How detrimental would it be to go to dental school without a degree that is a science?

I'm thinking about eventually going to dental or law school. If I graduate with a double major in political science and english (which is what I'm pursuing now) would dental school really be that much harder than if I had graduated with a degree in something like biology?





This is on the web page of the dental school I'm interested in:


"No particular major field of study in college is required for admission to dental school. A well-rounded educational background with courses in a variety of subjects is desired. Individuals have been accepted to dental school who majored in French, engineering, marketing, etc. Majoring in a science, however, will make an applicant more attractive to the Admissions Committee. The majority of successful applicants to LSUSD have degrees in biology, zoology, microbiology or chemistry."

How detrimental would it be to go to dental school without a degree that is a science?
I think that having a strong science background will be helpful not only to the admissions committee, but also to you, since there is a significant amount of science needed during and after dental school. If you struggle in those areas, you will just need to work that much harder. Although, I also agree that it may not make a difference. Good grades and a good mind will go much farther than the type of degree you get.





It's best to major in something you are truly interested in. That way, if for some reason things don't work out in Dental or Law, you have something to fall back on. Plus, it is good to have a well-rounded education. This can be useful in your practice and in life. For example, I wish that I had had more business training before dental school. I received none during dental school or the orthodontic residency.





Talk to the admissions staff at the schools you are planning on applying to. Also, if you could get in touch with current dentists who trained there, and maybe current dental students, you can get an idea about the profession and maybe pick up some guidance on the application process as well as your major.





For what it's worth, I majored in Microbiology in undergrad.





Good luck!
Reply:Many dental schools like having people with a variety of majors as long as you have your science basics. (In my class we had a religion major!) Anyhow, a bunch of science nerds get boring for faculty and have a hard time relating to real people. Take some art classes while you're at it. Dentistry is sculpture, after all.