UMDNJ Postbacc

[cbarry]

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I just applied to dental school and since I'll have "a year off" while applying I decided to do a post bacc program (not to get up my gpa but just to fill time and in the event that I don't get accept I can work towards a masters and reapply). But here is my problem -- I was accepted into UMDNJ's program but the dental spaces are full so I will be taking general biomedical science classes. I have to relocate up there to do so, but I was also accepted into PCOM in philly so I can just live at home and take basically the same fundamental classes. My only reservation is that if I withdraw from UMDNJ will it affect my application to the dental school? They're going to know I was accepted and didn't go there. I mean would it really help me that much to go there?? ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT !

 

[onetoothleft]

I don't think there is anything wrong with applying to a program and declining to go. For example, just because I sent a letter to decline NYU does not mean that if I wanted to do post-doc work there they would shun me.

However, if you make a habit of this it might show up somewhere and you may get asked about it. In that case, just make sure you have a reasonable explanation. For example, Dental school ADCOMs will want to know why you wanted to go to PCOM and then quit to go to dental school.

As far as your education goes, PCOM's medical classes will prepare you more for dental school than biomedical classes, but the program will be more intense. On the other hand, having some research under your belt doing a masters (or part of one) will be valuable when you are putting together a CV.

You can always just do neither and get a job. Take a year off from school to let your brain rest so that you are fresh for dental school. From what I hear about the intesity of our studies I would not want to do freshman year twice in a row. It sounds like you are confident enough to get accepted somewhere anyway.

 

[cbarry]

Thanks 😉

 

[makwendo]

cbarry:

Here's the spiel on dental classes you take at UMDNJ
Fall: Dental Physio
Spring: Dental Biochem

Yo do get a masters and it can be done in 1 yr, but most (if not accepted to dshool after the 1st yr finish it up in 1 1/2 years). What they mean by 'dental spaces are full' is probably, the graduate spaces alloted for physio with DS1 students is full. Now hopefully you'll get into a DS after your 1st year but if you don't the masters like you said is an option while you reapply.

Here's the twist: Since you don't need the grades (according to what you said), you can still take the fall non- dental classes (because that's what most of your credits will be) like pharmacology or whatnot at UMDNJ for the masters program. Then, take dental biochem next spring along with other graduate classes (hint: gross anatomy + biochem will be a not fun semester if you choose to take them together). Now if you don't get in, you'll have your 3rd semester to finish up and here's where you can do the dental physio. Just be sure to register early and get your approvals done in time so you don't get locked out of classes, unfortunately, multiple signatures of hard-to find people are sometime required because UMDNJ GSBS doesn't use a computerized registration system.

moving to jersey and finding a place nearby UMDNJ.....now that's a different story.......

 

[cbarry]

Thanks for replying -- heres my main problem. I already live in jersey--south jersey which is 20 minutes from PCOM. I didn't get into the dental phys class for this fall which means I'm stuck with the "fundamental classes" (they didn't have my DAT scores so I was placed in teh general class and now its too late). Meanwhile I can take similar classes which are guaranteed at PCOM (b/c everyone takes the same classes). I can live at home and commute. I just am apprehensive about withdrawing from UMDNJ b/c my dental application is already out and I had to list all the schools I applied to on the app. Soooo UMDNJ dental is going to see that I was accepted and that choice PCOM over them. Oyyy- I just dont' want them to say "Well she didn't come for the grad program why would see come for teh dental" Maybe I'm overreacting - just dont' want to make the wrong decision. 😕