Confused about the timeline when getting a one year masters

[SMB6]

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I’m a little confused. I have recently graduated. My GPA at my college was 3.01, according to the AADSAS my science GPA is 2.6

I am now looking into one year masters programs. But then it hit me, if I start a masters program how will that help me if I want to apply to dental schools this coming year? By the time I start my master’s program early submission of applications are due.

I feel like I am missing something. Can someone explain to me what students do when they want to use the new masters GPA to help their application to dental school?
Do students normally do a 2 year masters instead of a 1 year?

I just was so confident that I would do my one year masters and apply to dental schools, and never really thought about the time line. Am I just over thinking it?

 

[Ehhhh]

Thats good question.... Its actually kind of a problem... The premise is that you will really push the fact that you are in a masters program, send updates of grades through the school and then send in a GPA update in Nov-Dec to AADSAS... But you're right.... its a little difficult and its a gamble no matter what.... Many times people have to wait till the following year.... The best thing to do is go for schools that have a late cycle....

 

[SMCohen]

In addition to improving your GPA, you might do a masters because some schools frown on academic inactivity. That's definitely not to say you don't have a chance of being accepted if you take a year off; however, if your application is weak, you may want to do everything you can to improve your chances.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Yes, getting enrolled in a post-bacc / grad program tomorrow most likely means that the earliest that you will walk into the door of a dental school will be Aug. 2010. With your current sci gpa of 2.6, your chances of getting accepted to d-school is bleak.

Summer 2008 - Start the post-bacc / grad program
Fall 2008 - take a full-load of upper level bio and chem classes.
Winter break 2008 - nail the DAT (20+)
Spring 2009 - take another full-load of science classes & get rec letters
May 2009 - Apply into AADSAS

At this point, your application now has a solid year of upper level science classes. If you did well during this year (all A's & B's and 20+ on the DAT), you will be 100 times more competitive then you are today with a 2.6 sci gpa.

Fall of 2009 - Interview for d-school
Dec 1 - acceptance
Winter 2010 - Summer 2010 - enjoy life or figure out how to pay off debt.
Aug 2010 - Start d-school.

If you don't like the story written above AND you want to be dentist with a current sci gpa of 2.6, what are your other options?

 

[hashemiaan]

I’m a little confused. I have recently graduated. My GPA at my college was 3.01, according to the AADSAS my science GPA is 2.6

I am now looking into one year masters programs. But then it hit me, if I start a masters program how will that help me if I want to apply to dental schools this coming year? By the time I start my master’s program early submission of applications are due.

I feel like I am missing something. Can someone explain to me what students do when they want to use the new masters GPA to help their application to dental school?
Do students normally do a 2 year masters instead of a 1 year?

I just was so confident that I would do my one year masters and apply to dental schools, and never really thought about the time line. Am I just over thinking it?

i agree with Ron. I'm in same positino as you are and i have no other choice...Ive been strugglin to decide but i can't..Iam goin to start my master in summer and wait a year...ive talked to dental schools about this. ive talked to 6 schools and most of them said that it would be better to wait a year and then apply..i know it's a long time but wat other choice do we have.
i say if you have the money and ur risk taker go ahead and apply and hopefully u'll get in somewere but chance is slim.

anyway i hope we get in

 

[Dentalishus]

You should plan on applying for the 2010 cycle. I did a one year masters and sent my application off after my degree posted. Now I am waiting for dental school to start in August. The year off is not so bad though. Actually, it is kind of refreshing.