Making a Decision about a school

[Buccal_Up]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Does it look bad if I only get accepted to one school (it is a first year program) and then decline it for financial reasons? It would cheaper for me to do grad school to become more competitive, and then try to get into a cheaper school, whether it's in state or not.

 

[psiyung]

Does it look bad if I only get accepted to one school (it is a first year program) and then decline it for financial reasons? It would cheaper for me to do grad school to become more competitive, and then try to get into a cheaper school, whether it's in state or not.

Give us the specifics of your financial concerns first

 

[Buccal_Up]

Give us the specifics of your financial concerns first

Well, the brand new school is Touro in NY. Their website says that their tuition is $61k a year, and living expenses add up to nearly a total of $100k a year. That is adding up to a ton of debt. Whereas, I can continue at Auburn and obtain my masters degree and apply again as a more competitive applicant. IF that were to happen and I get into UAB which is in state, I would have 2/3 the amount of debt including completely funding my own masters program if I don't get funding from the university.


EDIT: I also have to consider my fiance in this decision, and although she has the ability with her job to move, it would set her career back several years to move from AL to NY.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[Buccal_Up]

I commented on this in the other thread that was the same, but to be honest with you if you're in this cycle I would withdraw your application and be a more competitive applicant in future cycles at UAB. It is frowned upon to not take an acceptance (maybe this view would change with Touro but I doubt it). I don't know how withdrawing your application would look, but I'm guessing it'd be a lot easier to explain than not taking a seat you were offered.

Your fiance's stake in this is important, as well as the debt. If you re-take the DAT and murder it, it should make up for a sub-par GPA, making a Master's unnecessary unless your GPA is very low (like 3.2/3.1 or lower). However the Master's definitely would not hurt, and if you feel like it's a good investment in order to make your app strong/something you're passionate about, I'd say doing it along with re-taking the DAT and doing well should get you in the door at UAB.

Impossible to tell without specific details about your app but I'd say in the long run the plan to make yourself a competitive applicant at UAB in the future is the smartest one.

My DAT breakdown is this: 21AA, 20 overall science, 21PAT. My GPA is a 3.3.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[Faux]

when did you apply?

 

[Buccal_Up]

when did you apply?

I applied to my original 6 schools (all have rejected me) back in last June. Touro didn't send their application out until this January.

 

[Buccal_Up]

To be honest that should make you at least in the mix at UAB. The Master's would help not becasue your GPA is terrible, but it'd make you stand out. If you get a 4.0 in the Master's I'd say you should be accepted next cycle. You shouldn't retake the DAT your score is fine.

Did you have a lack of shadowing, or more importantly, not volunteering or extra curriculars that made you stand out? If you can find something you're passionate about that you can devote a lot of time/attention to, it'd make you stand out from the pack and increase your chances of acceptance just as much as a Master's would.

My vote is to do the Master's and do well (even some research during it if you can), get involved with some quality volunteering, and apply next cycle.

I'm no expert on UAB's admissions but this is the best I can come up with. @hellofuturedentists would probably be able to be more helpful than I would.

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to talk to some of my dentist mentors and get their opinion too.

 

[Jalcalde]

Or you can accept that school and join the military and have your tuition paid for as well as a bonus and living stipend.

 

[Daurang]

Tough decision. $60k is not bad at all for dental school in this day so I would take it if I'm set on becoming a dentist. There's no guarantee you will get in the future. Even if you get in you'll waste 2 more years of your life that you could have been in dental school instead of master degree. Tuition will probably be $80k when you get in 3 years from now.

 

[Dent5291]

I would withdraw your application now before you get accepted for a few reasons:

1. UAB is an outstanding school. I have a hard time believing the education you would receive at Touro would be on par.
2. Your stats right now are competitive for admission to UAB. Add on a masters and improve that GPA and I expect you'd have a good chance next year.
3. It sounds like you and your fiance would both be happier staying in Alabama.
4. The financial benefits as you already stated.

 

[psiyung]

I would definitely get the loan and accept the offer.

 

[darknightzzz]

as far as I know, touro does not even send out any acceptances.

OP, dont bank on the fact you will get into Touro just because it opens and receives a lot of bashing. I read somewhere they receive 2k applications and only interview 200+ candidates.

 

[myintraorbitalarch]

Your DAT scores seem decent. UAB told me that they heavily weigh organic Chem scores so be wary of that.

A piece of advice is to weigh this carefully. UAB is highly competitive, even as an in-state student. You were denied admission to 6 schools. If you do the masters, don't get arrogant. You have no choice but to get a 4.0 or as close to it as possible. Good luck!

 

[distressstudent]

Or you can accept that school and join the military and have your tuition paid for as well as a bonus and living stipend.

I dont believe that's an option.
IIRC, all branches now require the school to be fully accredited

 

[postpitadh]

If Touro interviews you, you don't have to prepare for it and you also don't have to go. People do worse things, and still get in. Even if it is frowned upon, I don't think you should spend four years somewhere you had to go unless you want to go there as well. Many do and find that they actually like their new experience, but finances are definitely something to consider.

 

[PeachDMD]

Does it look bad if I only get accepted to one school (it is a first year program) and then decline it for financial reasons? It would cheaper for me to do grad school to become more competitive, and then try to get into a cheaper school, whether it's in state or not.

Yes, it looks bad. Not trying to sound standoffish here, but that was your question, right? Let's just call it what it is. We all know dental school acceptances are super competitive and they just don't grow on trees. Have you not spent enough time on SDN yet to see all of the heartbreaking posts from applicants with stats better than yours that are on their 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. cycle? IMO it is just absolutely crazy to turn down an acceptance. Other posters have also pointed out that a masters will not significantly pull up your GPA and some schools just don't view 3.3 as competitive. BTW, the real reason you're not getting acceptances is because you went to Auburn! Ha, just kidding, but as a UT Vol I had to stick that in there. Good luck and hang in there.