SMP - Did anyone get rejected after getting a masters?

[gryffindor29]

Has anyone ever completed a SMP or general masters and still didn't get into dental school? If so, what was the process afterwards? Did you reapply again or take post-bacc classes?

Did you know other students in your graduate program who got in and those who didn't? If so, what EC's did you have during grad school? Other than the possibility of doing research, did anybody TA or work for the department at your school?

Just trying to see some insight. I'm considering doing a SMP, and wanted to know to make the most out of it.Thanks!

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[CedarZ4]

While this is personal opinion and from speculation only, it appears that if you do a SMP (or a Masters in a core Biology) and do very well (3.7+ GPA) your chances of getting into DS are very very high. This is of course, if you don't have any red flags.

However, the otherside is if you do poorly in a Masters program, you pretty much dug yourself into a very very deep ditch that will be almost impossible to get out. I don't know of anyone personally, but around SDN there was one user to did a Masters from a less prestigious school, only received about a 3.2GPA, and failed his exam so did not even get his Masters degree. Even with a spectacular DAT score (I think it was in the 25s if I recall correctly) he did not get accepted. His name is 2PacClone or something like that, do a search and you will find his thread to read the story. The take-home though is, if you do a Masters, make sure you dedicate yourself 110% to make sure you do well, otherwise if you are like the user I talked about, your chances of DS is close to 0 after a poor Masters.

 

[Teeths]

Has anyone ever completed a SMP or general masters and still didn't get into dental school? If so, what was the process afterwards? Did you reapply again or take post-bacc classes?

Did you know other students in your graduate program who got in and those who didn't? If so, what EC's did you have during grad school? Other than the possibility of doing research, did anybody TA or work for the department at your school?

Just trying to see some insight. I'm considering doing a SMP, and wanted to know to make the most out of it.Thanks!

I'm completing a SMP now and applying for this cycle, so we'll see how it turns out (hopefully with an acceptance ). I know a few people who got into dental schools while they were actually in the program and hadn't graduated with the degree at the time yet and some didn't even finish the masters because dental school started before the SMP was over. I will say I think it's really important to realize that simply graduating from a SMP does not guarantee an acceptance in any way, shape, or form. I've heard it time and time again from professors in the program and alumni who are now in medical/dental/or other professional schools --- a SMP is what you make of it. Get to know the professors... this is great for getting fresh LORs and drives you to do better in the courses overall. Get in with a group of friends who will push you to study and make the best of the situation. Shadowing/volunteering can be done, but in my own opinion this isn't nearly as important as your grades (since that's usually why you're in a SMP to begin with) so really focus on getting those A's! If you can get a 4.0 or close to it in an SMP, I think you set yourself up for a lot of interviews because it shows you can handle the first few years of dental school.

Hope that helped some and good luck!

 

[SES0112]

Has anyone ever completed a SMP or general masters and still didn't get into dental school? If so, what was the process afterwards? Did you reapply again or take post-bacc classes?

Did you know other students in your graduate program who got in and those who didn't? If so, what EC's did you have during grad school? Other than the possibility of doing research, did anybody TA or work for the department at your school?

Just trying to see some insight. I'm considering doing a SMP, and wanted to know to make the most out of it.Thanks!

I finished my masters this past December with 3.4 and did not get in. Guess it was too low, I had to work during the entire year and a half, which I do regret but really had not other option. Not sure what to do next but try again and obviously continue to work on other aspects of my application. Ive continued my EC's since undergrad and work as a dental assistant. Good luck, give it your all!

 

[Alekshura2]

After talking to dental school admissions, I was pretty much told that if you do not get at least a 3.6 in an SMP program during your first semester, you need to pack your bags. SMP is a second chance and you NEED to do well if you want to get interviews.

 

[JAWSSS]

I did well in a 2-year thesis masters. Did fine during the application cycle (my masters was always mentioned by the interviewers at each school)

However, I was accepted to dental schools three years ago and decided to do a paid masters first.. So, that could have something to do with it. Some schools didn't like that, others didn't care.

 

[Teeths]

I did well in a 2-year thesis masters. Did fine during the application cycle (my masters was always mentioned by the interviewers at each school)

However, I was accepted to dental schools three years ago and decided to do a paid masters first.. So, that could have something to do with it. Some schools didn't like that, others didn't care.

