case western or nova

[lngo104]

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I would like to know which school should I pick besides the nice weather.

 

[ddstothecor]

Ingo104, I can't speak to Case, but Nova was the nicest place I've seen. Since it's a new school, everything is pristine, perfect.
You could eat off of the work areas in the A & P classroom, and the Histology classroom is big, bright and beautiful. What can be better than having your own work space in clinic with a complete set-up for your laptop, or whatever digital materials you may utilize?
Also, Dr. Lippman advised me 86% pass rate Florida boards-1st attempt-and, the Florida board is notoriously difficult! The students I met were low-key, and really enjoyed the school. For more information, look down below at Yah-E's post when I posed the question as to whether I should attend Nova or UPitt.
Here, is exactly what Yah-E wrote:

"Why Nova
I'll share my thoughts about Nova, but will not be able to assist you for UPitt since I know nothing about them.

Before matriculation and after my interview:

1) loved the facilities
2) loved the weather
3) loved the campus (setting/environment)
4) loved the fact that I'll be interacting with other health professional students (DO, OD, PT, PA, Pharmacy, Nursing and OT) instead of just exposed to only dental students in one building all day like many other dental schools
5) glad to have basic sciences with other health professional students
6) loved the fact that everything is NEW
7) loved the fact that Nova is a clinical orientated school

After matriculation:

1) everything listed above PLUS
2) loving the faculty and staff - extremely nourturing

ex:
-We have faculty that will go golfing and to the bars with us
-this topped it off, we have restorative faculties coming into the simulation laboratories over the weekend to help us on their own time when they didn't have to!

3) Loving the new advanced technology exposure we are or we'll be exposed to

ex:
-CAD/CAM
-digital X-rays (our whole clinic and school is going digital)
-DimSim virtual restorative machines
-computer laptops for all students (we buy these)

4) Loved the social and night life down here in South Florida
5) Loved the clinical exposure as a D1

ex:
-we're doing prophies on one another right now in Perio clinic
-we actually assist upper classmen in the clinic (this is a course of our second semester first year). we're learing 4-hand dentistry and "Verticle Team" integration where one D1, D2, D3, and D4 work as a team (I believe that U Mich dental had been doing this)

6) Loved the support and help that I'm able to receive outside class hours. Nova has this "Open Door" policy where no appointments need to be made to see a faculty on both Basic Science and Dental sides.

Over 90 percent of my classmates have gotten accepted to other US dental schools around the country including myself last year. Frequently I ask my classmates if they regret or enjoy coming to Nova. Overall, everyone likes it here.

NOTE: by all means, I'm not saying Nova Dental is perfect, I believe that everywhere you go to dental school, you'll find something that you're not happy with. It is the overall picture and experience that counts.

If you choose to come to Nova next year, I can guarantee you ups and downs, but overall you will love it here! Just remember, all dental school has their own unique personality, you must find one that fits you the best.

Good luck"


__________________
Nova Southeastern University
College of Dental Medicine
President - Class of 2006


From Yah-E

Yah-E speaks well enough for me, ddstothecor.

 

[Kung Foo]

Ingo104,


***Before you read this, realize that everything i'm posting is based on what I've heard from other people***

Since no one else has replied regarding Case, I'll tell you why i didn't even bother going to my interview there. (well, other than the fact that I'd already been accepted to my top 2 schools by the Case intereview date)

I went to undergrad in Indiana, and nearly every dentist I shadowed there had a story about Case as soon as they head I was from ohio. I've heard that Case has cleaned up their act, but for most practicing dentists, they have a terrible clinical reputation. One pedodontist in particular had done his residency with a guy from Case who had completely sub-par clinical skills, even though he rocked every written exam. The same dentist also had an associate in his practice for a short time from Case who was also uttely lacking clinical skill.... fillings were falling out and things were generally a mess.

These are just a few bits of anecdotal evidence against Case - remember, I've never even seen the school, so please don't take this too seriously - but it does seem that you're debating between one school with a strong clinical prgm (Nova) and one with a poor clinical reputation.. regardless of their actualy program now. Nova's also trying to establish a reputation right now, and has little to lean on, so you know they're trying harder than the average dental school.

just my 2 cents - if anyone from Case can add an informed opinion, please do.

Good luck with your decision!!!

 

[quantumhead]

I interviewed at Case. I stayed with the guys at the DSD house. The school was alright. I believe that their new dean is a great guy and will shape the school up quickly. They had alot of great plans.

They city is a pit. I have heard that it is the most segregated city in the US and I almost agree. I was warned not to walk more than a block in any direction from the school. I rode the mass transit and was a little freaked out by it all.

If you are from a big city it may not bother you. If you are single it may be great (great nightlife) but for me (4 kids and a wife) it was not good.

Go to the interview and explore the town, oh and say hello to the guy at DSD, they are alot of fun!