Columbia...is it really bad?

[Anesthetize]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just out of curiosity: Gundam & Delicious - Where do you go to dental school, or which schools will you be starting next year? If you aren't sure yet, where have you been accepted or where would you like to be accepted?

 

[souperman]

Blaablablabla...OK I think I have heard the same arguments made on both sides over and over. You are right and he is wrong...no, wait, he is right and you are wrong. Just go with what you feel is best for you, go where you want to go. If you think you are going to the "best school" you probably will be happy with what you get...have fun work hard and do your best! This argument needs to retired, it goes nowhere and acomplishes very little. If you are trying to "convert" someone to your opinion it will not happen but, then again if you just want to argue a pointless personal view and make yourself feel like you are somehow better than someone else because of the undergrad or dental school that you attend or will attend then maybe there is some value in this post or anyother like it.
Just feel fortunate that you have been able to get into any school and better yet that it was one of your top choices. You probalbly are all very smart and talented individuals congrats on getting into the "best dental school", which ever one it is.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Here are two quotes from dentaltown from two different practicing dentists that I thought fit the theme of this thread:

This may offend someone, but I would much rather have an associate from MCG than Columbia. They will be better trained and have much less debt. Something about debt that influences treatment plans. Save your money and stay in the warm south.


It's all going to boil down to how well you can slip that 30 gauge needle in there and get 'em numb as hell the first time around...that's what keeps them coming back...not the latin worded frilly document hanging on the wall in your office which most of the general public cannot read anyway.

 

[nothen2do]

Here are two quotes from dentaltown from two different practicing dentists that I thought fit the theme of this thread:

This may offend someone, but I would much rather have an associate from MCG than Columbia. They will be better trained and have much less debt. Something about debt that influences treatment plans. Save your money and stay in the warm south.


It's all going to boil down to how well you can slip that 30 gauge needle in there and get 'em numb as hell the first time around...that's what keeps them coming back...not the latin worded frilly document hanging on the wall in your office which most of the general public cannot read anyway.

Wow, a qoute from two random dentists, now Im convinced 👎

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Wow, a qoute from two random dentists, now Im convinced 👎

makes sense, doesnt it?? If you were a dentist, wouldnt you want an associate that really knows his stuff?? I know I sure would....cause that guy is gonna bring in more money for ME...

Anyways, go around and ask as many practicing dentists out there the same question....cause these two are obviously jealous that they couldnt goto Columbia. 🙄

 

[onetoothleft]

makes sense, doesnt it?? If you were a dentist, wouldnt you want an associate that really knows his stuff?? I know I sure would....cause that guy is gonna bring in more money for ME...

Anyways, go around and ask as many practicing dentists out there the same question....cause these two are obviously jealous that they couldnt goto Columbia. 🙄

Lets talk about "doesn't know his stuff." Columbia students recieve an excellent training at Columbia. In fact, it probably has some of the best dental/medical instruction you can get. I think many people focus so much on clinical training so much that they forget that we are also going into a medical field. A strong medical background that some schools like Columbia provide prepare the future dentist to be able to treat a broader spectrum of complicated medical cases. I would rather get as much and the best didactic training I can get while in school, because in NY where I live you have residencies are becoming mandatory anyway.

I am sure a dentist would want to hire someone who "knows his stuff," but that stuff includes the advanced medical training we receive.

 

[predent]

I don't understand why so many people are trying to degrade Columbia even though they are not students there and don't really know about the school and its great education.

I chosed Columbia over Penn, Tufts, BU, etc, because I felt something different about CU, such as hard-core academic education, international fame as one of the best dental schools, and successful dentists who graduated from CU like my relatives and friends.

According to my experience of interviews, I found that the stats of the applicants seemed to be higher than those of other schools, ranging 23-25 for DAT(Mine is 24/24/19) and 3.5-3.8 for GPA.
I think my choice for Columbia wouldn't hurt my future career as a dentist. Rather it will be a compliment.

 

[gundam]

I don't understand why so many people are trying to degrade Columbia even though they are not students there and don't really know about the school and its great education.
I chosed Columbia over Penn, Tufts, BU, etc, because I felt something different about CU, such as hard-core academic education, international fame as one of the best dental schools, and successful dentists who graduated from CU like my relatives and friends.

