[GreenThree]

I really admire your drive and the fact that you know what you want your career to be as a sophmore in HS. I have heard it is a very long road. Good luck!

Although your one post about "I cant wait to retire" "even though I havent started working yet" should make you quesiton your motives. Maybe this was just an impulse thought, but if thats really the way you feel in the long run, I would have a hard time seeing how you would make it through to the end.

[Taittinger]

Just the thought of diving daily into some people's mouths with nasty teeth and breath skeeves me to no end.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by andyffer

I would like to stay close to Arizona, fees would be low also since I am a resident of Arizona. My orthodontist went to ASU, (now he drives a porsche 911 turbo convert) and then continued. But, being as its ASU, in the top 10 party schools. I feel I would really get distracted. NAU is another option, I dont know how well it's ranked among the US but, again trying to stay in AZ.

I'm ready for this whole challenge ahead of me. I cant wait for my career to get started though. Cruising in my 335 convertible.

This is great help. Any books you guys who are in medical school, or in dentistry now, would reccomend? I have this very informative book called,EXPLORING CAREERS IN DENTISTRY by Jessica A. Rickert

From your posts, it seems like you admire the life style of the orthodontist more than the actual satisfaction that you think you can derive from the job. This is a very dangerous thought. Healthcare is not as cushy as you think. True that people still respect you more based on your profession. However, you get shit on all the time and have to deal with the bureaucracy every day. It is not as glamorous as you think (although dentist usually gets a lot less of this bs due to lesser insurance involvement). While in school or residency, you definitely have to suffer from lots of abuse. How do you like working 15-16 hours a day and then still have to get home and study?

You are young. Don't commit yourself based something that you have seen, because, guess what? There is a whole lot you haven't seen out there yet.

The book that would help you get into a good dental / med school is the book or books that would help you keep a 4.0 GPA and a DAT > 25.

[Neurorad]

Everyone should find a job/career that they love.

You get what you settle for, whiners.

[Aija]

when i was in high school, i use to get almost straight A's (except freshmen year)....

when i went to college as an electrical engineer, I started seeing straight C's with little B's and D's here and there......im about to get out of college and im glad as an engineer, graduate school isnt that important...i dont know how i can stand extra schooling...

my point is...YOU WILL BE IN SCHOOL FOR A LOONGGG TIIIIMMMMEEEEE as an Ortho.

[323d]

Just dont feel like is the end of the world if you cannot achieve you goal. your still young, make backup plans for future careers or education.

[MBChariot]

Also remember that while getting your undergraduate degree in a science will help because of the required courses for dental school it is not a requirement. Some of the schools will say it's a plus to have a undergraduate degree in business (while of course having the required science classes) since once you become a dentist you may end up being a small business owner. Good luck

[PLAYON]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Hardly..apparently you know nothing about medical/dental school admissions. High school is where it DOESN'T matter...just do WELL, and get into a descent university, you don't have to kill yourself.

College is where you have to bust your ass 24/7 to get that high GPA and high DAT. Trust me on this.

I know nothing about medical/dental school. . .however, a good work ethic is a good work ethic (period). If you establish a solid work ethic in high school the rest will be history. . .

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by PLAYON

I know nothing about medical/dental school. . .however, a good work ethic is a good work ethic (period). If you establish a solid work ethic in high school the rest will be history. . .

I was a terrible student in HS, but woke up when I hit college. Now I am getting semesters with 4.0 GPA..I have a 3.8 cum GPA now. So it all depends on your own motivation and desire to pursue what you want in life.

[akack79]

Originally Posted by GAMEOVR

Highest suicide rate, if that helps any.

Maybe that's why I mod my car to keep my mind off it

Originally Posted by Kev

From your posts, it seems like you admire the life style of the orthodontist more than the actual satisfaction that you think you can derive from the job. This is a very dangerous thought. Healthcare is not as cushy as you think. True that people still respect you more based on your profession. However, you get shit on all the time and have to deal with the bureaucracy every day. It is not as glamorous as you think (although dentist usually gets a lot less of this bs due to lesser insurance involvement). While in school or residency, you definitely have to suffer from lots of abuse. How do you like working 15-16 hours a day and then still have to get home and study?

You are young. Don't commit yourself based something that you have seen, because, guess what? There is a whole lot you haven't seen out there yet.

The book that would help you get into a good dental / med school is the book or books that would help you keep a 4.0 GPA and a DAT > 25.

