Strange Case - Korean major

[delyuje]

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Hi, I'm a 3rd year undergrad in a strange position.. Kind of awkward to try and explain really.. I just wanted to know what kind of chances I have and what I need to do at this point..

I'm in pretty bad shape, to be honest.. and pretty damn scared..

Firstly, I'm a Korean Major at UCLA. Bizarre for a Pre-dent, I know.. (I decided that I want to go Pre-Dent late, and am sure of it at this point, but it just took me awhile.. and I've reached the point of no return for my major - I don't regret it though.. serves as a GPA fluffer and tons of fun)

Secondly, my GPA is not doing so hot.. As of right now, it is a pathetic 3.05 science, and 3.37 overall. If I get straight A's from now on until graduation (unlikely), I could potentially dish out a 3.48 science (unlikely, I say..)

Thirdly, I plan on taking the DAT this upcoming summer, and applying the year after I graduate (2010-2011).

I have basically no extra curriculars that reflect interest in the field, but yes, I am sure this is what I want to do. I will get involved in a structured Dental Volunteering Program soon, but that would be all I had for a while until I started shadowing..

and Lastly, I need all the counseling I can get..

Where do you think I'd be best off applying? Does my Korean major make me look well-rounded or confused/out of place? Do you think my timeline even makes sense? How do I need to score on the DATs to compensate?

As a side note, I'd piss my pants if I got into UCLA or UOP..

Thanks for reading.. Anything would help, really.. I feel.. lost.. and cold.. and korean..

 

[ashlander]

Are you a Korean?

 

[delyuje]

yes, yes I am.. quite..

...seems only appropriate to ask.. are you?

 

[choiorg]

yes, yes I am.. quite..

...seems only appropriate to ask.. are you?

hi
from what I understand, I don't believe that a non-science will be negative effect for you in any other way.

but a dean once told me that a non-science major needs to make sure to be taking all their electives in science.

thats what i know.

korean major must be fun.

i wish i can be a korean major.

gluck!

andrew choi

 

[ashlander]

yes i am too.
living in LA must be fun 🙂
what science courses have to taken so far?
i think you need upper div sciences as well as the regular requirement these days.
don't be scared. just make a realistic plans for the next couple years and stick to it and you will be fine.

 

[tinman831]

I have basically no extra curriculars that reflect interest in the field, but yes, I am sure this is what I want to do. I will get involved in a structured Dental Volunteering Program soon, but that would be all I had for a while until I started shadowing..

So you have no extracurriculars or shadowing experience, yet you say you are sure that's what you want to do?

 

[sdooner30]

You should make sure to take all the prerequistes if you haven't already. And also try to take some upper level science courses like physio, biochem, microbiology... and do well in them to boost your sci gpa up. AND as of your GPA now, I would recommend a striving for a DAT score of 20+. And like above, go shadow a dentist to further confirm that is something you want to do for the rest of your life. good luck

 

[eight sat up]

I like your avatar 😉

 

[realcavity]

why would you major in Korean when u already speak it? Anyway.. why don't u do a second-bacc at Cal State and major in science by taking upper division bio?
Korean major with a GPA of yours.. and Korean.. hmm.. Good luck

 

[xtractime]

why would you major in Korean when u already speak it? Anyway.. why don't u do a second-bacc at Cal State and major in science by taking upper division bio?
Korean major with a GPA of yours.. and Korean.. hmm.. Good luck

well just because he is korean doesn't mean he speaks korean well/fluently/or even at all. however i will have to agree with your last sentence.

if the above poster had this impression, as did i, i'm sure many others feel the same way. i view a korean, being a korean major in college as trying to take the easy route through undergrad. but all in all, the non-science major should not hurt you. it hasn't hurt my other friends and others who have gotten in as business or art majors. well you want to know your chances....as an asian from cali, you better be getting all A's to raise your science GPA to that 3.4 that you anticipate even if u say its "unlikely". there is no other real choice. if you keep getting 3.05 avg's, you're gonna have a tough time getting in. don't let the occasional 3.00 sci GPA asian fool you that everyone gets in with those grades and no extracirriculars. with your background, major, etc...you better strive to go above and beyond as much as possible. goodluck dude! 👍

 

[peterngu]

You should see how you do first on your science classes first before thinking about applying. If you can't hammer out some A's out of undergrad classes, it'll be impossible to convince anyone you're ready for dental school. Like the poster above said, don't let 3.00 GPAs that get in fool you. My GPA involved averaging near 3.7 in all upper-div and graduate level science classes for an extra two years after my undergrad at UCLA.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

I could be American or English (British) and earn a 3.0 in an English major so you can't really diss the korean poster for his low gpa in a korean major.

You really should do some volunteering and shadowing in the dental field before you decide whether or not you want to go into dental school. I can't really see how your major will affect your chances or make you a more well-rounded person. It ultimately depends on your GPA and your coursework in sciences because all adcoms want to see is if you can hang in dental school and pass board tests (by scoring well on your DAT).

With your current GPA, you can get into UOP if you get a 24 AA on your DAT. Armorshell did it as well as a lot of others.

 

[delyuje]

I could be American or English (British) and earn a 3.0 in an English major so you can't really diss the korean poster for his low gpa in a korean major.

Thanks guys for your feedback!! For the record, I've never gotten below an A in a Korean course. I just haven't taken the bulk of them yet. I've been taking all my GEs (just one left now) and all my pre-reqs. If I get straight A's in all of my classes (including sciencses, however unlikely it may be), then my overall GPA would be a 3.62, and my science would be a 3.48, excluding the additional upper divs I plan on squeezing in.

And to realcavity, the Korean major revolves around literature and cultural dynamics, not solely the language. Korean majors are hard to come across in UCLA, and I've met most of them. Every single one was Korean. Surprise!

And you guys have helped me decide that I will indeed try to squeeze in as MANY upper divs as possible to raise my science gpa.

And realcavity,you might have hit the jackpot in telling me to take them at Cal States instead of here. Thank you for that.

Thanks everyone!! and I will definitely get my arse to go shadow a dentist, and go above and beyond for the DATs.

Cheers

p.s. I am female... it was strange to hear me talked about as a dude... just wanted to clear that up.. dudes..

 

[ashlander]

I think Dschools look for biochem, microbio, genetics, anatomy, physiology, immunology, histology and etc..for upper science courses.
So just plan to take several of those courses (plus I think they will better prepare you for DAT)

 

[eight sat up]

But I would take them at a Cal-State or a CC rather than UCLA. You can save loads of cash, have smaller classes, and be more likely to pull A's.