Hello, I'm just really worried...

[EdwardKim]

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I recently changed my major to Asian Humanities major, because I was so interested in asian language after taking some classes at it.

Of course I will continue all my pre-dental requirements, and my goal is to be able to communicate well with Korean population in America, and offer them great dental service.

Would dental schools give me any disadvantage due to this?

I am just wondering.. 🙂

 

[aguacero]

This is a question, and I ask out of pure ignorance. Where are the largest Korean-speaking populations in the US? Just curious what areas and their corresponding schools would desire your skills.
If you are doing a humanities degree make sure to still take lots of upper level science classes.
Good luck.

 

[Vicviper]

There are large pockets of just about every group somewhere in the US, maybe in CA?

And no, it would not be a negative for you, in fact, it would be a HUGE positive. Dental schools love seeing non-science majors apply. (As long as you have all of the pre-reqs). Good luck!

 

[EdwardKim]

Thanks guys for all your responses and encouragement.

Another question, will the dental schools know about my past immigration history?

Would that come out on the back ground check?

I just don't want them to misunderstand me as a fresh off boat korean taking korean classes, because when I appy for dental school, I would have just become american citizen.

Before then I had korean citizenship, but I lived in Singapore from age 3 to 15.


Will the dental schools know my immigration history?

 

[doc3232]

There are large pockets of just about every group somewhere in the US, maybe in CA?

And no, it would not be a negative for you, in fact, it would be a HUGE positive. Dental schools love seeing non-science majors apply. (As long as you have all of the pre-reqs). Good luck!

Non-science majors do not have a huge advantage...some do, not all.

Thanks guys for all your responses and encouragement.

Another question, will the dental schools know about my past immigration history?

Would that come out on the back ground check?

I just don't want them to misunderstand me as a fresh off boat korean taking korean classes, because when I appy for dental school, I would have just become american citizen.

Before then I had korean citizenship, but I lived in Singapore from age 3 to 15.


Will the dental schools know my immigration history?

They won't know much, but when you go to the interview they will hear your accent...and they will guess you recently came.

 

[sl2obel2ts]

I just don't want them to misunderstand me as a fresh off boat korean taking korean classes, because when I appy for dental school, I would have just become american citizen.

Of course I will continue all my pre-dental requirements, and my goal is to be able to communicate well with Korean population in America, and offer them great dental service.

If I were an Adcom, I would def think that you are taking an easy way out by taking easy Korean classes. Like you, I moved to US from Korea about 8 years ago. I bet you they can tell that you are not a native english speaker as soon as you open your mouth at the interview or even from your personal statement. and I don't think being Korean in dentistry is a plus. There are way too many Koreans in dental school. At one interview, 50% of the interviewees were Korean, 9 out of 18, that is ridiculous. I don't think we make up even 2% of American population.

Your goal is to communication to the Korean population in America. I am not sure how you are gonna do that. There are way too many Korean dentists in America and especially LA area or urban areas, they are super saturated, competitive, and already offer great dental service.

btw, I find that funny you are gonna be american citizen before you apply cuz same thing happened to me. I got my citizenship last year may 20th and applied 21st. 😛

I hate to sound like a racist here, but I think being Korean is a disadvantage. there are just too many of us in this field. and your goal of providing dental care to Korean population in America just doesnt help.

 

[PandaXpress]

If I were an Adcom, I would def think that you are taking an easy way out by taking easy Korean classes. Like you, I moved to US from Korea about 8 years ago. I bet you they can tell that you are not a native english speaker as soon as you open your mouth at the interview or even from your personal statement. and I don't think being Korean in dentistry is a plus. There are way too many Koreans in dental school. At one interview, 50% of the interviewees were Korean, 9 out of 18, that is ridiculous. I don't think we make up even 2% of American population.

Your goal is to communication to the Korean population in America. I am not sure how you are gonna do that. There are way too many Korean dentists in America and especially LA area or urban areas, they are super saturated, competitive, and already offer great dental service.

btw, I find that funny you are gonna be american citizen before you apply cuz same thing happened to me. I got my citizenship last year may 20th and applied 21st. 😛

I hate to sound like a racist here, but I think being Korean is a disadvantage. there are just too many of us in this field. and your goal of providing dental care to Korean population in America just doesnt help.

Dude affirmative action is over. Anyway, I just have to comment on:

If you are doing a humanities degree make sure to still take lots of upper level science classes.

Make sure these are from UCLA or 4-year universities! Dont do CC (community college) because the people at adcom will look at that and will be like "why didnt you take them at the 4 year." Just take my word man...just take my word. They care about those things. Being a non-science major is advantageous when you take your sciences at a 4-year.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=516945

 

[cybermech]

At the moment, Spanish is MUCH more in need. Therefore, it's likely that California schools will even FAVOR a Spanish major. However, doing a liberal arts major should not hurt your chances if you get high grades on your basic sciences. It will however hurt you a bit on the DAT. Regardless of what people say about the DAT biology being based off of basic sciences, the truth is that repetition makes a difference.

 

[Heretotalk]

Your idea is genuine and definetly great. I know USC does want applicant who has a different major other than science. The language ability is considered a big point in application strength. I myself am able to speak chinese, japanese and currently working on spanish. I am sure there will be other schools that looks closely to foreign languages (I recall UCSF asking this question on their secondary app).

Nonetheless, you need a strong app to have it really shine

 

[Heretotalk]

Your idea is genuine and definetly great. I know USC does want applicant who has a different major other than science. The language ability is considered a big point in application strength. I myself am able to speak chinese, japanese and currently working on spanish. I am sure there will be other schools that looks closely to foreign languages (I recall UCSF asking this question on their secondary app).

Nonetheless, you need a strong app to have it really shine

Make sure these are from UCLA or 4-year universities! Dont do CC (community college) because the people at adcom will look at that and will be like "why didnt you take them at the 4 year." Just take my word man...just take my word. They care about those things. Being a non-science major is advantageous when you take your sciences at a 4-year.

I agree whole heartedly to the above