UMDNJ-GSBS Newark 2012-2013

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Last edited by a moderator:
Got an invitation email from Ms.Lucy this morning. Anyone else planning to take MGM???
 
Last edited:
I also received an email from Ms. Lucy last week. I will be taking MGM. Anyone know how the whole start-up process works, considering the class starts on the 13th and orientation for GSBS is not until the 21st? Do we just show up on the 13th and if so, where?
 
do they notifiy you by email or mail if you got accepted?

goin for the dental track program but havent heard nething for couple months now
 
I also received an email from Ms. Lucy last week. I will be taking MGM. Anyone know how the whole start-up process works, considering the class starts on the 13th and orientation for GSBS is not until the 21st? Do we just show up on the 13th and if so, where?

This year they are planning a mini-orientation for students entering MGM. We will receive emails regarding this shortly.
 
This year they are planning a mini-orientation for students entering MGM. We will receive emails regarding this shortly.

Sorry but whats MGM? I have been accepted to study Masters Program and I am going to concentrate in dental courses since I plan to get into NJDS. I am going to do 15 credits a semester I know its going to be brutal but I have no choice. I am obviously not going to work at all. When does the classes start? I thought the classes would start after the orientation (Aug 24th). Also is anyone here looking for a roommate close t0 the campus?
 
MGM is the first class NJMS students take as part of first-year med school - molecular and genetic medicine.

its essentially biochem with a bit of genetics

And if you are in MGM classes start Aug 13th (also if you are taking IHR with the MS-IIs)
 
MGM is the first class NJMS students take as part of first-year med school - molecular and genetic medicine.

its essentially biochem with a bit of genetics

And if you are in MGM classes start Aug 13th (also if you are taking IHR with the MS-IIs)

thank you, I am interested in getting into NJDS for dental program. how hard is it to get into dental courses? classes seems fault restricted. Also does anyone know when the classes begin? If the orientation is on august 24th, how can classes begin before Orientation?
 
thank you, I am interested in getting into NJDS for dental program. how hard is it to get into dental courses? classes seems fault restricted. Also does anyone know when the classes begin? If the orientation is on august 24th, how can classes begin before Orientation?
1) I told you when classes start if you are taking classes with the med students. I am pretty sure the dents start the same day. So if you are taking classes with med/dents then u start on Aug 13th.... for most of the GSBS students, they wont be taking classes with med/dents so hence why the orientation is later

2) Enrollment to the dental/med classes is restricted and you have to have the stats to be selected. From what I know, they let you know you are eligible, and then you can sign up if you want.
 
how do i enroll for the dental classes?
Bloody hell - can you read?

If the program hasn't contacted you to tell you that you can take them, then you prob aren't eligible. You can try contacting them and asking if you can take the dental classes but i'd put $20 on if they havent contacted you that you weren't eligible.

They only let the better GSBS (as judged by performance in the program, GPA, and MCAT/DAT) take the med/dent classes
 
Bloody hell - can you read?

If the program hasn't contacted you to tell you that you can take them, then you prob aren't eligible. You can try contacting them and asking if you can take the dental classes but i'd put $20 on if they havent contacted you that you weren't eligible.

They only let the better GSBS (as judged by performance in the program, GPA, and MCAT/DAT) take the med/dent classes

lol relax.. I am still on a wait list at a dental school, i haven't been reading all the post on this forum. yeah no one has contacted me so far regarding the courses, i will call them on monday and find out whats going on. My DAT scores are decent. TS:21 AA:20 PAT: 19, wonder what courses will i take if i don't get into dental course. the whole point of doing this degree is to get some exposure in dentistry. thanks for the help again.
 
non-trad student here, just graduated from Newark GSBS with an MBS. Will gladly answer any questions I can.
 
Bloody hell - can you read?

If the program hasn't contacted you to tell you that you can take them, then you prob aren't eligible. You can try contacting them and asking if you can take the dental classes but i'd put $20 on if they havent contacted you that you weren't eligible.

They only let the better GSBS (as judged by performance in the program, GPA, and MCAT/DAT) take the med/dent classes

by the way you owe me $20, i did receive an email from them but it went in my junk mail 😎
 
by the way you owe me $20, i did receive an email from them but it went in my junk mail 😎

I owe you nothing - you didn't win the bet. They HAD contacted you, you were just not with it enough to check your spam box.
 
Hi! I'm going to be a 1st year gsbs student in the fall and wanted some advice on what I should take? What are easy classes to take and which professors? Thanks so much 🙂
 
To those interested there is a mixer for first year Med and dent students but anyone is welcome to go.

Biergarten in JC from 5-7 but not real defined times.
 
