Question to those who have done or are doing an SMP/Masters

[gryffindor29]

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Hi all! I have a couple questions about those who are pursuing an SMP or masters program: did you apply the year you started your SMP, and have dental schools received your first semester grades and then wait to see if you got accepted/waitlisted/rejected?

Or..

Did you apply AFTER you completed your SMP or masters program?

I've been reading the threads about those who've successfully got accepted to dental school, but I'm curious to know when they applied.

For example, I'm starting an SMP in the fall 2014. I'm hoping to submit my AADSAS application in the next few weeks, for fall 2015 matriculation. *fingers crossed* hopefully I won't need to wait till they see my first semester of grad school grades. Is this usually the timeline/guide that most students with a masters route take? Or do they just apply the following year? I'm asking because I don't want to wait another whole year to apply.


Thank you in advance 😀

 

[Digitalangel]

I'm doing the same as you, starting one in the fall as well as applying for dental school. I am hoping i will get accepted to dental school before i finish the smp, but just in case i don't get accepted , the smp will help me improve my application because my gpa is on the lower side.

 

[shays]

I am doing the same as you. 1 year master's starting this Fall- applying for Fall 2015. I am interested to see what other people who have done this say. The advisor for my program said that a student from this past year was going on dental school interviews in September (before master's grades were posted).

My roommate for next year that is also doing this master's applied to dental school last year, went on interviews, but never got accepted. Because of that she is going to wait until she completes the master's program before reapplying.

 

[lemons222]

The real question is why are you doing the the program? Is it because your undergrad grades are weak and you need to prove you can succeed at the graduate school level? Well, then why would you apply if a committee cant see your grades, yet? This will jeopardize you!

A. They will say flat no
B. They will say maybe and look at interviewing you in January
C. They say ow, we like you! Fall interview, wait list on Dec 1. Review your fall grades and maybe admit you February.

Honestly, this is why 1.5-2year programs are a little better. It will give you more time and you wont have a gap year. Maybe a gap semester at the most.


All that being said. If you're going to school for a gpa <3.0 I would wait until you actually have some grades to apply.

If you want apply anyway because you're awesome with 500 community service hours and 24 DAT, be prepared to wait and expect the committees to want to see fall grades before making a decision.

 

[MBLAQ]

I am just curious, what is the range of undergraduate GPA of students who apply for the SMP program, and what SMP program did you guys apply to?

 

[soydentista]

I started Master program Spring 2013 before application.( applied in JUNE) . I submitted my grades for the first semester but AADSAS did not included in my GPA calculations because at the time I submitted my tranScript I was still missing one grade. I ended up getting interviews and acceptances, so I never updated my Master degree grades. But just that you know, about 12 schools had my application on hold until I submit my Master degree grades, which I never did.. GOOD LUCK!

 

[gryffindor29]

I'm doing the SMP for several reasons:

• I applied a year later than intended because I wasn't ready to take my DAT during my junior year
• I have a few weak grades. I did poorly on my pre-req courses but this was early on in my undergrad career. However I was still able to graduate with a 3.6 gpa, which isn't too bad. I managed to show a strong upward trend towards my junior and senior year
• I want to make myself more competitive, and show that I can handle advanced science courses. I also didn't want to waste time during ym gap year, so I decided to go to grad school or get a good job...but of course getting a job is like finding a needle in a haystack...

Thanks for your helpful input!

 

[gryffindor29]

I am just curious, what is the range of undergraduate GPA of students who apply for the SMP program, and what SMP program did you guys apply to?

From my limited knowledge, it varies. I've seen people with <3.0 GPA's get accepted. Which makes sense because it's giving those with low GPAs a second chance for dentals schools to see their academic ability. I really can't put my finger on it with a certain number, I'm sorry!

I applied to Barrys, NYU and Rutgers. I chose Rutgers (MS in Biomedical Science). Also for Rutgers, I got accepted with a 3.6. A former student of the program said that if you have at least a 2.8, you should be fine.

 

[gryffindor29]

I started Master program Spring 2013 before application.( applied in JUNE) . I submitted my grades for the first semester but AADSAS did not included in my GPA calculations because at the time I submitted my tranScript I was still missing one grade. I ended up getting interviews and acceptances, so I never updated my Master degree grades. But just that you know, about 12 schools had my application on hold until I submit my Master degree grades, which I never did.. GOOD LUCK!