According to my experience of interviews, I found that the stats of the applicants seemed to be higher than those of other schools, ranging 23-25 for DAT(Mine is 24/24/19) and 3.5-3.8 for GPA.
I think my choice for Columbia wouldn't hurt my future career as a dentist. Rather it will be a compliment.

Well. Guess what. We are on the same level. Do you really know about the school and its great education yourself?! We tried to believe it, but then comes heart broken.

 

[Halitosis]

Alright, ill answer this question. Columbia's entrance stats are not what one would expect. They are seriously low, so that gives people with mediocre grades to have a chance to attend an Ivy League school, which is unheard of. Thats why people talk about it so much.....its like realizing, "I have a 3.3 GPA, and I can goto Columbia....wow!!! I better find out more about it".

and thats why everyone talks about Columbia.

upenn’s class 08 avg is 3.54/20; avg class size is 116, ~40more seats than cu.
where are all the posts about upenn?
http://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic/DMDprogram/dmd-facts.html

 

[Halitosis]

Alright, ill answer this question. Columbia's entrance stats are not what one would expect. They are seriously low, so that gives people with mediocre grades to have a chance to attend an Ivy League school, which is unheard of. Thats why people talk about it so much.....its like realizing, "I have a 3.3 GPA, and I can goto Columbia....wow!!! I better find out more about it".

of course there are ppl applying to cu w/ 3.3. but do you know their courseload? What undergrad? U know how many hours per wk they clock at wendy’s? of course u don’t. courseload has a large influence on gpa. You know this. So, in line w/ a large # of ur posts, you twist facts and omit qualifying statements to defame Columbia.

also, don't forget what dat came w/ that 3.3!

 

[Halitosis]

Well, its dental school, and with Columbia and its very difficult curriculm, dont expect you to have the life in NYC that you see in the movies. And although NYC is one of my fav cities in the world, and it would be such an amazing place to be when your young, that only applies in either the movies or if you're rich.....because I dunno about you, but paying enormous rent to live in a 2X2 space, and going out to bars/clubs and paying $11 for a rum and coke is just too much.

You seriously believe cu/nyu applicants expect to live like carrie and Samantha in sex&the city? Ha!

 

[Halitosis]

For instance, during the interview, they will tell you something that 90% of their students specialize....now if you dont go in with an open mind, you will make the automatic and wrong assumption that "well obviously they have a high match rate, because Columbia is an Ivy league school".....but what they fail to tell you is that their statistic includes GPR/AEGDs, which in my mind should not be considered a speciality.

THIS IS BLATANTLY MISLEADING READERS! At the interview, they don’t just tell you 90% of blah blah….they give you a sheet w/ the breakdown of the numbers for each spec. but, since you interviewed in 2003, I don’t know if they gave you that sheet they gave us in 04(if you did get it, why did you not mention it in ur post?). in 2003, cu’s website clearly displayed the distribution of how many ppl matched where. Just b/c they didn’t give you that sheet doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your responsibility of thoroughly reading their website.

Columbia does not hide info regarding spec.

 

[Halitosis]

"3. Columbia has a reputation that sells your practice. I don't care how much SDN people think Columbia dent is not highly regarded...the school in general is regarded as a TOP university close to the level of Harvard. This will sell your practice. If I were a patient I would rather go to a dentist who has gone to Columbia rather than some no name school."

I agree with you Columbia does have a good reputation in business and undergraduate, but I disagree with you that it's going to do anything to advance your dental career.

gundam,
do you collect gundam models? How many u have? I bought 5,6 kits ~ten yrs ago and I have yet to assemble them. Hehe.

How does a freshly minted dentist penetrate the market at the very beginning of his career when he has yet to see even one patient? Since he’s got no track record, he only has the rec of ppl who knows his character, knows his performance in school, and of course, which school he went to, right? Just 3 main parameters for a new d.school grad… All else being equal, you’d be hard pressed to argue that his alma mater doesn’t matter.

Dr.bv mentioned that Asians are superficial and idolize the ivy league name. True. Knowing this, can you argue that my Columbia diploma isn’t “going to do anything to advance” my career if I serve an all azn community like orange county, or flushing?

I typed all that w/o being a dentist; someone slap the **** out of me if I’m wrong.

