Another BU thread.... looking for opinions

[FireandIce128]

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So I have received my first and only (at least so far) acceptance, which was Boston University. I was stoked! BU and Tufts were my top, especially since I live outside of Boston. I love being in the city, as well as attending a school that's diverse and looking to cater to undeserved communities. I haven't heard from Tufts yet regarding an interview, but I know I have to submit a rather hefty deposit to BU by early January.

As much as I enjoyed the interview process, I know BU doesn't necessarily have the best rep on SDN at all. However, I do notice that many of those criticism are from quite some years back. I just wanted ask, do many students still feel the same way? Or are things still changing (whether positive or negative)? For example, I know the school will soon undergo construction, improving and increasing patient and student space as well as more facilities. I do know a few BU graduates who have actually enjoyed the experience.

I just wanted to ask if the bad rep is still around or still is as true as they say?

Congrats to all those accepted to dental schools!!!

 

[Jlm50]

Would love to know more about this, posts seem to be a few years old and I'm not sure if the info is outdated.
I'm trying to decided between UNE and BU but I keep flipfloping.

 

[ChefPookers]

Would love to know more about this, posts seem to be a few years old and I'm not sure if the info is outdated.
I'm trying to decided between UNE and BU but I keep flipfloping.

I'm in the same boat, but for me it's between BU & Touro.


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[Kingfish23]

I'd like to hear more about BU as well! Perhaps some current students could comment?

 

[BUDMD2018]

Congratulations on your acceptance. I hope this can help you little bit.
Pros:
- Hands on with digital dentistry big time. We do most digital dentistry (digital impression, milled crowns, placing an implant by the pre-doc,etc). This was not so important before, because not many practice used to have CEREC or other digital stuff, but now tech has advanced alot and learning this + conventional method will make you appreciate dentistry more when you get out. It is moving fast into digital world.
- This can be bad and good. Renovation. School will be doing renovation and it will start to get new facilities etc, but I don't know when this is to be completed, because Im graduating this year.
- Didactic education is exceptional, especially removable prosthodontics. Second years learn to place implants and now it became a requirement to place implants I think.
- Clinical education. I personally feel very confident that BU prepares you well overall. I finished my 10 week externship and I felt that BU students were able to handle clinical problems very well. This is the most important part for me, because when you go out to real world, you are stuck with problems and you question yourself time to time, but I was able to apply lot of things I learned in school in clinical setting outside of school during my externship without any help at fourth year dental student level.
- Very hands on. It depends on faculties, but usually we can do complex cases most of the time. Its what you make out of it and how much you push yourself.
- Group practice. This could be hit or miss. It depends on what group you are in, because some group leaders are amazing and they push you to work hard. Some other group people have tough times.
Cons:
- # of chairs. This is my main concern. We share chairs with DMD III, IV and Advanced standing II students. I personally did not have chair issues, because school did good job with distributing students out on externship or rotations, but this seems to be the major cons that gets brought up from majority of people.
- Patient pool? It really depends. Some students are lucky with jackpot cases and some students are not lucky. I think this happens in every dental school. I have some trouble finding certain cases, but overall Im doing okay. Quite abit of my classmates finished requirements already to graduate.
- Renovation. School is shifting things here and there alot. But, this doesn't really apply to first and second year students because they spend most of time outside of clinic in lecture room or simulation center.
- Old simulation center. Bad thing is its just old and could be changed. Equipment doesn't make you better dentist. You have to work in whatever condition to become a good dentist.
- Not pass or fail. This is big. Makes you work hard if you want to specialize.
- Lack of vacation. School makes you do APEX in first year and school cut down winter break now in third and fourth year. This doesn't really matter because lot more worse things happen in dental school than getting a short break.
- Neighborhood and rent. South End Sucks. Period. with few exceptions.

I think I covered what I need to say. Likewise, its what you make out of dental school. You have to be lucky and you have to work hard. Some people may complain of their problems but that is only small sample size. If there are cheaper school, I would go cheaper school, cuz loan sucks. All schools teach you same thing mostly, some may teach you less, but BU does teach you enough to be a good dentist and we do digital. That is the Biggest selling point of BU. The number of digital case we do is not comparable to ANY other dental school in United States.

P.S Don't PM me. I will answer everything here.

 

[BUDMD2018]

And we even do digital dentures. We scan casts and make partial dentures through laser-sintered printer to make framework and we also make complete dentures out of 3D printer, if you are interested to know more about digital stuff.

