Getting a Masters While Waiting for Dental School

[Farantino]

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this. I am applying to Dental schools for 07 and in the year that I have off I'm going to be taking graduate courses for a masters. The program is basically taken by foreign dental students who want to go to dental school here and also by students who are specializing (perio, ortho, ...)

The reason that I'm taking it is because:
1- I can raise my gpa and send it to the schools in January. I know that it's a bit late, but it's better than nothing.

2- The instructor for one of the courses (6 credits) will allow me to skip that course if I get into the dental school here. This would definitely be cool since the course is one of the toughest in Dental school from what I've heard.


Since it's a two year program I won't be able to finish it if I get into Dental school. However, I can come back and finish the research part or the course work later. What do you guys think? Is it a wise idea? Has anyone done this or is thinking of going for their masters while they are waiting for dental school?

 

[amartins02]

Hey, I am in the same boat. I am currently waitlisted. I was going to take graduate courses and do research since it would look great on my application. Called Tuft's and they said graduate courses are great because it shows that you can handle dental courses. But, if you are in a program, such as a master's, then they will not accept you until you finish the program. I repeat you cannot bail out of a program early or they won't take you. This is just Tuft's and I am not sure what the other schools will say but I would check. My school will allow me to take graduate courses as a "special student" without being in a program but then financial aid won't pay because they require admission in a program. So I am going to volunteer in a teacher's lab and do graduate type research, work part time, assist part time, and community service.

Wish I could attend this year but, what happens will happen.

 

[tuftsdent]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this. I am applying to Dental schools for 07 and in the year that I have off I'm going to be taking graduate courses for a masters. The program is basically taken by foreign dental students who want to go to dental school here and also by students who are specializing (perio, ortho, ...)

The reason that I'm taking it is because:
1- I can raise my gpa and send it to the schools in January. I know that it's a bit late, but it's better than nothing.

2- The instructor for one of the courses (6 credits) will allow me to skip that course if I get into the dental school here. This would definitely be cool since the course is one of the toughest in Dental school from what I've heard.


Since it's a two year program I won't be able to finish it if I get into Dental school. However, I can come back and finish the research part or the course work later. What do you guys think? Is it a wise idea? Has anyone done this or is thinking of going for their masters while they are waiting for dental school?

I think its smart to go for master's program. It could better your chances of getting into dental school because they'll be able to see that you can handle a tough work load. Good luck

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine D'10

 

[Farantino]

I repeat you cannot bail out of a program early or they won't take you. This is just Tuft's and I am not sure what the other schools will say but I would check.

I have actually heard about this from my advisor too. However, the program director for the masters that I'm going for is a professor for the dental school here. He was the one who mentioned the idea of me taking graduate level courses. I'm assuming that it's OK since the program is so closely tied to the dental school.

best of luck to you

 

[drpduck]

I was rejected last time I applied (2005) and I have since started a masters. I have done very well, and when I apply this time, I will have more to bring to my application to show I can handle graduate level work.

My friend is actually doing a masters too, but he is applying to med schools, and they told him to finish his masters before starting med school, so I am planning on finishing mine.

 

[amartins02]

I was looking into another master's program that I could do but most are two years. I want to take something relevant to the field or in the science area but can't find a one year program. Any ideas?

 

[Tigerlili]

BU has a masters in oral health science, it can be done in 12 months. The program allows you to take 1st year dental school cores, as well as other grad courses. However with this program you have to do a thesis over the summer to finish 👎

 

[marinojones]

if someone decides to do a masters for this one year while making application....but are not sure yet if you will start one.....

how will dental schools know, if you have not written it in your application?

I myself am thinking of doing a special masters, but dont know if i have been accepted for this fall.....so what do you do about this part in your application??

i want to submit it as soon as possible, right??

🙂

 

[drpduck]

Johns Hopkins University has a couple masters programs.

The Biotechnology M.S. is coursework based, only 10 courses to complete the masters (no thesis). I have only positive things to say about it, classes are not easy but professors are fair. I spread mine out over 2 years to be able to work part-time and have more time to study for the DAT, however some people in the program do it full time and finish it in 11 months. http://advanced.jhu.edu/biotechnology/

There is a masters program at Hopkins public health, I believe called the MHS where you can finish it in 9 months. I was going to apply, but decided on the Biotechnology M.S. instead.

Good luck in your search.