Hi Iam applying for the spring semester, usually they don't accept for spring but apparently this year they are. Is anyone else applying for spring semester? What are my chances as I just applied, and the deadline is december 1st.
 
Hi Iam applying for the spring semester, usually they don't accept for spring but apparently this year they are. Is anyone else applying for spring semester? What are my chances as I just applied, and the deadline is december 1st.

I am applyig for the spring13 as well. I sent out my application package today, but my transcripts and letter of recs went out earlier this week. I'll call monday to find out if they'd received any of them. How long did it take for them to receive all your docs?
 
@theWUbear @robflanker

I had a few questions regarding this program.

I've been reading the past years thread for this program, the Newark program specifically and I see that many people are able to take med school classes because of there mcat/gpa. However what happens if you can't? Do you just take the normal grad classes?

And are you able to take the med school classes your second semester or it will still depend on your mcat?

And I've read if you honor (>90+) a med school class you are guaranteed an interview, but if you can't take the med school classes than you aren't guaranteed anything?

Also they changed the program as mentioned, its now called the medical scholars program, but do you still apply to the GSBS program and then ask for the medical scholars program or will there be a program called the GSBS Medical Scholars program?

Lets say you apply to medical school while your in this program, what happens then?

I am sorry for asking a ton of questions but I tried researching online but I didn't find any real answers. Thankyou!
 
Last edited:
@theWUbear @robflanker

I had a few questions regarding this program.

I've been reading the past years thread for this program, the Newark program specifically and I see that many people are able to take med school classes because of there mcat/gpa. However what happens if you can't? Do you just take the normal grad classes?Yes, you take grad classes - some of which are analogous to the med school class i.e. there is a med school biochem class and a grad-school biochem class

And are you able to take the med school classes your second semester or it will still depend on your mcat? MCAT, GPA, performance in classes taken, other people with better scores than you (they cap the number at like 10 or so, so you have to be in the 10 people with the best grades etc who want to take that med school class

And I've read if you honor (>90+) a med school class you are guaranteed an interview, but if you can't take the med school classes than you aren't guaranteed anything? no clue about this but sounds right

Also they changed the program as mentioned, its now called the medical scholars program, but do you still apply to the GSBS program and then ask for the medical scholars program or will there be a program called the GSBS Medical Scholars program? call and ask

Lets say you apply to medical school while your in this program, what happens then?Uh...what?

I am sorry for asking a ton of questions but I tried researching online but I didn't find any real answers. Thankyou!
I've answered what I could in red
 
I am applyig for the spring13 as well. I sent out my application package today, but my transcripts and letter of recs went out earlier this week. I'll call monday to find out if they'd received any of them. How long did it take for them to receive all your docs?

Hey joeydoc2b

phew! they received everything by Nov 28th, but I had to call them so many times and make sure. Everytime I called they told me "your transcripts aren't clear, send them again" or "your rec letter is not signed, ask your professor to email it again" I would have not known if I just figured that they had received everything, so it is crucial to keep confirming with them. I really hope I am accepted into this program! I just don't know how long it takes for them to mail out the acceptance letter. Do you know? Also, is there an interview required for this program?
 
Anyone applying for next fall? The program looks great but I'm worried about the lack of community people are talking about. If I'm picking up and moving to jersey I'd like to know that I'm not gonna be spending the next 2 years of my life in isolation with no one to grab a drink with after exams.
 
If anyone was accepted to the program with your GRE score, do you mind sharing what your scores were?
 
Hey guys,

I am currently a student at UMDNJ's GSBS program as a predent doing the Masters of Biomedical Science (MBS) with a duo concentration in Oral Biology and Biodefense (sounds alot fancier than it actually is). I intend to finish the program in one year, so this will be my second and last semester. I'll be happy to answer any questions the best I can.
 
Hey guys,

I am currently a student at UMDNJ's GSBS program as a predent doing the Masters of Biomedical Science (MBS) with a duo concentration in Oral Biology and Biodefense (sounds alot fancier than it actually is). I intend to finish the program in one year, so this will be my second and last semester. I'll be happy to answer any questions the best I can.

Hi! I want to finish in one year too and get out of nj lol can you tell me how you did it..how many hours per semester did you take? who did you contact for the biomedical research rotations? Which courses did you take?
 
