Lets see... why did I want to come to maryland? Well, there's many reasons. The first reason is similar to RSXer. I am a maryland resident, so financially going to school here is far advantageous. Secondly, I was looking for a good clinical school. Maryland has a reputation for an excellent clinical education. Even Mark Lombard, at my temple interview, told me that I would be getting an excellent clinical education if I went to maryland (He saw I was a maryland resident and probably assumed I applied to both schools). Another factor in my decision was that I talked to many dentists and they all gave a very strong endorsment to maryland (and yes, many were biased because they went there). Many dentists though, specifically told me that when they hire other dentists for their practices or seek dentist to refer to, they prefer a maryland educated dentist over one at temple (which was one of my other top choices). Nothing against temple though, of course, but I was point-blank told in many instances, that maryland is a better school.
There are several other personal reasons that I want to attend maryland. Alot of my family lives in columbia, maryland, which is just about 15 minutes from the dental school. I just graduated undergrad at the university of maryland college park (Go Terps!!!), so alot of my friends live around the area (college park is about 45 minutes from the dental school). I like baltimore alot. It has many of the features of a large city, but the dental schools location makes it extremely easy to leave the city if I so desire.
One final reason for my interest in maryland was the fact that maryland was interested in me. I started off college with very poor grades. After comming to the conlusion that I wanted to follow a career in dentistry, and after dealing with some personal issues, I completely turned my life around and started earning excellent grades and had amazing dental experiences. At my interview I was asked about this turn-around, and instead of raised eye-brows, I received peoples trust and support. Everyone at my interview not only seemed excited about their working at/attending maryland, but also seemed excited about the possibility of me attending maryland. This made me feel extremely welcome and gives me the feeling that there is a good support system set up at maryland in order to help the students succeed. Additionally, people such as Dr. Margaret Wilson and students who have visited college park over the last few years have given off lots of enthusiam about the university of maryland. This enthusiasm is quite contagous. For all these reasons, and more, including the addition of a new building, I have chosen to attend the university of maryland baltimore college of dental surgery. (wow... that sounded like a brochure, didnt it!?!)
In other news... after looking at the length of this post it is clear I have entirely too much free time on my hands. I'm excited though, because on thurseday I am starting work as a clinical assistant for an orthodontist around baltimore. He was very excited to have a future dental student working for him, so I think things will work out well.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask, and I will answer as honestly as possible.