 

[Jlm50]

- Patient pool? It really depends. Some students are lucky with jackpot cases and some students are not lucky. I think this happens in every dental school. I have some trouble finding certain cases, but overall Im doing okay. Quite abit of my classmates finished requirements already to graduate.

Does this statement mean you have to actually seek out certain cases and schedule them? Is there a pool of patients unassigned and you go through them? I'm sorry for my ignorance, I'm just trying to understand how the system works.

 

[Jlm50]

And we even do digital dentures. We scan casts and make partial dentures through laser-sintered printer to make framework and we also make complete dentures out of 3D printer, if you are interested to know more about digital stuff.

I worked in a dental lab and this just blows my mind, technology is amazing. The lab I worked at didn't have any of this technology.

 

[BUDMD2018]

Does this statement mean you have to actually seek out certain cases and schedule them? Is there a pool of patients unassigned and you go through them? I'm sorry for my ignorance, I'm just trying to understand how the system works.

No. There are no unassigned pools of patients, because whoever comes for screening gets distributed between groups and group leaders assign the patient to you based on your need, but problem is some patient are not compliant and they cant follow through the treatment. So, if you really need something, classmates or group leader can co-assign the other patients to you and you can work on one specific procedures that you need from other people's patient if that is needed. Its all admin stuff like talking to your classmates and group leaders to find your way out. Also, you can bring in your own patients from outside of school.

 

[wolverineee]

No. There are no unassigned pools of patients, because whoever comes for screening gets distributed between groups and group leaders assign the patient to you based on your need, but problem is some patient are not compliant and they cant follow through the treatment. So, if you really need something, classmates or group leader can co-assign the other patients to you and you can work on one specific procedures that you need from other people's patient if that is needed. Its all admin stuff like talking to your classmates and group leaders to find your way out.

About how many of the students end up specializing? and is it true that many get accepted into BU's residency programs after graduating?
Thank you so much for your help and insights!

 

[BUDMD2018]

About how many of the students end up specializing? and is it true that many get accepted into BU's residency programs after graduating?
Thank you so much for your help and insights!

Bunch of my classmates matched into ortho already. Pedo, OMFS, etc results are out in January. It really depends on how your class is, but my class works hard and good number of people applied to specialties this year. One of the very competitive class in awhile according to admin. I'm not sure about if people match into BU specialty programs that easily afterwards, but I have seen upperclassmen got into BU specialty such as prosth, ortho, omfs before.

 

[FireandIce128]

Thank you so much the responses BUDMD2018! There's good and bad in every dental school so I'm glad you're here to clarify.

Something I wanted to ask, where do most students at BU dental live and/or how do they commute to school? I live outside of Boston and have been commuting all throughout undergrad in Boston, with the convenience of my dad dropping me off and picking me up due to school being on the path of his work. However, I always face rush hour, and it's an hour commute inbound from my house and outbound, and if not rush hour, I have to go through the inconvenience of taking the subway to the bus and making sure I make it to the hourly bus. So I'm looking into getting an apartment (at least for the first two years) so I can focus more on my studies and my own schedule.

As for financial aid, what do you know about scholarships or grants (if there are any?) And as for the specialty programs, is it more tuition to pay or do those programs offer salaries or stipends?

 

[BUDMD2018]

Thank you so much the responses BUDMD2018! There's good and bad in every dental school so I'm glad you're here to clarify.

Something I wanted to ask, where do most students at BU dental live and/or how do they commute to school? I live outside of Boston and have been commuting all throughout undergrad in Boston, with the convenience of my dad dropping me off and picking me up due to school being on the path of his work. However, I always face rush hour, and it's an hour commute inbound from my house and outbound, and if not rush hour, I have to go through the inconvenience of taking the subway to the bus and making sure I make it to the hourly bus. So I'm looking into getting an apartment (at least for the first two years) so I can focus more on my studies and my own schedule.

As for financial aid, what do you know about scholarships or grants (if there are any?) And as for the specialty programs, is it more tuition to pay or do those programs offer salaries or stipends?

So, majority of my classmates live in South End. It could be expensive and could be cheaper with roommates. Some classmates commute from other areas like Quincy and drive to school. I highly recommend living around school in your second year, third and fourth. Second year you spend majority of time in lab and you might end up staying late etc. If you are library type person to study then living closeby helps. In third and fourth year, patients might cancel etc and you have free time to spare then you can go home meanwhile, because sometimes you get patient in morning and evening and have empty afternoon. I lived near main campus in first year and moved to medical campus in second year. Everyone has different preference.. so I cant really make good recommendation.

