Question Majoring In Biology

[CM45]

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I am still a freshman, but I have a couple of quick questions. First of all I like science, but I have heard that most people who graduate with a natural science degree end up teaching and that is not something I am interested in, so is this totally true or are there other career options for those who choose to major in biology? If that is the case I will probably choose another major. I am not totally sure, but maybe Psychology or Engineering.

So, would this delay my graduation by year because the classes might not mesh with the Pre-Dental courses?

Also would it have any affect on me getting into a dental school?

Last question, if I don't get accepted into a dental school the first time I apply how long before I should apply again, or should I get a masters degree first before I reapply for the second time?

Thank you for any help.

 

[sfrice80]

Okay let me try to tackle this piece by piece.....

First of all, yes there are other things besides teaching with a BS in Biology. I just graduated this spring and am doing research at the medical college. You can specialize or concentrate on anything in biology and as long as you have research experience as an undergrad, you can do a lot of stuff. Its just more broad as to what you can do with it, when compared to engineering. I would forget about psychology if you are wanting something to do with your degree in the real world, everyone and their brother gets a degree in psychology and unless you want to get a masters in it and become a psychologist or do something in the field, I would forget it as a major, or think about double majoring.

Engineering might delay your graduating by a year but bio and psych definitely wont. A lot of engineering programs are 5 year programs unless you have an accelerated program.

If you are going to become a dentist then do what you like to do, dont start setting yourself up for failure already! If you are determined and you do well in your undergrad, youll get into ds eventually.

Your last question is very broad and it would depend on your situation. I would say 75% of the time you will re-apply the next year unless you just butchered your undergrad gpa and need to do a masters but your a freshman and if you know you want to be a dentist then just do well and dont get distracted from getting solid grades and you wont have to worry about that.

 

[sfrice80]

Basically, if you know you will be a dentist then major in what you love to do or study.

 

[wwdaffodils]

Basically, if you know you will be a dentist then major in what you love to do or study.

Definitely follow this piece of advice. Never pick your major just because you think that's what you're "supposed" to do. I have a cousin who graduated with a B.S. in Biology because she thought she wanted to pursue medicine/dentistry-- now she works at a research facility and she hates her job because she never liked biology in the first place.

Imagine yourself graduating college without pursuing dentistry-- what would you want to do? Then pick a major that has to do with that. If you do pick a non-science major though, you have to be very careful about planning your coursework though.

 

[CM45]

Okay let me try to tackle this piece by piece.....

First of all, yes there are other things besides teaching with a BS in Biology. I just graduated this spring and am doing research at the medical college. You can specialize or concentrate on anything in biology and as long as you have research experience as an undergrad, you can do a lot of stuff. Its just more broad as to what you can do with it, when compared to engineering. I would forget about psychology if you are wanting something to do with your degree in the real world, everyone and their brother gets a degree in psychology and unless you want to get a masters in it and become a psychologist or do something in the field, I would forget it as a major, or think about double majoring.

Engineering might delay your graduating by a year but bio and psych definitely wont. A lot of engineering programs are 5 year programs unless you have an accelerated program.

If you are going to become a dentist then do what you like to do, dont start setting yourself up for failure already! If you are determined and you do well in your undergrad, youll get into ds eventually.

Your last question is very broad and it would depend on your situation. I would say 75% of the time you will re-apply the next year unless you just butchered your undergrad gpa and need to do a masters but your a freshman and if you know you want to be a dentist then just do well and dont get distracted from getting solid grades and you wont have to worry about that.

Thank you for answering my questions. I know I should not be thinking about failing, but I have always been somewhat pessimistic and I just want to make sure I have a fall back. I mainly ask about the Masters degree, for I am not fully sure how it works. I hear people enter a program, but don't even finish it and still get into a Dental school.