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bumping once to see if any mutual interest in this subject.
 
So I currently attended the MBS program at UMDNJ so I can comment on that. Although, I did apply for all the other programs you listed as well. It does requires a DAT or GRE to apply though, so keep that in mind. While Newark isn't the best location (specially coming out of the bubble that is undergrad), I definitely think the program has strengthened my application significantly. I applied in 2011 to about 14 schools and didn't receive a single interview. This program definitely helped if you know how to plan out your schedule right and pick your classes wisely. What I do really liek about this program is that you can take dental school courses (I took Oral Immunology last semester and currently taking Oral Microbio- both D1 courses). So if you do well in them (A's), then it proves that you can handle the dental course load and can comment on them during interviews. Plus it gives you confidence! You are required to do a 60hr research rotation (unless you already have in undergrad and would want to be exempt). FYI, there is no connection with the dental school and master's students program- but thats ok because you're more than likely to hear from other schools. Feel free to ask if you have any particular questions!
 
I'm currently at UMDNJ as well, it was the only program I looked at since I am a resident. I think it is a great program and will really help my application when I apply next year. You have the option of doing a MBS (coursework only) or an MS in oral biology (thesis) both on a 'dental scholar' track.

Whichever program you do pick make sure you can take dental school courses, otherwise you are just wasting your money in my opinion. It also happens to be one of the cheapest programs to boot.
 
mvam said:
thanks for the input, that's extremely helpful. UMDNJ is one of my favorites despite its location.

did you get into any of the other MBS programs? do you know how selective these master's programs are? i guess i'm overly nervous i wouldn't find a masters to get into.
how early did you apply to the masters? and have you applied to any dental schools yet?

once again thanks for the help!
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I did get into other programs (Barry and USF in FL and George Mason/Georgetown) and I am a FL resident. The master's programs themselves usually aren't too selective, they realize your stats arent up to par. I picked UMDNJ because it did offer dental school classes while the others didn't. Which an amazing thing to talk about during your interviews. Another program that has strong affiliations with their dental school is Midwestern-AZ (UMDNJ does NOT have a strong affiliation if you're out of state). I did apply to dental school already and currently have 5+ pre-December interviews so the program has def helped me in that regard while the first time I applied, I had none.
 
I don't think it matters, at all. Your sponsoring P.I. -> research or thesis is going to be a lot more important than name or program. At any program, you're going to live like a grad student, working in a wet lab, reading articles, going to meetings, and basically having little free time.

I didn't know Master's offered dental related courses and if I had to do a Master's, I would go that route, especially if $$$ isn't important.

If you did research in undergraduate, usually using the same undergraduate PI for your Master gives you a leg up in the application. The admissions can turn a blind eye to a crappy GPA if your PI likes you enough to strongly recommend and have confidence in you.
 
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sgv said:
I don't think it matters, at all. Your sponsoring P.I. -> research or thesis is going to be a lot more important than name or program. At any program, you're going to live like a grad student, working in a wet lab, reading articles, going to meetings, and basically having little free time.

I didn't know Master's offered dental related courses and if I had to do a Master's, I would go that route, especially if $$$ isn't important.

If you did research in undergraduate, usually using the same undergraduate PI for your Master gives you a leg up in the application. The admissions can turn a blind eye to a crappy GPA if your PI likes you enough to strongly recommend and have confidence in you.
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I had the same undergrad GPA (3.0), my grad school GPA was a 3.8ish. I retook the DATs before applying the second time (had AA: 19 TS: 20 PAT: 18). I ended up with 8 pre-december interviews, 3 acceptances, 2 waitlist, and haven't heard from the other three yet.
 
First off, thank you! I'm really glad to have gotten in this time around. I actually did the program in a year and half so schools would have a whole year's worth of grades to look at that weren't just my undergrad grades. I did 8 credits, 13 credits, and 9 credits respesectively. Just some classes I took - Toxicology I, Oral Immunology, Toxiocology II, Oral Microbiology, Introduction to Select Agents. Oral Immuno and Microbiology are taught alongside the dental school class. The program requires 30 and the way you split is entirely up to you. The 13 one sounds daunting but if you time manage, its definitely do-able. They don't have a rough class structure but there are certain requirements you must have in order to graduate (you have to do 2credit research and take Fundamentals 1 (Biochem) and Fundamentals 2(Cell Bio) OR the equivalent dental school class if your DAT is strong enough- you'd get invited for that).

In terms of working my butt off- this is the way I look at it. The material is harder than undergrad for sure BUT you don't have as many distractions. Most/all your friends will have exams around the same time so there's no-one to distract you in that sense. You do have to time manage and change your study habits from undergrad. I would study a little each week and the week of exam, review thru everything and I found that so much easier to learn and retain the information.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!
 
lmr9y said:
First off, thank you! I'm really glad to have gotten in this time around. I actually did the program in a year and half so schools would have a whole year's worth of grades to look at that weren't just my undergrad grades. I did 8 credits, 13 credits, and 9 credits respesectively. Just some classes I took - Toxicology I, Oral Immunology, Toxiocology II, Oral Microbiology, Introduction to Select Agents. Oral Immuno and Microbiology are taught alongside the dental school class. The program requires 30 and the way you split is entirely up to you. The 13 one sounds daunting but if you time manage, its definitely do-able. They don't have a rough class structure but there are certain requirements you must have in order to graduate (you have to do 2credit research and take Fundamentals 1 (Biochem) and Fundamentals 2(Cell Bio) OR the equivalent dental school class if your DAT is strong enough- you'd get invited for that).

In terms of working my butt off- this is the way I look at it. The material is harder than undergrad for sure BUT you don't have as many distractions. Most/all your friends will have exams around the same time so there's no-one to distract you in that sense. You do have to time manage and change your study habits from undergrad. I would study a little each week and the week of exam, review thru everything and I found that so much easier to learn and retain the information.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!
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Read your posts and I must say, congratulations on the acceptances to dental school! Question: I'm starting my masters program this fall. Since you waited for two semesters of grad school grades to add to your dental school application, and then applied, what did you do when you finished your masters program? I'm assuming you completed it the second Fall, correct? What did you do/are you doing in the mean time till dental school starts? Do students just work or actively shadow to keep themselves busy, for that spring semester?

Thanks!
 
I'm in a similar situation and was wondering as an engineering major, with a sub par gpa would I need to take my pre reqs first then do a masters to recover my gpa or can I do a masters after I get my BS
 
gryffindor29 said:
Read your posts and I must say, congratulations on the acceptances to dental school! Question: I'm starting my masters program this fall. Since you waited for two semesters of grad school grades to add to your dental school application, and then applied, what did you do when you finished your masters program? I'm assuming you completed it the second Fall, correct? What did you do/are you doing in the mean time till dental school starts? Do students just work or actively shadow to keep themselves busy, for that spring semester?

Thanks!
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Thanks very much! Yup, I finished the program the second Fall. As of right now, I'm relaxing/traveling/taking a break from school till I have to start up again! I moved everything out, came back home to FL, and my graduation date on the transcript is Dec 2013. Once you're in, you're in. I didn't see any point in shadowing because I had done enough hours + the point of shadowing is to confirm this is what you wanna do. Basically, take as much break as you can because you wont get this time back (or so I'm told lol).
 
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