Midwestern vs. Washington

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DrBed

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Hi everyone, I've been one of the lucky individuals that have been accepted to multiple schools. First, let me say that I've withdrawn from all of them in order to open up some spots for the few of you who are still waiting to hear from your school of choice. :)

I am torn between Midwestern University and University of Washington.:confused: I am from Seattle to begin with. The cost is not an issue since I'm doing the military scholarship. I really liked both schools during my interview but they're complete opposites of one another.

Could you tell me which school you would pick and why?

Any input from current dental students at these two schools would be much appreciated.

Thank you
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If cost is not an issue, Midwestern would be my pick. I was blown away when I interviewed there. Beautiful campus, state of the art facilities, great dean with a wonderful philosophy, systems-based curriculum and plenty of patients. Basically the fact that they have taken the initiative to create a new dental school experience where many of the classic problems have been fixed is a big attraction for me. Ironically I am going to a school that has been around for over a century because it is closer to family.
 
rickbhill said:
If cost is not an issue, Midwestern would be my pick. I was blown away when I interviewed there. Beautiful campus, state of the art facilities, great dean with a wonderful philosophy, systems-based curriculum and plenty of patients. Basically the fact that they have taken the initiative to create a new dental school experience where many of the classic problems have been fixed is a big attraction for me. Ironically I am going to a school that has been around for over a century because it is closer to family.
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These are some good points and thank you for your input but have you seen or been to UW dental school/facilities?
 
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Also one thing that I forgot to mention is that I am interested in specializing...
 
DrBed said:
Also one thing that I forgot to mention is that I am interested in specializing...
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definitely UW if you're looking into specializing.. maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think MWU has post-graduate programs? you'll be more exposed to special cases if you attend a school with post-grad programs.
 
healthcaree said:
definitely UW if you're looking into specializing.. maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think MWU has post-graduate programs? you'll be more exposed to special cases if you attend a school with post-grad programs.
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I would disagree here. Going to a school with specialty programs will reduce the amount of complex cases you actually get to treat, because since there are specialists there, they get the more complex cases. You might get to watch them, but that's not going to help you as much as doing the procedures.

As far as Midwestern goes, I think they have a very limited number of residents. That means if it's more complex and comes through the door, you get to do it (within reason).

If money's not an issue, I would go to Midwestern for all of he reasons that rickbhill mentioned. If you graduate in the top part of your class with good letters of recommendation, you'll be able to get the residency that you want.

I've heard good things about Washington, but since I have never been there, I can't say much about them other than they have a great reputation.
 
That may be correct. From what I remember, Midwestern has hired local specialists to come in and do the harder cases but they do allow you to observe.
 
healthcaree said:
definitely UW if you're looking into specializing.. maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think MWU has post-graduate programs? you'll be more exposed to special cases if you attend a school with post-grad programs.
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Osity basically confirmed what I will say. Dr. Gilpatrick specifically banned Midwestern from ever having specialty programs while he is the dean so that the DDS students are exposed to the tough cases. He based this decision on years of experience at Tennessee where he realized that DDS students were missing out on the best cases to learn from. I am sad that I won't be in a program like this. My school has almost every specialty program possible.
 
DrBed said:
These are some good points and thank you for your input but have you seen or been to UW dental school/facilities?
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I have not seen the facilities at UW but I speculate that they could only be as good as Midwestern's, not significantly better. I can't imagine anything better than brand new, top-grade equipment and buildings. Personally, I would choose Seattle over Phoenix based on the heat (I lived in Tucson for years and Phoenix is even hotter) but I would choose Midwestern over any of the other 5 schools I interviewed at based on the facilities and administration.

You've been to both, right? How do the facilities and administration at UW compare to Midwestern?
 
UBDent19 said:
Hmmm....where did you hear that?
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During the interview from Dr. Gilpatrick.

Here is what I can tell you right off the top of my head...
UW School of Dentistry started in 1980. Everyone seemed super friendly and helpful much like Midwestern. The building is larger and older but adjacent to the medical school, both are part of the large UW campus. The labs looked pretty new. The faculty have been around for a while and were well respected by the students that I talked to during my interview. The school has a very good reputation. There are plenty of research opportunities but you don't necessarily have to be involved. There is no biochem and you can take a test and opt out of a few of the first year classes such as physiology and microscopic anatomy. Boards are taken during the summer of second year. The class size is 55 during the first year and 63 for the rest.
 
DrBed said:
During the interview from Dr. Gilpatrick.

Here is what I can tell you right off the top of my head...
UW School of Dentistry started in 1980. Everyone seemed super friendly and helpful much like Midwestern. The building is larger and older but adjacent to the medical school, both are part of the large UW campus. The labs looked pretty new. The faculty have been around for a while and were well respected by the students that I talked to during my interview. The school has a very good reputation. There are plenty of research opportunities but you don't necessarily have to be involved. There is no biochem and you can take a test and opt out of a few of the first year classes such as physiology and microscopic anatomy. Boards are taken during the summer of second year. The class size is 55 during the first year and 63 for the rest.
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UW dental started around 1950 (1954 I think). There is no doubt the facilities here are older and midwestern is nice. However, if you consider reputation a factor, then UW should be a priority. Throughout the country, UW is known for producing top notch clinicians, and has been for many years. Being such a good program, we have some great faculty. Also, since the OP is interested in specializing, UW has programs set up for research, and research is highly encouraged for each student. If you want to specialize, then you'll want to do research. Also, if you want to look at statistics for specializing, 19 UW students applied for specialty programs, and I believe that all but one matched, with the one doing a one year fellowship (which normally leads to getting into an OS residency).

