Choosing a residency program

[WhiteAndGreen44]

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Hello everyone,
Choosing a residency program can often be difficult considering the individual strengths and weaknesses of each program. I have one particular dilemma that I'm sure others have faced and I thought would serve as a good discussion topic.
Choosing between an Ivy League type school vs a school with a less reputable name but with a better clinical eduction can be a very relevant quandary for any specialty. Some of these Ivy League type schools (Harvard for example) offer an incredible number of resources, the opportunity to really diversify your education, and renders a degree that earns a great deal of respect. However, often times these schools do not have the strong clinical infrastructure due to a stronger focus on research. On the other hand, there are many schools that offer top-notch clinical training but may not present with the opportunities that a more academic program might have.
Now, if you're looking for a career in research or academia, it's a no brainer to pick the Ivy type academic based program. However, for those who are interested in a more clinical career, the question is more difficult.

Two questions come to my mind:
Are the opportunities available at an Ivy type program worth sacrificing a stronger clinical structure and likely making your clinical education more self-dependent?
And, since it is likely you will still find adequate clinical training at an Ivy type school, will it be that much more difficult to reach your potential as a clinician than it would be if you attended the program with better clinical structure?

Thoughts?

PS: if anyone has any thoughts on BU vs Harvard vs Tufts perio, please comment! Thanks.

 

[melonbobo]

I always believe school is all about what you make out of it no matter where you go.
What do you mean by "stronger clinical education", more procedures? I don't think it makes much a difference if you do 50 times of one thing vs. 100 times of the same thing.
Besides dentistry is an ever-changing field. Five years after you finish your residency, the techniques and/or materials can be really different. What you learned in residency is really just a foundation for a life time learning experience. "Self-dependent" learning is essential for any successful clinicians.
School name is , however, one thing you can never change but the reputation may change (unlikely for Harvard tho).

 

[Mackchops]

Look, I'm all for figuring "brand name" into your selection criteria for college. An argument can even be made for dental school. But residency? Absolutely not. Pick a program based on its merits. If Harvard happens to offer a program that will help you achieve your professional goals then go to Harvard for that reason - not because you get to put a "Harvard University" sticker on your back windshield. Dental residencies (specialty or GPR) are for people who want additional training for a particular reason. Pick a program that offers that particular training!

 

[WhiteAndGreen44]

Mackchops,
Thank you for your response, and what you're saying makes a lot of sense. However the point I am making is not so much deciding between a "name" and a "no-name." I am trying to establish what the difference in merits could mean for a career. The Ivy "name" type programs who are usually more research based do not just provide a name, but are also usually well connected to other learning institutions, have more to offer in terms of resources, and can generally give you a greater opportunity to diversify and expand yor education. While other programs may not have such benefits to that degree, but offer a more structured and solid clinical curriculum.
This thread could benefits from posts such as melonbobo's (no offense at all to Mackchops) that offer an opinion in regards to the value of the competing merits.

 

[Dentalgirl1987]

I agree that at Ivy schools you will probably get adequate clinical training so I think it really comes down to determining your personal goals. I am applying to ortho programs and I hope to match with a strong clinical program, rather than one focused on research but that is because my primary goal is to provide excellent care in a private practice setting. If your hope to pursue a career in academia than Ivy League may be the way to go, but you also may be paying a lot more. No matter what, we will all have to continue learning, but for me I want a strong foundation coming out of a residency program.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

It's been pretty well established that the only way to choose a program is the number of mormons in the program.

 

[Sublimazing]

It's been pretty well established that the only way to choose a program is the number of mormons in the program.

Lol