Leaving Physics B.S., looking into Dentistry

[MrGixxerMan]

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Hi all


I'm currently attending UCLA and am currently persuing a BS in Physics. My original goal was to get a bachelors in Physics and then move on to get a masters in engineering. But as some of you may know the engineering field is being outsourced heavily and job security is no longer existent in this area. I've decided to switch to Bio and persue a career in Dentistry instead. As a newbie in the pre-med/dent arena, I am shocked at the amount of grade-consciousness amongst the predmed students. Engineers were always more relaxed when it came to grades.

My concern is that my bio and chem grades are less than stellar. Currently my overall gpa is 3.4 and my sci gpa is only 3.3. I just don't feel it is competitive enough to distinguish me from the crowd. I was wondering if upper division bio and chem would be counted in the science gpa and thus improve my sci gpa.

Looks like I've got a lot left to learn


thanks guys

Al

 

[aphistis]

Congrats on making the switch to dentistry...but what would chemistry & biology be considered, if they're not science?

To answer your question, however, the prerequisites you need to take can be used to boost your science GPA. Good luck!

 

[TravisP]

I would think that a BS in Physics with all the dental pre-req's would be better for you, since most people who enter dental school have a BS in Bio.

 

[MrGixxerMan]

Thanks for the replies guys. I already have the lower division bio and lower division gen. chem series completed. I got B's in both because at the time (back in CC) I wasn't too itnerested in those areas. I was wondering if the dental schools would take into consideration the grades from upper division bio and chem and thus improve my sci gpa to say about 3.5?

As for the physics thing, I'm leaving physics because there just doesn't seem like there's much I can do with it (please, let's not make a debate outta this). The thing about physics is that it's too heavily structured, meaning that absolutely everything must be taken in a specific sequence, if somehow you can't take a certain class because of a constraint in your life, well tough luck, you're backed up for one solid year because that class is only offered once a year (this happened to me). Another thing is that it's not easy to take pre-dent prereqs while in Physics because all the classes have conflicting schedules. It just is not practical. The engineering students on here will understand what I'm talking about. I"ve estimated that it'll take me about 3 more years to get a BS in physics.

I could go on for hours about my reasons for leaving Physics, but that's beside the point.

I'm a major rookie in the pre-dent world. So I'm still in the learning process.

So will upper division bio and chem be counted towards my sci gpa?


Thanks guys 👍

 

[psiyung]

Since you're in California, I would also try to raise tha GPA to a 3.6-7 ish area. Dental schools in Cali are pretty darn competitive

 

[aphistis]

To answer your question, however, the prerequisites and upper-level bio/chem courses you need to take can be used to boost your science GPA. Good luck!

In case it was missed the first time. 😉

 

[MrGixxerMan]

In case it was missed the first time. 😉

Thanks again man. My mind must have been elsewhere when I was reading your reply.


👍

 

[dexadental]

Hey there buddy,
Thats pretty cool you were doing the physics thing, I debated doing that but settled on biochem (I love that stuff). Just because there isn't any work cut out in the field for physics, unless you wanna work in a lab all day, you still should pursue it if you truly like it, dental schools love the diversity. Not too many people take physics as a major anymore, infact, here at UF where I go as an undergrad, its one of the lowest enrolled majors nowadays and I think over 60% of the people enrolled are probably international. I'd say major in physics, and theyll understand a subpar GPA in the sciences (thats some hard !@#$!) . My three cents.

 

[Sprgrover]

Hi all...I've decided to switch to Bio and persue a career in Dentistry instead.

Hi Al! Welcome to SDN! In addition to the advice given by some of the other members, I would also like to add that you don't have to major in biology if you want to go into dentistry. for example several members here, including myself, didn't major in biology and had no trouble at all getting several acceptances. If you are close to getting your degree in physics I suggest that you complete it and finish the necessary pre-reqs - unless you are attracted to biology and don't mind the setback. Best of luck! 👍

 

[aphistis]

Folks, it sounds like a done deal that he's switching out of physics, so why don't we focus on answering his questions about shining up his application with biology & chemistry courses?

 

[MrGixxerMan]

The only thing that's turning me away from physics (as of right now) is that I'm not too sure if I can use it as a fall back plan (the engineering field is not too good right now), I was hoping that majoring in bio would better my chances of getting into dental school, but it looks like any major will do.

As of right now, it's estimated that it'll take about 3 years for me to complete my Physics BS. If persuing bio will take less time (i'm guessing it'll take two more) then I'll most likely go that route. Also, I"m not sure if you guys know this, but the upper division physics curriculum is very tightly structured and offers little chances of taking other science courses. I couldn't take O chem this quarter or last quarter because it conflicts with the physics curriculum. And there have been other circumstances like this. Also, even though I like physics, it' been the main focus of my studies along with math. I'm thinking it might be interesting to give bio and chem a chance. As of right now, i've finnished enough math to complete a minor, so I was thinking of getting a BS in bio with a minor in math. Does that sound like it will distinguish me enough from the crowd?

Cheers 🙂

 

[onetoothleft]

I think I was in the exact situation that you were in! I switched for the same reasons too. I started out as a physics major, then switched to microbiology my junior year.

There are lots of ways to raise your GPA. Both alternatives will have plenty of good science classes. Plus you still have lots of pre reqs left.

A 3.4 GPA is a good GPA to have to apply to dental school. It may not separate you from the crowd, but I had a 3.4 and got into almost every school that I applied.

In my case I regret not staying with physics. I was so much better at physics than biology. I got all A's in physics with little effort, where in my biology and chem classes I worked very hard just to pull in B's. So in my case my GPA might have been better had I stayed in Physics. That might be something to consider as well. In the end, either major is very impressive for adcoms.

As for jobs when you graduate -- the selection is slim for every pure science graduate. If you really want to have job security just in case, major in nursing, dental hygiene, clinical lab science, physician assistant studies or something else that interests you.

 

[beastly115]

Who needs a fall back plan? Just keep applying till you get in.

 

[Sprgrover]

...As of right now, it's estimated that it'll take about 3 years for me to complete my Physics BS. If persuing bio will take less time (i'm guessing it'll take two more) then I'll most likely go that route... I'm thinking it might be interesting to give bio and chem a chance. As of right now, i've finnished enough math to complete a minor, so I was thinking of getting a BS in bio with a minor in math. Does that sound like it will distinguish me enough from the crowd?

For some reason I thought you were fairly close to finishing your degree (which is why I didn't see the benefit of starting all over with another one), but it sounds like you are in a good place to switch majors. As onetoothleft stated, it is a bit difficult for pure science majors (heck, pretty much any major nowdays) to find a decent career in their field. On that topic, there is a demand for chemists and if you just have your bachelors there are still plenty of decent paying (albeit boring) jobs out there for them. With that aside, go ahead and shelve your physics degree and take some biology and chemistry courses. Find out which one you like best and then major in it. In my opinion, having a degree that makes you stand out is not as important as having good grades, nice DAT scores, a coherent personal statement, and so on.