Can't Decide Which School

[juan7677]

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I still can't decide which school I want to go to. I need to choose b/t ucla and uop. I know that ucla has a better name and reputation but overall, I was much more impressed w/ uop's facility and environment. Is anyone else having trouble deciding which school to go to?

 

[Ranman]

I'm having trouble deciding between UPENN and maryland because of the price difference. I loved UPENN as I could not find any fault other than the hefty price tag. I'm not swayed to UPENN because of its rep or opportunity to specialize. I loved the environment, campus, curriculum, and people. I also think Philly is a more inticing place to live than Baltimore. It seemed more exciting!!!

But, UofM was fine and there was nothing that I saw that was really wrong with it other than living in Baltimore (so I've heard).

Is saving $60,000 over 4 years worth it?

Any thoughts.

 

[FutureNSXDent]

I still can't decide btw Columbia and Tufts. Tufts has a better facility, stronger facility and it's in Boston chinatown. On the otherhand, Columbia has the name, but is $10,000 more expensive and has a weak clinical. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle this dilemma?

NSXDent

 

[ze dentist]

columbia vs. uop. both expensive but my first choice. leaning towards uop. anyone else thinking between these 2?

 

[SMDdent]

ze,

I also narrowed down my choices to Columbia and UOP, but decided to place my deposit with UOP. Since my plans are to become a general dentist, I felt that having a strong clinical experience was much more important than the prestige and biomedical background that Columbia will provide. Plus I'm a CA resident and I know UOP will prepare me well for the boards here. I have friends at both schools. The guys at UOP love it there. Those at Columbia do not, for reasons that have already been discussed in other threads. Basically it boils down to whichever you feel is more important - strong clinical experience or strong knowledge in the biomedical sciences. I chose clinical experience.

Juan,

Bro, you have a tough decision because there is a significant difference in tuition between UCLA and UOP. Boils down to how much you value time. For me, getting out one year early is a big reason why I'm choosing UOP. I value that extra year's experience in real-world practice and the income more highly than the cheaper tuition. It all evens out at the end, but for now, one year seems a lot. I'm sure you've heard the Yarborough speech already. I feel that both programs are great, but UOP may have an edge clinically, according to friends I know at both schools. Good luck with your decision!

 

[juan7677]

Hey SMDdent,

Thanks for your response. Yeah I'm having trouble deciding. My parents really want me to go to ucla. Their reasoning is that when I open up my own clinic people will trust a dentist coming out of UCLA more than UOP. They feel like ucla's name and reputation very important. I'm not so sure but they might be right. What do you think? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ddasung]

Well, I was in the same shoe. It was a tough call to decide between ucla and uop, but the decision had to be made, ucla.

I don't mean to give you an advice, but rather to share my personal story. Yes, my parents think that the reputation of the school play a critical role when you come out of school and open your own practice. But, they left the decision up to me. Same with you, ultimately you are the one that will be spending the next 3/4 years of your life at the dental school of your choice, so this means it has to be the right one for you.

I also got a very good impression of overall facility and atmosphere at uop in comparion to ucla. but, ucla is building a new simulation lab for our class, and I think things will be much nicer when I start.

There are several factors that were interests of mine, which were the school atmosphere, my family, my boyfriend, and my social life. With all things considered, ucla seemed more accomodating although the extra year seemed somewhat "tormenting".

Anyways, again the ultimate decision has to be made by you after considering and weighing all the options. Afterall, it's your life.

Good luck...

 

[ItsGavinC]

Juan, choose UCLA. Saving the bucks on tuition is worth it!

Ranman, save yourself $60,000! Remember, that is 60k that you are borrowing, but about 75k that you are paying back!

ddasung, the reputation of the school you attend has NO bearing on opening a practice, much less a critical one.

 

[RSXer]

U Maryland, Columbia, or UPitt? (I'm a MD resident)

Put as much thought into your reply as I have into my qustion 😉

 

[agutier3]

Juan7677 & RSXer-

You both need to identify what is important to you in context with your particular situation. Is it money, curriculum, research, environment, city, quality of life, facility, students, specialty opportunities, prestige, etc.......

Reading through several posts in this forum, many people have identified money as the most important criteria in choosing a dental school. Good for them....they have made THEIR decision very easy. While I agree with what they say, it is not MY most important issue with regards to MY situation.