If you don't mind sharing, what were your undergrad and masters GPA? DAT score? 🙂

 

[soydentista]

If you don't mind sharing, what were your undergrad and masters GPA? DAT score? 🙂

I'll PM you my scores...

 

[soydentista]

If you don't mind sharing, what were your undergrad and masters GPA? DAT score? 🙂

HaHa, can not send you PM, not sure why, not letting me, well... but my scores were below average 🙂 for DAT and Undergraduate GPA and ended up with Master GPA of 3.65

 

[gryffindor29]

HaHa, can not send you PM, not sure why, not letting me, well... but my scores were below average 🙂 for DAT and Undergraduate GPA and ended up with Master GPA of 3.65

No worries. Thank you for sharing. You're going to dental school anyways so congrats!

 

[lemons222]

I am just curious, what is the range of undergraduate GPA of students who apply for the SMP program, and what SMP program did you guys apply to?

Varies by program. Some will take 2.75... a lot have a 3.0 cut off. Another route people forget is just a regular master's in bio or microbio.

I'm doing the SMP for several reasons:

• I applied a year later than intended because I wasn't ready to take my DAT during my junior year
• I have a few weak grades. I did poorly on my pre-req courses but this was early on in my undergrad career. However I was still able to graduate with a 3.6 gpa, which isn't too bad. I managed to show a strong upward trend towards my junior and senior year
• I want to make myself more competitive, and show that I can handle advanced science courses. I also didn't want to waste time during ym gap year, so I decided to go to grad school or get a good job...but of course getting a job is like finding a needle in a haystack...

Thanks for your helpful input!

Well, seems like you really didn't need it. Your GPA isn't bad. Im sure you'll be fine. Apply broadly and you'll get plenty of interviews/acceptances!

 

[youngy]

I'm doing the SMP for several reasons:

• I applied a year later than intended because I wasn't ready to take my DAT during my junior year
• I have a few weak grades. I did poorly on my pre-req courses but this was early on in my undergrad career. However I was still able to graduate with a 3.6 gpa, which isn't too bad. I managed to show a strong upward trend towards my junior and senior year
• I want to make myself more competitive, and show that I can handle advanced science courses. I also didn't want to waste time during ym gap year, so I decided to go to grad school or get a good job...but of course getting a job is like finding a needle in a haystack...

Thanks for your helpful input!

if you have 3.6 GPA, I'd strongly advise you not to do the SMP program.
SMP program is probably a good choice people with borderline GPA or even terrible GPA, but with your GPA, you are just risking your chance of getting in.
If you do well, yes they will be impressed but if you somehow do poorly on it, you set yourself back worse than someone who has lower GPA than you.

I had a friend who had 3.6, did the post-bac just for the hell of it and he bombed it.. Guess what, he's not going anywhere any time soon.

 

[asdffff]

Hey @gryffindor29 and @Digitalangel ... i've been trying to send you guys messages trying to pick your brains about what you guys ended up doing because i'm planning on doing the same thing. if u guys see this..can you guys update me on what you decided to do? is in our best interest to apply to the school and then apply to dental school simultaneously?

i appreciate all the help. thanks guys.

 

[Digitalangel]

i did exactly what i said i was going to do 🙂 i took my chances and had one interview so far and they are waiting for my academic update to make a decision. i had 18cr of A's over the summer before i graduated and a 4.0 my first semester at Barry. im hoping for another interview and an acceptance, but in mean time im continuing my grad courses since i dont know whats going to happen yet.

i think it really depends on your stats. if your gpa is really low then wait till you are done. but if you have ~3.0 and have money then go for it

also i think people in our situation are just taking whatever acceptance we can get...if you want to be picky about cheap schools, schools that allow instate tuition etc. then you should wait till after your masters. there are a handful of schools that rejected me that i look back on now that i probably wouldnt have cared to go to, so if i have to reapply i will be much smarter about what schools i want.

 

[asdffff]

@Digitalangel thanks for the response!

I have a sGPA of 2.97 and an overall of 3.27 with a 21DAT. I'm most likely going to apply to SMPs for the Fall '15 (like you did this year) but schools are seeing no grades other than the fact that you're signed up to take SMP classes, right? Huge risk..

 

[Digitalangel]

yep it is definitely a risk, but i think you can bump up your gpa even more now with spring and summer classes? your DAT is also better than most so thats good. i mean its up to you if you want to take the risk and maybe land an acceptance early, or get rejected and possibly lose a few thousand dollars, and reapply. i wanted to take the risk, ill let you know if i hear any news in the next few weeks!

