Hey everyone. So based on my gpa i know i wont be getting into dental school (3.1 overall) however ive been studying for the DAT consistently so I'm hoping that will go well. Anyway I've noticed a TON of people in my position doing a masters and pulling off 3.8+ GPAs. My question is how? Do programs make it easier on purpose? Are you just more focused? What changed when you got into the master's program? I'm really interested because those who go through that route actually get accepted. I know that my weaknesses were always about poor study habits and god awful time management. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Super high GPA in masters
- Thread starter azk1995
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Current masters student here. I think it's a combination of having more time to focus on your classes and feeling like this is your last chance to prove yourself. For me personally, I think my advantage was being in med school for a year. That doesn't make the content I'm learning easier (although studying for 7 vs. 40 lectures for a test shouldn't be discounted); I just know how to manage my time better.
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You went to med school and now doing your masters?
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There's no second chances. When you are in fight or flight mode, and you know that flight means defeat, you fight. You fight and you try to win. You'll be amazed at the human strength when put into a position to perform.
If you looked at my trend, I performed better when under pressure and WAY busier. I'm not the only one like this.
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Most people realize if they do poorly in their masters program, then they aren't getting into dental school. For most, their masters GPA will be the difference between flipping burgers until they're 70 and living off social security, or driving a Rolls Royce with their wife in the front seat, and mistress and girlfriend in the back.
But for real what dmdddshopeful said. Another reason is probably because they are more mature since undergrad and take it more serious.
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But for real what dmdddshopeful said. Another reason is probably because they are more mature since undergrad and take it more serious.
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It's do or die buddy.
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D E D
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I'm a current master's student right now! My undergrad cGPA was a solid 2.9 (yikes), but during my first semester of my master's, I got all A's with the exception of a B+. I had a lot of personal problems during undergrad + I was SUPER involved (Greek life, officer positions in 5 clubs, etc.) so I was very distracted and my time management was awful as well.
When I started my master's, I eliminated nearly all distractions and started studying earlier and more efficient. Things that really helped me: I went to office hours, stopped messing around on Facebook during lecture (for the most part...), studied in groups with people after studying individually, and I started using flashcards which I had never done in undergrad. I've lost a few friends along the way because my priorities have drastically changed, but in order to make your dreams happen, you have to be willing to sacrifice. I don't think my classes are easier than my classes in undergrad by any means.
When I started my master's, I eliminated nearly all distractions and started studying earlier and more efficient. Things that really helped me: I went to office hours, stopped messing around on Facebook during lecture (for the most part...), studied in groups with people after studying individually, and I started using flashcards which I had never done in undergrad. I've lost a few friends along the way because my priorities have drastically changed, but in order to make your dreams happen, you have to be willing to sacrifice. I don't think my classes are easier than my classes in undergrad by any means.
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! What was it like applying for a masters program? Were they also competitive or was it more doable? And lastly did you take out loans that you'd have to pay through dental school? or would they be deferred till after? so for the bombardment of questions lol but i could really use the advice 🙁
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Yep, pretty much what everyone has already said. A master's is honestly your last chance to prove that you can handle this type of coursework, and a poor performance in grad school is likely a huge red flag. As such, you study as hard and as long as you need to in order to get the grades you want. I did mine at Tufts, and I found that I had to study a lot. The program director said during our first day, "None of the material is overly complex or difficult, but it is volumonus." Thus, as long as you put the time in, you'll do well. I probably studied more than I needed to because of anxiety, but as usual, if you study a lot, the tests seem easy. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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While going into a Masters you have to remember it is your LAST CHANCE for dental school. You have to treat it as such and live, breath and eat the material. It's do or die (lose all possible chance) because a poor masters gpa can set you back years. Most people realize this.
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They were concerned about my sub-3.0 GPA, definitely, but I scored competitively on the GRE. I showed up at their "open house" events and met the program advisor and admissions girl. I definitely had to take out loans because I'm at a private school (tuition about 27k). I took out both unsubsidized loans and Graduate PLUS loans. The PLUS loans have no grace period and basically have to be paid as soon as it's disbursed. The unsubsidized loans (like subsidized loans) can be deferred until 6 months after you drop below half-time status at school. Let me know if you have any more questions!
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I was in that situation. Low 3's in undergrad, 3.8 in masters (It was a SMP program that was basically designed for students interested to attend Medical school or dental school.) and now I will be attending dental school this year 🙂. yes, it definitely is a last option. If you do sub-par in your master program than you are done for. Game over. So you push yourself, to prove to everyone. Also you are no longer 18-21, you are older and mature and realize the consequences of your actions, in this case lack of focus and studying. For me, it was that my undergraduate major was chemistry and by second year I realized how much I disliked it but I stuck with it. All my chem courses were bring my average down while the biology and biochemistry I could handle. My master's was mostly bio and biochem so it was easier for me to study as it was something I liked. Also, majoring in something you enjoy is very important. All the nonsense courses in undergraduate in which I had no interest but I was forced to take to receive my degree really pulled my average down. In my master program all my courses, I had genuine interest in and as nerdy as it sounds was "fun" to learn and study for.
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