Grad School Vs Job

[rose786]

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OK, seeing as this is my 1st post and I have a lot to ask, please bear w/ me.

I will finish my BS this semester and am debating between applying to a grad school and getting a job in some dental related field, for the year before i hopefully enter dental school.

Some Stats:
Major: bio and psyc, took a semester off for personal reasons and my sr year grades were not good
Cumul GPA ~3.3
Sci GPA ~ 3.0
DAT ~ didn't do well on PAT & QR section, but this was 2 years ago so maybe it doensn't matter? I plan on retaking this summer
Shadowing ~ 2 different dentists, but didn't get LOR from either. thinking abt shadowing more
Extra-currics ~ many

So basically, my question boils down to: would it be better to apply to grad school to improve my gpa, or get a dental related job? Getting into dental school would be an up-hill battle either way. 😳

Other worries: If I do (hopefully) get in by 2007, I would only have completed 1 yr of a masters program, does this look bad? Also, would it matter what subject the masters is in (biology vs psyc related)?

If the grad school thing doesn't work out, would it be a good idea to get a job as a dental assistant, or maybe work in a dental lab? I have no idea.

Yes, I know I have a lot of questions, but I would appreciate any advice.

 

[rraa]

OK, seeing as this is my 1st post and I have a lot to ask, please bear w/ me.

I will finish my BS this semester and am debating between applying to a grad school and getting a job in some dental related field, for the year before i hopefully enter dental school.

Some Stats:
Major: bio and psyc, took a semester off for personal reasons and my sr year grades were not good
Cumul GPA ~3.3
Sci GPA ~ 3.0
DAT ~ didn't do well on PAT & QR section, but this was 2 years ago so maybe it doensn't matter? I plan on retaking this summer
Shadowing ~ 2 different dentists, but didn't get LOR from either. thinking abt shadowing more
Extra-currics ~ many

So basically, my question boils down to: would it be better to apply to grad school to improve my gpa, or get a dental related job? Getting into dental school would be an up-hill battle either way. 😳

Other worries: If I do (hopefully) get in by 2007, I would only have completed 1 yr of a masters program, does this look bad? Also, would it matter what subject the masters is in (biology vs psyc related)?

If the grad school thing doesn't work out, would it be a good idea to get a job as a dental assistant, or maybe work in a dental lab? I have no idea.

Yes, I know I have a lot of questions, but I would appreciate any advice.

Strongly suggest grad school. you need to pick up your grades and retake DATs. My suggestion is to complete a Masters program. Not just 1 year - leaving half way thru grad school gives the wrong impression. Get the M.S. degree. Do something unique - bioinformatics, speech pathology, education. Psych or biochem are ok too, etc. Actually if you decide to specialize this MS will be a huge advantage for you. Do well in the MAsters course - prove that you can score high grades in difficult classes. Get involved in research. Actually, look up NIH, howard hughes, other research programs applicable to someone in your situation - you can likely get funding for the Masters. In my experience, shadowing and assisting won't put your over the top - they are more a necessary experience to prove that you know what you're getting in to. it may seem like a long road for you, but will be well worth it. hope this helps.

 

[Maxillicious]

do well on the DATs and you should be ok

 

[TKD]

do well on the DATs and you should be ok

Disagree for the most part with this statement. Of course it depends on your outlook...do u want to maybe, barely get in (i.e. off waitlist) to a school w/ lax admission standards, or do you want to get in full steam ahead, and have a few solid schools to choose from????

 

[rose786]

Disagree for the most part with this statement. Of course it depends on your outlook...do u want to maybe, barely get in (i.e. off waitlist) to a school w/ lax admission standards, or do you want to get in full steam ahead, and have a few solid schools to choose from????

Thanks for your input guys. I'm almost dead set on grad school at this point, and am looking at 1 yr masters options as well.

2 points give me stress:
1) the requirements for some of these programs are disheartening to say the least and
2) I would like for the masters to serve as a kind of cushion in case I don't get into dds school and need a back-up plan.

Any thoughts?

 

[Maxillicious]

Disagree for the most part with this statement. Of course it depends on your outlook...do u want to maybe, barely get in (i.e. off waitlist) to a school w/ lax admission standards, or do you want to get in full steam ahead, and have a few solid schools to choose from????

Cumulative 3.3 is not bad at all. Honestly, you can try the grad school route and spend another year. Or put that same effort into doing well on the DATs. If you can score above 20s youll have your option of schools.

You dont need a Masters.

 

[MALOKINMARTIN]

Basically it boils down to these three things: (1) Do well on the DAT’s. A 20 will get you in. Some schools (Howard etc.) will let you in with WAY lower. (2) Spend a long time on your application (writing your statement). (3) Don’t mess up your interview.

Grades-schmades. Don’t go to grad school unless you are there for a degree. I would think that experience would be much more valuable.

 

[rose786]

Cumulative 3.3 is not bad at all. Honestly, you can try the grad school route and spend another year. Or put that same effort into doing well on the DATs. If you can score above 20s youll have your option of schools.

You dont need a Masters.

Thanks, but I feel like I do, considering my sr. year grades. As far as the DAT goes, there are no guarantees. The first time I took it, I scored really well on all sections except the PAT and QR. And this was after studying for months. So I'm not so sure I can count on "acing it."

I'll email some schools first, just to get feedback.

 

[Maxillicious]

Thanks, but I feel like I do, considering my sr. year grades. As far as the DAT goes, there are no guarantees. The first time I took it, I scored really well on all sections except the PAT and QR. And this was after studying for months. So I'm not so sure I can count on "acing it."

I'll email some schools first, just to get feedback.

Thats the best. Email schools and see what AdCom will say. I mean in the end you have to do what feels best and comfortable for you, right? Good luck. In the end, youll have your DDS like everyone else here.