 

[shays]

I had an undergrad GPA of 3.35, 18 DAT. I am in the SMP at Iowa State and got a 3.93 GPA. I've had 1 interview and 0 acceptances. Fingers are still crossed that I will hear from the school I interviewed at. I only focused on Texas dental school's though which are extremely competitive. I applied to OOS but never pursued them after that. I think the SMP is very worth it if you're going to work your butt off and do well (grad school is much harder and busier than undergrad). I don't regret applying during my SMP year considering I have had that 1 interview at my top school and even if I don't get accepted this year, my app will be even better next year!

 

[asdffff]

@Digitalangel yeah man i hear ya. i graduated last may so I don't have anymore undergrad classes that can boost it up. Are there any summer programs/classes that you know of? And awesome dude, I'm hoping the best for you. Keep me in the loop.

 

[Digitalangel]

i dont know of any summer programs. but looks like @shays is in the same position as me, i also heard of another 8-9 people at my school who had interviews pre-december who were in my boat as well. even if i dont get in i dont think i would regret it because ive learned so much about the process of applying, and different schools. in the mean time ive also learned to study at a graduate level which as @shays said above, it is must more difficult and time-consuming, but i have learned so much!

 

[asdffff]

True. @shays..any advice?

 

[shays]

If money isn't an issue, I strongly recommend doing a SMP! As far as DAT goes, you did great! With the current GPA I highly doubt you would hear anything from dental schools before the Fall grad school grades are posted. The scary thing about applying with that GPA is you risk schools automatically rejecting you without waiting for a spring grade update. I would recommend waiting to apply until you have a higher GPA. Only because I am going through it now with a lower DAT but higher GPA and still haven't had much success. But then again, if money isn't an issue, there is no harm in applying this year. And if you don't get accepted, your application would be MUCH better for the next year because you would be a reapplicant (which shows you're dedicated) with a higher GPA! I know that if I get accepted this year it would be just barely. If you apply with a master's, higher GPA, and that DAT for entering class of Fall 2016, there's no reason you wouldn't get accepted! Then again, if you don't get a ~3.5 GPA in grad school, you wouldn't be helping yourself. You really need to knock that GPA out of the park, but speaking as someone with experience, it is totally possible! Stay motivated! Good luck!

 

[gryffindor29]

Hey, @asdffff sorry about the late response. I've decided to apply to dental school after my masters, or at least until they have 2 full semesters of grades. I figured it'd be my better route because I just took my DAT a few weeks ago and there's no point in applying so late. I decided to prepare myself and apply June 2015 so that I can be a solid, early candidate. I won't be done with my masters till about this November-ish, but I decided it's better to spread out time so I can earn those A's, and work part time, after I've completed my masters.

You can apply to dental school at the same time of doing a masters, but it'd challenging. If you're doing a masters to kill time or fill your gap year, then go for it. However, this should only be done if you have solid stats from undergrad and a good DAT score. Applying to dental school is risky and exciting, because with each cycle, you're putting in energy, money, a PS, LoRs, and your EC's. If you don't get accepted this cycle for whatever reason, you'll need to upgrade your 2nd application by maybe tweaking your PS, and having your writers write better things, add more EC's..etc. All in all....it can be stressful!

In my opinion, if you're choosing to do a masters program, go for it and do extremely well. It's an investment of time and money. So if you enroll in one, stay focused and complete it. Then you can show Adcoms an amazing transcript they can't turn down. If you apply only halfway done with your masters, you may be at risk because your sGPA and oGPA is on the lower side, they may want to see more improvement from you, i.e. another graduate school semester.

Hope this helps! Sorry I'm writing this on my phone and my response may now flow well lol

 

[Digitalangel]

i received another interview today with one semester completed!

 

[asdffff]

@Digitalangel hey! what's the update?!?!?! I've been dying to hear back from you and how the process has been for you. Still a bit gloomy for me as I wait for NYU to get back to me regarding the waitlist. But, I applied to Upenn's Specialized Studies Post-Bacc program (have you heard of it?). Update me!

 

[Digitalangel]

@Digitalangel hey! what's the update?!?!?! I've been dying to hear back from you and how the process has been for you. Still a bit gloomy for me as I wait for NYU to get back to me regarding the waitlist. But, I applied to Upenn's Specialized Studies Post-Bacc program (have you heard of it?). Update me!

I received my first acceptance last month!

 

[shays]

Accepted last month also. Congrats!

 

[Digitalangel]

Accepted last month also. Congrats!

you too! 🙂