Non-science major: How to efficiently do the pre-req courses?

[Skyrising]

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Background:
I want to become a dentist, but I'm shying away from the usual Biology major for a couple reasons. It's a tough major and I'm scared I won't be able to attain a 3.5+ gpa. I was a very weak student in high school (2.5 gpa) due to laziness and apathy. I spent the last 3 years at a community college, taking a bit of everything. Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Government, Biology (A+), College Algebra (A+), etc. I've worked hard since high school and I've been on the dean's list every semester in community college; currently have a 3.8 gpa. However, my lackluster academic experience in high school has left me unsure of my academic ability, if I were to go for a Biology major.

Question:
I'm planning on transferring to a 4 year university soon and I don't know what I should major in. A Biology major would be the most convenient/efficient but I've always had an interest in History and English. If I were to major in English or History, how would I go about completing the pre-reqs for dental school? I looked at my school's recommended course schedule for English/History and it doesn't look like there's anywhere I can squeeze in the pre-reqs. Would I have to get my bachelor's degree and then spend more years afterwards to do the pre-reqs? I've already spent 3 years in community college so the idea of having to spend even more time than necessary stresses me out, because I already feel like I'm behind. Any feedback from dental students and dentists, especially those who were non-science majors would be greatly appreciated, how did you go about it?

Side note:
How difficult is a Biology major? Would hard work/studying allow me to get a 3.5+ gpa even if I don't have a natural knack for the material? My single biggest regret is that I did not take my education seriously in high school, it has negatively affected my attitude of my own academic ability ever since.

 

[gsquared]

I'm not sure on the specifics of your program, but here is a thought for you: major in something that you are passionate and enjoy. For me, this was biology. I did a fair amount of research and always took a bio/chem class when I had an open slot in my schedule. For you, this might be science, but it could just as easily be printmaking or theatre arts. Get your prereqs (minimal) and then do something that you can speak about with passion.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Seriously, major in whatever you find interest in, not something purely out of efficiency like biology, unless you really are passionate about the subject. I made that first mistake my freshman year. "I can hit two birds with one stone," I said. "Get the prerequisites out of the way and your major requirements done together!" I said. But the stress got to me, and I felt like I was purely memorizing facts and not truly taking the information in. I felt miserable and decided to change my major to psychology halfway through sophomore year. Being a biology major was probably the most difficult major offered at my school as it's highly competitive, only has between 30-50 students, and you have to apply for it unlike the rest of the majors. The cut-throat biology department made me have a sour feeling towards the subject, even though I loved it during AP in high school 🙁, but I digress ... Every school is different so don't believe every 4-year institution is set up like mine because it isn't. By the looks of it, seems like you're good at it and maybe it's something worth pursuing if you enjoy what you're learning 🙂 Do what you enjoy and the grades will mirror it (in some cases). You'll probably be assigned an academic adviser and a pre-health adviser as well who will help you figure out how to accomplish both major and pre-dent requirements. It's possible to accomplish both as a non-science major. And if you only have room to take the minimal prerequisites (Bio/Chem/Orgo/Physics/English), that's okay because there are a few dental schools who require just that at the very minimum. Others though require and/or recommend upper-division biology courses like biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, etc. which you also have to consider. I didn't have the chance to take those during undergrad, so I'm doing my own informal post-bacc as a result.

Don't focus on the past. High school records aren't something we can change, but old habits can. Focus on the present and think about what you can do to further reach your goals.

 

[8th]

In my personal case, I have found that the pre-reqs were the hardest science courses. I mean the teachers have little interactions with their students, the classes are 100-200 people large, and above all they are meant to weed students out of the major. Once you pass Orgo, you have practically completed the hardest part of a science major. (Bio chem and physics were a little tough too) I graduated with a Molecular Biology major, and the B/Cs I received were only in pre-req classes.

