I'm currently a first year in a top 10 PhD program, and have realized that this is not at all what I want to do with my life. I'm very unhappy here. I like the patient interaction aspect of dentistry and after shadowing a dentist and volunteering at a free dental clinic I've realized that dentistry is what I want to do with my life. I'm very worried about how dropping out of my program will look on my application however. I'm taking my DATs in April and am planning on finishing out the year in grad school. Should I not include my graduate work in my application? I would have to stay at least 3 years for a masters, and I would like to start applying for dental school this summer. Do I have any chance? I have a double major in toxicology and infectious disease from a very good state school with a minor in chemistry and a 3.45 GPA. I have a lot of undergraduate research experience (and now graduate level experience) and good LORs. My top choice at this point would be Maryland, but I don't know how realistic that is/want to see how I do on my DAT. Will my application be cast aside automatically because of this career change? PLEASE HELP
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PhD dropout - am I doomed?
- Thread starter Atekram
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Three years for an M.S.?
Yes, since it is a PhD program it seems that it depends on your advisor's judgement when you are ready for an MS. Judging from people who I have heard left with this degree, they all stayed ~3 years.
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You would be surprised how many MS programs last more than 2 years.
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In a Ph.D. program, if you are given an M.S. and shown the door, guess what that means?
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Hmm.. Not good. You should check into acceptance policies about graduate school drop outs. In Canada the universities have agreements which prohibit a student from gaining acceptance without completing their masters or PhD. I'm not sure what the policies are in the USA, but I would be surprised if you could just omit your graduate standing on applications. I would switch to a Masters and try to complete within 2 years.
Your story actually sounds a lot like mine, I was able to walk away with a Masters in Chemistry in under two years after working like a dog to make sure I had enough research to graduate on time for dental school matriculation. It wasn't easy, but even if it does take you 3 years I would finish your masters, SAVE AS MUCH STIPEND MONEY AS POSSIBLE (tuition costs are disgusting) and put together a great application. Don't worry about missing out on lost time, you'll gain experience that will help you in the long run.
Good luck.
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You would be surprised how many MS programs last more than 2 years.i think so.
