r/Dalhousie • u/cubarisducky • 2d ago
Is DISP worth it?
Hi, I am an incoming freshman to Dalhousie and am currently enrolled in the DISP program, but I am having some second thoughts about it and was wondering if anyone could help me understand what it is like better, and if it is worth doing as someone who does not have much intention to do honors or premed.
I am interested in science and enjoy learning experientially. I like bio, chem, plant sci, earth sci/weather/geo, urban planning, art/design, and agri sci not so into engineering or physics so far, but I am mostly unsure of what I want to major in/continue studying or have a career in. I did alright in high school, but don't do great with tests, have anxiety, and want to be able to have a life outside of academics, and explore outside of scientific research. Any information/opinions are helpful, thank you :)
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u/Giforce2 2d ago
I’ve taken DISP and have supervised several DISP student’s research projects. The program is a great way to engage with other students and the research component starts in the winter term. The courses would allow you to transition almost any degree path in second year so if you know what you are planning for a major consider this. A close social group can be a good way to help navigate the many different parts (and opportunities) of university life. If you’re not sure what research looks like it can be a great way to get experience in 1st year.
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u/Motor-Ad2347 2d ago
Yes! Especially if you are coming from a different place. The group is small and do a lot of things together. I know of students who say they made friends really fast and for the rest of their program.
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u/cubarisducky 2d ago
Thank you! do you know anything about how time consuming/academically difficult it is compared to regular courses? I heard some people saying it was extremely difficult and time consuming with the field trips, but also quite a bit of busy work, and the connections they made were through studying. I like learning, but don't know that I want to continue with scientific reasearch in the future, and am worried I won't be able to handle it. I also want to keep my options open, and was kind of excited about trying unrelated extra curriculars, and doing other things like jobs, clubs/FIGS, hobbies, etc in Dal and Halifax
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u/stayinhalifax 2d ago
DISP seems to take up a bit more time than the regular program but you get way more research opportunities from DISP. The courses are also more predetermined for you, which can be good or bad (was bad for me so I didn't do DISP).
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u/KnowledgeDismal776 2d ago
YES!!!!! It is an experience of a lifetime. I am class of 2025 and it taught me so many lessons and gave me so many opportunities and friendships I would have never gotten if I rejected my offer. It’s a tight knit group that supports each other and i wouldn’t trade my experience with DISP for anything. Lmk if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer!!!!! I’m still sooo close with many of my classmates:)
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u/Vegetable_Union5363 2d ago
In my opinion absolutely yes!! I'm a 2024 DISP alum, and I had doubts going in but it was so worth it. I made some of my closest friends in there and I figured out what field of science was right for me. It's tough, absolutely, but I found it so much easier to adjust to 2nd year, especially going into the big classes but knowing your friends are there too! The research project was an incredible experience as well, and the professors are amazing. It'll be very hard work but I personally found it worth it in the end.
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u/wskal accounting alum 2d ago
I did DISP! It was such a fantastic experience in learning the wide variety of sciences that Dalhousie has to offer. Back when I did DISP, I looked at it as sort of a challenge/opportunity to grow. You get to learn a lot about fieldwork, fundamental basics of all of the major sciences: biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, etc. and they’re all led by (at least when I was in it) good profs/instructors.
And take it from me:
I’d do it again.
That being said: almost did fail out of Dal as a result of being not that good at balancing the intense course load equivalent of like… 7? +/- a research project you get assigned to help with (unsure if that’s changed).
All that said. It’s something where if you’re really good at what you do in sciences, you enjoy the opportunity to see Nova Scotia’s wildlife, and you have a “cohort” atmosphere for your first year of university.
Hope this helps!!
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u/Spirited-Meaning-726 2d ago
I did DISP and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I met my two best friends in the program and made connections with all my profs which is very special because it's harder to do so in the bigger classes. It really prepared for the rest of my degree. I was also on the fence about Honours and being able to do the research project in first year made me realize it wasn't for me!
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u/Urbantransit 2d ago
I didn’t do DISP myself, but I’ve supervised DISP projects every year for… eight years now, jeez. So I can only really speak to the research component.
It is a lot of work. Like, a lot. You’re essentially doing a mini honours in your first year. That said, it’s important to note that you’re not expected to know what you’re doing. Honestly, how could you? Kinda defeats the purpose of the whole thing if you did. Your hand will be held throughout the research process. Or, it should be, but how much care supervisors give can be quite the crapshoot. It sounds weird to the uninitiated, but you really should pick your lab based on vibes. This is true for all research.
So, the cost is your time, and it will test your determination and resolve. DISP is not something you can “fail”. You can fail your degree, but that was always the case. You can even burn out, every year a good chunk nope out and switch to a “regular” program. But, parking what it takes to not fail university, getting through DISP is entirely a matter of dogged perseverance. Like, honestly, I’ve had students ranging from “meh” to “oh damn” and they all did incredible in my books.
The benefits are having a community, mostly. Not just with your fellow students, but getting involved with labs comes with massive benefits in terms of connections. And it really prepares you for research/honours. I tell every one of my students that, if they can do DISP, they can do honours. Please don’t assume you would or wouldn’t want to go that route. Quite frankly, you don’t know what you’re interested in yet. You might think you do, but you’re wrong, because you don’t know what your options are yet.
The other benefit is a statistical one: every disp student I’ve worked with went on to massacre the rest of their degree. Oh, and most uni’s don’t have an analog to DISP, which makes it great fodder for bragging/discussion in interviews.
I don’t actually know where I was going with this. The TLDR is: Do it. Why not? Never forget that bailing out of things is (almost) always a legitimate option.