UW is a great school, and I'm glad that I'm here. I too am on military scholarship and an in-stater, and I still picked UW because of the strong clinical experience.

To the OP, PM me if you have any specific questions.

PS> don't opt out of the classes, especially physio. It's a GPA booster, and it's a great class...
 
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baseballjunkie said:
UW dental started around 1950 (1954 I think). There is no doubt the facilities here are older and midwestern is nice. However, if you consider reputation a factor, then UW should be a priority. Throughout the country, UW is known for producing top notch clinicians, and has been for many years. Being such a good program, we have some great faculty. Also, since the OP is interested in specializing, UW has programs set up for research, and research is highly encouraged for each student. If you want to specialize, then you'll want to do research. Also, if you want to look at statistics for specializing, 19 UW students applied for specialty programs, and I believe that all but one matched, with the one doing a one year fellowship (which normally leads to getting into an OS residency).

UW is a great school, and I'm glad that I'm here. I too am on military scholarship and an in-stater, and I still picked UW because of the strong clinical experience.

To the OP, PM me if you have any specific questions.

PS> don't opt out of the classes, especially physio. It's a GPA booster, and it's a great class...
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Thanks for your input. I though not having physio and micro would allow me to spend more time on my others classes but i see your point.
 
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UBDent19 said:
Osity basically confirmed what I will say. Dr. Gilpatrick specifically banned Midwestern from ever having specialty programs while he is the dean so that the DDS students are exposed to the tough cases. He based this decision on years of experience at Tennessee where he realized that DDS students were missing out on the best cases to learn from. I am sad that I won't be in a program like this. My school has almost every specialty program possible.
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We have an Oral Surgery residency here at MWU. As far as specialties taking your procedures, it really doesn't happen here. Our residents are SWAMPED with procedures from implants in medically compromised patients to orthognathic surgery and they also rotate out to a local hospital. For 99% of procedures, you get to decide if you can handle it and if you can, have at it.
 
Isn't that residency actually through Banner Health and not Midwestern? Dr. Gilpatrick made it seem like the residents just used the new clinic but weren't part of the school.
 
I say Midwestern, especially since tuition is not a factor for you. The facilities at UW are without doubt older and not quite as technologically advanced as Midwestern's and with the condition of the state budget being what it is, its doubtful that will change anytime soon. (In fact the entire DECOD department almost just got axed thanks to state budget cuts). The point others have been making about Washington's reputation is probably true, but your dental education is going to be what you make of it, regardless of where you go. Bust your ass in Arizona and you'll have just as many career opportunities as you would in Seattle. They may not be the exact same opportunities at each place but you'll have them.

I'm also from Seattle and am giving serious consideration to dental school elsewhere. I figure at the end of my life I'll be more happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone and had an adventure in another city for four years rather than staying in the same place I've lived all my life. Thats just my two cents though, take it for what its worth. You'll be a dentist either way.
 
i think that some people ^^^^^ are trying to get off the waitlist at UW, so please do not listen to them. I want you to pick UW because i am on the waitlist at MWU-AZ, but it is your choice and your's alone. I wish you the best of luck picking the school of YOUR choice. Just make sure you are happy where-ever you go.
 
If I were you, I'd go to University of Washington for all the reasons baseballjunkie mentioned.
 
Hey bdarvish33, I withdrew from Midwestern so I did my part to help you. I hope you get in. As another SDNer so enthusiastically put it: Midwestern is the best thing to happen to dentistry since the toothbrush.
 
UBDent19 said:
Hey bdarvish33, I withdrew from Midwestern so I did my part to help you. I hope you get in. As another SDNer so enthusiastically put it: Midwestern is the best thing to happen to dentistry since the toothbrush.
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Quite the statement:p
 
UW for sure. They have world renowned instructors. I have talked with multiple people in the field, and they said to go to UW over any of the other schools I applied to (including Midwestern) based on their high level of excellence. Sadly, I got rejected without even an interview.
 
DrBed, how are you feeling about all this? I'm in a similar situation! I have been offered a position at MWU and am wait listed at UofP. If I get accepted to UofP it will be the battle between the old school and the young school. I will be interested to see what you decide
 
Thanks everyone for your comments and sorry for not replying sooner (finals). Midwestern is a nice school but I've decided to attend University of Washington. No matter how I look at it, I end up realizing that I'll be happier at UW/Seattle.
 
DrBed said:
Thanks everyone for your comments and sorry for not replying sooner (finals). Midwestern is a nice school but I've decided to attend University of Washington. No matter how I look at it, I end up realizing that I'll be happier at UW/Seattle.
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Congrats! And best of luck :)
 
UBDent19 said:
Hey bdarvish33, I withdrew from Midwestern so I did my part to help you. I hope you get in. As another SDNer so enthusiastically put it: Midwestern is the best thing to happen to dentistry since the toothbrush.
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lol really? I am looking to go to uw next year and have a friend currently in their dental program and ive heard nothing but good things.
 
UBDent19 said:
I wasn't putting down UW, if that's why you quoted my post. I just thought the statement was funny.
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haters_gonna_hate.gif


...kidding by the way. :D
 
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