Californians at Columbia

[FutureNSXDent]

---

Members do not see this ad.

For those of you California folks at SDOS,

What were some of your motvations for going to columbia besides to specialize?

I'm from LA and the only cali school i got accepted was USC. However, i don't like the pbl program as much as the traditional program, so i'm placing more emphasis on columbia. However, going to columbia and returning to cali after 4 years will probably create a series of complication (ie, referrals, connections, practices, etc etc...)

I'd like to know for those of you californians at columbia, what were some of your reason for going to columbia? Anything you have to say would be appreciated, thanks!!

NSXDent

 

[antishock]

I can think of a few reasons why they go that far:

1. for the name... COLUMBIA
2. chances for specializing
3. rejected by all Californian schools

 

[portlander]

You will not have a problem with referrals, practices, or connections. I promise. There are plenty of things going on in the dental community OUTSIDE of dental school to give you all of that. I assure you that California has new dentist groups for each city that will give you plenty of opportunity to network. Honestly, the fraction of dentists that are your classmates in dental school will not help you out that much in a business setting when you are just starting out. Neither will the professors.

I worked in the front office of a dental practice with one 2002 graduate and one 1980 graduate. The recent graduate told me that most of the new recently graduated dentists in Portland, OR were from out-of-state schools. The business connections he made while I worked in the office did NOT come from the dental school he graduated from (OHSU). Rather, they came from volunteer medical team interactions, continuing education classes, and just plain working in the city.

So without going into any more detail, I think that every dental graduate starts from scratch (unless buying into a family member's practice). Your reputation as a dentist cannot be built up in the microcosm of dental school. You'll graduate, pass the CA boards, get an associateship, then eventually buy your own practice and retire at age 55. Doesn't matter where you go to school. Go where you want.

 

[agutier3]

You'll graduate, pass the CA boards, get an associateship, then eventually buy your own practice and retire at age 55. Doesn't matter where you go to school. Go where you want.

Everything I wanted to say. Don't get caught up with "what if's" and negativity about the future. It's good advice which I suggest you take. Where do you REALLY want to go?? Don't worry about the rest.

 

[StarGirl]

stop worrying...
it's so weird...i had a dental appointment today and my dentist was meeting a student from an out of state school (that he doesn't know personally) to help him screen for patients. I asked my dentist and the new grad if it's hard to come by and they BOTH told me not to worry about it...cause it'll happen. My dentist went out of state and he's back and he's great.
GO to the school that best fits you. If Columbia fits you then come...if it doesn't then go elsewhere... Don't come here for the "name". Come here cause you'll be happy here...come here because you KNOW you'll get the best education here...come here because you know you want to be here.