Kev nailed everything on the head. Healthcare is defn not as cushy as what the majority of people think, we take so much crap on a daily basis and you must have a thick skin and learn not take it personally (not nearly as much as MDs though).

My advice:

College - maintain as high of GPA possible, and ace the DAT
Dental School - if you have aspirations on specializing, bust your a** in dental school and ace the National Boards. Half of your dental class would want to specialize in ortho the first day of orientation, give it some time and I would keep my speciality options open as you have not experienced the field first hand.

Best of luck.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by akack79

Kev nailed everything on the head.

Maybe it's because I'm going through that phase right now

With the current atmosphere in healthcare, especially with the rising cost of education and declining reimbursement rate, it is very tough. Either you have to have rich parents who would pay for your school, or you have some form of scholarship to help you through. Else, you'd have to be as competitive as you can be (sometimes even cut throat), because you'd be worrying about how you can pay back your loans with your salary as a general practitioner..... It's a sad situation, really. If you don't like what you do and can find no enjoyment at work, you'd be so screwed. My school's medical center is a conglomeration of a private med ctr (BU) with a public med ctr (Boston City Hospital). We see people from all walks of life, day in and day out. You'd get burned out real quick if you don't like medicine.

[M3 LUST]

My dad is a dentist (also does some ortho work) and he strongly advised me against a healthcare career because it's difficult (impossible?) to foresee what the general climate will be in the healthcare industry in the next few years and decades. What happens to the bright young things who go to elite undergrad (there goes $200K) and then a private dental school (again, $$$) and then wake up one day working for the government under a socialized plan? They'll be unable to pay their loans back - a big disservice to them if you ask him. Furthermore, the entire industry is too bureaucratic.

FWIW I'll be a sophomore in college next year so I know what it's like to have big expectations and uncertainty about how you're going to accomplish them.

[schadenfreude]

Originally Posted by andyffer

But, being as its ASU, in the top 10 party schools. I feel I would really get distracted. NAU is another option, I dont know how well it's ranked among the US but, again trying to stay in AZ.

I went to the "#1 party school" at the time, and still eventually became a doctor. If you have the discipline to take your end goals seriously, you can balance fun with study. And you'll have a blast doing it.

Good luck.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by schadenfreude

I went to the "#1 party school" at the time, and still eventually became a doctor. If you have the discipline to take your end goals seriously, you can balance fun with study. And you'll have a blast doing it.

Good luck.

I went to the one-time #1 party school of the USA too

GO BADGERS~

[schadenfreude]

Originally Posted by Kev

I went to the one-time #1 party school of the USA too

GO BADGERS~

FSU here. Go 'Noles!

They dropped way down the list just after I graduated, though, and now I doubt they're in the top 10. Either in "party school" or football rankings.

[PLAYON]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

I was a terrible student in HS, but woke up when I hit college. Now I am getting semesters with 4.0 GPA..I have a 3.8 cum GPA now. So it all depends on your own motivation and desire to pursue what you want in life.

So you established a good work ethic?. . .thats all I was trying to say. . .I was a great student in HS, a great student in college and I graduated last year with a 3.5. . .But a GPA isnt what college is all about, I also ran track and played football. So to the OP, make sure your schooling is well rounded and your not caught taking your studies too seriously. Have fun with it and I'm sure your goals will change a little bit, so be ready for it!

[ufgtrs2007]

Right now is the golden age of dentistry since the baby boomer generation of dentists are retiring! With that said, the dental and medical field is not as glamorous as it's pictured out to be. In the end, it's just a job that is rewarding and affords you the opportunity to have a good lifestyle. I enjoy doing dentistry itself, but there are many things away from the actual dentistry that you have to deal with that at times I'm burnt-out and wish I would have gone into business.

But I agree with everyone else, a good work ethic and determination will get you there!

Goodluck on your adventure!

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by GAMEOVR

Highest suicide rate, if that helps any.

That's for dentists, not orthodontists.

My uncle is one......he just bought a new 6 series.

[akack79]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

That's for dentists, not orthodontists.

My uncle is one......he just bought a new 6 series.

Ya that's true, some don't consider orthodontists as being dentists.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by akack79

Ya that's true, some don't consider orthodontists as being dentists.

LOL.....

[Taittinger]

Originally Posted by akack79

Ya that's true, some don't consider orthodontists as being dentists.

Those people are such snobs.