As for scholarships, Im not sure about it.
As for specialties, it is more competitive if there are stipends involved. Programs like ortho, prosth and perio, endo usually requires tuition. Some of those programs give you stipend. Omfs and pedo are usually stipend programs if it is in hospital based etc.

 

[Kingfish23]

So, majority of my classmates live in South End. It could be expensive and could be cheaper with roommates. Some classmates commute from other areas like Quincy and drive to school. I highly recommend living around school in your second year, third and fourth. Second year you spend majority of time in lab and you might end up staying late etc. If you are library type person to study then living closeby helps. In third and fourth year, patients might cancel etc and you have free time to spare then you can go home meanwhile, because sometimes you get patient in morning and evening and have empty afternoon. I lived near main campus in first year and moved to medical campus in second year. Everyone has different preference.. so I cant really make good recommendation.

As for scholarships, Im not sure about it.
As for specialties, it is more competitive if there are stipends involved. Programs like ortho, prosth and perio, endo usually requires tuition. Some of those programs give you stipend. Omfs and pedo are usually stipend programs if it is in hospital based etc.

With regard to specialties, do BU students have trouble matching? I know you said that you have to work hard to specialize, but it’s completely obtainable, right?

 

[BUDMD2018]

With regard to specialties, do BU students have trouble matching? I know you said that you have to work hard to specialize, but it’s completely obtainable, right?

I know lot of my classmates applied to pedo this year, so we are not sure yet because results are not out yet. In general, from the past, I have seen many upperclassmen match into residencies with no problem. It depends on your classmates, because its not pass or fail. If you have tons of hard working students then you will have to compete for it. It is obtainable, but it rly depends on how other classmates does too. Thats why if you want to specialize you should go pass or fail and make your life easier. Also, its not all about GPA in d school. Your ranking, and other exams like CBSE matter alot when you apply to residencies like omfs or GRE for ortho. I have seen people with amazing stats not match and it does happen.

 

[Predentalgal1212]

I am deciding between BU and my state school. Do you think that the tuition and cost of living is worth going to BU over my state school?

 

[wengerout]

I am deciding between BU and my state school. Do you think that the tuition and cost of living is worth going to BU over my state school?

Which state school? The answer is likely no, it’s not worth it.


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[Jlm50]

I know lot of my classmates applied to pedo this year, so we are not sure yet because results are not out yet. In general, from the past, I have seen many upperclassmen match into residencies with no problem. It depends on your classmates, because its not pass or fail. If you have tons of hard working students then you will have to compete for it. It is obtainable, but it rly depends on how other classmates does too. Thats why if you want to specialize you should go pass or fail and make your life easier. Also, its not all about GPA in d school. Your ranking, and other exams like CBSE matter alot when you apply to residencies like omfs or GRE for ortho. I have seen people with amazing stats not match and it does happen.

I've heard that if I want to specialize that going to traditional grading school is better than pass/fail- have you had a different experience?

 

[wolverineee]

Congratulations on your acceptance. I hope this can help you little bit.
Pros:
- Hands on with digital dentistry big time. We do most digital dentistry (digital impression, milled crowns, placing an implant by the pre-doc,etc). This was not so important before, because not many practice used to have CEREC or other digital stuff, but now tech has advanced alot and learning this + conventional method will make you appreciate dentistry more when you get out. It is moving fast into digital world.
- This can be bad and good. Renovation. School will be doing renovation and it will start to get new facilities etc, but I don't know when this is to be completed, because Im graduating this year.
- Didactic education is exceptional, especially removable prosthodontics. Second years learn to place implants and now it became a requirement to place implants I think.
- Clinical education. I personally feel very confident that BU prepares you well overall. I finished my 10 week externship and I felt that BU students were able to handle clinical problems very well. This is the most important part for me, because when you go out to real world, you are stuck with problems and you question yourself time to time, but I was able to apply lot of things I learned in school in clinical setting outside of school during my externship without any help at fourth year dental student level.
- Very hands on. It depends on faculties, but usually we can do complex cases most of the time. Its what you make out of it and how much you push yourself.
- Group practice. This could be hit or miss. It depends on what group you are in, because some group leaders are amazing and they push you to work hard. Some other group people have tough times.
Cons:
- # of chairs. This is my main concern. We share chairs with DMD III, IV and Advanced standing II students. I personally did not have chair issues, because school did good job with distributing students out on externship or rotations, but this seems to be the major cons that gets brought up from majority of people.
- Patient pool? It really depends. Some students are lucky with jackpot cases and some students are not lucky. I think this happens in every dental school. I have some trouble finding certain cases, but overall Im doing okay. Quite abit of my classmates finished requirements already to graduate.
- Renovation. School is shifting things here and there alot. But, this doesn't really apply to first and second year students because they spend most of time outside of clinic in lecture room or simulation center.
- Old simulation center. Bad thing is its just old and could be changed. Equipment doesn't make you better dentist. You have to work in whatever condition to become a good dentist.
- Not pass or fail. This is big. Makes you work hard if you want to specialize.
- Lack of vacation. School makes you do APEX in first year and school cut down winter break now in third and fourth year. This doesn't really matter because lot more worse things happen in dental school than getting a short break.
- Neighborhood and rent. South End Sucks. Period. with few exceptions.