Hey,

You probably know, but you are required to complete 30 credits to graduate. You have two options to complete the 30 credits:

a) No-thesis
b) Thesis

Regardless of the options, you are required to take certain courses:
a) Fundamental A in the Fall- 3 credits (essentially biochemistry)
b) Fundamental B in the Spring - 3 credits (essentially cell biology)
c) Research Rotation- 60 hours + 3-5 page paper- 2 credits
- Their is ALLOT of professors or graduate Ph.D students you can do research with. Just chose someone/ some research topic that interest you. Each professor has different expectations and requirements for the student researchers. One may require you to come in 5 days a week, the other may be completely chill and let you do whatever.
d) Medical or Dental Seminar- 1 credit

If you decide to take the thesis route, you will only have to complete 25 credits to graduate. Remaining 5 credits are from:
a) 2 credits from research rotation
b) 3 credits for your thesis paper

You can chose to complete the 25-30 credits any way you chose. I would recommend one of the following examples if you wish to complete it in one year.
Ex. 13 credits in the fall, 17 in the spring
Ex. 15 credits in the fall, 15 in the spring
- I did the 13 in fall, 17 in spring. However, if I could go back, I would do 15/ 15 to make it a more even workload both semesters

**Note: There are a few courses offered in the summer, but it is counted towards the spring semester. This year's courses are:
a) Molecular Virology- 3 credits- 5/30/13-7/01/13
b) Topics in Cancer Stem Cell Biology- 2 credits- 6/04/13-7/09/13
c) Gene Expression- 3 credits- 5/02/13- 6/28/13

So you can take those summer courses if you wish to lighten your load during the semesters. As for courses to take, there is a big selection of courses you can chose from. Check them out:

http://njms.umdnj.edu/gsbs/current_students/course_information.htm

Before I recommend any courses, are you pre-dent or pre-med?
 
I am pre-dent applying for this fall. How competitive is it to get in - what are the typical gpa's/gre scores? How does the dental scholar program work - do you have to be selected for it?
 
Is it competitive to get into?
- To be honest, I am not sure what their average acceptances GPA/ DAT/GRE/MCAT scores were. However, almost everyone enters this program to build a stronger application for dental/ medical school. Most people here have low undergrad GPAs and DATs and use this program as a fresh start sorta speak. So I don't imagine it is competitive to enter. I had 3.1 GPA and 17 DAT when I applied so……….

Dental Scholars is essentially specific courses you can take to obtain a Masters of Biomedical Science with a concentration in Oral Biology. You take both graduate school courses and some classes with the dental school students. Certain dental schools courses (Dental Biochemistry, Dental Histology, and Dental Physiology) require special permission to enroll. Essentially, you have to have a high DAT and GPA when applying. Two dental school courses anyone can freely enroll in is:

Oral Microbiology- offered in the fall- D2 course
Oral Immunology- offered in the spring- D1 course

For more info, check out the link:
http://njms.umdnj.edu/gsbs/academic_programs/concentration_oral_biology.htm

If you are pre-dent, I would highly recommend taking at least Oral Microbiology and Oral Immunology, especially if you are looking to get into UMDNJ NJDS. They very very strongly favor students who take as many dental school courses and make A's.

**Note: NJDS will not consider at all you until you have either have one year of course works grades or completed the program. With that, it is still very competitive. From the words of Dr. Chaviano (the Assistant Dean of Student Admissions ), "Take as many dental school courses as possible and make nothing but A's."
 
Great help!! Thanks! I was confused on one thing,...

online it states as one of the requirements to have TWO research rotations completed. But after speaking to one of the directors they told me only one is needed, (60 hours). I hope that is correct.
 
Just one research rotation of minimum 60 hours+ a 3-5 page paper on what you learned during your experience. It counts for 2 credits
 
For those that finished this GSBS program and applied to dental schools, which professors did you go for to ask for recommendation letters? I always find that difficult since classes are so large and professors never remember you even after you meet them a few times. Is there an HPAC or dental society of some type which can write you a committee letter?
 
For those that finished this GSBS program and applied to dental schools, which professors did you go for to ask for recommendation letters? I always find that difficult since classes are so large and professors never remember you even after you meet them a few times. Is there an HPAC or dental society of some type which can write you a committee letter?
I didn't finish the program yet (didn't do my research yet) but I guess i could answer some of these questions...

