Accepted in Dental school during Masters?

[Batens]

Just a quick question. I was accepted into dental school during my first year of my 2 year masters program. The school I was accepted to didn't know I was in a masters until I mentioned it in the interview. That being said, I wasn't accepted Dec 1, but was accepted once I completed my academic update on AADSAS aka after I submitted my fall grades for the masters program. Do I still have to complete this program? Do I even have to go back for Spring semester? Can I withdraw without any consequences?

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[DMDDDSHopeful]

These are great questions to ask the school that accepted you.

Congratulations!

Also, side note, schools go through this a lot. If you're still interested in completing the Masters program, discuss options with your current school and inform them of your acceptance into Dental. Often times, there are some wiggle room to allow you to graduate with a Masters before you leave. Why? I think schools like to report their graduate students graduating and going onto professional programs. I've seen students in two year Master programs finish in 1 year because after their first semester, they were accepted into programs like Medical or Dental.

 

[Kareful]

Whether you complete the master's program or not is up to you. One D-school told me I didn't have to complete my MS program, as it was not a requirement for graduation. I'm going to complete it, as I only have a semester left. I am sure you can withdraw without consequences. However, make sure all parties involved are aware of your plans. If you are getting through grad school on a teaching/research assistant stipend, you should most definitely inform your department chair/advisor about your recent acceptance so they know some funds are now available.

Also, ask yourself some questions first. Why did you pursue the master's program in the first place? What is type of program is it (MA, MS, thesis/non-thesis, the type of major/concentration)? Can I save a lot of money be not going back this Spring (uh, yeah). Was it just to beef up the resume or were you looking for something more after undergrad? What is your intention following dental school (hard to say, I know, but level with me here)? If GP is your goal why waste time with something your heart isn't into (just my two cents)? On the other hand, maybe it might come in handy later in life--depending on what it is of course (take an MA in underwater basketweaving for example-probs not going to help ya out later, aside form impressing the ladies of course). Do graduate degrees look good to a residency program? Not sure. Maybe? Depends on your performance in D-school (right?). Also, would/could you even defer? I don't know. Would you want to?

All in all, I'm sure you can forget the master's program if dental school was your primary intention from the start. Just don't leave the faculty who considered your application for this program out high and dry. Something like, "it's not you, it's me. I was just using you from the start" sort of thing. Hope that helps and some more people weigh in as well.

 

[eldmd_32]

Whether you complete the master's program or not is up to you.

On the contrary, whether one is required to complete a masters program is up to the institution where they have received an acceptance (ie: Tufts). OP definitely check with admissions to make sure that withdrawing from your masters program will not be detrimental to your future attendance at the dental school that accepted you. Believe it or not, people have withdrawn from their masters under the incorrect assumption and then have had their acceptances rescinded for that. Even though you may not be fully aware, it may be a provisional clause for you to complete your masters first. Since you didn't report it when you first submitted your application you may be able to avoid an obligation to complete it since you most likely didn't include an anticipated date of graduation for the masters. However, if your academic update now reflects that then the dental school may feel differently about your acceptance. Again, you should check with them first before you decide to withdraw.

 

[NavyDDS1990]

I would call the school that accepted you and ask before you make any actions. I am currently in my M.S. as well and was accepted for 2017 entering class, but will be finishing up as I only have one semester left.

 

[Kareful]

On the contrary, whether one is required to complete a masters program is up to the institution where they have received an acceptance (ie: Tufts). OP definitely check with admissions to make sure that withdrawing from your masters program will not be detrimental to your future attendance at the dental school that accepted you. Believe it or not, people have withdrawn from their masters under the incorrect assumption and then have had their acceptances rescinded for that. Even though you may not be fully aware, it may be a provisional clause for you to complete your masters first. Since you didn't report it when you first submitted your application you may be able to avoid an obligation to complete it since you most likely didn't include an anticipated date of graduation for the masters. However, if your academic update now reflects that then the dental school may feel differently about your acceptance. Again, you should check with them first before you decide to withdraw.

I suppose my statement you quoted was presuming that they do not care whether or not OP finishes given they accepted him. Why would they accept him if they want him to finish the master's which he's barely half through? Either way, do double check, OP.