 

[alumdent]

In my personal case, I have found that the pre-reqs were the hardest science courses. I mean the teachers have little interactions with their students, the classes are 100-200 people large, and above all they are meant to weed students out of the major. Once you pass Orgo, you have practically completed the hardest part of a science major. (Bio chem and physics were a little tough too) I graduated with a Molecular Biology major, and the B/Cs I received were only in pre-req classes.

Completely agree, the pre reqs were the hardest classes. The upper level bio classes are not too bad.

 

[ajj70]

I have to agree as well, the pre-reqs are harder. The other thing is, you have to report your science GPA as a separate entry so if you only have the pre-reqs and don't do so well in those, it will mess that up and look pretty bad for your applications. I'd take some pre-reqs, see how they go, then decide on a major. Also, make sure you track your credits properly, with 3 years at a CC, you are probably well over the allowed amount of CC credits for most dental schools so you might have to take more classes at the 4 year school than you think.

 

[Skyrising]

I have to agree as well, the pre-reqs are harder. The other thing is, you have to report your science GPA as a separate entry so if you only have the pre-reqs and don't do so well in those, it will mess that up and look pretty bad for your applications. I'd take some pre-reqs, see how they go, then decide on a major. Also, make sure you track your credits properly, with 3 years at a CC, you are probably well over the allowed amount of CC credits for most dental schools so you might have to take more classes at the 4 year school than you think.

I haven't taken any of the pre-reqs at CC and I'm not planning on transferring over any credits to replace courses (I heard some Dental schools want you to take even your GenEd courses at a 4 year university). My time there was basically just me trying to figure out what I wanted to do. When I transfer over to a 4 year university, I will basically be starting over, doing all my major-required courses and the dental pre-reqs at the 4 year university. Will Dental school care about my time spent in CC on various courses, even if I plan on starting fresh at a 4 year university?

 

[ajj70]

I haven't taken any of the pre-reqs at CC and I'm not planning on transferring over any credits to replace courses (I heard some Dental schools want you to take even your GenEd courses at a 4 year university). My time there was basically just me trying to figure out what I wanted to do. When I transfer over to a 4 year university, I will basically be starting over, doing all my major-required courses and the dental pre-reqs at the 4 year university. Will Dental school care about my time spent in CC on various courses, even if I plan on starting fresh at a 4 year university?

You will have to report all of those classes on your application and your GPA will be figured with those classes. I would transfer what classes you can to your 4 year school simply to save money and not have to repeat any gen ed's the college requires. Take all of your pre-reqs at the 4 year and you won't have any worries about the few schools that won't take CC pre-reqs.

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

If you don't think you can get a 3.5 GPA and describe a biology major as "tough", what makes you think you will be able to handle dental school?

 

[dentjo]

First take all the pre-req classes because those have to be taken no matter what major you decide on. If you do well on those classes, then it could be a huge confidence booster for you to major in whatever you feel like best fits you.

 

[Skyrising]

If you don't think you can get a 3.5 GPA and describe a biology major as "tough", what makes you think you will be able to handle dental school?

This is a good point. I just meant that the Biology major is notoriously difficult and I don't want to destroy my chances of getting into dental school before I even start, and be left with a bachelor's in Biology rather than something that might be more marketable. I wouldn't know from personal experience as the only science/math I've taken since high school was College Algebra and Biology but they were at a community college so I'd assume it'd be harder at a 4 year university. Simply put, I have no idea how I will perform in a Biology major. I'm going to work my butt off of course, but I'm terrified that it simply won't matter.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I have a non-science major. It's something I'm interested in, but not enough to where I would give up my goal of being a dentist for it. Fortunately, it's a somewhat small major and I came in with some AP credits that helped out with my general education requirements. So basically, I had ample time to do the basic pre-reqs. I haven't done all the recommended science courses in the ADEA handbook, but I've taken biochemistry and have plans to take microbiology and physiology before I graduate. I'd say if it's something you enjoy, then major it in. You just have to plan out you semesters well.