I chose to study molecular, cellular and developmental biology because it will help me become an orthodonist. The masters program at University of Michigan attracted me because of its popularity and reputation. The program ranked highest on a list of 20 top universities with similar degrees.
When I was deciding on schools, I also considered cost. My family lives in Michigan and I am able to pay in-state tuition, which keeps my tuition expenses reasonable.
The admissions process involves completing the application and submitting GRE scores. To prepare myself for this process, I asked for advice from counselors at my school and from members of the various scientific clubs I belonged to.
To make my application stand out, I described my extensive volunteer work, which included over 500 hours in dental offices, soup kitchens, and care facilities. I think that this was a contributing factor to my acceptance.
First, I would tell the student to focus on their passion for the subject throughout their application. In my personal statement, I wrote about my passion for the field, because my grades in biology and the sciences were lacking. I wanted the admissions commitee to know that lower grades did not mean that I wasn't passionate about those subjects.
I also advise students to solicit letters of recommendation from people who know them best. I was turned down by some teachers who did not know me very well, so most of my letters of recommendation came from people I volunteered with rather than professors.
Finally, you should consider a university's size before applying. Small universities offer more personal instruction and allow more opportunities for you to ask questions. Since smaller universities tend to not use multiple choice exams, you have a better opportunity to show what you know.
The program in molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of Michigan generally takes 2 years to complete, though I may take more time to finish my degree. Thesis work doesn't begin until the second year of the program, and I have not chosen a thesis topic yet.
I am currently completing coursework for lecture classes, which primarily involves reading. I am taking courses which will prepare me for the Dental Admission Test, which is a standard requirement for admission into dental school. Otherwise, there is no comprehensive exam. During lectures, professors go over and clarify reading material to prepare us for the exams we take each semester.
I have never met with an advisor in my program.
During my undergraduate education I met with advisors several times, but unfortunately they were not very helpful. Most of the information I needed was online and I did my own research if I needed direction.
The program at the University of Michigan does not require an internship. However, I do orthodontic research at Wayne State University. Because of this, I split my time between the two schools.
I would like to find a dentistry internship, but most dentists are not comfortable with having students in their confined offices. Most dentistry interns are connected to the employer by family.
I fund my education through a combination of research, grants and parental support. My orthodontic research at Wayne State University pays me a small amount, and my research costs are covered by grants. I am lucky enough to have parents who paid for my undergraduate degree and are supporting me through this program, but I will have to take out loans for dental school.
Graduate study involves much more work than undergraduate study, and the classes are more challenging. Masters programs are also more in-depth than bachelors programs. In an undergraduate program, students can stay up cramming the night before an exam and pass. That is not the case for a masters program, no matter how good you might be at rote memorization. You have to absorb a lot of conceptual ideas, and not just memorize.
As a masters student, I go to class 4 days a week, and do research at Wayne State University 2 times a week. But I spend the majority of my day at the University of Michigan. When I have upcoming exams or quizzes, I spend at least 5 hours preparing for them. The week is busy, but I do take weekends off to relax a bit.
In order to balance my schedule, I strictly split my academic and family activities. I study in the library, and when I am there I am not distracted by any non-academic concerns. When I am at home, there is no way I can study because everyone around me wants my time.
Graduate school has caused a great deal of stress in my personal life. Because I do not have as much money or financial aid, I feel pressured to get perfect attendance and grades. I am not very far from my family now, but I rarely get to see them. It can be very difficult.
My hope is that within the next 5 years I will be in dental school earning my doctoral degree. Then I would like to become an orthodontist. I have a lot of work to do to realize my long term career goal. I am preparing for dental school by selecting courses that will help me score well on the DAT. And since dental schools require a 3.9 GPA, I am working very hard to keep my grades up. Overally, I think that proving my desire to be a dentist is the most important aspect of my application. I hope that my research and volunteering experience help my chances of gaining acceptance.
The most important piece of advice I can give students is to study very, very hard. A masters degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology is very challenging. Study as hard as you can to get the best grades possible. Make an effort to turly learn concepts rather than simply memorizing terms. Before an exam, you should review all of the materials, including readings and audio or visual media. I also recommend that you cross reference your notes with the text material.
I also want students to know that graduate school can be very expensive. I estimate my masters program at University of Michigan will cost tens of thousands to complete. My complete education, includuing dental school in the future, will likely cost half of a million dollars. Prospective students should be prepared for these kinds of costs.
