Tufts vs. Minnesota

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Hey guys,

I have been planning on going to Tufts since January, but today I found out that I got into Minnesota which is my home state. I like both schools very much but I am having difficulty deciding. I currently attend undergrad at Minnesota and don't know if I should stay at the same school for another 4 years or leave the state for new adventures

Originally Posted by mulli126

Hey guys,

I have been planning on going to Tufts since January, but today I found out that I got into Minnesota which is my home state. I like both schools very much but I am having difficulty deciding. I currently attend undergrad at Minnesota and don't know if I should stay at the same school for another 4 years or leave the state for new adventures

IMO Tufts, great city and great program, explore a little. You can always practice in Mn upon graduation.

The majority consensus on this board will tell you to go to Minnesota.

Just look at the overall cost factor. Just throwing some numbers off the top of my head, but...

240k at Minnesota vs. 320k at Tufts. Where would you rather go?

If you have residency in Minnesota, stay there. It's way cheaper. Minnesota is still an expensive school even by the way in-state tuition goes, but the home-factor is enormous. It's still a good school, too. Stay!

Minnesota. Tufts is a fun place to be and the school is great. But the price difference is too much and Minnesota is a good school in its own right. I would go there.

Minnesota! Cheaper, home, good school

Why would want to pay 80k more for the same degree?

Originally Posted by longhornpride

Why would want to pay 80k more for the same degree?

I've never understood this argument, as Wired often made this same comment. It's ironic that you made it here, as he hated Minnesota. It's the same degree, but people pay more for the same degree because of the different levels of education (faculty, resources, curriculum, etc..) behind that degree. It's the same for undergraduate study. For instance, let's say you have the opportunity to study business at State U Texas school (seeing your texas related name) or Penn Wharton. Yes, you will be getting the same bachelors undergraduate business degree, but the degree will be from different institutions. Penn will undoubtedly cost more. While the same degree, the different name on the diploma signifies the difference in academic rigors and preparation in achieving that degree. Now, is it worth the difference? Some people may say yes, and some may say no.

Now, I think it's worth paying more, up to a certain amount, for what I believe to be superior clinical preparation and study at dental school. Obviously, the financial line is different for everyone, so there isn't some set certain amount I have in mind. Anyway, that's why I believe someone would want to pay more for the same degree.

As for the OP, I've written a lot on Tufts. As you have had an offer since January and a member since February, you may have read some of it. I've never been to Minnesota, so I can't really make a fair comparison of the two, but Wired's dislike for Minnesota does earn it some points in my book. Best of luck with your decision.

Originally Posted by omnipoDent

I've never understood this argument, as Wired often made this same comment. It's ironic that you made it here, as he hated Minnesota. It's the same degree, but people pay more for the same degree because of the different levels of education (faculty, resources, curriculum, etc..) behind that degree. It's the same for undergraduate study. For instance, let's say you have the opportunity to study business at State U Texas school (seeing your texas related name) or Penn Wharton. Yes, you will be getting the same bachelors undergraduate business degree, but the degree will be from different institutions. Penn will undoubtedly cost more. While the same degree, the different name on the diploma signifies the difference in academic rigors and preparation in achieving that degree. Now, is it worth the difference? Some people may say yes, and some may say no.

That does hold true for undergraduate and even some professional schools. For example, a business degree from a highly ranked business/law/engineering school will land you more interviews and most likely a higher paying job. There is a reason people pay more for ivy/top 20 schools than your local university or college.... so i agree on that part.

It's not the same for dental school. Every dental school will teach you how to do restorative, fixed, remo, endo, pedo, perio, pain control, reading radiographs, etc. Unless you're going to Harvard/Penn where you intend on specializing, 90% of the other dental schools won't make a difference when you're being hired and when it comes to salary negotiation.

Now I do agree that Tufts has a beautiful clinic and Boston is as fun a city as you're going to find. If price wasn't an issue, I would pick Tufts 10 out of 10 times. But all those other factors are not worth 80k. Unless Tufts has introduced a new secret way of doing a composite restoration that is going to increase his return of investment in the future, then there is no reason to pay 80k more for the exact same degree.

We can just agree to disagree.

As far as superior clinical preparation. This always makes me laugh. As a dentist you're going to do more procedures in your first year than you will have done in all 4 years of dental school. Any lack of clinical preparation will quickly be negated in 1 year. But that "stellar" clinical preparation is going to land you the exact same job with anywhere from 25-35% production/collection at your first job. This range is standard no matter where you went to school in most cases. Only difference is the guy at the state school will have a head start at saving up for his practice while the person at the private school will be spending more years paying off loans for the "superior" education that landed them the exact same job.

