Masters

[Dental2000]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey,

So I am currently set to do my masters in the fall (thesis).

I just got my schedule worked out and I only have One core science class which is graded, The rest are pass/courses that depend on a project that I need to compete by the end of the semester. I also have my Research to do for my Thesis

My question is: Will Dental schools look at my schedule and think that my workload is too little and I mite not be able to handle higher workloads?
I have to take 5 credit hours in my uni to be considered a Full-time graduate student and Im already at 9.

What do you guys think? I have also been accepted into another school which has just core courses that are Graded. so If i accepted the other school then my schedule would be full of science graded courses but no research.

I still have a chance to accepet the other school but Ive been told going into research is the better option. Wanted to get SDNers opnion 🙂

 

[periopocket]

Dental Schools like to see at least 3 science lecture courses per semester. They prefer one be able to add 4 science courses per semester. With that said, your current question can only be best answered upon your stats. Have you already shown adcoms you can handle this kind of load and do well? Are you doing a Masters to make up for past poor coursework? Ask youself these questions.

 

[Malva]

I did a research based masters (2 year thesis). I only had TWO classes to do in the two years of my program. I had other requirements like TA hours, give lectures, and write and defend a thesis on top of doing full time research. My undergrad GPA was nothing spectacular, so I was happy to receive 3 acceptances. At each interview they were very interested to hear about my research, I think schools recognize that there are different types of masters programs, but in my personal experience I didn't feel like they thought I was slacking by any means with only taking the two required classes.

 

[Teeths]

My opinion on this is just from what I've heard by word of mouth so take that as you will, but it seemed to me that adcoms want a full course load of science courses. Maybe 2 or 3 per semester are sufficient, but I don't think 1 science course is enough. After all, if you don't get in from poor undergrad grades, going into a masters program with hopes of a dental school acceptance serves the purpose that 'I can handle a dental school curriculum' which is very heavy on the sciences.

However, I think it's important that you're going with a thesis program (with the exception of SMPs) as an adcom once told me that if you're doing a 2 year masters, thesis is the way to go.

 

[Dental2000]

I have a 3.53 oGPA from Undergrad. Im doing masters partucualrly because I heard research was important.

 

[Dental2000]

Dental Schools like to see at least 3 science lecture courses per semester. They prefer one be able to add 4 science courses per semester. With that said, your current question can only be best answered upon your stats. Have you already shown adcoms you can handle this kind of load and do well? Are you doing a Masters to make up for past poor coursework? Ask youself these questions.

Ive already done those kinds of course loads your talking about in undergrad. From my masters perspective is taking 3-4 courses while doing Thesis research advisable? You need to spend almost 20-30hrs a week in lab to get you experiments done. and adding 3 more courses will add a much more workload that Ive heard is needed.

The reason why im doing masters in this particular school is due to the fact I have a GA position available for me and thought that it would look better on my Application rather than just taking courses ( which I did in undergrad), I did recieve interviews the last time around, but did not get in. so Im hoping ratching up my resume with Research+GA position, mayb some more volunteer hours etc mite give be a better chance the next time around.

 

[periopocket]

Ive already done those kinds of course loads your talking about in undergrad. From my masters perspective is taking 3-4 courses while doing Thesis research advisable? You need to spend almost 20-30hrs a week in lab to get you experiments done. and adding 3 more courses will add a much more workload that Ive heard is needed.

The reason why im doing masters in this particular school is due to the fact I have a GA position available for me and thought that it would look better on my Application rather than just taking courses ( which I did in undergrad), I did recieve interviews the last time around, but did not get in. so Im hoping ratching up my resume with Research+GA position, mayb some more volunteer hours etc mite give be a better chance the next time around.

It looks like you are setting yourself up well. I did 3 credits of research in my Masters during the summer. I also had a GA position but it was in the computer science department. Why pay for a Masters when you can get a full ride? If your gpa is above a 3.2 I don't a heavy course load is as imperative. If you have below a 3.2 I would advise you to try and take at least 3 course based classes a semester or (2 + research). Research alone in my opinion just wont be enough for a sub 3.2. Best of luck to you!

 

[BellaNella]

Ive already done those kinds of course loads your talking about in undergrad. From my masters perspective is taking 3-4 courses while doing Thesis research advisable? You need to spend almost 20-30hrs a week in lab to get you experiments done. and adding 3 more courses will add a much more workload that Ive heard is needed.

The reason why im doing masters in this particular school is due to the fact I have a GA position available for me and thought that it would look better on my Application rather than just taking courses ( which I did in undergrad), I did recieve interviews the last time around, but did not get in. so Im hoping ratching up my resume with Research+GA position, mayb some more volunteer hours etc mite give be a better chance the next time around.

You should be fine if you did those course loads in undergrad. I did a masters program after graduation (the fall of my application year) that had nothing to do with science. The only school that seemed a little concerned during my interview about me not taking any science courses that year was Baylor (and they still accepted me the first day of acceptances). You already did that during undergrad so I wouldn't worry! I know people who took the year after undergraduate off completely. I see it as: you are actually doing something when you could be doing nothing at all since you already completed the prereqs and graduated...

 

[Dental2000]

It looks like you are setting yourself up well. I did 3 credits of research in my Masters during the summer. I also had a GA position but it was in the computer science department. Why pay for a Masters when you can get a full ride? If your gpa is above a 3.2 I don't a heavy course load is as imperative. If you have below a 3.2 I would advise you to try and take at least 3 course based classes a semester or (2 + research). Research alone in my opinion just wont be enough for a sub 3.2. Best of luck to you!

My Undergrad oGPA is 3.54 to be exact....so good to hear that a hevay course load isnt imperative

 

[Dental2000]

You should be fine if you did those course loads in undergrad. I did a masters program after graduation (the fall of my application year) that had nothing to do with science. The only school that seemed a little concerned during my interview about me not taking any science courses that year was Baylor (and they still accepted me the first day of acceptances). You already did that during undergrad so I wouldn't worry! I know people who took the year after undergraduate off completely. I see it as: you are actually doing something when you could be doing nothing at all since you already completed the prereqs and graduated...

Lol I did actually take a year off, But I was working as Dental assistant during that year, studying for the GRE etc. It wasnt planned but thats how it panned out. Hopefully Interviewers dont look at that GAP year and think ill of it. I did do some travelling as well just to get to take a break from life. Since I did not get in, i was feeling a little down as well. I discovered new places, spent time with family living abroad. I was even able to shadow dentists abroad just for a few weeks so that I can see how dentistry is in another country.

 

[periopocket]

Your gpa is great do the research

 

[Dental2000]

Your gpa is great do the research

What do you think about my course-load? Like I said Im taking only one science course/semester because thats what the schools requirements are....Plus since this is research based I assume ill be spending most of my time in the lab...

 

[periopocket]

Your perfect! Like I said with a 3.5+ gpa, a masters is just icing in the cake, once you hit 3.6 you will be a desirable applicant at just about every school you apply to with the MS and research experience under your belt. gL