Back up plan...

[Daydream46]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So if you were applying to schools in may (as I am) and are borderline with your GPA (as I am)... but you really really want to be a dentist (as i do)...

Should I apply for a masters program now? Yuck, I didn't feel like taking the GREs this year because I'm supposed to be boosting my GPA and study for the DATs...

But I mean if I am going to be off next year maybe it would be good to start a masters? or if i just start my masters as I am going to interviews will the adcoms just be like "lets let her finish her masters or see some grades and see how she does?" or think "clearly she is enrolled in a masters so she doesn't think she is going to get in"... its like preemptively preparing for the worst

 

[Pyriots]

1. the GRE is SOOOO easy. Its almost exactly like the SATs all over again. You really don't need to study much for it.

2. It doesnt take as long to apply to grad school as it does to professional school.

So, wait til Dec 1st. If things look really bad, take the GREs and apply to grad school before January. Compared to D school, its pretty easy to get into Grad school (btw, I'm in grad school).

Also, if you're enrolled in a masters or other program, most schools will REQUIRE that you finish whatever program you're enrolled in before beginning their program. Its kindof a professional courtesy. Thats why people look for 1 yr programs before doing Masters.

 

[Daydream46]

Do you know what kind of masters can be done in 1 year?

Id love to just apply, for next year... and get in a program... then apply to dental school come May....

Hopefully I will interview in the Fall while doing my masters...

ans hopefully get in soon after... and just complete my masters before dental school

Does that time line seem ok?

Also, do u think the adcom will be hesitant to accept me before Dec 1st because they will want to see some grades?

Is it something that "can't hurt" or can it?

 

[Sbosu]

How borderline is your GPA? I would say even if you think you have a borderline GPA, just concentrate on the DAT and do really well on it. The way I look at it is, id rather put in the time and study for the DAT rather than spending a whole year in a masters program, just think of all the work you will do in that year; put that amount of effort into studying and killing the DAT.

 

[Daydream46]

How borderline is your GPA? I would say even if you think you have a borderline GPA, just concentrate on the DAT and do really well on it. The way I look at it is, id rather put in the time and study for the DAT rather than spending a whole year in a masters program, just think of all the work you will do in that year; put that amount of effort into studying and killing the DAT.

I am hoping to have above a 3.2 cum and about a 3.1 sci.

I agree it would be helpful to have that year to study for my DATs, however if I apply to dental school in May 08, it won't start until Fall 09... so thats over a full year with nothing to do (assuming my DATs and apps will be done.. I'll just need to do interviews) so tech. I could complete the masters program in that year as opposed to sitting on my butt (ok, i wouldnt be sitting on my butt) BUT... if I dont get in, at least I have done something for the next cycle of Apps right?

Because If I dont get in... then decide to do a masters, thats another year wasted right?

Yes, no? maybe?

am I making sense, sometimes this makes my brain turn to mush

 

[Sbosu]

Im sorry i didnt really answer your original question, if I were in your position I would apply to a masters program, it doesnt take long and its a good safe backup plan. However, as I said before study your butt off for the DAT and try to get in a cycle earlier; put all of the effort that masters prgram would have taken, and put it into studying for the DAT.

 

[Daydream46]

Im sorry i didnt really answer your original question, if I were in your position I would apply to a masters program, it doesnt take long and its a good safe backup plan. However, as I said before study your butt off for the DAT and try to get in a cycle earlier; put all of the effort that masters program would have taken, and put it into studying for the DAT.

yeah I think i may not be communicating my dates so well...and it is super confusing.... I am applying for the earliest possible cycle (besides this one) which means sending out my app this May... so there is no earlier...

I was planning/thinking about doing a 1 year master so really the program that following fall, which I could do and complete whether or not I get into dental school... since I will be off for over a year between when I send in my app and when dental school starts.

So their should be no conflict between DATs and masters program... just really taking the GREs and the application process, which I guess I could handle this winter break.

I guess I just dont want to end up not getting in anywhere and having nothing productive planned for that year...

but If I am also worried that being in a masters program could hinder my changes of getting into dental school that cycle... I dont know... maybe they will think my mind is else where or put off admitting me because they want to see how my masters goes or something

Oh well.. this is a confusing mess

 

[TerpFan]

.

 

[Daydream46]

Daydream46,

I'm in the exact same situation as you are. I'm looking into masters at UMDNJ and at Barry University, they both take DAT scores instead of GREs. But the only problem is that I'd have to apply in jan/feb to have a shot with my crappy GPA so its gonna be kinda rough trying to boost my GPA study for DAT and fill out grad school apps. I'm not sure about what to do either. But just wanted to give u a heads up about the programs at UMDNJ and Barry, they are both only a year long, no research, no thesis.

Thanks a bunch... when you say you have a crappy GPA, what do you mean? Same as me?

Anyway... I have no idea where Barry is : /

But I'd love to do UMDNJ....

Anyway, My honest suggestion... just take the GREs really fast to apply... because if you screw up on the DATs its like tough luck... thats going to get sent to dental schools when you apply... Take the time and study for it in the spring...

Thats just my opinion, but really I know nothing

 

[TerpFan]

.

 

[Montserrat]

Thanks a bunch... when you say you have a crappy GPA, what do you mean? Same as me?

Anyway... I have no idea where Barry is : /

But I'd love to do UMDNJ....

Anyway, My honest suggestion... just take the GREs really fast to apply... because if you screw up on the DATs its like tough luck... thats going to get sent to dental schools when you apply... Take the time and study for it in the spring...

Thats just my opinion, but really I know nothing

I'm attending the master's program at UMDNJ this upcoming January. They accepted by DAT scores in lieu of GRE or MCAT scores, so you don't have to take the GRE at all schools. Schools like the Medical college of New York in Valhalla though, do require GRE scores. (Their Spring application deadline is in December though.) Hope this helps.

 

[dr bojangles]

i'm in UMDNJ Master's now. its a great program, i'm not going to describe it because its all on their website (i assume you can all read). i'd say do it, doesn't hurt. and if you don't get into d-school this cycle, you still come out with a Master's degree anyway, so no loss.....actually, a win.
good luck.

 

[makushin]

So if you were applying to schools in may (as I am) and are borderline with your GPA (as I am)... but you really really want to be a dentist (as i do)...

Should I apply for a masters program now? Yuck, I didn't feel like taking the GREs this year because I'm supposed to be boosting my GPA and study for the DATs...

But I mean if I am going to be off next year maybe it would be good to start a masters? or if i just start my masters as I am going to interviews will the adcoms just be like "lets let her finish her masters or see some grades and see how she does?" or think "clearly she is enrolled in a masters so she doesn't think she is going to get in"... its like preemptively preparing for the worst

I don't see the point of a masters degree if you want to be a dentist. Maybe take some more upper division classes and get some volunteer/health care related work.

Take the time that you would put into a masters, and ace the DAT!

 

[TerpFan]

.

 

[dr bojangles]

well, regardless of what you do, you'll have to improve bad stats. which improvement path you want to take is up to you. if you have average stats, and just want to get that extra umph, i'd say post-bacc or something. if your stats or worse, or you'd like something more out of improving your record, do masters, mba, mph, etc....
i'd like to stick with basic science research alongside clinic (possible dmd/phd??......👎......maybe), so a master's is great for me, i'm figuring out what i want to do. i'd say 90% of these kids do it just to improve their record. i'd suggest masters in that if you do post-bacc and still don't get in, you dont want regrets of "oh what if i did that masters". and i reiterate, if i don't get in, i still have a master's degree.