Spanish major - Good Idea???

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I'm a freshman in college thinking about doing a Spanish major while fulfilling all of my pre-reqs. I previously was leaning towards a Bio major and Spanish minor, but I want to be a more rounded person. So here are the PROS of being a Spanish major:

- take breaks from science through Spanish literature and culture
- become fluent in Spanish - trilingual (English, Spanish, Korean)
- have chances to study abroad
- attract more patients when I become a dentist
- do summer dental internships/missions as a translator

However, a friend advised that a Spanish major may look weak to dental schools. They may see it as unfocused, off the mark, or they may think that I consider dentistry a "side" thing to Spanish (which would not be the case if I major in a science).

I would take all of the pre-reqs AND also take some additional classes: genetics, anatomy, physiology, and maybe immunology. If I do all that, would a Spanish major still look undesirable to dental schools?
More generally, is it a good or bad idea to major in Spanish?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

if majoring in spanish is what your heart desires, do it.

make sure you knock out all of your science pre reqs, and also take a decent number of upper level courses. you may find yourself in a position where you'll only need like 3 more courses for a double major after taking so many science courses.....so i would say double major.

 

[TikiTorchUSA]

I'm a freshman in college thinking about doing a Spanish major while fulfilling all of my pre-reqs. I previously was leaning towards a Bio major and Spanish minor, but I want to be a more rounded person. So here are the PROS of being a Spanish major:

- take breaks from science through Spanish literature and culture
- become fluent in Spanish - trilingual (English, Spanish, Korean)
- have chances to study abroad
- attract more patients when I become a dentist
- do summer dental internships/missions as a translator

However, a friend advised that a Spanish major may look weak to dental schools. They may see it as unfocused, off the mark, or they may think that I consider dentistry a "side" thing to Spanish (which would not be the case if I major in a science).

I would take all of the pre-reqs AND also take some additional classes: genetics, anatomy, physiology, and maybe immunology. If I do all that, would a Spanish major still look undesirable to dental schools?
More generally, is it a good or bad idea to major in Spanish?

Spanish as a major will be a neutral factor in the admission process. As long as your overall GPA is strong, you take a lot of bio courses and you do well on the DAT, then you should be able to gain admission. Dental schools don't accept more bio or chem majors, but majority of pre-dental students are often pre-meds students as well so the distribution looks as if there are more bio or chem majors. As long as your science load is strong you will be fine. Some Bio useful classes to take would be A&P, Microbiology, Biochem and as long as you have all the other basics down (bio 1 and 2, gen chem 1 and 2, orgo 1 and 2 and physics 1 and 2) then you should be good to go.

 

[cdbebeau]

However, a friend advised that a Spanish major may look weak to dental schools. They may see it as unfocused, off the mark, or they may think that I consider dentistry a "side" thing to Spanish (which would not be the case if I major in a science).

Your friends' an idiot. As long as you don't do basket weaving for a major, I wouldn't worry about it. I know a Russian Lit major who went to columbia dental

 

[MaceG1]

Do the Spanish Major. Not to say that there is an inherent advantage, but as long as you do well in your required courses (sciences courses in particular), I guarantee you'll stand out from the rest of the pack. Plus you'll be able to write about this in your personal statement, discuss this in an interview and speak about limited access to dental care in Hispanic communities.

 

[y3nd0]

Dental schools don't care about your major. Well, not to say they don't care, but it doesn't matter. If majoring in Spanish is truly what you want to do, then by all means, do it. Don't major in something if it's only for dental school.

As long as you complete your pre-reqs with good marks, it really doesn't matter what major you're in. Yes, dental schools like diversity, but majoring in Spanish will not make or break your application.

(그래서 마음대로 하세요. (so just do what you want) 화이팅!)

 

[2012IHOPE]

Great idea!!! In New Mexico they are dying for bilingual dentists...I'm sure it is the case other places too. You may just have to live in certain parts of the country to practice and be able to utilize your espanol.

 

[txlotusboys37]

When is learning a second language ever a bad idea?

