Computer Science Undergrad --> Dentistry

[jeo]

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A couple of weeks ago I spoke with the dean of admissions of my state's dental school. I strictly asked him, "Does the admissions office care about what your major is?" To which he tumultuously assured me that my major didn't matter--as long as I had maintained a high GPA in addition to a high DAT score. However, doubt still clouds my mind.

I want to major in computer science, and minor in biology to fulfill the required science courses at my state's dental school. Is this feasible? Will the admissions office ask themselves, "Why didn't this student pursue a career in programming?" I feel like I could secure a much higher GPA doing something I am passionate about--computers. But I don't want to make this hobby of mine a career.

Am I out of my mind, SDN? Should I stick with a cookie-cutter biology major and play it safe, or major in a passion of mine?

 

[KillaGorilla]

If the dean said he didn't care he most likely meant it. Major in what you want just get high grades and score well on the DAT.

 

[yappy]

Just get a high GPA + good DAT and it doesnt matter. I have noticed this is a common theme at many DS too. Also, I imagine that a good knowedge of computers can help you out when you're in solo practice some day.

GL

 

[amalgamgrillz]

A couple of weeks ago I spoke with the dean of admissions of my state's dental school. I strictly asked him, "Does the admissions office care about what your major is?" To which he tumultuously assured me that my major didn't matter--as long as I had maintained a high GPA in addition to a high DAT score. However, doubt still clouds my mind.

I want to major in computer science, and minor in biology to fulfill the required science courses at my state's dental school. Is this feasible? Will the admissions office ask themselves, "Why didn't this student pursue a career in programming?" I feel like I could secure a much higher GPA doing something I am passionate about--computers. But I don't want to make this hobby of mine a career.

Am I out of my mind, SDN? Should I stick with a cookie-cutter biology major and play it safe, or major in a passion of mine?

Schools like to have a diverse class from different undergrad programs. A lot of people do biology, but doesn't mean you have to follow suit.

 

[Sapientiae]

You talked to a dean of a dental school, and now you are seeking advice from pre-dents you don't even know. Take a second to think about this.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Major does not matter at all. GPA, DAT, Shadowing, Personal Statement, Extra curriculars... just about anything matters more than your major. There are actually a couple pretty respected members of this board that were both in software or CIS before they got into dschool. If you are seriously doubting yourself you could probably always PM dentalworks or peanutb... goodluck!

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

You talked to a dean of a dental school, and now you are seeking advice from pre-dents you don't even know. Take a second to think about this.

LOL. The logic on here makes me wonder sometimes...

 

[doctor123456789]

Yeah, but sometimes they just tell you 'its possible', it might be possible with a 2% chance. I think you come here and get the reality.

But ya dude, you can major in anything. Good DAT and GPA like everyone else said. You can also go on certain school sites and find % of majors going in. But in this case major really doesnt matter like you think it would

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Yeah, but sometimes they just tell you 'its possible', it might be possible with a 2% chance. I think you come here and get the reality.

But the dean tumultuously said so!

 

[UCLAzy]

I spoke with the dean of admissions...he tumultuously assured me that my major didn't matter--as long as I had maintained a high GPA in addition to a high DAT score...doubt still clouds my mind

wtf is wrong with you?

 

[YoHomey]

I have a friend who was a computer science major, got her Ph.D at Stanford, became a professor at MIT, and gave it all up to become a professional tango dancer. So yes, you can do anything with a computer science major.

 

[dentalWorks]

A couple of weeks ago I spoke with the dean of admissions of my state's dental school. I strictly asked him, "Does the admissions office care about what your major is?" To which he tumultuously assured me that my major didn't matter--as long as I had maintained a high GPA in addition to a high DAT score. However, doubt still clouds my mind.

I want to major in computer science, and minor in biology to fulfill the required science courses at my state's dental school. Is this feasible? Will the admissions office ask themselves, "Why didn't this student pursue a career in programming?" I feel like I could secure a much higher GPA doing something I am passionate about--computers. But I don't want to make this hobby of mine a career.

Am I out of my mind, SDN? Should I stick with a cookie-cutter biology major and play it safe, or major in a passion of mine?

I don't mean to sound insulting... but computer science majors (myself included) have alot of common sense.

Do you actually believe the advice you get from a few SDNer pre-dents is better than the admission director's of said school?!?!?

