Campus Visits

[HatInTheCat]

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[HatInTheCat]

Let me rewrite this--

Are any of you planning to visit any dental schools soon? If so, how has that experience been for you? Did your perceptions of schools change your intent on enrolling once accepted?

I've contacted several schools to schedule campus visits, and while some have been awesome, others take weeks to reply (I'm talking 2-3 weeks).

If you're free with discussing your overall experiences, reply here.

 

[PointEstimate]

What's the point of visiting a dental school unless you are invited for an interview? You either don't like the place (and the trip could have easily ended up costing more than the application fee) OR you fall in love with the place and you don't even get in. It's such a crapshoot anyway, that it seems best to just let things play out and visit when invited. Doubtful that these non-inteview visits gives you a meaningful leg up on the competition if you are trying to find that edge over other applicants.

It just seems like you won't learn much more than you can glean from the internet.

 

[hetchhetchy]

I disagree. Visiting a school demonstrates that you are serious about attending if you apply later. With so many applicants for so few spots, small things can give an advantage in getting to the interview process. Interviewing will also be a much better process as well because you will have had time to think about the program and come up with real questions. The whole acceptance process has to do with any and every interaction you have with a school. If you visit a school and get a tour, a student or faculty may remember you later and it could sway the decision process.

 

[RNBDent4]

I personally visited two dental schools before I began the admissions process! I think it was an invaluable experience as I got to talk to current students, tour the facilities and see all the new technology, meet faculty, and just generally learn about the school! During the interviews I was asked about why I wanted to attend XYZ school and since I had already visited the school once and was acquainted with it I was able to honestly answer about how welcoming everyone was and how much I liked the facilities. Also, at one school the dean of admissions actually gave me a tour and she was the one who ended up interviewing me! Most schools have a pre-dental forum that is a perfect time to tour! Idk if it will be worth it for you but I got into both schools I visited so it can't hurt!

 

[DentalDoge]

I visited my state school only because I went to undergrad down the street from it. But didnt even bother to visit any of the other schools. Didnt see any point in it. Anyone who is giving the tour will most likely have no impact on your admission. The only way I can see it helping is that you will have already know the layout of the school and environment better people who havent been there before. That's a small advantage for the cost it takes to fly across the country.

As for the program, you should be able to find almost everything you need to know on their website.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

I disagree. Visiting a school demonstrates that you are serious about attending if you apply later. With so many applicants for so few spots, small things can give an advantage in getting to the interview process. Interviewing will also be a much better process as well because you will have had time to think about the program and come up with real questions. The whole acceptance process has to do with any and every interaction you have with a school. If you visit a school and get a tour, a student or faculty may remember you later and it could sway the decision process.

Sometimes, it's not about what you know but WHO you know. This can make the difference.

 

[HatInTheCat]

What's the point of visiting a dental school unless you are invited for an interview? You either don't like the place (and the trip could have easily ended up costing more than the application fee) OR you fall in love with the place and you don't even get in. It's such a crapshoot anyway, that it seems best to just let things play out and visit when invited. Doubtful that these non-inteview visits gives you a meaningful leg up on the competition if you are trying to find that edge over other applicants.

It just seems like you won't learn much more than you can glean from the internet.

Thanks, everyone!

I'm not looking to visit for a "leg up" at all. My visit is to survey the atmosphere, quality of life and resources that the school offers. If I make a good connection or not, it's still beneficial to my conscience.

I'm a little older than most here (30), so I'm okay with taking my time to figure out if a school works for ME. I have a little more at stake, so it's important that I weigh out what i will be exposed to community and school wise for the next four years.

Initially I did ask if anyone was looking to comment about their experience with school tours, though...