Should I major in Accounting..

AzN989 · Mar 13, 2008

My accounting major should help me out considerably if I decide to become a small dental practice owner, correct? I also figured an Accounting major would provide me with an degree that would lead to a stable job if dental school doesn't pan out for me...

ummjoey · Mar 13, 2008

you can be any major you want to be. as long as you complete to pre reqs each dental school want you to do (chem, bio, phys.........).

most people are science majors because they can complete their science degree while completeing their pre reqs for each school. the science degree also allows you to take many upper division science courses.

nevertheless, you can complete your accounting degree while taking the pre reqs and taking some extra upper division science classes.

edit: each school has different requirements. you should check out their websites.

jonxjizza · Mar 13, 2008

I have an accounting degree, worked in public accounting for a few years, and now work in a corporate accounting department. Ill be starting dental school this year. If I could do it again, I definitely wouldnt go the accounting route. I would do design or construction management. Being the smart predent that you are youll pick up the business skills you need along the way. Hire yourself a good office manager to take care of your day-to-day accounting, and hire an accountant when you need to.

AzN989 · Mar 13, 2008

Wow. What a coincidence.. the two majors that I am debating between are Construction Management and Accounting. Why would you not choose the accounting path again? Any specific reasons?

TheWiredNerv · Mar 13, 2008

Major in accounting if you are interested in it, but take some electives like biochemistry I and II.

Frederico Albin · Mar 13, 2008

I was thinking about accounting also... but like the other guy said... dental students are all smart... theyll pick up the business side quick 😛

UNR.Grad · Mar 13, 2008

Major in whatever interests you and will keep you motivated to get good grades. Also, I would minor in bio or chem and take upper division sciences beyond dental school requirements to show you can handle more than the basics.

makushin · Mar 13, 2008

I think accounting actually would actually be pretty usefull. I took a couple accounting classes in undergrad, they were useful, particularly managerial accounting. Managerial accounting and econ classes help shape your mind to constantly evaluate things economically, which I find usefull everyday. I barely ever apply my science background. So you will be well rounded which is good. I would probably avoid construction mgmt if you want to be a dentist, or construction manager for that matter.

Frederico Albin · Mar 13, 2008

LOL
I was thinking the same thing... why major in construction mgmt? A good back up plan?
I don't think so at this time. With this crisis in the economy and construction going downhill. (Im saying this because I worked with construction after high school for 3 years and I know what Im saying)
But if that's what you wanna do... go for it man. 😛 (Go for accounting LOL)
hahaha

Blarelli · Mar 13, 2008

Before I started college, I asked two different dentists what I should major in, and both said Business (but both majored in bio).

AzN989 · Mar 13, 2008

Well, my dad is a general contractor (in China) and he says he wants me to go into construction..follow in his footsteps.. etc.. but he is not forcing me to so yeah I have options.

JamieMac · Mar 13, 2008

I have majors in accounting and finance, and have worked more on the small business side (including owning two of my own). Personally, I think a degree in accounting would be very helpful to a dentist. The problem with some dentists/docs is that they don't really understand what is going on with regard to financial statements, and are therefore unable to effectively manage their practices. A good office manager might be good at skimming the books too, and having a background in accounting could help you to recognize this. Perhaps design and construction management are things you are interested in, but I don't see either field being good fall back careers anytime soon. Also, I'm sure there is a significant supply of great dentists who possess poor business savvy...having any type of business degree will at least provide some sort of foundation - even if it's just theory. My $.02.

jonxjizza said:
I have an accounting degree, worked in public accounting for a few years, and now work in a corporate accounting department. Ill be starting dental school this year. If I could do it again, I definitely wouldnt go the accounting route. I would do design or construction management. Being the smart predent that you are youll pick up the business skills you need along the way. Hire yourself a good office manager to take care of your day-to-day accounting, and hire an accountant when you need to.

dWiz · Mar 13, 2008

accounting is the driest subject ever; dentists hire CPAs to do that tedious crap

Mstoothlady2012 · Mar 13, 2008

jonxjizza said:
I have an accounting degree, worked in public accounting for a few years, and now work in a corporate accounting department. Ill be starting dental school this year. If I could do it again, I definitely wouldnt go the accounting route. I would do design or construction management. Being the smart predent that you are youll pick up the business skills you need along the way. Hire yourself a good office manager to take care of your day-to-day accounting, and hire an accountant when you need to.

what kind of science classes did you take? did you just finish the pre-reqs or did you take upper level classes as well? just curious...thnx

jonxjizza · Mar 13, 2008

I went back to school to take the science prereqs. I only took the classes I needed, with the exception of biochem I think (some schools require it). In one year I took 2 general chems, 2 organic chems, 2 physics, biology, anatomy, biochem, physiology, and a scuba class to boot. Fun times.

jonxjizza · Mar 13, 2008

AzN989 said:
Wow. What a coincidence.. the two majors that I am debating between are Construction Management and Accounting. Why would you not choose the accounting path again? Any specific reasons?

I am more artistically minded - accounting was a bad decision for me. If you are committed to dentistry, it really doesn't matter what you major in. Design or construction management (at least BYU's program) would have been a great creative outlet for me.

Should I major in Accounting..

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