Should I withdraw from an irrelevant graduate degree?

[Irrizistuble]

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I was doing a Masters in Real Estate at NYU from which I'll have completed 8 out of 14 classes, current GPA 3.8. I don't know if I want to continue with it anymore, seems like a waste of time. Right now, I'm going through my pre-dent reqs for a 2010 start date.

If I do not complete the program, I finish off with a Certificate (a half-Masters if you will). Should I include this transcript on my application? Will I have to? It's an excellent GPA from a reputable school but I'm afraid it's such an irrelevant field that I will be frown upon for such a major switch.

Or, is it a major advantage to have a graduate degree when you apply regardless of the field? In that case, shall I just go ahead and finish the last few classes while I work after I've sent my application in next summer?

I don't know who else to ask. Everyone around me is in either in pure business or pure health field, no hybrids like me =/

 

[rose786]

This is tricky. Pulling out of a graduate degree likely won't look good on you but staying in an irrelevant program is wasting time.

I would just go for the certificate and get out. You do have to report grades, no matter how irrelevant. I'd also imagine that your switching fields would be something you should be prepared to talk about in your PS and interviews.

GL

 

[blankguy]

You risk looking bad if you withdraw from a program. I'm inclined to say that if you can finish it by 2010 do it. Just say that you expect to finish the program by then. Also I don't think getting a real estate degree is a total waste of time. It may come in handy when you are looking to buy a practice eventually. You can parlay it into something with dentistry.

 

[ummjoey]

i agree with the others that you should finish your degree. i think it will look good because it is a masters. this will distinguish you from the other applicants?

 

[Irrizistuble]

Well, I can finish it now and receive a Certificate, so D-schools won't know that I was in a MS program ever. The other thing I am researching is that maybe I could do a joint MBA-DDS program and apply these credits towards the MBA portion of the degrees and cut down my time later on, so the classes won't be a waste!