Do you care to share more information like what you GPA was from undergrad or through the masters? If not, I understand. Just curious for comparison 🙂

 

[JAWSSS]

Undergrad 3.8 GPA; Grad 4.0 GPA

 

[devz4lf]

I just finished my Masters degree this July and will be attending dental school in the fall. From my experience, getting a masters degree gives your a great shot at getting into dental school. If you devote yourself entirely to your classes and study well for every exam there is no reason why you shouldnt get in. In the fall semester I got close to a 3.7 which landed me a interview which ultimately landed me a spot in dental school. Spring semester I got a 4.0 GPA. Classes in a masters program aren't easy but like I said, you must put in the work and time to do well, if you do you are golden. I studied for every exam as if it was a final exam and realized if you know your stuff the exams are very doable. I also feel that professors in Masters school aren't out to get you. They simply tell you what to know and if you study in advance you will do fine. There is no weed out process like there is in undergrad. I am very grateful I did a Masters.

 

[gryffindor29]

I just finished my Masters degree this July and will be attending dental school in the fall. From my experience, getting a masters degree gives your a great shot at getting into dental school. If you devote yourself entirely to your classes and study well for every exam there is no reason why you shouldnt get in. In the fall semester I got close to a 3.7 which landed me a interview which ultimately landed me a spot in dental school. Spring semester I got a 4.0 GPA. Classes in a masters program aren't easy but like I said, you must put in the work and time to do well, if you do you are golden. I studied for every exam as if it was a final exam and realized if you know your stuff the exams are very doable. I also feel that professors in Masters school aren't out to get you. They simply tell you what to know and if you study in advance you will do fine. There is no weed out process like there is in undergrad. I am very grateful I did a Masters.

Thanks for the info, and congrats on the acceptance!! 🙂 Definitely see how helpful how a masters can be, only if you use it to your advantage. If you don't mind sharing, what was your oGPA from under and GPA?

 

[CedarZ4]

I did well in a 2-year thesis masters. Did fine during the application cycle (my masters was always mentioned by the interviewers at each school)

However, I was accepted to dental schools three years ago and decided to do a paid masters first.. So, that could have something to do with it. Some schools didn't like that, others didn't care.

I know this is off-topic, but can't help it as I am really interested in knowing why you opted to do a Masters after getting an acceptance, just to re-apply?

 

[JAWSSS]

I know this is off-topic, but can't help it as I am really interested in knowing why you opted to do a Masters after getting an acceptance, just to re-apply?

haha

 

[Jake36]

I just finished my Masters degree this July and will be attending dental school in the fall. From my experience, getting a masters degree gives your a great shot at getting into dental school. If you devote yourself entirely to your classes and study well for every exam there is no reason why you shouldnt get in. In the fall semester I got close to a 3.7 which landed me a interview which ultimately landed me a spot in dental school. Spring semester I got a 4.0 GPA. Classes in a masters program aren't easy but like I said, you must put in the work and time to do well, if you do you are golden. I studied for every exam as if it was a final exam and realized if you know your stuff the exams are very doable. I also feel that professors in Masters school aren't out to get you. They simply tell you what to know and if you study in advance you will do fine. There is no weed out process like there is in undergrad. I am very grateful I did a Masters.

Hey, could you tell me when you applied to dental school during your masters? Im thinking about getting a masters after my senior year which will be for 1 year at UMDNJ Newark. Also, which masters program did you attend?

 

[devz4lf]

To gryffindor29, my undergrad GPA was nothing special, I finished with a overall 3.3 and a science around 3.2ish hence I needed to do this masters program to make myself standout more.

To jake36, I applied last July when the application portal opened up. I attended the GSBS at UMDNJ for one year which now is known as Rutgers Biomedical and health Sciences. The program is great because you can take 1st and 2nd year dental courses and the program itself offers many interesting courses. Its a great program.

 

[gryffindor29]

Thanks everyone. Info was very helpful. Good luck with everything!


Also, another question, what's your opinion on applying to SMP's broadly? For example, I'm from the West Coast and wanted to see if it's worth applying (and potentially) then attending a SMP on the East Coast. I don't really have money to pay for it, so loans would be the way to go. Is it wise to go far and attend one regardless? Just hoping to get into one on the WC.