MS Program

By Alli Fedewa Kosinski MS Physiology Graduate

The road to professional school is by no means a straight, well-marked highway. When I began applying to dental school, in my third year at Michigan State, I thought that I would be one of the students who matriculated into dental school directly after undergrad. I had studied hard, written what I thought was a decent personal statement, and had given the dental school admission exam, the DAT, my ‘best shot’.

Jumping ahead to the winter of my senior year, I was met with a harsh reality. My application simply wasn’t good enough to get my foot in the door for an interview, let alone a coveted seat to matriculate into any of the 14 dental schools I applied to. I was devastated. In an effort to improve my application, I began to ask questions about my denial to these schools. I was told over and over again that my GPA, and my academic performance in general, was not good enough for dental school. One admissions officer finally suggested that I look into a Masters program, to boost my science GPA in particular.

I began searching for Masters programs to help me demonstrate my abilities, and I eventually found the University of Michigan. As a school with several toprated science programs offering Masters degrees, I had several to choose from. I applied to many, including the Masters of Physiology. I remember that when I was first accepted, I was excited because the coursework was extremely science intensive. I looked at it as nothing more than a stepping-stone to dental school and a way to boost my GPA.

Fortunately, I have never been more wrong. This program became an incredible asset to me for several years to come. Through relevant and applicable coursework, an introduction to higher level education, and the support of the faculty members and staff of the Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, I was able to pursue my dream of attending the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and became a practicing professional.

When you take courses in undergrad, you follow a checklist. Take the courses recommended by a generic schedule each semester, study for whatever test is coming up next, and move on. This program allowed me to explore the information presented in science courses in a way that was applicable to both dental school and patient care. Undergrad anatomy is a lot of looking at diagrams and knowing things on paper; MS Physiology anatomy allows you to physically discover nerves in the face and neck. This physical experience made learning anesthesia techniques in dental school much easier. Taking body systems courses in this program was extremely helpful in allowing me to apply knowledge as soon as dental school began. I already had an understanding of the kidney and heart, so I didn’t have to wait for those units of dental school to begin connecting it to other courses. Being able to apply this information on day one gave me a huge advantage in being successful during dental school.

Direct coursework and information was incredible, and I also found that the indirect classes provided me with a step up compared to my classmates. I was able to jump into the coursework of dental school easily, because the faculty in the MIP department made sure to teach us at the level that would be expected in professional schools. This program prepared me to study in a new way: to truly understand and apply the material. This differed from my goal for studying during undergrad: to pass a test. In the MIP Masters program, concepts were explained, and then applied to real world situations, which was a totally new experience for me. Once I entered dental school, I found I was already capable of taking a concept and connecting it to patient care, which some of my classmates had to learn on the fly. This experience was a result of the care and support given by the faculty and advisors of the MS Physiology program.

The support given by faculty members and advisors extended far beyond the classroom. I remember being told on the first day of our program that there would be plenty of help for us, if we simply asked. No matter what question, concern, or victory you had to share, there was never a shortage of invested faculty. As my GPA improved, I knew that I needed to address the other aspects of my application before I spent the money and time to apply to dental school again. I turned to the faculty, and one advisor in particular, to help me with this task. I will never forget thinking that I had turned in an incredible personal statement that would require just a few grammatical edits, and seeing it returned with enough marks to make me realize it needed a complete overhaul. I spent several weeks working closely with this advisor to revamp my entire application, personal statement included. By the time I sent in my application, I knew that it was as good as it could possibly be because of her unwavering support and effort in helping me get it to that point. Beyond the application, being able to practice interview techniques gave me the confidence I needed to showcase who I was, and who I wanted to become, at each of the schools I interviewed at.

Even now, having graduated from dental school in 2021 and practicing as a general dentist in DeWitt, MI, for the last two years, I often think about my experience in the MS Physiology program. Whether it be by understanding how my patient’s medications impact my clinical decisions, or by adjusting my placement during anesthesia, this program is rarely far from my mind. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of each member of the faculty and advising staff I came across, the friendships I gained, and the knowledge that I am still able to apply today. I am proud to be a graduate of the 2016 class, and firmly believe I would not be where I am today without the wonderful MIP Masters program.