Masters Programs - does the type of program matter?

[ArmyPilot]

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I cant apply for D school for another few years because of my military requirements...so this means that I will most likely need to go into a masters program to prove my recent academic abilities as my BS will be 8 years old by the time Im applying. By some miracle I was selected for a masters program starting next year...

...however...

...I can not choose any masters program out there (ie - MS in Bio, the common fav on this forum). I will be in an MS of Environmental Engineering program (Uncle Sam has a lot of say in this). My BS is in engineering as well.

My question: will the fact that I am not in an MS in Bio (like everyone on this forum talks about) hurt me? Will I need to get out and get that second masters in bio to prove my ability with the sciences? Im already waaaaaaaay non-traditional as is and have PLENTY working against me...with acceptance rates to dental schools being a massive FOUR percent, every little bit counts.

Thanks a ton!
-ArmyPilot

 

[Docplaque]

I was in the same position, torn as to whether i should do a masters in engineering. there really isn' much you could do with a bio masters if dental school didn't work out. If you went the EnvrionEng route the grades wouldn't count towards your BCP, but they would count towards your science GPA. I would call the schools that you plant on applying to and ask them directly.

 

[ArmyPilot]

Thanks DocPlaque - I did call some schools and they said "pick something that you could use should denistry might not work out." Im hoping that this MS in engineering (especially since it isnt in my BS field of engineering) will prove academic adaptability and the ability to apply sciences rather than just memorize them. It seems like bible verse though that one must get an MS in bio if it doesnt work out first time through the application cycle.

 

[Simple Jack]

surely if you get a solid DAT score that's recent, then I wouldn't worry about not being recent w/ the science courses. You obviously can handle a rigorous training environment, plus you'll be all over those hand-piece pedals. ha

I think the schools are right on about picking an MS program that you could do something with. An MS EnvE would be way more practical if dentistry doesn't work out. You could roll your time over into a Federal job. Plus it would be easy for you to justify your enrollment in the program, you could just say Uncle Sam had a vested interest in putting you through it for your job. An MS in Biology would have to be on your own dime and would be a harder sell to the adcoms, since they're going to know that all this time you were interested in dentistry.

good luck

 

[ArmyPilot]

Thanks Simple Jack!

 

[ArmyPilot]

bump

 

[UFRalo]

I don't think it really matters what your degree is in as long as it is...
1) Something you have an interest in
2) Can help for future employment if you don't get into dschool

I am in a MS-MicroBio and applying now. It was the easiest option for me because I work in an oral bio lab. I also am interested in my research, not really the degree (my program is more environmental micro and biotech focused), but my lab PI was willing to help me pay for it so that's the way I went.

I would think as long as you do well on your DAT you should be fine.

On a related side note: I emailed a school once to ask them if a MS in Bio was preferable. They told me that if I wanted to get a degree in dance that would be fine, so long as I liked the degree and did well in the classes So no, it doesn't really matter.

 

[UltimateHombre]

I can't imagine that having an MS in engineering would work against you!! Engineering programs are no walk in the park.... Adcoms know this and will factor it in accordingly. I think it is very comparable to undergraduate coursework... they really don't care, just as long as you have it.

DocToothache has a thread that shows the statistics of applicants with masters degrees and i think the application ratio is like 50%. Don't quote me.... its way late and i am too lazy to look it up. Whether it be an MBA, MPH, MS in Bio, engineering, whatever.... it's an advantage and shows you can handle graduate level coursework. Good luck and totally go for the MSE!!

 

[ArmyPilot]

Thanks guys/gals - I greatly appreciate your input! Anyone else have any experience with this?