral surgery program, and be both an MD and DDS! Good luck with all of your future endeavors.