Originally Posted by longhornpride

That does hold true for undergraduate and even some professional schools. For example, a business degree from a highly ranked business/law/engineering school will land you more interviews and most likely a higher paying job. There is a reason people pay more for ivy/top 20 schools than your local university or college.... so i agree on that part.

It's not the same for dental school. Every dental school will teach you how to do restorative, fixed, remo, endo, pedo, perio, pain control, reading radiographs, etc. Unless you're going to Harvard/Penn where you intend on specializing, 90% of the other dental schools won't make a difference when you're being hired and when it comes to salary negotiation.

Now I do agree that Tufts has a beautiful clinic and Boston is as fun a city as you're going to find. If price wasn't an issue, I would pick Tufts 10 out of 10 times. But all those other factors are not worth 80k. Unless Tufts has introduced a new secret way of doing a composite restoration that is going to increase his return of investment in the future, then there is no reason to pay 80k more for the exact same degree.

We can just agree to disagree.

As far as superior clinical preparation. This always makes me laugh. As a dentist you're going to do more procedures in your first year than you will have done in all 4 years of dental school. Any lack of clinical preparation will quickly be negated in 1 year. But that "stellar" clinical preparation is going to land you the exact same job with anywhere from 25-35% production/collection at your first job. This range is standard no matter where you went to school in most cases. Only difference is the guy at the state school will have a head start at saving up for his practice while the person at the private school will be spending more years paying off loans for the "superior" education that landed them the exact same job.

I can live with that.

Originally Posted by longhornpride

That does hold true for undergraduate and even some professional schools. For example, a business degree from a highly ranked business/law/engineering school will land you more interviews and most likely a higher paying job. There is a reason people pay more for ivy/top 20 schools than your local university or college.... so i agree on that part.

It's not the same for dental school. Every dental school will teach you how to do restorative, fixed, remo, endo, pedo, perio, pain control, reading radiographs, etc. Unless you're going to Harvard/Penn where you intend on specializing, 90% of the other dental schools won't make a difference when you're being hired and when it comes to salary negotiation.

Now I do agree that Tufts has a beautiful clinic and Boston is as fun a city as you're going to find. If price wasn't an issue, I would pick Tufts 10 out of 10 times. But all those other factors are not worth 80k. Unless Tufts has introduced a new secret way of doing a composite restoration that is going to increase his return of investment in the future, then there is no reason to pay 80k more for the exact same degree.

We can just agree to disagree.

As far as superior clinical preparation. This always makes me laugh. As a dentist you're going to do more procedures in your first year than you will have done in all 4 years of dental school. Any lack of clinical preparation will quickly be negated in 1 year. But that "stellar" clinical preparation is going to land you the exact same job with anywhere from 25-35% production/collection at your first job. This range is standard no matter where you went to school in most cases. Only difference is the guy at the state school will have a head start at saving up for his practice while the person at the private school will be spending more years paying off loans for the "superior" education that landed them the exact same job.

I agree with this post! Its both insightful and correct! I interviewed at Minn and while I thought it was a good school, I did not think it was a great school by any stretch of the imagination. I am new to this website and I don't yet know all the various and correct ways to critique schools, but I would like to mention that longhorn is correct and if the price difference is so huge it makes no sense to travel to another part of the country to pay more for the same level of education. I believe that every school has its pros and cons, but a decision has to be made on all the possible factors. And in this case there isn't enough overwhelming evidence to make a leap to Boston and spend another 80K. So while I personally dislike Minn and thought the school was old fashioned and backwards. I would still choose it over Tufts.

Go to minnesota. It has all the comforts of home with the new adventure of being in dental school. Also, you can save tons of money!

I have to agree with Longhorn as well. For me price is a huge factor. For most of us young undergraduates.... we have never been under the stress and fear of in surmounting debt. I am married, so i have 2 car payments, rent, and the cost of both of our educations (she has a masters) over my head. For the most part we have been able to pay cash for all the above. But to say the least... it is very, very stressful.

That's why i personally don't understand the happiness or fun trumps debt argument. Trust me... massive debt does not breed happiness or fun. And if the OP can save 80K, they should. That is an extra $600 worth of loan payments in their pocket every month for 15 years!!!

How much is extra "happiness" or "adventure" worth? IMO... you can get this anywhere with the right attitude and with you new classmates. Why pay extra for it?