I asked Dr. Kumar (Dental Biochemistry) and Dr. Pinhal-Enfield (Basic Histology). If I remember correctly, Dr. Kumar is one of the interviewers for NJDS. Dr. Pinhal-Enfield might be the nicest lady in the GSBS program while Dr. Kumar seems to like the graduate students (he used to complain to me about how dental students never come to class lol). Dr. Kumar was a bit tough since when I asked for his LOR, he told me to come to his office after class, and did an impromptu dental school interview (why do you want to be a dentist, what did you learn from this program). He does seem like a nice guy though; he still wrote me a recommendation even though I got a B+ in his class.


btw, Dental Biochem is offered second semester and need permission to get into it (class with other dental students) and Basic Histology might be THE hardest class to get into since the class is pretty small (~25 students).


i'm not sure if there's a dental society but there are "advisors" - THEY DONT HELP

i swear i visited their office every week for 2 months and they don't recongize you...they ask the same questions (what undergrad did you go to, whats your gpa, how did you do on your DATS) EVERY SINGLE TIME...i stopped going to them starting second semester.


anyway good luck to you....don't be afraid to ask for recommendations. most of the teachers are really nice and they know why you're here (to boost your GPA/get LOR). worst that could happen is they say no and you move on and ask another professor. as long as you get an A in their class, they'll write you one. lmk if you have any other questions
 
I didn't finish the program yet (didn't do my research yet) but I guess i could answer some of these questions...

I asked Dr. Kumar (Dental Biochemistry) and Dr. Pinhal-Enfield (Basic Histology). If I remember correctly, Dr. Kumar is one of the interviewers for NJDS. Dr. Pinhal-Enfield might be the nicest lady in the GSBS program while Dr. Kumar seems to like the graduate students (he used to complain to me about how dental students never come to class lol). Dr. Kumar was a bit tough since when I asked for his LOR, he told me to come to his office after class, and did an impromptu dental school interview (why do you want to be a dentist, what did you learn from this program). He does seem like a nice guy though; he still wrote me a recommendation even though I got a B+ in his class.


btw, Dental Biochem is offered second semester and need permission to get into it (class with other dental students) and Basic Histology might be THE hardest class to get into since the class is pretty small (~25 students).


i'm not sure if there's a dental society but there are "advisors" - THEY DONT HELP

i swear i visited their office every week for 2 months and they don't recongize you...they ask the same questions (what undergrad did you go to, whats your gpa, how did you do on your DATS) EVERY SINGLE TIME...i stopped going to them starting second semester.


anyway good luck to you....don't be afraid to ask for recommendations. most of the teachers are really nice and they know why you're here (to boost your GPA/get LOR). worst that could happen is they say no and you move on and ask another professor. as long as you get an A in their class, they'll write you one. lmk if you have any other questions

THANK YOU! 🙂I am not in any of those courses this semester so I guess I can't approach the specific professors you mentioned. Do you know anything about Dr.Tsiagbe? It's my first semester and I want to apply this june. Just worried about LOR hopefully it all works out though. Anyone here applied to dental schools after one semester and been accepted and which schools?
 
I just heard something that I would like to run by you guys. I am currently enrolled in GSBS program. Heard that this GSBS is not honored by RWJ and other OOS med schools for admissions. Is that true? That will really limit my chances. I am trying to improve my GPA. But what's the point if other colleges won't look at my new grades.

Any comments??
 
Heard that this GSBS is not honored by RWJ and other OOS med schools for admissions. Is that true? That will really limit my chances. I am trying to improve my GPA. But what's the point if other colleges won't look at my new grades.
What?

Honored? what does that even mean? Like they dont recognize your masters? I don't think so.
 
yes do the OOS med schools recognize this GSBS scores as an updated GPA (If it is better than your undergrad GPA)? Can you use the GSBS scores for IS as well as OOS med schools? Does it carry the same weight as it does for UMDNJ?
 
yes do the OOS med schools recognize this GSBS scores as an updated GPA (If it is better than your undergrad GPA)?
Can you use the GSBS scores for IS as well as OOS med schools?
Does it carry the same weight as it does for UMDNJ?
dear god - you need to do some research. Read more of the forum. I wish the rest of you could see the PMs I've gotten from this cat.

Let's go through this one by one....
1) I've no idea what your questions means - but the GPA will go on to AMCAS a graduate level of GPA and thus appear separate from classes taken at the undergrad level. Both will be visible to med/dent schools - traditionally undergrad GPA is more important, but an excellent SMP GPA can impress and off set to some degree

2) GSBS scores? what the hell is a score?

3) UMDNJ is going to be better appreciate a grade in a particularly class if its taken here, as is true at any school in the country. But weight? Again, what are you talking about?
 
Flanker: you'll make a good doctor, because you spend more time giving people a hard time, as opposed to giving a productive response. Arrogance is not a virtue. Enjoy hiding behind the virtual keyboard. Do you feel good about yourself!
 
Flanker: you'll make a good doctor, because you spend more time giving people a hard time, as opposed to giving a productive response. Arrogance is not a virtue. Enjoy hiding behind the virtual keyboard. Do you feel good about yourself!

Hahaha ok. Thanks
 
Top