Need Advice!

[abr]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Advice / Opinions are Greatly Appreciated!!

(Major Related... PSYC... or ...Animal Science... or ...?)


I have decided to switch my to pre-dental. I would like to go into orthodontics. I have done some shadowing and talked to some dentists and orthodontists, and I really feel like this would be an enjoyable career.

So, here is my dilemma. Currently, I am an Animal Science major. I am in my second year of undergraduate course work, but I have enough credits to classify me as a junior. If I continue with an Animal Science major, I will have to take Animal Physiology, Breeding Phys., Advanced Nutrition, Microbiology, an Ag Statistics class, and several more animal science classes...
I really have an interest in Animal Science, but these classes are not encompassed in my interests, and I do not feel I will benefit greatly from them.

Most dental schools do not require Microbiology, right? I still need to take Physics, Biochem, and Zoology, but otherwise, my requirements are close to being done.

I took a PSYC course this semester, and I have been enjoying it. I am thinking of switching my major to psychology because the classes would be more enjoyable. I do not want to seem like I am taking an easy route, but I do not see a reason to take several difficult animal science classes that do not interest me... I have no interest in feeding or repro.. At all. At the same time, I do not know if it would be worth it to start all over with a new major.

Is psychology an acceptable major? As long as I have good grades in the upper-level science classes, dental admissions committees shouldn't frown at my choice of major, right? Wouldn't it be considered diversity?

If you were in this situation, would you:
1) Stick with the Animal Science major.
2) Switch to a PSYC major, minor in Animal Science
3) Just continue with Animal Science and finish some classes (but not all reqs), but don't apply to dental school with a B.S.
4) Other (Specify)

What would you do?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SanOnofre2002]

If you were a bio major I'd say don't change, but going from animal science to something else won't be hard to justify. I think most people view Psych as an easy major, but if you get good grades on the dental prereqs that won't matter. Major in what interests you the most and gives you the best grades. You should take some of those extra bio courses too though. Anatomy, micro, etc. Several schools have added to their prereq list so it will broaden your possibilities and even if it's not a prereq, it will make you more competitive.
Also, realize that all your psych courses won't be counted toward your science GPA.

 

[samdds]

You don't have to have a science major to apply to dental school. So, just go with your heart. But it might be a good idea to talk about why you switch your major in your personal statement when you apply. As long as you have a good reason for switching, I don't see any problem.

 

[ummjoey]

why dont you major in biology? the pre-reqs will count towards your major. also the upper division biology classes will help you in dental school.

 

[abr]

Thank you for the replies!

So, here are my reasons for switching..
I am switching because originally, I was a pre-vet and animal science major. I realized that the pre-vet career was not for me, and the animal science classes were not as interesting to me as I thought they would be. I took general PSYC and really enjoyed the class, and I have always had an interest in psyc, and so I felt switching was the best option.

Would that seem reasonable / justifiable?

I got A's both semesters of gen Chem, as well as gen. Bio. I also got an A in my Trig, and an A- in my first semester of O-chem (on the second semester, now) and my cumulative GPA is 3.96 (haven't calculated my science GPA). As of now, I don't need psyc courses to boost my science GPA, and I hope to keep my science GPA on the up and up... I just don't know if it would be worth it to switch. It would be hard to fit in some of the anatomy and micro classes (not required, but like you said, beneficial) if I had to fit in all of these new psyc classes, but it would be hard to fit them in with all of my animal science classes as well. Psyc would probably be less difficult and would allow me to concentrate on my core science classes, keeping my science GPA up.. So, it seems like a logical route. I may have to stay an extra semester to fit in everything, though. I am not sure.. Would that look bad?

 

[abr]

why dont you major in biology? the pre-reqs will count towards your major. also the upper division biology classes will help you in dental school.

This would be a logical choice, but I am not a fan of our Biology program. I would prefer to major in Chemistry over Biology, as I feel that department is stronger. I would not really enjoy the Bio, which would lead me to stick with my Animal Science major over Bio if I had to choose between those two.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

A 3.96? Hmmm, I think you can switch to basket weaving and still have a good chance to get in. Just keep getting the high grades in the core science classes.

 

[abr]

A 3.96? Hmmm, I think you can switch to basket weaving and still have a good chance to get in. Just keep getting the high grades in the core science classes.

Ha. That'd be nice. But, thanks... 🙂 This semester of O-chem is fairly difficult, so I hope I can pull off a good grade... Otherwise, I should be okay!

I am going to take to an advisor today, but I would love to hear more input from everyone.

 

[ChrisM07]

I was talking to an adviser at Temple today and he said that the degree you graduate with will be the one printed on your transcript. If you change majors, who will know? Am I right?

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I was talking to an adviser at Temple today and he said that the degree you graduate with will be the one printed on your transcript. If you change majors, who will know? Am I right?

Probably depends on the school, but mine shows when you change your major on your transcript as well. For someone like the OP, it would be a bit obvious just based off the classes she's taken. I think changing your major though is a non-issue unless you're changing it away from biology, or away from some science discipline to a non-science discipline.