Is THIS okay to major in?

[Cofo]

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Hey I am a freshman, with about 23 hours completed. Well, I am wanting to change my major from Biology to International Studies with a minor in Political Science or a minor in Biology. What should I do guys? Will dental schools be okay with me having a international studies degree? Maybe I would stand out in a positive way, seeing everyone else is majoring in biology or chemistry?

 

[blankguy]

Major in whatever you are interested in. There are non-science majors that have gone on to be very successful dental students and in some cases run circles around fellow dental students who have majored in the sciences. There is no requirement of majoring in the sciences. I majored in economics that didn't stop me from getting in to dental school. Don't major in biology just because a lot of the dental students have majored in it. I think the admissions people would appreciate getting non-science majors after looking at countless of science majors especially biological science majors. Also the majoring determinant of getting into dental school are the grades not what you majored in.

 

[ibeflossin]

I majored in History and didn't bother w/ a science degree because it's a waste unless you plan to do something with it. I would major in whatever you want. I actually think it's good to be diverse and major in something else other than a science to show you are good at multiple things.

 

[ThePreDentLife]

So I really want to major in Political Science. But I am worried that it wont make me as strong of a candidate. Also students who are majoring in other subjects...how many science do you people take? like just the bio, chem, orgo? or do you guys take more?? Please let me know...and what is the success rate of majoring in something non science and getting into dental school?

On UIC's dental school site, they say students with a strong science background will be considered...so doesnt that make us kind of go against what dental schools are looking for?

 

[ibeflossin]

No matter what you will have a strong science background w/ the science pre-recs. I just took extra science classes along w/ classes in my major. I think they like it when people are able to do both... but who knows what they really like. I don't. And if we did... we wouldn't need SDN. 😛

 

[SHC1984]

Pick the major you are best at! If you pick a major you suck at then your GPA will be low and that will ruin your chances even more....

So I really want to major in Political Science. But I am worried that it wont make me as strong of a candidate. Also students who are majoring in other subjects...how many science do you people take? like just the bio, chem, orgo? or do you guys take more?? Please let me know...and what is the success rate of majoring in something non science and getting into dental school?

On UIC's dental school site, they say students with a strong science background will be considered...so doesnt that make us kind of go against what dental schools are looking for?

 

[laundry]

I'd take a mixed semester - a couple of junior level poly sci classes mixed with 1-2 bio courses and see which one u like best. (if i recall you stated that you'd never major in biology, may i ask why?)

 

[ThePreDentLife]

Hmm lets see...

well I dont want to major in Biology because I dont want to look like the other thousands of applicants with Biology majors. I want something similar, but not exactly Biology...At the university I am attending I am thinking about their Health Science major, which is for all pre-professional students. Also in your junior year they offer a practicum, in which you intern at a dental clinic or where ever and you get college credit for it...

 

[SHC1984]

Major in Chemistry! Chem majors are the best! 😍

Hmm lets see...

well I dont want to major in Biology because I dont want to look like the other thousands of applicants with Biology majors. I want something similar, but not exactly Biology...At the university I am attending I am thinking about their Health Science major, which is for all pre-professional students. Also in your junior year they offer a practicum, in which you intern at a dental clinic or where ever and you get college credit for it...

 

[Fonz]

Hmm lets see...

well I dont want to major in Biology because I dont want to look like the other thousands of applicants with Biology majors. I want something similar, but not exactly Biology...At the university I am attending I am thinking about their Health Science major, which is for all pre-professional students. Also in your junior year they offer a practicum, in which you intern at a dental clinic or where ever and you get college credit for it...

do a major that you are interested in. Not just to stand out.

 

[Cofo]

I'd take a mixed semester - a couple of junior level poly sci classes mixed with 1-2 bio courses and see which one u like best. (if i recall you stated that you'd never major in biology, may i ask why?)

Yes, I happen to be very good in biology classes. I just received an A in botany, along with a perfect 100 in the lab. However, I do not want to get a degree in biology, because international affairs/studies interests me so much more. I enjoy being competent in knowing what the war is really about (Go Bush!) and I enjoy being capable of understanding laws and the economy. Most people my age, will only understand and be good at one thing...the career they choose. I love knowledge about other things besides dentistry and biology. So...there you have it. Oh and also, I would not want a career strictly dealing with biology. No thank you.

 

[TimeforDAT]

from talking with a few people in admissions about major, it doesn't really matter what you are. Being a non-science major doesn't exactly make one stand out. In fact, the major has less importance than what people make it sound. I myself was a science major, not biology, but do your international studies with poli sci minor since that really seems to interest you and should only strengthen your gpa. But I wouldn't limit myself to the bare minimum such as g. bio, chem, ochem, physics, and biochem. Being a non-science major however you need to prove to admission committees you can handle upper level classes. Take histology, human physiology, human gross anatomy, and microbiology as well.

 

[Cofo]

from talking with a few people in admissions about major, it doesn't really matter what you are. Being a non-science major doesn't exactly make one stand out. In fact, the major has less importance than what people make it sound. I myself was a science major, not biology, but do your international studies with poli sci minor since that really seems to interest you and should only strengthen your gpa. But I wouldn't limit myself to the bare minimum such as g. bio, chem, ochem, physics, and biochem. Being a non-science major however you need to prove to admission committees you can handle upper level classes. Take histology, human physiology, human gross anatomy, and microbiology as well.

Hey thanks, the other classes you mentioned are what I was planning on taking. That just made me know that I was on the right track. Plus, in my interviews, I'll be able to talk about something interesting...NOT biological stuff, however biotechnology is interesting but...oh well you get the point. Thanks for all the good feedback guys, i appreciate you.

 

[SugarNaCl]

If your science prereqs are strong, I don't think it will hurt you terribly... but now you have even me wondering if you even love science, or just the thought of being a dentist. It seems strange, but may not be, that someone would LOVE so many aspects of dentistry but if dentistry is out of the question, would rather spend their days as a political/int'l consultant or eventual ambassador or whatever rather than in the science field. It isn't bad, just rather interesting to me. Be prepared for "what are your motives behind going into dentistry" questions during an interview. Good luck on your quest, be it in int'l studies or dentistry.