Florida or Maryland

[peopleperson11]

Deciding between Florida and Maryland for dental school. I'm a Florida resident but very interested in going out of state.

Has anyone else been tossing between these two schools?
What tipped your decision from choosing one over the other?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

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[Kingfish23]

Deciding between Florida and Maryland for dental school. I'm a Florida resident but very interested in going out of state.

Has anyone else been tossing between these two schools?
What tipped your decision from choosing one over the other?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Maryland is an incredible school and has a great reputation for producing quality dentists. They’re also the first dental school so they have a lot of cool history there as well. Getting to experience a new place is an adventure, and in-state tuition is possible after a short amount of time. Overall, I would choose Maryland.

 

[Life of Pablo]

Is this even a legit school comparison thread if there isn't a poll to anonymously vote?

In short, I would choose Maryland.

 

[averageasian]

Going out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things is an important part of life. I can relate to you on wanting to move out of state. I’m sick of MA and want to experience a new state.

I would pick Maryland. Personally I wish I had applied there Bc I have only heard good things about it. I’m someone who always likes to play it safe but as I get older I realize it’s important to be adventurous and to not do anything if your heart isn’t in it.

 

[WhyNeedAName]

Fellow Florida resident, why you want to go up into the snow? Unless you have a very good financial aid package, why?

 

[Kingfish23]

Fellow Florida resident, why you want to go up into the snow? Unless you have a very good financial aid package, why?

Because category 5 hurricanes are a better option

 

[ddsatmd]

Deciding between Florida and Maryland for dental school. I'm a Florida resident but very interested in going out of state.

Has anyone else been tossing between these two schools?
What tipped your decision from choosing one over the other?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

I had to make this decision just a couple years ago. I grew up in the Orlando area and I never envisioned myself leaving Florida, but moving out of Florida was the best decision I've ever made. I had the opportunity to attend UF, but I couldn't get over the experience I had during my interview at Maryland. I found the atmosphere at UF to be a bit more cutthroat and competitive compared to the students at Maryland. I'm happy that I chose to attend a program where the students are happy to help one another. If you're interested in moving out of state, Maryland is a great option.

 

[WolfsBane]

Deciding between Florida and Maryland for dental school. I'm a Florida resident but very interested in going out of state.

Has anyone else been tossing between these two schools?
What tipped your decision from choosing one over the other?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Hey Buddy, UF is cutthroat and has that name so why not go to a place you would be happier at like UMD where its a great school with your best interests in mind. I personally had to turn down UMD for my state school, but if I were you I would choose UMD!

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

Go with Maryland. Easy choice.

 

[fdzthedentist]

UF is in a college town, not really a lot of diverse patients in terms of what you will need for requirements. I'm a Florida resident and I'm opting out of going to UF. I don't like the environment and the interview style is a tad aggressive for my taste, BUT in Miami I do believe UF has a big name to it, but even then thats not what is important. Tuition is cheap, but I think Maryland COA comes out to $323k after you become instate (1 year out of state, 3 in state) compared to UF's which I think is in the high 200s. Not sure. UF is amazing when it comes to didactic, you will come out of there knowing your stuff, but I keep hearing about how they've had to lower their requirements and that they just aren't seeing enough patients.

I got into Maryland and I think its an amazing school. SUPER CLINICAL and if you speak Spanish, you get your requirements done before hand. They do hospital blocks. They give you three months break after D1 year, I've heard they have a great note-taking system within the students, lectures are recorded, the professors are hands on and the student culture is great. There is a clear divide between what is safe and not safe in regards to living in Baltimore. You'd be super close to DC, Philly, and New York. Day of my interview, the students seemed very happy and I loved their interview style. It seems like a well rounded school. You've got everything on campus and even security to take you back to your apartment within a five block radius. Rent is cheap. Possible Instate tuition. I direct messaged @umbtoothfairy and she/he fed me so much information that I fell in love with the school!

I'd go with Maryland, but then again that is a very personal decision. Don't rely too much on what people say here, a lot of them just want you to pick the other school, because they may be on the waiting list for the other one. DM students on instagram or Facebook, ask current students. Good luck!

 

[WhyNeedAName]

Because category 5 hurricanes are a better option

Lol, good one. I don't mind hurricanes. Blizzards are basically snow hurricanes, so that would be interesting up there. But yeah, follow your heart.

 

[kimball]

If cost isn’t your biggest concern go where you feel like you will be in a position to enjoy the next 4 years of your life and excel in DS. Between Maryland or UF you will come out to be a great dentist either way.


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[umbtoothfairy]

Thanks for the tag @fdzthedentist

I am a D4 at Maryland. Please feel to message me.
I agree with everything already said and don't want to be redundant. My advice is follow your heart to Maryland

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Florida.

 

[PTSD]

UF has a good reputation, is cheaper, produces specialists and if you want to practice in FL( possibly best state to practice dentistry?) you will have better local connections and be prepped to take the FL boards. Obvious answer is UF.