I don't know where you are applying to Dschool but I'm going to UTHSCSA (a lot of speaking people here) and I'm sure If I had been a spanish major, and/or fluent in spanish, that it would be a +1 on an application. It doesn't really matter which major you do for undergrad as long as you do well in pre-reqs and the DAT.

 

[Sunspear]

I was in a very similar situation my first year or two of college, not sure if I should have done a double major in Spanish and Bio, or just Bio major with Spanish minor (and, in my case, a Music minor also, lol). I ended up double-minoring in Spanish and Music, because there was just no way I was going to be able to graduate in 4 years with two majors and a minor. Take some time to plan out the rest of your semesters using your degree checklist, and see if it's feasible. Good luck!

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=813958

 

[Sublimazing]

I was in a very similar situation my first year or two of college, not sure if I should have done a double major in Spanish and Bio, or just Bio major with Spanish minor (and, in my case, a Music minor also, lol). I ended up double-minoring in Spanish and Music, because there was just no way I was going to be able to graduate in 4 years with two majors and a minor. Take some time to plan out the rest of your semesters using your degree checklist, and see if it's feasible. Good luck!

I don't know how your "major" and "minor" curriculae work at your school...but I would imagine that the pre-reqs would have you pretty close to a Bio major...why not just go ahead and finish it?

Speaking spanish is a great asset both on a resume and in practice...and I think you'll be different than the other candidates by having a formalized degree in it...but like others have said, it's your numbers that will get you taken seriously

At my dental school non-science majors were looked down upon by the administration because they were "a gamble" (quote from the assistant dean). I can't remember the actual number but 90+% all had the same major in my class...and there's a reason they selected them...because they know MCB majors with a minimum GPA of x and a DAT of x do well as dental students and are predictable.

There are a ton of dentists and dental students who have non-science majors...but the vast majority are biology and some sort of chem...

So...I think the safest advice is Major in Biology...and either double in Spanish...minor in Spanish...or keep it a hobby.

 

[TikiTorchUSA]

I don't know how your "major" and "minor" curriculae work at your school...but I would imagine that the pre-reqs would have you pretty close to a Bio major...why not just go ahead and finish it?

Speaking spanish is a great asset both on a resume and in practice...and I think you'll be different than the other candidates by having a formalized degree in it...but like others have said, it's your numbers that will get you taken seriously

At my dental school non-science majors were looked down upon by the administration because they were "a gamble" (quote from the assistant dean). I can't remember the actual number but 90+% all had the same major in my class...and there's a reason they selected them...because they know MCB majors with a minimum GPA of x and a DAT of x do well as dental students and are predictable.

There are a ton of dentists and dental students who have non-science majors...but the vast majority are biology and some sort of chem...

So...I think the safest advice is Major in Biology...and either double in Spanish...minor in Spanish...or keep it a hobby.

So taking science prereqs, doing well on the DAT and having a high oGPA and sGPA leads schools to think someone is a "gamble" 😕 No offense but I wouldn't want to go to a school like that anyway LOL This isnt an issue for majority of the dental schools, so OP is safe to major in anything he likes as long as the GPA's and DAT scores are up to par.

 

[Sublimazing]

So taking science prereqs, doing well on the DAT and having a high oGPA and sGPA leads schools to think someone is a "gamble" 😕 No offense but I wouldn't want to go to a school like that anyway LOL This isnt an issue for majority of the dental schools, so OP is safe to major in anything he likes as long as the GPA's and DAT scores are up to par.

