ASDOH vs UF

[DoobyDoo20]

ASDOH or UF

ASDOH (Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health)

Pros:

• Only 10 minutes away from home.
• Wife has a stable, full-time job locally.
• Close proximity to family, providing a strong support system.
• Familiar surroundings, making the transition smoother and less stressful.
• Pass/fail grading
• No rent
• Clinical program

Cons:
• Total cost is high, around $440k.
• Staying local lacks a sense of adventure or change, potentially leading to less personal growth or excitement.


UF (University of Florida)

Pros:
• Reputable program with a strong academic and clinical curriculum
• lower cost of attendance (~$350k, including rent)
• Some extended family in Jacksonville, providing a partial support system.
• Opportunity for new experiences and a fresh start in a different region.

Cons:
• High humidity
• Away from close family, requiring adjustment to a new support system.
• Wife will need to leave her current job and search for new employment.
• Additional costs for relocation and settling into a new area.
• Unfamiliar environment may require more time and energy to adapt.
• Not sure if I would live in Florida longterm

I also want to specialize and am hoping to hear any advice on what to keep in mind while choosing.

Thank you

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[macsak]

ASDOH or UF

ASDOH (Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health)

Pros:

• Only 10 minutes away from home.
• Wife has a stable, full-time job locally.
• Close proximity to family, providing a strong support system.
• Familiar surroundings, making the transition smoother and less stressful.
• Pass/fail grading
• No rent
• Clinical program

Cons:
• Total cost is high, around $440k.
• Staying local lacks a sense of adventure or change, potentially leading to less personal growth or excitement.


UF (University of Florida)

Pros:
• Reputable program with a strong academic and clinical curriculum
• lower cost of attendance (~$350k, including rent)
• Some extended family in Jacksonville, providing a partial support system.
• Opportunity for new experiences and a fresh start in a different region.

Cons:
• High humidity
• Away from close family, requiring adjustment to a new support system.
• Wife will need to leave her current job and search for new employment.
• Additional costs for relocation and settling into a new area.
• Unfamiliar environment may require more time and energy to adapt.
• Not sure if I would live in Florida longterm

I also want to specialize and am hoping to hear any advice on what to keep in mind while choosing.

Thank you

you sure about the COA?
2019 figures show
$487425 ASDOH
$318316 FL IS after one year ($397756 OOS 4 years)

 

[DoobyDoo20]

you sure about the COA?
2019 figures show
$487425 ASDOH
$318316 FL IS after one year ($397756 OOS 4 years)

I just went off of there projected cost website at each. I don’t need to pay for rent at ASDOH. With living costs, UF came out to 359, with IS after a year. ASDOHs came out to 432k with tuition and fees but without living.

 

[Iowa1995]

No experience with ASDOH but had one son graduate from UF dental school in 2023 and another will graduate in May (both OOS). They both have had great experiences and thoroughly enjoyed living in Gainesville. The culture, classmates and curriculum were all very good. Both of them matched at their top choice to highly competitive orthodontic programs and most of their classmates matched to their specialty programs of choice as well.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

With your wife having an income, that will be factored with your final package. Did you talk with financial aid about adjustments to your debt? I would presume uprooting your family will also have costs outside this calculation.

 

[DoobyDoo20]

With your wife having an income, that will be factored with your final package. Did you talk with financial aid about adjustments to your debt? I would presume uprooting your family will also have costs outside this calculation.

Yes she has a steady job right now assisting at an OS clinic. If we did move, the plan was to do some job searching for her. Also, the cost to move would be slightly more as we move across from AZ to FL but we could make it work if that was the choice we make. We don’t have any kids at this point so it’s just the two of us. I am worried she may get lonely during four years away and possibly more with residency.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes she has a steady job right now assisting at an OS clinic. If we did move, the plan was to do some job searching for her. Also, the cost to move would be slightly more as we move across from AZ to FL but we could make it work if that was the choice we make. We don’t have any kids at this point so it’s just the two of us. I am worried she may get lonely during four years away and possibly more with residency.

As a family you should discuss anticipated costs. Do you want children? If so, that's 10+ years of making ends meet with childcare, education, and other health expenses. How long do your think it takes to find a job while juggling the start of medical school?

Are there spouse support groups at either campus? Have you done a campus visit at UF?

 

[DoobyDoo20]

As a family you should discuss anticipated costs. Do you want children? If so, that's 10+ years of making ends meet with childcare, education, and other health expenses. How long do your think it takes to find a job while juggling the start of medical school?

Are there spouse support groups at either campus? Have you done a campus visit at UF?

I am not sure if there are specific spouse support groups at either campus. I did visit UF, and I liked it a lot. My wife and I have thought about basic costs that may arise, but we are nervous about the unexpected ones that could come up. She feels she can make either option work, but we do have family in Arizona, which would provide a great support system for us. The two biggest pros for UF are the lower cost and its reputable program, but I want to make a holistic decision that takes into account all aspects of our future, including family, support systems, and long-term sustainability. I feel truly blessed to have these options and am excited about this next chapter. I have always loved ASDOH and have done a lot with the staff and students.