I think I covered what I need to say. Likewise, its what you make out of dental school. You have to be lucky and you have to work hard. Some people may complain of their problems but that is only small sample size. If there are cheaper school, I would go cheaper school, cuz loan sucks. All schools teach you same thing mostly, some may teach you less, but BU does teach you enough to be a good dentist and we do digital. That is the Biggest selling point of BU. The number of digital case we do is not comparable to ANY other dental school in United States.

P.S Don't PM me. I will answer everything here.

Does renovation in clinic mean possible increase in number of chairs?

 

[FireandIce128]

Gotta bump this.

I wanted to ask, when I was reading some BU-criticizing threads from a few years ago, many pre-dental/dental students talk about Tufts being "better." However, in terms of ratings on many different sites, BU is ranked higher than Tufts. Not trying to make another BU vs Tufts topic, but what do you guys think may contribute to BU's higher credibility but sdn students' negative perceptions?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Gotta bump this.

I wanted to ask, when I was reading some BU-criticizing threads from a few years ago, many pre-dental/dental students talk about Tufts being "better." However, in terms of ratings on many different sites, BU is ranked higher than Tufts. Not trying to make another BU vs Tufts topic, but what do you guys think may contribute to BU highest credibility but sdn students' negative perceptions?

There is no such thing as dental school ratings

 

[Bugzbunny22]

.

 

[FireandIce128]

There is no such thing as dental school ratings

I guess I meant to say ranking instead of ratings lol. Even though many students shouldn't pay attention to "rankings," I just wonder what are people's opinions on BU being higher "ranked" on many sites.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

This is on a slight tangent, but could you or anyone else explain the P/F situation in regards to specializing? I have read throughout SDN about how traditional grading schools are more advantageous for specializing and on the other hand, some of mentioned how it's easier for you to specialize if you attend a P/F school. My question is that I thought schools that have P/F actually still keep on file all of your individual grades and even your ranking, I guess they just don't tell the students. Is this correct? In that case, there really is no difference between traditional vs P/F right? Also, what is the numerical value of a passing grade?

Most schools with P/F grading have a high degree of clout in the academic world. Instead of GPA or ranks, the dean writes a letter of recommendation that is exceptionally strong. It is in our best interest to good for the dean when we do a residency to uphold his or her word, while likewise, the school has no use for a dean whose words are relatively weak in front of an admissions committee for specializing

 

[nossdt]

I know lot of my classmates applied to pedo this year, so we are not sure yet because results are not out yet. In general, from the past, I have seen many upperclassmen match into residencies with no problem. It depends on your classmates, because its not pass or fail. If you have tons of hard working students then you will have to compete for it. It is obtainable, but it rly depends on how other classmates does too. Thats why if you want to specialize you should go pass or fail and make your life easier. Also, its not all about GPA in d school. Your ranking, and other exams like CBSE matter alot when you apply to residencies like omfs or GRE for ortho. I have seen people with amazing stats not match and it does happen.

Do you know how the class ranks work? Is it based purely on gpa or do they look at individual percentages for each class?

 

[periopocket]

Don’t worry about the SDN rep - a lot can be taken with a grain of salt. BU had some bad rumors in the early 2000s but things have changed and it’s a fine school with great technology and Invisalign cert