 

[jeo]

Perhaps I should of elaborated more on my doubts. Why are dental school classes filled exclusively with biology and chemistry majors, give or take a couple of outliers? Why doesn't everyone major in something easier like english or basketweaving. Does major truly not matter? I've already heard that biology coincides with prerequisites. Why do people then not take the bare minimum requirements and pursue an easy major?

Again, I wouldn't doubt the dean for a second, but looking at the statistics, dental schools are being filled with 95% biology and chemistry majors.

 

[dentalWorks]

Perhaps I should of elaborated more on my doubts. Why are dental school classes filled exclusively with biology and chemistry majors, give or take a couple of outliers? Why doesn't everyone major in something easier like english or basketweaving. Does major truly not matter? I've already heard that biology coincides with prerequisites. Why do people then not take the bare minimum requirements and pursue an easy major?

Again, I wouldn't doubt the dean for a second, but looking at the statistics, dental schools are being filled with 95% biology and chemistry majors.

Don't confuse cause vs effect.

The reason professional schools are full of Bio+chem majors IS NOT because those majors make you more competitive, its because these students figured that majority of dental school classes are human biology based, so they wanted to gain exposure to those classes a head of time.

The truth is, ANY major accompanied with a high GPA is competitive for admissions. End of story.

 

[Sakab]

Don't confuse cause vs effect.

The reason professional schools are full of Bio+chem majors IS NOT because those majors make you more competitive, its because these students figured that majority of dental school classes are human biology based, so they wanted to gain exposure to those classes a head of time.

The truth is, ANY major accompanied with a high GPA is competitive for admissions. End of story.

I know this isn't what the OP was trying to get at...but how useful is a chemistry/bio degree (background) in dental school classes? I'm guessing it's probably an insignificant amount since the only undergrad classes that may relate to dental school classes are the pre-reqs, which everyone has to take?

 

[dentalWorks]

I know this isn't what the OP was trying to get at...but how useful is a chemistry/bio degree (background) in dental school classes? I'm guessing it's probably an insignificant amount since the only undergrad classes that may relate to dental school classes are the pre-reqs, which everyone has to take?

Its useful to have a good undergrad knowledge in the biology sciences (gross anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, etc). It makes DS1 a little "easier". But I don't think it will matter much once you get to DS2 and above, since the classes you take there are usually never offered in undergrad.

 

[budda10000]

You don't have to be a science major but if you are not the number of classes you have to take grows enormously. I actually ran out of units so I was only able to take most school min. recommendations. I have still self studied physiology and anatomy because I know it will be useful in DS1 as stated earlier. Just make sure you can fit all those classes into your schedule.

 

[Toothshucker]

Perhaps I should of elaborated more on my doubts. Why are dental school classes filled exclusively with biology and chemistry majors, give or take a couple of outliers? Why doesn't everyone major in something easier like english or basketweaving. Does major truly not matter? I've already heard that biology coincides with prerequisites. Why do people then not take the bare minimum requirements and pursue an easy major?

Again, I wouldn't doubt the dean for a second, but looking at the statistics, dental schools are being filled with 95% biology and chemistry majors.

I'm curious why you think English is an easier major than biology. English would definitely would be harder for me. You should just listen to the dean you spoke to, as I have heard that from other deans of admission. I'm guessing a significant portion of students chose biology because it interests them.

 

[Toothshucker]

Its useful to have a good undergrad knowledge in the biology sciences (gross anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, etc). It makes DS1 a little "easier". But I don't think it will matter much once you get to DS2 and above, since the classes you take there are usually never offered in undergrad.

I heard this from another dental student. I think it's good advice.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Perhaps I should of elaborated more on my doubts. Why are dental school classes filled exclusively with biology and chemistry majors, give or take a couple of outliers? Why doesn't everyone major in something easier like english or basketweaving. Does major truly not matter? I've already heard that biology coincides with prerequisites. Why do people then not take the bare minimum requirements and pursue an easy major?

Again, I wouldn't doubt the dean for a second, but looking at the statistics, dental schools are being filled with 95% biology and chemistry majors.

I will tell you exactly why "I" did not do that even though I had wished to have done that.

I did not 4.0 all of the bare minimum required courses ~> sGPA suffers ~> switched to BIO major to pump that baby up.


Would I have done BIO as a major if I had a 3.8+ sGPA? NO.


What is the morale of the story here?
We, predents as a whole are trying to make a statement to the ADCOMs. Many of us require a couple of sentences to get our point across while a select few of us may be able to achieve the same with just one line.