Bioengineering in dentistry?

[dstein20]

Hi so I have got a burning question that I've needed to make a decision on for quite a while. I'm aiming to do predentistry and need to pick a major. If I do bio/biochem I could potentially grauduate in 3/3.5 years before applying to dental school and that's something that is appealing to me. On the contrary, I feel the need to pick a major that interests me. I've always been very into engineering and have been heavily leaning toward a bioengineering degree. My issue is that I'm well aware that engineering students typically have lower gpas due to a rigorous curriculum and i need to know how much dental schools take that into account. Will they be more lenient about lower gpas from engineering students or is it irrelevant? How much leeway do I have for a lower gpa? I also am very curious as to how many people even pursue a path like this? Could anyone tell me if its worth getting a bioengineering degree and how applicable it is (if it is at all ) to the field?? My dad owns a dental technician/engineering firm where they make implants and crowns and do a lot with 3D printing . Would having a bioengineering degree be useful if I wanted to apply my knowledge to both fields? I'm also curious to know what one learns from getting a bioe degree. Thanks!

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[aqz]

I did a biomedical engineering bachelor's at a reputable engineering program.

Looking back, I wish I had majored in a foreign language. I graduated with a 3.64, and I honestly doubt any programs took my engineering major into consideration for why my GPA was a little lower than the next guy with a 3.9 and an english degree.

In short, I'd advise you to only go for the 4 year bioengineering degree if it REALLY interests you. Otherwise, I'd try to graduate as soon as possible with the highest GPA you could muster.

 

[dstein20]

Hi, thanks for the response, so my question is do you see your self using or applying any of your knowledge from the bioe degree in the dental field at all??

 

[aqz]

Bits and pieces, but in general, not really. Granted, the only kind of "application" I have time for at the moment is to pick the right answer on an exam. But even with broader applications such as research, the knowledge you'd gain from a bachelor's is just not enough to apply in any practical way.

If I were you, I'd take advantage of the opportunity to major/learn about a field that has absolutely nothing to do with dentistry. You're going to be learning all of it in dental school, so make use of this time to learn about something else. As per my foreign language example, I went to Italy this past spring break and really wish I knew some Italian. Moreover, there's a bunch of hispanic patients coming to our school, so Spanish/Portuguese would've came in handy.

 

[free99]

Bits and pieces, but in general, not really. Granted, the only kind of "application" I have time for at the moment is to pick the right answer on an exam. But even with broader applications such as research, the knowledge you'd gain from a bachelor's is just not enough to apply in any practical way.

If I were you, I'd take advantage of the opportunity to major/learn about a field that has absolutely nothing to do with dentistry. You're going to be learning all of it in dental school, so make use of this time to learn about something else. As per my foreign language example, I went to Italy this past spring break and really wish I knew some Italian. Moreover, there's a bunch of hispanic patients coming to our school, so Spanish/Portuguese would've came in handy.

Couldn't agree more, if I went back to college I'd major in Spanish and take the sciences courses I needed to apply scattered throughout the four years.