Choosing a masters program

[bwc]

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I am graduating this year and am considering doing a masters before applying for dental school. Being an engineering major, the demands of my course load did not allow me to study for the DAT if I wanted to graduate on time, so taking at least one gap year was unavoidable. I need something productive to do during that time, so I narrowed my options down to full time job or graduate school. I will be applying to both types, and for graduate school, I am pretty interested in doing either a biomedical engineering or electrical engineering masters program.

I know some people do a masters for the purpose of compensating for a poor undergraduate GPA. I know those people are often advised to do a masters program that is more life sciences intensive to demonstrate competency in the area, and possibly may even have to limit their options to those special masters programs. I will likely graduate with a cumulative GPA and science GPA around 3.6, but BCP roughly around 3.5. These stats probably are not that bad, so I was wondering would I have more freedom to choose a masters program based on my own personal interests?

 

[allantois]

go sit for DAT/ MCAT instead.

 

[bwc]

go sit for DAT/ MCAT instead.

I will do that when I feel prepared, but I was told that it doesn't look good if you spent time doing nothing other than studying for the DAT. Like you actually have to do something productive during that time too.

 

[dentjo]

So are you applying this June? Masters program for you doesnt seem to be very inportant. You also risk scoring lower gpa than what you have now. A better option would be to study for DAT and also try to volunteer and shadow (if needed) or get a job and save up.

 

[fogorvostan]

I don't really think you need a Masters degree. Your GPA seems pretty solid and it would make way more sense to save the money that you'd spend on tuition and books. Instead, study for the DAT and work.

 

[DogeDDS]

You have a 3.5. If you are set on trying to take more classes, you can just try to take upper level sciences at your university. No reason to do a masters.

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

Do not do a masters. You risk getting a lower GPA which will **** up your AADSAS application.

Ace the DAT and you are almost guaranteed to get in.