About Arizona. Please Help.

[gkiley1]

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I'm probably going to apply to the Arizona Dental School. I want specialize in oral surgery after I graduate. Will specialty schools value AZ dental, being that it is a new program? Please advise. Arizona is top on my list because I can save a ton of money living at home (Mom and Dads).

 

[ItsGavinC]

Sorry, but I don't have an answer for your question. I guess I'd say that a great deal of the perceptions of admissions directors will come from how well we do our on Board exams.

More than that I can't tell you.

 

[thisisit]

please forget about specialty school at this time. Once you are in your third year you can concentrate on that. You don't even know if you like dental school let alone another 4-6 years after the initial 4. I know it's quite prestigious to say you are an oral surgeon or whatever, but this early in the game I would not let it cloud my judgment.

You should definitely go where you can save money. If you can save a good $60k living at home, I say go for it. All dental schools are the same when it comes to acceptance to specialty schools. They are all ADA accredited. AZ or CT, they are all the same. Go for what saves you money.

 

[UNLV OMS GUNNABE]

please forget about specialty school at this time. Once you are in your third year you can concentrate on that. You don't even know if you like dental school let alone another 4-6 years after the initial 4. I know it's quite prestigious to say you are an oral surgeon or whatever, but this early in the game I would not let it cloud my judgment.

I couldn't disagree more. If you want it then you should focus on it from day one because it's guaranteed that 10 other people will be. If you know what the specialty you're interested in involves and you have some experience with it then go for it. As far as the school goes, obviously I have my money on the fact that the school won't play a huge factor.

 

[River13]

I also disagree with Thisisit. I was nearly 100% sure I wanted to specialize before dental school and its what kept me working the whole time to stay at the top of the class. I don't think where you went to dental school will play a major roll in how post grad programs look at you, but it will play a minor one. Some schools will help you be a more competitive applicant, ie offering research opportunities-some have masters degrees you can complete during dental school (that really helps set you apart in some specialties), some give you more time to do away rotations/externships (how many you do can make a difference, and some schools are difficult to get leave from), how is the schools ratio of subjectivity/objectivity, etc.

Having said that, I don't think you have to spend a fortune...I would avoid most private schools for that reason. Don't go to the cheapest--go to the one that offers what you want/need at the lowest price...this may still cost more than the cheapest out there.