Case vs. Nova vs. USC

[nmgator1]

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I know we're all sick of these threads but any insight would be appreciated. Have gotton into all three, and money is a non-factor. Have lived in florida for 16 years, so wouldn't mind a change in weather (i.e. Cleveland). I'm pretty high on Case Western, think the whole PBL thing would suit me well and like the fact that you get your own chair and the class size is small. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Dental156]

I've been accepted to Case and I think I'm going to go there. So here are some things that are important to me:

- 2 sim labs (Kavo and DentSim)
- Big on developing Critical Thinking
- Lots of Practice Management in the curriculum
- Midwest living (four seasons and cheap housing)

Hope this helps

 

[bigday1]

Hey! My first post!!! I wanted to share the enthusiasm on this because Im going to case as well!! I was in a similar situation as you. I also live in FL and I applied to 7 schools - UF, NOVA, Tufts, Upenn, Case, Columbia, and Harvard. I got into all but Harvard and UF. I chose Case for many reasons but particularly because of their PBL and because I like Midwest living. I think PBL prepares you extremely well clinically and that is something that's really important to me. I really put a lot of time and effort into learning about which school would suit my personality and would allow me to become the best dentist and student possible and case was where it's at for me. Plus, their facilities and sim labs are super cool...

Hope this helps. If you have some more questions feel free to let me know! Good luck!!

 

[nmgator1]

Appreciate your thoughts.
Big day---what part of florida are you from? Are you at UF? I'm an undergrad at UF--got rejected from their as well. Think we're pretty much in the same boat----the facilities are great, PBL I think is gonna be really cool and looking forward to midwest living as well (seasons, nice people (hopefully), etc.)

Do you know what your doing for living arrangements yet? I figured I would look at the website they gave us as apart of the packet at the interview...

 

[thefifthbeatle]

I personally want to be close to my family, friends and support group....You live in Florida...pick Nova if you feel that way (I know Florida is big and you may live far away but you catch my drift).......Me, I live in Cleveland and have to pick between Case and OSU.

 

[florida28]

nmgator...i'm from florida and accepted to case too. do you think you're going to go there? from your post it seems like you're leaning that way. i'm actually a seminole...but i won't hold that against you...haha.

 

[puncho]

PBL all but disappears after 1st year, but you still get a few independent "study" times. The dentsim lab is only for first years and I don't know why you'd want cleveland weather...

 

[bbakersc]

I know we're all sick of these threads but any insight would be appreciated. Have gotton into all three, and money is a non-factor. Have lived in florida for 16 years, so wouldn't mind a change in weather (i.e. Cleveland). I'm pretty high on Case Western, think the whole PBL thing would suit me well and like the fact that you get your own chair and the class size is small. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

Case is probably the better between the two. That is coming from someone who really wants to be a trojan too ( I am an insane fan) Case is a top notch program and SC is headed that way again, but just isn't there yet. They are similar styles so you really could just flip a coin. $$ not an issue, but if you want to save some living cost... go to Case.

 

[nmgator1]

Cleveland weather is bad, but after 16 years in Florida I could stand for a change and some actual seasons. On PBL--if it disappears after 1st year, what happens 2nd, 3rd, 4th years? More clinical work w/ actual patients or more didactic book work? Think I'm gonna take the weekend and think about it, but I'm like 90% Case-bound. The thing about USC--there are some problems with the curriculum but it will change and get better. The thing I didn't like about USC (as opposed to Case) was the class size (144 vs. 70) and the clinic just seemed crowded with so many people. No individuality I guess is what I'm trying to say. The campus, weather and woman are beautiful tho...

 

[bigday1]

nmgator - I actually went to Nova for undergrad but Im from west palm. Where are you from? I decided against going to Nova for dental for many reasons. I learned a lot about the dental school while I was an undergrad and lemme tell you - I would not go there. I realize most dental schools have a few issues but there is a lot that is wrong, in my opinion, with nova. If you want details feel free to pm. Ive also been in FL for a long time and Im only too excited to experience some seasons and weather changes while at Case. Case is def. a top notch program!
Im not sure what Im doing for living yet - still trying to get that figured out. Lemme know if youre gonna be in s. fl. sometime - maybe we can meet up...

 

[SHC1984]

I am pretty sure I answer this thread already...but NOVA for sure.
GOOD WEATHER, NO PBL, and NO 18% graduation rate!!! GO NOVA! 😀😍

 

[Dental156]

What school has an 18% graduation rate?

 

[bbakersc]

What school has an 18% graduation rate?

SC, they have 18% graduate ON TIME, not 18% over all. Almost 100% graduate, it is just the sheer size of the class keeps things difficult. They are fixing that problem this summer .... supposedly, getting more chairs.

 

[nmgator1]

USC, but by the time we get through dental school I'm sure it will be alot higher.

 

[whydentistry]

i think you should definitely go to case, they have an awesome reputation and it's located near some really fun areas like little italy and covington. I wouldn't think twice if i had to choose between that or nova

 

[that guy]

i hope you would consider nova or usc only because i am on the waiting list at case!! but i do love case's clinics... the only thing is that many of the students there were unhappy with the new PBL and unsure how this would translate to their performance on the national board exams.
but I am from around cleveland so it would be a perfect place for me to go. cost is a major factor but since you are out of state for all of them anyway it's not a factor

 

[dr.rex]

I would say dont worry about PBL you only have it the first semester and a little in second semester is far as i know. And for how it is going to translate on boards the word is the second years now (who were the first PBLers) all passed. what you learn in dental school is going to depend on who you are and not who is teaching it to you, you have to work hard where ever you go but i would say that case is more of a stress free way to learn because they dont test you too rigorously. it is cold is the one down fall that i see for now, but overall i am happy. you get a lot of early clinical experience but i really dont have anything to compare it to so take that for what it is. good luck on your decision!

 

[Composite A2]

I think Case is by far the best school out of the three. However I think you will have the best time outside of school at USC. It really is a lifestyle vs. school thing. However it is a tough decision. I am not sure I would know which one to choose. which one is cheapest? Pick that one unless its cheaper only by like 3000 a year, then look at where it is cheaper to live, probably cleavland.

 

[puncho]

Cleveland weather is bad, but after 16 years in Florida I could stand for a change and some actual seasons. On PBL--if it disappears after 1st year, what happens 2nd, 3rd, 4th years? More clinical work w/ actual patients or more didactic book work? Think I'm gonna take the weekend and think about it, but I'm like 90% Case-bound. The thing about USC--there are some problems with the curriculum but it will change and get better. The thing I didn't like about USC (as opposed to Case) was the class size (144 vs. 70) and the clinic just seemed crowded with so many people. No individuality I guess is what I'm trying to say. The campus, weather and woman are beautiful tho...

2nd year, back to lectures. 3rd and 4th year are mostly clinical like most other schools (8-10 classes, 10-5 with patients).

So far, everyone has passed but there are a few that haven't taken the boards yet. The class of 2011 has something like 13 more students in their class and I've heard complaints from them, not sure what they'll do in clinic yet.

Overall, I'd say case is pretty good, it's mostly cleveland that sucks. Things get pretty boring quick but I guess coming from a larger/more diverse city it's to be expected.