Low GPA - 1 yr or 2 yr Masters in BMS?

[taiL]

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Hello all. Finally posting 😀

I was wondering, with an undergrad (computer science) gpa of 2.7 would a 1 year non-thesis Masters program in BMS be of any help in getting in to dental school, assuming I finish with a 3.5 or higher gpa? Or would a 2 year be better? I have been accepted in to a non-thesis BMS program but am worried that if I finish I still won't make it in due to my undergrad gpa and that I'll be stuck with a MA in BMS and MORE student loans 🙁

Thanks!

 

[lemons222]

Getting a great GPA would definitely help. They will look at your two GPA separately as well as overall.

If money is an issue look into an MS in biology/microbiology at your state school and be a TA. Which will leave you with a more useful degree as a backup and lower costs.

One year vs two year BMS doesn't really matter too much. Its all about doing WELL. Some of the 1 yr BMS programs I've seen really cram a lot at once so you can finish fast. You need to evaluate how you learn best and which route will enable you to make the best grades. That's what really matters.

Best wishes!!! You can do it! Dont give up and pursue your dreams!!!!

 

[Slumber]

I don't think you can raise your overall gpa from a 2.7 to a 3.5 with just a 1 year master even if you ace everything.

 

[EasTexan]

Fellow computer science graduate with a low GPA here also. If you fully commit to this you'll need to really dedicate yourself to a 4.0 not 3.5. You need the 4.0 to get that overall GPA up and to show admissions you are serious and can handle the workload. Also, whether or not you need 1 or 2 years depends on the prereqs you already have, how many hours you have total (assuming ~120 at least), and the rest of your application. You'll probably need 2 years just to knock out the prereqs and get your GPA to a baseline.

I'm in the same boat GPA wise and after crunching the numbers my best bet is a year of undergrad prereqs (chem, orgo, phy, etc) and then an SMP or certificate program like UT Dallas provides in order to further enhance my GPA and show them I can handle the upper level classes. Add in ECs, volunteering, and shadowing, and crush the DAT to top it off. They take a holistic approach to admissions so make as many pieces of the puzzle shine as possible since the gpa will be lacking.

That said, I'm on pause while my girlfriend is in the application process, I'm still in the "would this even work" planning stages.

 

[EasTexan]

Sorry, DP.

 

[taiL]

Thanks. Money isn't an issue here, the only worry is that even if I excel in my masters program it won't be enough to get me in to dental school - thus I'll have a masters degree I won't use.

I was told by an adcomm that a masters program will help greatly but I'm not sure how great is "greatly". I was also told that although my grad gpa will be added to my cumulative gpa, it will also be looked at separately. The program is at ISU and is 30 credits so I don't know how much of an impact that will make on my cumulative gpa.

 

[EasTexan]

You'd have to crunch the numbers to see what kind of impact it would make. Here is an AACOMAS-calculator.xls calculator found here on SDN (I forgot who posted it). Ignore the note about repeat grades, there is no grade replacement for dental applicants.

It's holistic, they'll consider everything from overall GPA, science, post-bacc, gpa-trends, masters, shadowing, DAT, etc, etc.

 

[dieanotherday]

why do you want to throw away that cs degree?
have you done any internships?
can you get hired as a software engineer?

 

[taiL]

why do you want to throw away that cs degree?
have you done any internships?
can you get hired as a software engineer?

Actually I worked for two years in software test automation but could not see myself doing that for the rest of my life. I am really hoping that they do look at a candidate from a holistic approach.

 

[dieanotherday]

Actually I worked for two years in software test automation but could not see myself doing that for the rest of my life. I am really hoping that they do look at a candidate from a holistic approach.

maybe not validation but what about developing software
or project manager?
or exec?
there is the MBA side of it as well

 

[taiL]

maybe not validation but what about developing software
or project manager?
or exec?
there is the MBA side of it as well

For me I wanted to do something more with life and be able to contribute to my community in some way, shape, or form. I figured sitting at my desk 50+hrs/wk wasn't really helping anyone except my wallet and my company. I've done mission trips and outreaches with my church and feel that as a dentist I can do more to help others than I would as an MBA.

 

[dieanotherday]

For me I wanted to do something more with life and be able to contribute to my community in some way, shape, or form. I figured sitting at my desk 50+hrs/wk wasn't really helping anyone except my wallet and my company. I've done mission trips and outreaches with my church and feel that as a dentist I can do more to help others than I would as an MBA.

Very true goodluck to you!