Must be a scientist for pre-dental?

[firecracked]

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Hello, everyone! I'm new, though I have lurked around this board quite a bit.

I just finished my first year of college, and after taking classes in different subjects, I've decided that I really want to go into dentistry.

I will admit that science is not my strong point. I'm not a failure at science, but it doesn't come perfectly naturally to me either. However, I'm very willing to work hard and put in the time and energy it takes to get the grades and scores I need to get into and succeed in dental school and beyond, even if that means extra work for me compared to others.

To be honest, it's difficult for me to judge how well I will do in science courses. I have not yet taken a science course in college, and I didn't try my best in high school science classes because, at that point, I didn't think I wanted to pursue a career that involved the sciences at all. However, I've obviously changed my mind completely in the past couple of years. I do consider myself a good student, though, so I think I can do it if I'm really determined, which I am.

I am a bit nervous about my grades, though, because I go to a school known for its grade deflation (Boston University), but I'm assuming admission officers would take that into consideration. I currently have a 3.28 GPA after 2 semesters, and I'm hoping to raise that and show an upward trend by the time I have to apply for dental school.

I've been doing a lot of research about dentistry, and I know this is something I really want to do. However, a classmate at my college told me that I should not go pre-dental because I have to be a scientist to succeed. In fact, his exact words were, "Do not do pre-dentistry. You will not last. You must be a scientist. End of story." I must say that his response was a bit discouraging (though I did not give him the above explanation).

So I'm wondering if this is true? Most of you are working towards dental school, so I'm asking your opinions on this guy's point of view.

(I'm sorry if this post rambled a bit...)

 

[goosestuff]

No you don't have to be. My ug degree is in painting. Just make sure you do all your pre-reqs (+ extra sciences) well.

Edit: I shouldn't use the word "just", but you know what I mean...

 

[Slimfast]

In my opinion there's absolutely no need to be scientifically inclined/talented in order to become a dentist. Honestly, you can major in anything (I know poeple who are majoring in spanish and are pre-dent)- all you need to do is take the core classes that dental schools require (gen chem, org chem, physics, etc...)

Choose the major that you think you will excel in and that interests you most, since you'll be taking classes related to this subject for four years. Dental schools may have a slight preference for science majors, but I certainly don't believe your choice or major will make or break you.

But yeah, good luck to you man and I hope you have fun in college and someday enroll in the dental school of your choice 👍

 

[aphistis]

I know a dual-degree oral & maxillofacial surgeon whose undergraduate degree is in classical guitar performance. Doesn't seem to have gotten in his way too much.

 

[clickytop]

Hello, everyone! I'm new, though I have lurked around this board quite a bit.

I just finished my first year of college, and after taking classes in different subjects, I've decided that I really want to go into dentistry.

I will admit that science is not my strong point. I'm not a failure at science, but it doesn't come perfectly naturally to me either. However, I'm very willing to work hard and put in the time and energy it takes to get the grades and scores I need to get into and succeed in dental school and beyond, even if that means extra work for me compared to others.

To be honest, it's difficult for me to judge how well I will do in science courses. I have not yet taken a science course in college, and I didn't try my best in high school science classes because, at that point, I didn't think I wanted to pursue a career that involved the sciences at all. However, I've obviously changed my mind completely in the past couple of years. I do consider myself a good student, though, so I think I can do it if I'm really determined, which I am.

I am a bit nervous about my grades, though, because I go to a school known for its grade deflation (Boston University), but I'm assuming admission officers would take that into consideration. I currently have a 3.28 GPA after 2 semesters, and I'm hoping to raise that and show an upward trend by the time I have to apply for dental school.

I've been doing a lot of research about dentistry, and I know this is something I really want to do. However, a classmate at my college told me that I should not go pre-dental because I have to be a scientist to succeed. In fact, his exact words were, "Do not do pre-dentistry. You will not last. You must be a scientist. End of story." I must say that his response was a bit discouraging (though I did not give him the above explanation).

So I'm wondering if this is true? Most of you are working towards dental school, so I'm asking your opinions on this guy's point of view.

(I'm sorry if this post rambled a bit...)

Your classmate is a douche. Please tell him I said so. On second thought, don't tell him...just don't talk to him at all.

 

[997GT3]

I know a dual-degree oral & maxillofacial surgeon whose undergraduate degree is in classical guitar performance. Doesn't seem to have gotten in his way too much.

Wow that is so badass.

btw. Why does it seem like everyone's getting into dentistry now?

 

[firecracked]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

 

[burgler09]

Wow that is so badass.

btw. Why does it seem like everyone's getting into dentistry now?

because you are on a dentistry forum 🙂


to the OP: you have to be able to take General Chemistry 1 and 2, Biology 1 and 2, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Physics and some schools 1 year of calculus. No matter what major you are you have to take those courses so be prepared for that. There is also Biochem and anatomy and physiology that are reccomended. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or you aren't good at it. If you want to go to dental school take those courses and major in whatever you want to. Those are tough courses but all they require is a lot of studying, nothing more.

 

[goosestuff]

It is totally fine to major in Underwater Basket Weaving, Painting or Guitar as long as you have the ability (the talent) to comprehend and apply knowledge learned about the sciences.

I love how my major was likened to underwater basketweaving. Thanks, Navy! 😆

 

[issa]

I do have to disagree with the highlighted ortion above. Although it is not necessary to have a degree / major in a science field, you must have a certain aptitude for the sciences. Otherwise, you will not make it through d-school. Actually, if you didn't have a knack for sciences, you probably wouldn't get nto d-school because of low gades and a low DAT scores. It is totally fine to major in Underwater Basket Weaving, Painting or Guitar as long as you have the ability (the talent) to comprehend and apply knowledge learned about the sciences.

My recommendation - you need to start taking a few science classes now and see if you can do well in them. Not trying to scare you away from dentistry, but if you find out you cannot handle a few classes now, you might want to reconsider your choice of professions. The science classes will only get more intense and more of them in dental school. I wish you well in your journey ahead.

thats right. imagine taking 10 600 level science courses a semester in dental school if you can't handle 3 100 level science courses.

 

[xdianaax]

Makes me almost want to kick myself for choosing bio when I could have done something more fun, oh well!

 

[phraud]

Your classmate is a douche. Please tell him I said so. On second thought, don't tell him...just don't talk to him at all.

Hahahaha!

 

[issa]

Makes me almost want to kick myself for choosing bio when I could have done something more fun, oh well!

wait until you get into a dental school and you will see how many courses will be review.

 

[firecracked]

My recommendation - you need to start taking a few science classes now and see if you can do well in them. Not trying to scare you away from dentistry, but if you find out you cannot handle a few classes now, you might want to reconsider your choice of professions. The science classes will only get more intense and more of them in dental school. I wish you well in your journey ahead.

Of course you need some talent at science for dental school, but I'm assuming that if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be able to get the grades and scores (while also volunteering/shadowing/etc) to even get in dental school anyways. If they didn't think I could handle it, I probably wouldn't even be accepted.

Thanks for your reply, though. I will be taking science classes starting next semester, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[burgler09]

anything can be learned with enough thought, time and effort. People who are "bad at math" are setting themselves up by failure by setting up a mental block. Just like people who are bad at science. I have actually sat down with people who have a D in math because they think they are horrible in it. I go over the chapter with them for a couple hours and they end up getting A's on the test. Tell yourself you are good, put the effort in and you will do good.