Between Case & Buffalo...?

[gojobom]

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Hello,

I am thrilled to be offered acceptance from two great schools, Case Western and Buffalo. I am hoping that you guys can share some insights as I try to make a decision of which one I should attend.

Both schools felt great when I visited the school for interviews, and I like the small-town feel since I'm also from a small town. I'm a Canadian applicant, so tuition wise, it doesn't make a huge difference. I like clinical-oriented schools and tight relationships between classmates. Also, what is the prospect of Case grad/Buffalo grad like in terms of specializations and jobs? Basically, which school would you go for, and why?

Thank you all very much in advance!

 

[Blake1e]

I would go for Case if I was in your position. Checkout the crime rate in Buffalo University: police.buffalostate.edu/crimeblotter spotcrime.com/ny/buffalo/university Seems like an unsavory place to have to live in for 4 years.

EDIT: fixed links

 

[ramborhino]

I think if prices are equal just choose the one where you feel like you can succeed the best. Things to consider: class size, basic sciences curriculum, weekly schedule, grading style, type of student that attends, your comfort in immediate surrounding area.

 

[Blake1e]

Lol ramborhino you deleted everything you said about Cleveland being a far worser place to live.

Anyways OP its usually best to go with your gut with these kinds of things.

 

[ramborhino]

Lol ramborhino you deleted everything you said about Cleveland being a far worser place to live.

Lol. I know, sorry. I thought you posted crime data about Buffalo at large. So I wrote up a joke comparing the two and saying you have a better chance of being assaulted and raped in one city but killed and robbed in the other. But then I saw you actually put up info about the immediate surrounding area, which I believe is a solid thing to consider.

 

[Blake1e]

Lol. I know, sorry. I thought you posted crime data about Buffalo at large. So I wrote up a joke comparing the two and saying you have a better chance of being assaulted and raped in one city but killed and robbed in the other. But then I saw you actually put up info about the immediate surrounding area, which I believe is a solid thing to consider.

Yeah the links I posted arent about the City of Buffalo. The links are crime statistics for Buffalo University. And youre right its good to consider these things because your own personal safety should be number 1.

 

[ary]

Hello,

I am thrilled to be offered acceptance from two great schools, Case Western and Buffalo. I am hoping that you guys can share some insights as I try to make a decision of which one I should attend.

Both schools felt great when I visited the school for interviews, and I like the small-town feel since I'm also from a small town. I'm a Canadian applicant, so tuition wise, it doesn't make a huge difference. I like clinical-oriented schools and tight relationships between classmates. Also, what is the prospect of Case grad/Buffalo grad like in terms of specializations and jobs? Basically, which school would you go for, and why?

Thank you all very much in advance!

I am also in the same situation as you are. I am also Canadian🙂. I know my friend who attended Case and was so happy with her choice. I also came to know another dental student in Buffalo who is really happy with the curriculum. So it is a hard decision:s

 

[051691]

I'm also deciding between these two wonderful schools, but I'm a NYS resident so the only thing making me lean towards Buffalo is the cheap tuition. Still not sure though.

 

[gojobom]

I am also in the same situation as you are. I am also Canadian🙂. I know my friend who attended Case and was so happy with her choice. I also came to know another dental student in Buffalo who is really happy with the curriculum. So it is a hard decision:s

I would love to follow up on your decision and find out which school you choose at the end 🙂

 

[crooked]

Congrats on you acceptance! I would go for Case as well. Case and Buffalo are both good schools, but I personally wouldn't choose Buffalo because the environment. The location is in the ghetto and the school's facilities are poor and old. I just couldn't envision myself living there for 4 years. Just my two cents.

 

[resplendence]

Wow so much hate for Buffalo I don't understand! First of all the first link in Blake1e's post is for a completely different school, Buffalo State, which is completely different from UB and all the way on the other side of the city. The second link is for the area surrounding UB's south campus, which is the location of the dental school...however it's really a stretch to describe the location as "in the ghetto." Honestly so many of my classmates walk/bike to school and have never had a problem. It's not like the actual campus itself is not safe, the campus has its own police force who is constantly around, and you're only ever walking on campus anyway you aren't walking out into the surrounding neighborhoods. If you're truly that concerned about the safety of the area, live in nearby Amherst or Williamsville like a bunch of my classmates-both ridiculously safe and beautiful areas.