Two applicants with the same GPAs and DAT one is a molecular and cellular bio major and the other is non-science major, I would conjecture many adcoms go with the science major

how many people in your dental class had majors other than bio or chem? i'm going to guess not a lot. There's a reason for that...and the adcoms can have a better chance of predicting your success

Not to mention two applicants with the same sGPA and one only took the pre-reqs while the other went into the 4th year upper echelon classes is a more impressive academic applicant to me

Spanish is a great asset, like i said...but someone who took physiology 516 and got a B or above is someone that is going to certainly pass boards and most likely not going to drop out at the end of 2nd semester D1 year when they have 21 final exams and 12 of them are sciences...there are always going to be those cooky interviewers who see someone with a criminal record and thinks it gives them character, or the person with a poor GPA and DAT but is a non-traditional grad with an RN degree that will give them "perspective"...but MOST matriculants are science majors with almost the same background, GPA, and DAT...it's safer to play the numbers

 

[TikiTorchUSA]

Two applicants with the same GPAs and DAT one is a molecular and cellular bio major and the other is non-science major, I would conjecture many adcoms go with the science major

how many people in your dental class had majors other than bio or chem? i'm going to guess not a lot. There's a reason for that...and the adcoms can have a better chance of predicting your success

Not to mention two applicants with the same sGPA and one only took the pre-reqs while the other went into the 4th year upper echelon classes is a more impressive academic applicant to me

Spanish is a great asset, like i said...but someone who took physiology 516 and got a B or above is someone that is going to certainly pass boards and most likely not going to drop out at the end of 2nd semester D1 year when they have 21 final exams and 12 of them are sciences...there are always going to be those cooky interviewers who see someone with a criminal record and thinks it gives them character, or the person with a poor GPA and DAT but is a non-traditional grad with an RN degree that will give them "perspective"...but MOST matriculants are science majors with almost the same background, GPA, and DAT...it's safer to play the numbers

Umm that's an incorrect assumption...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=701115&highlight=admission+by+major

Majority of students tend to go vio the bio or chem route, but that does not provide an inherent benefit; its just the most common route.

 

[Sublimazing]

Umm that's an incorrect assumption...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=701115&highlight=admission+by+major

Majority of students tend to go vio the bio or chem route, but that does not provide an inherent benefit; its just the most common route.

Very cool information. I'd love to see how non-science majors do in dental school in terms of graduation, GPA and board scores...if you have a link for that please post!

Also...whether the assumptions I presented were incorrect or not, I was merely trying to justify why this particular adcom was accepting people the way he did.

And according to doc toothache, if I'm reading it correctly, he thinks that it's more important that you have upper level sciences when compared to the others in your major...meaning you want to take those higher level science classes no matter what...so it seems like youd be giving yourself a lot more trouble devoting the majority of your credit hours to Spanish while trying to take as many upper level sciences as possible to outdo the other language majors

Also, if I remember another chart I saw avg GPA and DAT scores for acceptees peaked in 2008-2009, and when I'm looking at the data it looks like Biology, Chemistry, and Math/CS topped Language/Humanities that year in the number of applicants who were accepted. And those are still numbers that I would play.

Idk...I don't think my advice would change

 

[TikiTorchUSA]

Very cool information. I'd love to see how non-science majors do in dental school in terms of graduation, GPA and board scores...if you have a link for that please post!

Also...whether the assumptions I presented were incorrect or not, I was merely trying to justify why this particular adcom was accepting people the way he did.

And according to doc toothache, if I'm reading it correctly, he thinks that it's more important that you have upper level sciences when compared to the others in your major...meaning you want to take those higher level science classes no matter what...so it seems like youd be giving yourself a lot more trouble devoting the majority of your credit hours to Spanish while trying to take as many upper level sciences as possible to outdo the other language majors

Also, if I remember another chart I saw avg GPA and DAT scores for acceptees peaked in 2008-2009, and when I'm looking at the data it looks like Biology, Chemistry, and Math/CS topped Language/Humanities that year in the number of applicants who were accepted. And those are still numbers that I would play.

Idk...I don't think my advice would change

I think its just a fact that majority of pre-dental/pre-med students take the traditional bio/chem route, I believe doc's data is enough to prove that it doesn't matter what major you can pick. Also most students take upper level bio courses like Biochemistry, Microbiology and Anatomy & Physio because a lot more schools are strarting to require those classes. If you can pull off a high sGPA with upper level bios and major in Spanish and get a 20 or above on the DAT, I see absolutely no reason why you would be passed over against a student who majored in Bio. Just like a lot of pre-med students take Psychology as a route and then take the necessary bio courses and still get into med school, I doubt they're at a huge disadvantage. But at this point we're just chatting about opinion, so we can agree to disagree if you like.

