Which would be better?

[sxytoothfairy]

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Would it be the better decision to get a B.S. in Biology then a 2nd B.S. in Dental Hygiene... or to get a B.S. in Biology and a M.B.A.?

Better decision as far as getting accepted into D-School. I need the g.p.a. boost and need to make up for some major setbacks in my academic history.

Anyone have any thoughts? I know both could be helpful as either a dentist or to survive dental school... but which would help me ACTUALLY get accepted?

 

[SugarNaCl]

Would it be the better decision to get a B.S. in Biology then a 2nd B.S. in Dental Hygiene... or to get a B.S. in Biology and a M.B.A.?

Better decision as far as getting accepted into D-School. I need the g.p.a. boost and need to make up for some major setbacks in my academic history.

Anyone have any thoughts? I know both could be helpful as either a dentist or to survive dental school... but which would help me ACTUALLY get accepted?

Oh, I don't know about the dental hygiene route. It will give you experience but it is sort of mixing professions. If you need to raise your science GPA, I would actually get an MS or do a post bacc in a traditional science (bio, chem, biochem etc). If you don't have to raise the science GPA, I would do the MBA route and try to observe or get an asst job in a dental office. If that fails, then do hygiene. This is just my opinion.
Hard sci MS > MBA > Dental Hygiene

 

[sxytoothfairy]

My sci gpa is fine... it's overall that I'm worried about.

 

[901preDent]

if your science gpa is good then i dont think they care much about overall gpa.. well i mean they do but they really just wanna know you can do the work. I say go the hygeine route and learn all you can. then you will def. have something to talk about and you will def. see if you truly wanna be a dentist!
p.s. why hygeine n e way if you wanna be a dentist?? go for it now! theres no time better than the present!
just my 2 cents.

 

[sxytoothfairy]

I already know I def. want to be a dentist. I've spent many many many hours in the dentist office. It's just a matter of getting IN that I'm stressing out about.

 

[diane07]

Often schools will state on their websites that they prefer applicants who take xyz upper level division sciences. They want to make sure you can handle the rigorous academics of dental school. So whatever you choose, make sure to include some upper level division sciences!

 

[Mackchops]

I think the advice to do an MBA is bad advice. Here's why. If you're trying to boost your overall UNDERGRAD gpa you need to take undergrad courses. A 2nd bachelors would allow you to do that and those grades would be factored into one big undergrad gpa by aadsas. The mba, however, is graduate level and will not affect your undergrad gpa at all. In fact, I've actually heard that some schools look down on random masters (such as an mba) because it doesn't reflect your desire to go into dentistry. Do the 2nd bachelors.

 

[CTDent]

Would it be the better decision to get a B.S. in Biology then a 2nd B.S. in Dental Hygiene... or to get a B.S. in Biology and a M.B.A.?

Better decision as far as getting accepted into D-School. I need the g.p.a. boost and need to make up for some major setbacks in my academic history.

Anyone have any thoughts? I know both could be helpful as either a dentist or to survive dental school... but which would help me ACTUALLY get accepted?

If you'd rather take non-science classes to boost your overall gpa then you may want to look at an MPH rather than an MBA. It will help you apps to the dental schools that are big into public health: ASDOH, UNLV, Creighton, etc...

However, the SMP's like BU MAMS will still boost your overall gpa (even though it will be strictly science coursework). But more importantly, many allow you to take classes with the dental students (i.e. physiology, biochem, etc). So like you were saying, this will help you tremendously when trying to survive D1 year. I'll be attending the BU MAMS this year, so pm me after Aug. if you have any specific questions. Hope this helps.

 

[marscole]

go to major what you like you major and study what you have interest at. there's no shortcut to dental school...

search the schools that you want to go to, meet their requirements, observing, volunteering, and serving...

good luck in your future goal!!!👍

 

[Smile726]

If you really want to go to dental school then concentrate on making sure your DAT scores are amazing because that will help tons! If your science classes are high but not your other classes then I would maybe explain that in your application (personal essay?) and do more volunteer work or situations to make your application stand out or even some upper level science classes because they care more about science classes which will help boost your overall gpa still. Hope that helps and good luck

 

[SugarNaCl]

I think the advice to do an MBA is bad advice. Here's why. If you're trying to boost your overall UNDERGRAD gpa you need to take undergrad courses. A 2nd bachelors would allow you to do that and those grades would be factored into one big undergrad gpa by aadsas. The mba, however, is graduate level and will not affect your undergrad gpa at all. In fact, I've actually heard that some schools look down on random masters (such as an mba) because it doesn't reflect your desire to go into dentistry. Do the 2nd bachelors.

I'm not sure I agree just for this reason. I didn't apply to dental school before my masters program but I did after and I was told that though the GPAs were listed separately, it looked good to get a very high graduate GPA. That is what the school I am attending told me at least.
While I think a science route is better, an MBA would show variation from the typical applicant. It could work for or against you. Probably all depends on the school so I don't think the answer is ever so clear cut.

You do well in any and you will increase your chance for an acceptance.