Postbacc vs 1-year masters program

[Jhstyle]

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Hello everyone, I'm a senior planning to graduate with a biology degree this coming summer. So far, I have a cum. gpa of 3.0 and a science gpa of 2.6. Obviously this is very low to land any acceptances into dental schools. I was wondering what my best route in this case would be? Should I do 1 year post-bacc to bump up my gpa (save more money) vs doing 1 year masters program? One thing that bothers me with the masters program is obviously the cost and that most of them require science gpa of 3.0 or higher which I don't have. I also haven't taken the DAT yet which I'm planning to take it during the summer. I would truly appreciate any feedback. Thanks a lot.

 

[knewstance]

I would highly suggest a masters over the postbacc. Degree vs additional classes.... That is a clear choice as to which carries more weight.

I would also suggest not taking the DAT until you complete your program. You will score higher in the Bio section (and RC) of the DAT if you study hard and truly learn during your SMP classes.

As to your concern with your sGPA, just contact the admissions of the SMP. Most are very kind and want your success even if you haven't had the best past performance.

 

[Jhstyle]

I would highly suggest a masters over the postbacc. Degree vs additional classes.... That is a clear choice as to which carries more weight.

I would also suggest not taking the DAT until you complete your program. You will score higher in the Bio section (and RC) of the DAT if you study hard and truly learn during your SMP classes.

As to your concern with your sGPA, just contact the admissions of the SMP. Most are very kind and want your success even if you haven't had the best past performance.

Thank you very much for your input. You mentioned about not taking the DAT until I'm done with the program. But most schools require mcat, dat, or gre in order to apply. Does that mean I should take the GRE instead of DAT?

 

[Arthur Jeffries]

with a science gpa of a 2.6 your grades are probably too low for a masters...i would say that a masters is a better option from first hand experience though if you can get your ogpa and sgpa up

 

[Kingfish23]

Thank you very much for your input. You mentioned about not taking the DAT until I'm done with the program. But most schools require mcat, dat, or gre in order to apply. Does that mean I should take the GRE instead of DAT?

I wouldn’t recommend taking the DAT until you’ve put in time studying for it. You only want to take it once, ideally. Take the GRE, hoping that your basic reading and math skills are good enough to gain admission into a masters program. If you’re worried, study for the gre for a week before you take it. I didn’t study at all and got a 148/148 which got me into a masters program.

 

[Jhstyle]

with a science gpa of a 2.6 your grades are probably too low for a masters...i would say that a masters is a better option from first hand experience though if you can get your ogpa and sgpa up

Thanks for the input!

 

[Jhstyle]

I wouldn’t recommend taking the DAT until you’ve put in time studying for it. You only want to take it once, ideally. Take the GRE, hoping that your basic reading and math skills are good enough to gain admission into a masters program. If you’re worried, study for the gre for a week before you take it. I didn’t study at all and got a 148/148 which got me into a masters program.

Thank you! I think I will take the gre instead

 

[BosDent93]

I had sub 3.0 uGPA's and chose to do a masters and it resulted in a very successful cycle. It was kind of like having a clean slate. I made the mistake of taking the DAT to get into the masters, I should've taken the GRE. The masters will give you way more useful info like it did for me.

 

[Jhstyle]

I had sub 3.0 uGPA's and chose to do a masters and it resulted in a very successful cycle. It was kind of like having a clean slate. I made the mistake of taking the DAT to get into the masters, I should've taken the GRE. The masters will give you way more useful info like it did for me.

That is very inspiring. Thanks for the input! Mind if I ask what masters program you pursued in? Also, what do you think you did differently in masters program compared to undergraduate that made you have a successful cycle other than simply studying harder?

 

[BosDent93]

That is very inspiring. Thanks for the input! Mind if I ask what masters program you pursued in? Also, what do you think you did differently in masters program compared to undergraduate that made you have a successful cycle other than simply studying harder?

I did the Rutgers masters in Newark. It was challenging, but if you stay on top of everything, you’ll be rewarded, along with a solid dat. The way it’s set up, you have a lot more material, but more time to study. I took advantage of all the extra time, I also was involved in very time consuming things in undergrad, so not having that made school easier.

 

[schmoob]

Do a postbacc. If that doesn't do the trick you can move on to a master's.
If you start with a master's and don't get in, it will likely not look as favorable to go back down to a postbacc.

 

[knewstance]

Thank you very much for your input. You mentioned about not taking the DAT until I'm done with the program. But most schools require mcat, dat, or gre in order to apply. Does that mean I should take the GRE instead of DAT?

I would suggest only taking the DAT when you are confident you will score well over 20 in every section.

 

[tlovaj]

I went to ISU for MS in BMS 1-yr then had to score a 21+ on the DAT to get in. You need both to have a chance. A MS/Post Bac will open the door, a 21+ DAT will get you in. Best of luck!

 

[ssdent18]

Postbacc

 

[DocDoom]

Extend your undergrad and take upper division courses and get your sGPA as high as you can. No point in doing an master's if after 30creds of grad credit and your still under sGPA of 3.0 since you'll still get filtered out.

 

[Jhstyle]

I did the Rutgers masters in Newark. It was challenging, but if you stay on top of everything, you’ll be rewarded, along with a solid dat. The way it’s set up, you have a lot more material, but more time to study. I took advantage of all the extra time, I also was involved in very time consuming things in undergrad, so not having that made school easier.

Thank you so much for replying. Congrats to you! All the hard work paid off.

 

[Jhstyle]

Extend your undergrad and take upper division courses and get your sGPA as high as you can. No point in doing an master's if after 30creds of grad credit and your still under sGPA of 3.0 since you'll still get filtered out.

I may be able to increase it up to 2.9 science gpa (if I get all As of course), since I'm taking considerable amount of science classes right now and have few more

 

[Jhstyle]

Postbacc

should i do post-bacc in my current institution?

 

[Johnwickk]

A masters looks better

 

[ssdent18]

should i do post-bacc in my current institution?

Does you institution have a dental school?

 

[cottonbowl03]

+1 to rutgers Newark masters. Good program accepts low gpa and I’ve watched LOTS of people matriculate into dental school.

But you have to do well.