 

[Trave_]

UF has a good reputation, is cheaper, produces specialists and if you want to practice in FL( possibly best state to practice dentistry?) you will have better local connections and be prepped to take the FL boards. Obvious answer is UF.

Curious to hear why you think Florida is the best state to practice dentistry.

 

[Kingfish23]

I can tell you for sure that areas of South Florida is very very saturated with dentists. There is a dentist in almost every single shopping plaza. Areas near west palm beach are very nice though.

 

[Likkriue]

I would go UF. Area around Maryland is rough.

 

[umbtoothfairy]

The area right next to schools in urban areas is generally not the nicest. Most students live in rowhouses in Ridgley's Delight, Fed Hill, Otterbein, Camden Crossing, Pigtown, etc. Not right next to Lexington Market. Just don't live in the "on campus housing" and you are good.
The type of patients and cases I see are unlike those you will see in a college town. I think change is a good thing and there are Maryland alum everywhere. If you plan to practice in FL, NY, internationally you will be able to make connections. Maryland's reputation is far-reaching.

 

[PTSD]

Curious to hear why you think Florida is the best state to practice dentistry.

Because until recently FL did not accept a regional board, only the FL board. This limited the supply of dentists. Also, FL has a disproportionally large population of rich old people requiring dental care.

 

[jvdental]

I must say, as a FL resident, I would also be torn. As of now most of the answers seem to be UMB.

 

[dentqueen94]

i was actually in the exact same situation last year. and i chose maryland. it’s definitely a lot colder here, but i like it

 

[biochem5]

$$$$ difference. Also if you want to ultamitely practice in Florida, go to Florida. Because the alumni network is large. I found that I got way more job interviews with florida alumni being a UF grad. If you want to live elsewhere then it doesn’t matter as much.

 

[JHIBB]

Maryland

 

[ucfknight7]

Florida, should be a no brainer since it's our state school.

 

[brephos]

I'm going to Florida so there's that. But what else? Well ...
1. DAT - The ADEA guide shows both schools '16-'17 classes with similar scores - but UF student's edged out UMD students with a slightly higher PAT score. Advantage UF.
2. GPA - UF avg scores (Science 3.61, Total 3.67) are just better than UMD's (Science 3.48, Total 3.56). In this regard, UF is simply tougher to get in. It means more to me for someone to get into UF than it does UMD ... because it's harder to do. Both are fine schools I'm sure ... but this isn't about the schools facility or instuctors - it's about which school has the highest performing students at the point of admission. Advantage UF.
3. UF students get the benefit of a shorter degree program 45 months versus 46 months. Personally, I look forward to those extra 30 days that the UM students will not get. A month means a lot to me. Advantage UF.
4. I think the location and weather are better at UF, but I admit this is very subjective. Advantage UF
5. I lean to smaller classes, so for me ... UF's 93 class size is a far better than UMD's class of 130. Advantage UF
UF 5 vs UMD 0 ... Advantage UF.

Hey go where you like, but you asked my opinion. UF is my pick and I'm sticking with it

 

[WolfsBane]

I'm going to Florida so there's that. But what else? Well ...
1. DAT - The ADEA guide shows both schools '16-'17 classes with similar scores - but UF student's edged out UMD students with a slightly higher PAT score. Advantage UF.
2. GPA - UF avg scores (Science 3.61, Total 3.67) are just better than UMD's (Science 3.48, Total 3.56). In this regard, UF is simply tougher to get in. It means more to me for someone to get into UF than it does UMD ... because it's harder to do. Both are fine schools I'm sure ... but this isn't about the schools facility or instuctors - it's about which school has the highest performing students at the point of admission. Advantage UF.
3. UF students get the benefit of a shorter degree program 45 months versus 46 months. Personally, I look forward to those extra 30 days that the UM students will not get. A month means a lot to me. Advantage UF.
4. I think the location and weather are better at UF, but I admit this is very subjective. Advantage UF
5. I lean to smaller classes, so for me ... UF's 93 class size is a far better than UMD's class of 130. Advantage UF
UF 5 vs UMD 0 ... Advantage UF.

Hey go where you like, but you asked my opinion. UF is my pick and I'm sticking with it

1,2 are so minor that its hard to place an advantage to one school. There is also a big difference between dental school and undergrad, case in point, my friend in dental school who had a 4.0 and a 24 DAT is getting B’s in dental school. Again GPA and DAT average are not really a reason to go to one school or another.

3. Again so minor, I mean 30 days is not a reason to choose one school over another.

4. Like you said “subjective”. You can’t give an advantage to a school when its subjective.

5. Class size is subjective as well.

Im not saying OP should go to UMD over UF, but these reasons are not really reasons. One reason you failed to mention was the cost difference. That is not subjective but actually something you can see and say OP should got to UF. You can say that one school has more clinical exposure, but the reasons that you gave above are not really great reasons imo.

