Chemistry vs. Chemical engineering

[tomndys]

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Hi.

I am seriously considering both majors. I want to go to dental school later on but I am aware (especially because I am an international student) of the ever-present risk of not being accepted to dental school and ending up a hobo.

Pros of Chem major
- will not have to think of the dental prereqs because most of my classes will have to include them
- easier major compared to engineering (better grades)
- 4 year program

Cons of Chem major
- big chance I will not be able to get a job
- even if I get a job, I will probably be get some crappy lab tech job that pays pretty much nothing

Pros of Chem Engineering major
- good alternative job
- big job market
- high pay
- will be able to get good hand skills

Cons of Chem Engineering major
- difficult, difficult, and difficult
- many people flunk out or quit in the middle
- low gpa
- 5 year program
- will actually have to try hard to match the pre-reqs

By the way, the college is Tufts University.

 

[kftetrault]

Hi,
I am an optometry student, so I am kinda of crossing boundries, but I am also a chemical engineer so I have some good info.
Go for the ChemE degree!! There is no doubt that it is a much more difficult major than chemistry, and the average student in my class had a gpa around 3.5-3.6, but colleges do look at that. They understand that it is a unique major that will have lower gpa and, if you don't think they'll understand that, put it in your personal statement.
I worked for a couple years before I went back to school, and there is no other degree that will allow you to get a $75k/yr job right out of school. So the risk of not getting into dental school is much more palpable than being left with a less-desired chemistry degree.
But it's true, its difficult: my class at the University of Arizona had a 45% attrition rate. Good luck with your decision.

 

[LaFleur]

Since your ultimate goal is to become a dentist, you should choose the major that will allow you to have the highest GPA (even if it's neither of the two that you mentioned), and start doing your prereqs early and finish them asap so that you're as competitive as you can possibly be when you're able to apply for the 7 and/or 8 year early assurance programs with TUSDM. That is probably what I would recommend for you, especially if you are afraid of not getting in when you apply during the regular cycle. You go to Tufts--take advantage of the fact that that gives you more opportunities.

http://dental.tufts.edu/1186496760237/TUSDM-Page-dental2w_1189778168781.html