Dental App/Master's Program Timeline

[the fairy]

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I am currently an undergrad sophomore, and my gpa isn't up to par. I am planning on studying abroad the summer after my junior year (when most people submit apps in order to not take a gap year after college). Since I will be abroad that summer, coupled with the fact that I'd like more time to raise my gpa, I am thinking about applying to dental schools right after my senior year. Applying then would mean I will have to take a gap year. Do you think it would be better to do a master's program right after my senior year, while I am waiting to hear back for interviews for the first time I am applying? Or would it be okay to take a gap year and work part time, rest, do some traveling, etc.? My original plan was to take a gap year and only apply for a master's program if I am rejected the first time I apply (taking it as a sign that my undergrad gpa alone is not good enough). I'm having second thoughts now because I read in the archives on this forum that dental schools don't like applicants to take time off from their studies.

If I do a master's program, I would be actively taking classes but I would not have any new grades to up my GPA when I submit applications (and I'd only have ~1 semester's worth of grades at the time of interviews). That's why I was going to go ahead and try to apply with just my undergrad GPA first before I begin to apply to masters programs.

Please let me know what you think! Thanks in advance.
I'm sorry this was such a long read.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

I am currently an undergrad sophomore, and my gpa isn't up to par. I am planning on studying abroad the summer after my junior year (when most people submit apps in order to not take a gap year after college). Since I will be abroad that summer, coupled with the fact that I'd like more time to raise my gpa, I am thinking about applying to dental schools right after my senior year. Applying then would mean I will have to take a gap year. Do you think it would be better to do a master's program right after my senior year, while I am waiting to hear back for interviews for the first time I am applying? Or would it be okay to take a gap year and work part time, rest, do some traveling, etc.? My original plan was to take a gap year and only apply for a master's program if I am rejected the first time I apply (taking it as a sign that my undergrad gpa alone is not good enough). I'm having second thoughts now because I read in the archives on this forum that dental schools don't like applicants to take time off from their studies.

If I do a master's program, I would be actively taking classes but I would not have any new grades to up my GPA when I submit applications (and I'd only have ~1 semester's worth of grades at the time of interviews). That's why I was going to go ahead and try to apply with just my undergrad GPA first before I begin to apply to masters programs.

Please let me know what you think! Thanks in advance.
I'm sorry this was such a long read.

I don't think you should take a break from school. You have no need for rest or traveling. They want worldly traveling experiences from people with high GPAs, to show they've had life experiences outside of school. You need more schooling. Start your master's asap. One semester of grades might even be enough if you can do well (and if ur undergrad isn't THAT bad); if it's not enough, then at least you have your master's near completion/completed for next cycle (new academic experiences and references) from that, too. There is no benefit in you postponing your Master's.

 

[userah]

I don't think you should take a break from school. You have no need for rest or traveling.

Lol how dare you consider resting! 😛 As for the OP's question, what is your GPA if you don't mind me asking. Depending on that, we can better advise you on whether to take a year off or to jump straight into the masters program. One thing you might want to keep in mind about masters program is that many schools look for a full year of grades from your masters program before they consider your application. Especially if you have a low undergrad gpa. That being the case, you'll still be a cycle behind. So I'd suggest jumping straight into masters if you have a gpa that's sort of on the border. Once that's done, then you can go travel while you wait to hear back from schools.

 

[321931]

It really depends on what your projected GPA is, and yes, one semester of extra classes can make "all" the difference. For example, I had a study abroad program lined up for spring in my senior year; however, I decided against it and stay at the university taking hard science classes. That decision pushed my sGPA up the 3.39 threshold to the 3.45 threshold.

Now I don't know whether it really made that much of a difference, but there is some sort of comfort in achieving that "3.4/3.5 threshold." I guess if I had to draw a comparison, it would be like a student getting a 20AA on the DAT. They "crossed" that threshold of the 20's on the DAT and therefore it feels enormously better then the oh-so-close 19.

And I know- that your semester grades will not be included in AADSAS; however, schools do ask/fill out papers at interviews what are your current courseload, and grades. Also academic update will include those grades. I took biochem in the summer; however, I turned my aadsas in before I included it. At all the interviews, they asked the above question about current non-included coursework, and it did make a difference on the impact of my application (some interviewers made notable comments). I guess it shows I'm motivated, serious, and determined to do well. Well that's how I like to think of it.

Anyways, I'm just rambling. The point is, make yourself the most competitive you can make yourself, then take time off. If your sgpa and cgpa are not around the 3.4 level, I would consider taking those extra courses as it will immensely help you later on. Especially getting all A's in Academic Update- and crossing GPA thresholds. Nothing is worse when getting rejected and thinking "I could of, should of, done that extra courses of masters. FML now I have an EXTRA EXTRA year to study."

Don't go in with regrets. Go with your full potential.

 

[the fairy]

Hi everyone! I am projecting ~3.3 GPA by the end of my junior year. Your replies have really made me reconsider my plan, and I'm really thankful for everyone's different perspectives to the matter. If by the end of my junior year, I feel that my GPA is too low and a master's program is necessary, I will most likely go straight into it. Thank you.