 

[Sublimazing]

I think its just a fact that majority of pre-dental/pre-med students take the traditional bio/chem route, I believe doc's data is enough to prove that it doesn't matter what major you can pick. Also most students take upper level bio courses like Biochemistry, Microbiology and Anatomy & Physio because a lot more schools are strarting to require those classes. If you can pull off a high sGPA with upper level bios and major in Spanish and get a 20 or above on the DAT, I see absolutely no reason why you would be passed over against a student who majored in Bio. Just like a lot of pre-med students take Psychology as a route and then take the necessary bio courses and still get into med school, I doubt they're at a huge disadvantage. But at this point we're just chatting about opinion, so we can agree to disagree if you like.

Sounds good. And honestly, re reading the OPs post I actually agree with you...seems like a Spanish major is important enough for him to deal w any of the negatives that may or not bring. I guess it's just difficult for me to put myself in his shoes as I didn't feel that way about any of my non science classes that I was willing to make UG harder for myself.

I did eat a lot of burritos at 2:30am tho 😀

 

[Dgeorg6]

Do I think being a Spanish major will hurt your chances to get in Dental school? No.

Do I think it will prepare you for Dental school as well as a science degree such as a biology degree? Hells no..

If you want to be a Spanish major, go for it man. I think being a biology major is smarter because it prepares you for dental school. Yes, we both take the same pre-reqs but a biology major can go out and take higher level physiologys or a histology or some zoologys or who knows.. Just many many more higher level sciences that will help you once you get in dental school. I have had 1 MD and 1 Dentist both tell me that all the guys they knew in their class who werent science majors struggled much more in their 1st year because they weren't used to the material. In the words of the dentist I talked to "while we were out playing golf, they were stuck in class trying to figure out what we learned 2 years earlier".

 

[TikiTorchUSA]

Do I think being a Spanish major will hurt your chances to get in Dental school? No.

Do I think it will prepare you for Dental school as well as a science degree such as a biology degree? Hells no..

If you want to be a Spanish major, go for it man. I think being a biology major is smarter because it prepares you for dental school. Yes, we both take the same pre-reqs but a biology major can go out and take higher level physiologys or a histology or some zoologys or who knows.. Just many many more higher level sciences that will help you once you get in dental school. I have had 1 MD and 1 Dentist both tell me that all the guys they knew in their class who werent science majors struggled much more in their 1st year because they weren't used to the material. In the words of the dentist I talked to "while we were out playing golf, they were stuck in class trying to figure out what we learned 2 years earlier".

I found a link to the 2012 ADEA Guide and it shows an interesting table with Ugrad majors. Here is the pdf file: http://www.adea.org/publications/Documents/2012 ADEA Official Guide/OG2012_Chapter 2_pp13-25.pdf

The table on pg 15 shows that while Bio and Chem/Phys Sci majors make up 69% of all applicants, they comprise only 71% of first time enrollees. But if you look at all other majors like Business, Education, etc the percentages between the total applicants column and the first time enrollee column are pretty similar. i.e. 4.5% of business majors apply to dental school and 4.1% get accepted and enroll. Plus the following statement is published on the same page "ADEA encourages dental schools to accept students from all walks of life who, on the basis of past and predicted performance, appear qualified to become competent dental professionals." I can only assume that the ADEA knows who is qualified to succeed in dental school and who will struggle and fail out. Therefore, I think if you can get into dental school with a few less bio courses that does not mean you will be a worse student or will be in worse shape. Furthermore, taking a few extra courses will not prepare you for dental school in a way that would even make you stand out. Besides the usual upper level bio courses, most bio majors take classes like cell bio, prokaryotic development and zoology. Unfortunately, those classes aren't covered in dental school. I will agree with you that students who haven't taken courses higher than Bio 1 and 2 might have issues, but anyone who took Biochemistry, Microbiology and two semesters of Anat & Physio should be more than competent enough to survive and thrive in dental school. And my last note is that I personally received admission into dental school as a non-bio major and my interviewers did not make me feel that I was less ready for dental student due to a different background. I know you haven't even completed ugrad yet so this may be strange to you, but you can take it from me as someone that's actually been admitted to dental school.

