Anyone Interview at Temple Yet?

[PSU SHC 414]

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Hey all,

I'm very seriously considering withdrawing my application from Temple, so I'm wondering if people who have already interviewed there this year (or better yet - CURRENT STUDENTS) could give some feedback or impressions about the school (facilities, curriculum, faculty & students, etc.).

Two of the dentists I shadowed were Temple grads (many years ago), and they're both excellent clinicians, so I'm well aware of the strength of Temple's clinical program (although the endodontist did his specialty training at Harvard, so I'm not sure if Temple can take credit for his clinical skills). I'm mainly concerned about their didactic training (or the lack thereof), facilities, and availability of patient chairs during the 3rd/4th years...

Just need some input before I make the call.

Thanks!

 

[katy5787]

I really liked Temple. I think the things that it has that separates it from other schools are the patient pool and the clinical training. None of the other schools I've seen so far can beat Temple in those terms. Just my thoughts, but I think it's definitely worth looking at if you want to be a clinical dentist. As far as didactics, they aren't going to be at the top most likely, but the schools that are at the top will not offer as good of clinical training. I guess it's kind of a trade off. The boards will be pass/fail by the time we get to dental school anyways, so it's not even going to matter in those terms. I guess it just depends on what area you want to be strongest in.
Just curious, why would you want to withdraw an app before December 1st?

 

[Plopper]

why would you withdraw at this time?? i say let it ride for another 1.5 months and find out if you get in

 

[PSU SHC 414]

I really liked Temple. I think the things that it has that separates it from other schools are the patient pool and the clinical training. None of the other schools I've seen so far can beat Temple in those terms. Just my thoughts, but I think it's definitely worth looking at if you want to be a clinical dentist. As far as didactics, they aren't going to be at the top most likely, but the schools that are at the top will not offer as good of clinical training. I guess it's kind of a trade off. The boards will be pass/fail by the time we get to dental school anyways, so it's not even going to matter in those terms. I guess it just depends on what area you want to be strongest in.
Just curious, why would you want to withdraw an app before December 1st?

Really appreciate the response... thanks! As far as why I'd withdraw before December - everyone I've talked to so far about deciding which school to go to has said "Regardless of how good the program is, with the exception of a few, if you can't see yourself living there for 4 years, don't even bother..."

Well... I really can't see myself living around Temple for 4 years. Some people might argue that this should be towards the bottom of the list of things to consider when it comes to picking a school. I agree, but in my mind, that also depends largely on the strength of the program you're looking at (i.e. Columbia's not in the best area for me personally, but the reputation of its program supercedes any living considerations).

At this point, I can pretty confidently say that Temple is sitting dead last on my list of schools - I wouldn't even consider it a "back-up" school anymore. I only applied b/c it's in-state, and it's only a 30-min train ride to the interview. I don't mean to come across as cocky with what I've said here, but I've done my research on Temple, and I also had the chance to shadow a periodontist who used to be on the faculty there. He had nothing good to say about Temple's program... then again, I'm not sure what the circumstances of his departure from Temple were, so his opinions might not be entirely objective.

So, I'm hoping that replies to this thread will help me to figure out if it'd be worth the time (and having to use up a vacation day at work) to give Temple a shot.

Appreciate the responses so far!

 

[jaypea65]

I understand where you are coming from. I have a family, and I really tried to apply to schools where I thought that my kids would be able to thrive. So, location is very important to me. Although at this point in the cycle, I am considering more schools because I feel that my chances are not good at this stage. In my case, I would interview and if it did not feel right for me or my family, I would kindly decline an acceptance if need be. Although I would love to pursue a dental career, in my situation some things are just more important to me than career.

 

[PSU SHC 414]

I understand where you are coming from. I have a family, and I really tried to apply to schools where I thought that my kids would be able to thrive. So, location is very important to me. Although at this point in the cycle, I am considering more schools because I feel that my chances are not good at this stage. In my case, I would interview and if it did not feel right for me or my family, I would kindly decline an acceptance if need be. Although I would love to pursue a dental career, in my situation some things are just more important to me than career.

Wow - I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and other people who are in similar situations. I'm not a parent yet, but I'm well aware of the fact that raising kids is a full-time job and then some... I couldn't imagine having to try to simultaneously go through a rigorous professional school program.

Props to you for even getting this far given the circumstances... best of luck with everything.

 

[prydA]

Well... I really can't see myself living around Temple for 4 years. S

I only applied b/c it's in-state, and it's only a 30-min train ride to the interview.

originally i was going to say if you can't see yourself living at temple, then why go? but if its only a 30 min train ride, it can't hurt right? that's only like 15 dollars i'm guessing? you never know... i say you should go 🙂

 

[Plopper]

originally i was going to say if you can't see yourself living at temple, then why go? but if its only a 30 min train ride, it can't hurt right? that's only like 15 dollars i'm guessing? you never know... i say you should go 🙂

well if he doesn't he'll just be giving up an interview spot for someone else who would go there. Thanks 😀

Seriously, i would go if you get an interview, you never know if you'll really like it. But in the end if you don't think you would ever go there even if it was your only acceptance, then i don't see a lot of worth in going to the interview.

$0.02

 

[mooredge]

My opinion is a little biased since i'm currently a D1 at Temple. I really enjoy the school and think Philly is an awesome city. I will admit the facilities are a little faded and need an update asap. After listening to the new dean (his 2 day at temple today) talk to the student body today, the lecture halls and clinic are supposed to be completed revamped by 2011. We'll see if this actually happens, but after listening to him speak I believe it is. As far as didactic aspect of the school, it may not be on par with Harvard, UPenn, and the ivy leagues, but it is more than sufficient to become a successful dentist. As you've already mentioned, the clinical training and patient base at Temple is one of the best in the country. For me this was the most important thing when choosing a dental school. After graduation i want to be able to practice dentistry with confidence and skill, the only way i can achieve this is by getting as much practice in as possible. You can sit in a library and study every dental book imaginable, but unless you are able to practice and hone these skills on real patients then the didactic aspect isn't going to account for much as a practicing dentist.

Any dental school you go to will provide you with the education you need. The question is how much more training will you need after graduation to feel confident in your skills and decision making abilities. I think the two most important things in deciding where to go are cost of attendance, and clinical training.

 

[needa20]

I def think you should withdraw your app from Temple, it will give me a better shot 🙂

j/k.

good luck in what ever you decide to do

 

[Flipper405]

I say give them a shot. My opinion of the school vastly increased after interviewing.

...especially if you're in PA anyway.

 

[rawknee]

Don't go, give the spot to me. I want an interview there so I can go party with you crazy temple kids afterwards. Im talkin to you mooredge

 

[paul510psu]

Take the interview... I wouldn't burn any bridges if I were you.

Oh and another cliche that applies to this situation... don't count your eggs before they're hatched.

Good luck

 

[PSU SHC 414]

I definitely appreciate all of your responses, especially Mooredge's (it's always great to get a perspective from current students).

At this point, I think most of you have convinced me that I should keep an open mind when it comes to giving fair consideration to each school that has invited me for an interview. In my mind, I think it's only fair to at least give each one a chance since adcom members have taken the time to review my application in detail...

If anyone (especially current Temple students) has additional input they'd be willing to throw out, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again!