Master's Experiences on Getting Into D School

[Ohsnap23]

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Hey everyone,

I recently got into a 1 year Master's Program and am planning on attending to increase my chances of getting into dental school. The whole curriculum is about 30 hours minimum and involves 6 merit based classes including (biochem, anatomy, immunology, etc.) I had a 3.3 cGPA/3.2sGPA with a great upward trend and feel I can do well (poor freshman year). Retook my DAT and got a 19 AA 19 PAT 20 TS (stupid QR).

However, I'm anxious because the grading scale is odd. A 90 is a 3.5, 80 is a 2.5, etc. So I'm reaching out to see how you all in Master's programs are doing as of now. Are the classes harder even if courseload is less extensive? Is it hard maintaining a 3.5+? What is your everyday schedule like? How are my chances if I do well?

I really need any feedback because it's a small program so it's hard to gauge any feedback and I really don't know what to expect from graduate classes haha. Thanks!

 

[TheBigN89]

I would get out of that program ASAP. Getting > 90's in regular, upper-level undergrad science classes is hard enough, and this is supposedly your last shot. Most graduate programs in standard biomedical sciences have you either against (1) other pre-professional students wanting to kill these classes or (2) graduate level classes tied to medical or dental curriculums. Assuming these classes are standard exams (multiple choice) with high volume studying, getting a 95 for an A would be a tall task.

More info is needed on your part (school, program) to see the rigor that's provided. I think most SDN'ers believe MS programs are a cakewalk, but I know plenty in my circle that took on very rigorous medical coursework programs in preparation for dental applications, and while it made them more prepared than undergrads overall, still had them struggling to get extremely high scores for high grades > 3.5.

The best MS SMP programs in the US, in order, are: (1) ones attached directly to professional schools that recognize or guarantee some sort of interview with certain thresholds met; (2) ones tied to a dental school, but don't have a guaranteed affiliation, but still allow you to enroll in dental or medical classes with approval (Oral Biology programs, mostly); and (3) upper level MS programs tied to no professional school affiliation (gives you the least connections applying to dental schools, which is what you're doing).

 

[Ohsnap23]

I would get out of that program ASAP. Getting > 90's in regular, upper-level undergrad science classes is hard enough, and this is supposedly your last shot. Most graduate programs in standard biomedical sciences have you either against (1) other pre-professional students wanting to kill these classes or (2) graduate level classes tied to medical or dental curriculums. Assuming these classes are standard exams (multiple choice) with high volume studying, getting a 95 for an A would be a tall task.

More info is needed on your part (school, program) to see the rigor that's provided. I think most SDN'ers believe MS programs are a cakewalk, but I know plenty in my circle that took on very rigorous medical coursework programs in preparation for dental applications, and while it made them more prepared than undergrads overall, still had them struggling to get extremely high scores for high grades > 3.5.

The best MS SMP programs in the US, in order, are: (1) ones attached directly to professional schools that recognize or guarantee some sort of interview with certain thresholds met; (2) ones tied to a dental school, but don't have a guaranteed affiliation, but still allow you to enroll in dental or medical classes with approval (Oral Biology programs, mostly); and (3) upper level MS programs tied to no professional school affiliation (gives you the least connections applying to dental schools, which is what you're doing).

Hey thanks for the reply man, so the master's Program is at MUSC. It had only 20 spots last year but out of those 20 there were 19 accepted into dental/medical school. The summer semester has an online histology class, fall has biochem/biostatistics/anatomy. Spring is oral micro, immunology, and another elective. These classes are taken WITH dental students. Each semester would be about 12 credit hours. It seems organized but was just anxious if they curve in grad school etc. Considering D1's are taking a bigger load of classes while I'm taking a lighter one, maybe if I buckle down it should be okay?

Based on your priority this program ranks #2 with connections to dental staff, high % getting into dental school, and able to take classes dental students take!

 

[knewstance]

So I just finished a master's program. I can say that I learned a lot, but getting above 90% in my classes was not an easy task.

This program that you are looking at seems nice because it has a connection with the dental school. That will be helpful, but I'd try to contact some of the students from previous years to see what they thought about the program and how achievable 4.0 was for their class. Gauge what they say and make a guess if you would be able to make 4.0 in the program or not. Your cGPA being 3.3 isn't bad, so you definitely do not want this master's GPA to be a boat anchor on your application.

I'd suggest taking some time and studying really hard for the DAT. Learn and master each of the subjects and then rely on a strong DAT score to even out your undergrad GPA and forego the master's. This will save you time, money, and headaches... You'd probably be retaking the DAT either way, right?

 

[Ohsnap23]

So I just finished a master's program. I can say that I learned a lot, but getting above 90% in my classes was not an easy task.

This program that you are looking at seems nice because it has a connection with the dental school. That will be helpful, but I'd try to contact some of the students from previous years to see what they thought about the program and how achievable 4.0 was for their class. Gauge what they say and make a guess if you would be able to make 4.0 in the program or not. Your cGPA being 3.3 isn't bad, so you definitely do not want this master's GPA to be a boat anchor on your application.

I'd suggest taking some time and studying really hard for the DAT. Learn and master each of the subjects and then rely on a strong DAT score to even out your undergrad GPA and forego the master's. This will save you time, money, and headaches... You'd probably be retaking the DAT either way, right?

Hey there I just saw this. I actually did retake the DAT a 3rd recently and received those scores. The program has a tough scale but there are only 20 spots for the program so I'm thankful for a spot. Also 19 out of 20 last year got into dental/med school according to the staff. Some ranged from a 3.1-3.9. Luckily I would only be taking 12 credits max, so I feel it can be done because I'm absolutely dedicating my soul to this. However, a 3.5 is a 90+ average for upper classes but it is what it is. I did interview there last cycle and it's my state school so maybe the tough scale will be taken into account?

How much did you study during your master's/how well did you do GPA wise if you don't mind me asking?

 

[knewstance]

I did interview there last cycle and it's my state school so maybe the tough scale will be taken into account?

How much did you study during your master's/how well did you do GPA wise if you don't mind me asking?

I would hope the scale would be taken into account for the rigor of the courses, but from what I read and infer... That is not always the case and sometimes the perception is opposite. Maybe someone else can speak to this.

During my master's I studied every single day, ranging from 4-6 hours outside of testing blocks (only like 5-6 weeks of this total in the 1 year program) and 10-16 hours daily during testing blocks. My cGPA/sGPA before was 3.5/3.4 and I ended up with 3.5 in the program. I was hoping for better than that, but its in the books now and I can't do anything to change it.