Choosing schools based on specializing!

[pumpkins90]

I know i'm probably going to get some slack from people on this one, but i see a lot of people contemplating on which school to attend. Some want to choose a school based on specialization so i though i would give my opinion. I know a lot of people have been saying this, but go with the cheaper school. First of all, there is no guarantee you will be in the top of your class once you get into school. There have been students with 4.0, 20 DATS that just get by, whereas there are people with 3.0 and below 20's who are top 10%. Also how are you going to know what speciality you like or are even interested in until you get into school. A number of schools asked me what speciality i was interested in during my interviews and i believe they don't want you to say, "I want to be an orthodontists". I know a lot of people will volunteer with a specialist, but until you get into school i don't think you can honestly decide. If you do want to specialize you can still do it whether you go to your state school or harvard. You still have to study your a$$ off no matter which school. All schools take the same boards which is what emphasis is placed on. You also have an opportunity to do research at any school whether its on your own or part of the curriculum.
To conclude i just want to say that i am not looking down on anyone no matter what school they attend. For those who want to specialize, i wish you all the luck and hope you reach your dreams. Just getting into dental school was mine. I just wanted to let people know that you can still specialize and not have to go to an expensive private school.

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[GV Black Jr.]

I have to agree 100%. It is the student that matters not the school. Do well on your boards (NBDE) and have a high class rank (sometimes easier to do in less well known schools) and if possible do a little research in the specialty. And pumpkins90 is right, you don't know for sure if you want to be a specialist until you actually do school. I thought I was going to be an Oral surgeon at the end but now that I'm almost done with DS I want to be a GP.