Go wherever you want to go but don't make it based on the opinions of random people on a thread on the internet who don't have the experience of living in Buffalo! 🙂

 

[Tensa]

Hey, that's a difficult decision (I'm in a similar tough decision between 2 schools as well), but if I may add my 2 cents..

I would go with Buffalo. It's ironic since I got waitlisted at UB, but I think I'd go with UB if your objective is to specialize. One thing is that UB has a great reputation for clinical education, plus they have a letter grade system. Case is an amazing school and the campus is awesome. Case has a great clinical reputation too but I wasn't sure if I was into their pass/fail system. Since specialties are getting competitive, how do specialty programs compare graduates from pass/fail schools vs. letter grade schools?

Good luck with the decision, and congrats to a future dental professional!

 

[resplendence]

Oh and in response to the person who said the facilities are poor and old....first of all they really aren't..second of all the whole dental school is starting renovation next year so by the time your class (2018) is in clinic they'll have entirely renovated clinics. Just wanted to clear up this stuff!

 

[Glimmer1991]

I would go with Case. Clinical excellence and a "tight-knit" feeling are incredibly important to me, and Case definitely had both. I just loved the school, honestly. They treat their applicants extremely well, and from what I gather, they continue that same treatment once you have matriculated.

In response to the above: For some reason, I thought that Case was NOT p/f. I may have misunderstood. Someone correct me. @casedentalmed

If you want to specialize, they have so many specialty programs... You could make some good connections over 4 years!

Oh, and though this isn't a solid enough reason to pick a school, Case is also in a really cool area. 🙂

 

[2thsaver]

I'm Canadian as well, and my number one choice is Buffalo. But I'm very family oriented and want to stay close to home (gf lives close to my house to). UB is about 40 mins away from where I live (Niagara area just over the border), so it's a no brainer for me. The dentist I shadow went to UB and said it was an amazing program. Also, his associate went to UWO for dental school but then did his residency at UB. He said he learned a lot from it and really enjoyed his time there. I'm sure Case Western is a great school to, so it will be tough decision. Go wherever you feel most comfortable. Both great institutions!

 

[moler]

"Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Amherst has frequently been ranked as the Safest City in America (1996–1998, 2000–2003, 2010); many other years it ranks within the Top 5." - wiki

 

[Mr.Smile12]

... One thing is that UB has a great reputation for clinical education, plus they have a letter grade system. Case is an amazing school and the campus is awesome. Case has a great clinical reputation too but I wasn't sure if I was into their pass/fail system. Since specialties are getting competitive, how do specialty programs compare graduates from pass/fail schools vs. letter grade schools? ...

Glimmer is right: Our grading system changed back to A/B/C/F after the NBDE's went P/F a few years ago.

 

[Tensa]

Glimmer is right: Our grading system changed back to A/B/C/F after the NBDE's went P/F a few years ago.

Thanks for the clarification Dr. Chuck. Choosing which offer to accept just got that much more difficult considering the clinical reputation of CWRU and the letter grade system.

 

[fixing]

Oh and in response to the person who said the facilities are poor and old....first of all they really aren't..second of all the whole dental school is starting renovation next year so by the time your class (2018) is in clinic they'll have entirely renovated clinics. Just wanted to clear up this stuff!

Having received an acceptance from Buffalo as well that's really exciting to hear! During the tour after the interview I got the impression that, while not glamorous, the areas were very functional and practical. Do you know if pre-clinical facilities would be getting renovations too? I don't remember the tour covering the sim labs.

 

[resplendence]

Having received an acceptance from Buffalo as well that's really exciting to hear! During the tour after the interview I got the impression that, while not glamorous, the areas were very functional and practical. Do you know if pre-clinical facilities would be getting renovations too? I don't remember the tour covering the sim labs.

I know the dean mentioned the pre-clinical facilities getting renovated but I can't remember if he said that would be happening at the same time or not. Sorry I don't have more info! 🙁 If you have any other UB questions feel free to PM me though!