 

[UCLAzy]

sorry but you completely missed the point of the post you quoted.

 

[dentalprodigy]

If U like Spanish then do it. I know a Latin major that got in so your major had nothing to do with it as long as you do well in it & the prerequisites

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[Sunspear]

I don't know how your "major" and "minor" curriculae work at your school...but I would imagine that the pre-reqs would have you pretty close to a Bio major...why not just go ahead and finish it?

Speaking spanish is a great asset both on a resume and in practice...and I think you'll be different than the other candidates by having a formalized degree in it...but like others have said, it's your numbers that will get you taken seriously

At my dental school non-science majors were looked down upon by the administration because they were "a gamble" (quote from the assistant dean). I can't remember the actual number but 90+% all had the same major in my class...and there's a reason they selected them...because they know MCB majors with a minimum GPA of x and a DAT of x do well as dental students and are predictable.

There are a ton of dentists and dental students who have non-science majors...but the vast majority are biology and some sort of chem...

So...I think the safest advice is Major in Biology...and either double in Spanish...minor in Spanish...or keep it a hobby.

Sorry if I wasn't clear-- I DID end up majoring in Biology, and double-minored in Spanish in Music.

 

[TeethAreGreat]

I majored in Spanish and Biochemistry, and I mentioned my Spanish in my interview and everything. I think a language is always a good idea 🙂 Go for it!

 

[UltimateHombre]

Here is my opinion... the 2 main things that you should base your major decision on is:

1.What interests you the most
2. Whatever you can get the highest GPA in

I will also say, that if you choose a non-science major, you should also take some upper division bios. This is not an easy task and may even set you back a year or so. Most often times the dental pre-reqs and upper div bios will not correlate into your major electives. I speak from person experience on this.

The statistics suggest that you will be at no significant disadvantage with a spanish major. Some will argue that you will not be as "prepared" and although i would agree, i don't think it will be a disadvantage. You know the kind of student you are and if you have strong study skills, you will do just fine.

Either way, the DAT is the master equalizer for applicants. So you know if you get a 21+ you will have no problem hanging with the science majors... because you can study and retain information like a champ.

 

[Babyblue57]

I'm a freshman in college thinking about doing a Spanish major while fulfilling all of my pre-reqs. I previously was leaning towards a Bio major and Spanish minor, but I want to be a more rounded person. So here are the PROS of being a Spanish major:

- take breaks from science through Spanish literature and culture
- become fluent in Spanish - trilingual (English, Spanish, Korean)
- have chances to study abroad
- attract more patients when I become a dentist
- do summer dental internships/missions as a translator

However, a friend advised that a Spanish major may look weak to dental schools. They may see it as unfocused, off the mark, or they may think that I consider dentistry a "side" thing to Spanish (which would not be the case if I major in a science).

I would take all of the pre-reqs AND also take some additional classes: genetics, anatomy, physiology, and maybe immunology. If I do all that, would a Spanish major still look undesirable to dental schools?
More generally, is it a good or bad idea to major in Spanish?

I was in a similar boat as you. Even though I was only a few classes away from a science major, b/c I did a number of upper-div classes, I didn't do it. It helped me focus on the science classes I needed, and provided a balanced and energizing undergrad experience. I did a dental internship as well was studied Spanish in Mexico and then interned and researched in Bolivia and Colombia. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Now, you'll catch me in dental school this coming Fall. I did it, you can too.

 

[MrGoOrange]

As long as you are not Spanish lol I know a lot of Spanish majors that either were born in a Spanish speaking country or have lived in one at one time. In that case, a Spanish major would be the easy way out.

 

[doc toothache]

As long as you are not Spanish lol I know a lot of Spanish majors that either were born in a Spanish speaking country or have lived in one at one time. In that case, a Spanish major would be the easy way out.

You mean unlike a native majoring in English.