 

[wengerout]

Florida for sure. Was not a fan of Baltimore at all.

 

[umbtoothfairy]

I'm going to Florida so there's that. But what else? Well ...
1. DAT - The ADEA guide shows both schools '16-'17 classes with similar scores - but UF student's edged out UMD students with a slightly higher PAT score. Advantage UF.
2. GPA - UF avg scores (Science 3.61, Total 3.67) are just better than UMD's (Science 3.48, Total 3.56). In this regard, UF is simply tougher to get in. It means more to me for someone to get into UF than it does UMD ... because it's harder to do. Both are fine schools I'm sure ... but this isn't about the schools facility or instuctors - it's about which school has the highest performing students at the point of admission. Advantage UF.
3. UF students get the benefit of a shorter degree program 45 months versus 46 months. Personally, I look forward to those extra 30 days that the UM students will not get. A month means a lot to me. Advantage UF.
4. I think the location and weather are better at UF, but I admit this is very subjective. Advantage UF
5. I lean to smaller classes, so for me ... UF's 93 class size is a far better than UMD's class of 130. Advantage UF
UF 5 vs UMD 0 ... Advantage UF.

Hey go where you like, but you asked my opinion. UF is my pick and I'm sticking with it

1,2 are so minor that its hard to place an advantage to one school. There is also a big difference between dental school and undergrad, case in point, my friend in dental school who had a 4.0 and a 24 DAT is getting B’s in dental school. Again GPA and DAT average are not really a reason to go to one school or another.

3. Again so minor, I mean 30 days is not a reason to choose one school over another.

4. Like you said “subjective”. You can’t give an advantage to a school when its subjective.

5. Class size is subjective as well.

Im not saying OP should go to UMD over UF, but these reasons are not really reasons. One reason you failed to mention was the cost difference. That is not subjective but actually something you can see and say OP should got to UF. You can say that one school has more clinical exposure, but the reasons that you gave above are not really great reasons imo.

1, 2 very minor and not correlated with experience in dental school

3 three months after d1 are vacation, plus full months off each summer after d2 and d3. Maryland probably wins for a work hard play hard attitude and giving you free time

4 frequent hurricanes may not be OPs cup of tea, high humidity, no snow... subjective

5 you can grow tired of seeing the same people in a class that is too small. How are the stats on diversity? Again class composition is subjective

 

[Greyangel6]

Go to Maryland, there's plenty of people wanting to go to UF already . On a more serious note, I like that UF has continuous semesters because you get continuity of education and care. Can you say for sure you will remember exactly all the rules and steps to do RPD after taking a 3 month vacation? I can't haha. Also, I can't imagine myself doing final impressions on last day of semester and then wait 1 month to deliver the crown in the next semester...

 

[predental21250]

Go to Maryland, there's plenty of people wanting to go to UF already . On a more serious note, I like that UF has continuous semesters because you get continuity of education and care. Can you say for sure you will remember exactly all the rules and steps to do RPD after taking a 3 month vacation? I can't haha. Also, I can't imagine myself doing final impressions on last day of semester and then wait 1 month to deliver the crown in the next semester...

If you can't imagine placing a crown after one month of waiting you are going to be in for a surprise when you start practicing.

I for one am really looking forward to that 3 month vacation...I would definitely hate my life if I had to do continuous semesters. Lots of Florida people up here in Baltimore, if you have any questions about the program feel free to PM me.

 

[Greyangel6]

If you can't imagine placing a crown after one month of waiting you are going to be in for a surprise when you start practicing.
I for one am really looking forward to that 3 month vacation...I would definitely hate my life if I had to do continuous semesters. Lots of Florida people up here in Baltimore, if you have any questions about the program feel free to PM me.

Obviously you know more about your requirements than I do. Let's say you are required to do 20 prosth units to graduate (every abutment tooth counts as a unit). Assuming you have 3 semesters per academic year and you start doing prosth first semester as a junior, do you think 6 semesters are enough? I would hate my life more if I graduated dental school experiencing and learning less than what I paid for.

 

[Faux]

whats the cost difference?

 

[umbtoothfairy]

Obviously you know more about your requirements than I do. Let's say you are required to do 20 prosth units to graduate (every abutment tooth counts as a unit). Assuming you have 3 semesters per academic year and you start doing prosth first semester as a junior, do you think 6 semesters are enough? I would hate my life more if I graduated dental school experiencing and learning less than what I paid for.

1 month off after third year is super helpful when applying to residencies and taking written boards... or just having some personal time. Three months after D1 is even better so it is a difficult year at Maryland. Most people recharge, do community service, travel, work, whatever and I promise they don't forget how to figure out how to drill, scale, or read radiographs

 

[predental21250]

Most people recharge

I hope i'm in that category

 

[nrfnrf]

florida

 

[nrfnrf]

or maryland