Backup plan after graduation (or not graduate)

[huk1985]

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Hello, I know many of you who have applied is hearing back now, and I am congratulating some of my friends who got in also. I am a senior in college now, I didn't apply my junior year, because I didn't know for sure if I wanted to go to dental school and I felt I wasn't ready in terms of statistics. Since I will be applying at the end of winter 08 term, I will have to have an year off from school. I was wondering what is my best option?
I've been doing some research and I feel I have pretty much three options.
1. Do Special Masters Program which would prepare me for Dental school in case I don't get in. My question about this kind of program is that from what I have researched they require either GRE or MCAT, how come they don't take DAT scores?
2. Doing a Masters in Biology. I feel this is good option in terms of helping me become a better applicant next cycle in case I don't get in as well as I might be able to get in to my undergraduate school's Masters program which means I won't have to move and stay close to my family. However, I don't know how competitive this is and I will be taking a load of classes next semester (20 credits with no easy classes) in order to graduate and I don't know if I will have enough time to tudy for GRE and apply to grad schools.
3. Stay in undergrad for one more year. This is easiest option and cheapest. But I don't know how this will look in case I don't get in and apply again. Obviously this is best for me, but I do not want to this if this looks so bad.
Looking forward for you answers and again cograts to those who got in.

 

[Lopyswine]

Hello, I know many of you who have applied is hearing back now, and I am congratulating some of my friends who got in also. I am a senior in college now, I didn't apply my junior year, because I didn't know for sure if I wanted to go to dental school and I felt I wasn't ready in terms of statistics. Since I will be applying at the end of winter 08 term, I will have to have an year off from school. I was wondering what is my best option?
I've been doing some research and I feel I have pretty much three options.
1. Do Special Masters Program which would prepare me for Dental school in case I don't get in. My question about this kind of program is that from what I have researched they require either GRE or MCAT, how come they don't take DAT scores?
2. Doing a Masters in Biology. I feel this is good option in terms of helping me become a better applicant next cycle in case I don't get in as well as I might be able to get in to my undergraduate school's Masters program which means I won't have to move and stay close to my family. However, I don't know how competitive this is and I will be taking a load of classes next semester (20 credits with no easy classes) in order to graduate and I don't know if I will have enough time to tudy for GRE and apply to grad schools.
3. Stay in undergrad for one more year. This is easiest option and cheapest. But I don't know how this will look in case I don't get in and apply again. Obviously this is best for me, but I do not want to this if this looks so bad.
Looking forward for you answers and again cograts to those who got in.

GRE is a cakewalk. Just give yourself 10-14 days where you can study for 2-3 hours a day and you'll be MORE than ready. The GRE is NOT a content based test like the DAT.

Grad school applications are generally much simpler than the dental school ap. The main think you'll have to do is get 3 rec letters from each prof, 1 for MS and 1 for dental school. Thats the trick, to get to know professors who will take the time to give you 2 quality letters.

I took 2 extra semesters post bac, the dental schools didn't seem to care. The good grades in those classes are still muddied by the previous 4 years. A grad GPA is a SEPARATE category on AADSAS, and therefore the schools can see it more prominently.

what do you think?