Majors

[tastybeef]

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I'm unsure of what to major in. I know the general advice is to major in something I enjoy as majors don't matter in admissions. However much I would like to believe this, the stats show that the majority of entering students major in something in either biology or chemistry.

As of now, I'm picking between two biology majors: Integrative Biology and Nutritional Sciences. I'm interested in both fields, but I feel that majoring in Nutritional Sciences may limit my choices as it may be interpreted that I'm more interested in becoming a nutritionist than a dentist. Another factor in this uncertainty is the perceived difficulty of the majors. At my school, Nutritional Sciences has a label of being somewhat of a 'slacker' major as most students who are pre-health major in either MCB or Integrative Biology. Would this have any impact on my dental school application or is it negligible? Furthermore, Integrative Biology has many courses that are similar to those that I may encounter in a dental school.

I'm not sure if this is a valid way of looking at this and would like some feedbacks. Also, if there is anyone who majored/is majoring in Nutritional Science can give some insights, much appreciation goes out to you.

Thanks.

 

[small]

Do music or art and they won't even ask you to "explain or demonstrate your manual dexterity skills." Who really needs all those extra science classes, anyway, seriously. DAT, prereqs, and a few recommended science courses and your good.

 

[Bicuspid Bonita]

Why dont you choose something that is challenging like Microbiology or Biochemistry? The good thing is that they cover all the prereqs for dental schools and kinda sets you apart since they are a bit more challenging, especially biochemistry. This way, if you major in Art or whatnot, you dont have to worry about completing the minimum prereqs. But whatever you choose, make up your mind beforehand that you are absolutely going to LOVE your major. That keeps you going during tough times. Now if you REALLY wanted to shine, you could major in Biological Engineering. My friend did that and even with a lower gpa, she managed to go to 10 interviews. She would have gone to more, but ran out of money. Point is: do something that you will LOVE (trust me, some of my friends are in their senior year and miserable with their majors) and will make you look good on paper!!

 

[cherr1pop]

I'd say most ppl end up with biology/chem degree because you're very close to the degree after you finish the pre-reqs.. Like at my school biology degree is pre-reqs + 2 biology classes (ppl choose things like microbiology/physio that dental schools recommend). So I guess it's just the easiest route after getting the pre-reqs out of the way... I don't think you should worry about the two bio majors being slacker/non-slacker... Just make sure you cover all the pre-reqs... Going with a 'slacker' bio and minoring in something else (art/business/international relations/etc) is a common path for many pre-healths at my school...

 

[Lurchdubious]

i wouldn't worry about "slacker" majors, so long as you do great in the prereqs to have a high science gpa. i am a zoology major and i'm just a couple classes shy of getting my degree, but i've had a lot of tough, nonessential courses as well. if i could do it again i'd prolly do a bio major as it would've required 5 or 6 less classes.
plus, everytime i tell someone what my major is, they think i plan on being a zookeeper.🙄🙄

 

[harjay]

alot of the decision of major is reflected on the classes you need to take to complete that major. Bio/chem/science majors generally fulfill most of the Dental school pre-reqs as part of the degree, and its easy to add other science classes that would be good in preparation for dental school.

for example, as an art major you would still have the dental pre-reqs, but you will probably have fewer other science classes that would interest the school.

 

[johntara04]

Major doesn't matter, because schools care about the pre-reqs and everybody has those no matter what their major is. The pre-reqs are a way for the school to compare us to each other and guage how successful we will be in the dental programs. I majored in "Behavioral Science and Health" because it was the quickest way to a BS degree. Most people do the bio route cause you knock out a good portion of it with your pre-reqs. So, do what makes you happy cause your grades will be better. Also, for a dental school that values diversity, a non-bio degree could be a breath of fresh air. 🙂

 

[TheWiredNerv]

I majored in biology for several reasons, the major being that I knew I wanted to do dentistry but part of me also wanted to be a biology professor and carry out research. Obviously dentistry has still interested me more than the biology field (though there is a nice relationship between dentistry, biology and biochemistry [and physics]) but I enjoyed my major nevertheless. Major whatever you have a great interest in. College is your time to learn about areas that you want more knowledge in. You have a facination for WW2? Take a class on WW2! Pottery? Take a class on pottery!

The only thing I think you should take other than the pre-reqs is biochemistry, preferably a Chemistry based biochem (there are schools that have a more general biochem class for bio majors) as I think that is most useful to learning how the body works.

 

[Crentist]

I would agree that it doesn't really matter what you major in, just do well in your pre-req courses and take something you enjoy. Like a lot of people, I got a biology degree because not only was I interested in a lot of the courses, but many of them were pre-reqs for dental school or suggested courses. But then I ended up double-majoring in Biology and Norwegian because I really enjoyed taking a language. Those kinds of things stand out too, because admissions know that you have interests outside the pre-health world.
But whatever major you decide on, take classes you're interested in: Ancient Greek History, Anthropology, Oil Painting, Film and Literature. Being well-rounded will look good and you'll be a much happier student.

 

[diane07]

You can major in anything you want. And it is good advice to major in something that you enjoy.

On the other hand, it's easier to get the pre-requisites done when they are part of your major. And plenty of dental schools will state on their websites that they give preference to students who have taken xyz upper level division sciences. So when your major is science, you already have those upper level division sciences built into your program. I think that is why many pre-med and pre-dent are science majors.

But ultimately the choice is yours as to what you major in.

 

[Mia305]

I am a Nutritional Sciences major, and I know plenty of people who are either already in dental school or have already had interviews for dental school (myself included) with the same major. It never came up as an issue in any of my interviews so far. At my school it has the same required courses as any other science major (Bio, orgo, gen chem, physics, physiology, genetics, microbiology, biochem)- so I really don't see how it can be considered a "slacker" major. The only differences are about 4 or 5 courses that are required for that specific major.
If you want to major in it and are interested in it, then go for it.

 

[sl2obel2ts]

Do Bioengineering! you get to learn about material science, mechanical engineering and physical chemistry that might come handy or not. , and it also prepares you for prereq 😉. And I heard somewhere College of Engineering has the highest acceptance rate?

 

[I'mFillingFine]

It is true that you should major in something you enjoy studying, for two reasons: 1. Take all the chances you can get to learn about things you love, 2. You will have higher grades in classes you enjoy taking.

If you are concerned about preparation for dental school, I'd highly recommend taking some upper-level science courses, especially those you'll get in first year (histo, biochem, physiology, anatomy, etc.) I hate to say it, but the people in my class who weren't science majors and who didn't take those extra courses did indeed have some extra work to do. Everyone can totally cut it, but the people with the more science-y backgrounds had less review to do while they were studying.

Nutrition is actually a great idea; you'll take it in dental school and a significant portion of your responsibility as a clinician is to be a nutritional advisor...they'll connect it with dentistry throughout your whole education. (You know, sugar, caries, acid...cool stuff.) In fact, if you did a thesis or research project involving oral health and some aspect of nutrition, I guarantee every interviewer will ask you about it 🙂