I personally have decided on UOP. It is a school that fits ME perfectly in regards to MY criteria in choosing a dental school! Plus the opportunity to finish in 3 years is great! Now let me explain why money is not a factor for me. First, I am not rich. I will be entering the military as a dentist after graduation. That is a decision and an obligation that I am willing to sacrifice for a couple of years.....therefore I will not have any debts with regards to school. Second, I have an aunt who is a dentist. She has indicated that I could be partners with her and eventually take over her practice.....thus no debt in starting/buying a practice either.

Now you should do some soul searching of your own. While it is important to hear other people's perspective (especially other pre-dents in your position), it is YOU who will be going through those years in the dental school you ultimately decide. Do what you think will benefit YOU and those that rely on you (if you have a family of your own). Please don't let other people make your decision. This is my advice, and mine alone. Good luck to both of you! Let us know where you both decide to go.

Arby

 

[damian12]

Here it goes. I'm a Florida resident and I've been accepted to my state school , UF (~8K tuition), and UPenn with the 50 % minority scholarship. I'm not exactly sure what decision to make, but BOTH schools impressed me . Penn's atmosphere, faculty, and extreme passion for dentistry is one-of-a-kind. Well, you could expect that from a school that's been expanding dentistry for the last 125 years. I dunnowatadoo !!!! UF was also very welcoming and passionate about their work.. I hope I dont make the wrong decision !! 😡 😡

 

[dudelove]

Damian,

If you are going to be staying in Florida, I would suggest staying with the in state school as they will prepare you for the florida boards(which from what I understand is unlike the NERB which I believe upenn readies you for).
My advice is to go with the cheaper school. I chose a school which at the time was about 32k a year tuition over uconn which at the time was 10k a year tuition. I wish I had gone with uconn. It sure would have been easier paying off the uconn tution in 1 year then struggling with 150k worth of debt. If you are intelligent and have good hand skills, it really doesn't matter where you go imho.

 

[damian12]

Thanks Dudelove ! I appreciate your input, but I'm still stuck in the middle. If I wanted to become a general dentist, the decision would be an easy one and I would go with UF. But I intend on specializing and Penn would definitely improve my chances.

It's UF vs. UPenn, state tuition vs. private tuition (50% off w/ scholarship).

I still don't know. I need to make a decision before January 10th, and I have not the slightest clue. This sux ! 😡

 

[type-s]

(to everyone above) go where you feel most comfortable. it seems that some of you hate to let others know that you chose a school for their name. COME ON~! what's so bad about it? if you like having that school's name backing you and proud of it, then go. if the name's not a big deal, then what's up with all these dilemmas? go to the cheaper school. it doesn't matter where you graduate from. can't rank them. at the end, they're all same. it's just a matter of pride. not that hard. if you like name and have $$, go to upenn, harvard, etc. if you don't care about name and short on $$, go to state school. go where you feel most comfortable.

 

[DesiDentist]

I totally agree with type-s,

people have different goals and aspirations. Some people need to go to a school that makes them feel comfortable and special. Money is a huge factor, but it is not the only factor. We are fortunate to be going into a profession where money is not hard to come by as long as you are dedicated and passionate with what you are doing. Its like here in WA people who go out of state for undergrad, they come back with over a 100,000 debt and when you talk to them (or at least in my experiences) they do not regret it one bit. They are happy with the life experiences they gained and the new atmosphere they come across. You live only once, enjoy life. Money will come and go.

Good luck to all.

DesiDentist

 

[tinker bell]

Yup, go to a school that you don't like just bc it's cheap is like getting married for money. That's the worst position to be in. It sucks to stay with a school you totally hate and be unhappy.

I went to UCD for undergrad and I totally hate it. The class is so large and I ended up studying most of the time by myself. No attention from teacher. Staff and advisors are mean. Totally discouraged when they heard that I want to go to dental school.
There are some nice faculties. They are extremely nice. But you don't get them all the time

It's true when someone said to ask if their alumni donate any money. I would never send money nor send my kid to UCD. Check your school out carefully before you send the deposit in. It's 4 painful year to live, and if you're not happy, it'll affect your board scores, your performance and your ability to get into specialty of your choice.

T