 

[Halitosis]

I have to agree a lot with what gundam is saying. Sure, Columbia is a good dental school. However, I do believe it gets a bad rap here because of so many students who act as if it is the best school out there.
I really had nothing against Columbia as a school, but after reading some of these posts by these future Columbia students, I am very glad I didn't apply. And now it does not surprise me why so many SDNers rip on Columbia so much.

Harpua,
“so many students who act….” How many is “so many”?? paolo? Nnjh? Vandy? t12kim? In an avg cu class of 75 ppl, 4-8 sdners are not an accurate reflection of the rest of the students, the faculty, nor the school. You chose not to apply partly b/c you concluded that cu was a snooty school, right? Why? B/c of the snooty posts by some of the Columbians?

By reading a few posts, you seem to know Columbia like you know the back of your ass. Don’t you think you’re arrogant??

 

[paolorossifan]

Right said Fred.

 

[Halitosis]

Right said Fred.

eh? nani? fred ha dare no?

 

[harpua]

Harpua,
“so many students who act….” How many is “so many”?? paolo? Nnjh? Vandy? t12kim? In an avg cu class of 75 ppl, 4-8 sdners are not an accurate reflection of the rest of the students, the faculty, nor the school. You chose not to apply partly b/c you concluded that cu was a snooty school, right? Why? B/c of the snooty posts by some of the Columbians?

By reading a few posts, you seem to know Columbia like you know the back of your ass. Don’t you think you’re arrogant??

Where do you get off calling me arrogant when I have to read a post like this:

No other great undegrad has thier other schools any less in standard. Columbia is no different. When we graduate and mingle as professionals the Columbia kids always stand out against any Canadian and most American schools (equal to Harvard, Penn, UCONN etc). We and you will be well educated.

If that is not a textbook example of arrogance, then I don't know what is. I never claimed to know anything about Columbia. I never said anything about the faculty or the facilities or anything else. I never said anything about the school being near Harlem. The only thing I did was to cite examples of conspicuous arrogance posted by some of their incoming students. Since I am not going to either Columbia, UConn, Penn, or Harvard, I am inferior to paolorossifan and every other Columbia grad? Come on!

I made a decision to not apply to Columbia for cost reasons. I never considered the opinion of SDNers when evaluating what schools to attend. But reading these arrogant posts makes me glad, in retrospect, of my decision to not apply. Why would I want to go to school with students who already feel that they are superior to the graduates of nearly every other school in the US and Canada?

If you're annoyed with someone like Dr. Bad Vibes expressing his opinions on Columbia, then that is your own issue. But don't attack me when all I did was to point out a very clear example of arrogance.

Now, I know that since I am not attending one of paolorossi's Big 4 names, I am probably inferior to you. But don't you think you're the arrogant one??

 

[v&andy_yankee]

Harpua,
“so many students who act….” How many is “so many”?? paolo? Nnjh? Vandy? t12kim? In an avg cu class of 75 ppl, 4-8 sdners are not an accurate reflection of the rest of the students, the faculty, nor the school. You chose not to apply partly b/c you concluded that cu was a snooty school, right? Why? B/c of the snooty posts by some of the Columbians?

By reading a few posts, you seem to know Columbia like you know the back of your ass. Don’t you think you’re arrogant??

hey! where was i snooty? 🙁 unless if you're regarding the quote post, where i was being sarcastic in response to someone calling all cu kids snobs. go back and read my posts, they were not snooty--i was just asking people to be nice and saying to keep in mind that it's never nice to rain on someone else's #1 choice. if it ain't yours, that's ok. but no reason to sh1t on it.

until you actually go to a school, stay there for a while, you can't make generalizations about it. think of even your undergraduate--you probably went in there with a lot of assumptions that were proved wrong.

 

[paolorossifan]

eh? nani? fred ha dare no?

?

 

[gundam]

Halitosis, I do build gundams. Gundams are so cool that I wish I could be gundam like.

I don't know what you guys are talking about now.
What I can see is only this,

Halitosis really hates Dr. B,
Dr. B really hates Columbia,

->
Columbia really hates Dr. B.

Dr.B is in trouble. Dr. M is going to cut off his hoo hoo deli
Thank god, Halitosis doesn't hate me. I don't wanna shoot Dr. M with laser beam, yet. Thank you, you just saved another day.

 

[shariq]

I think the thread has gotton a lil bit out of hand
But let me point out a few things

"think many people focus so much on clinical training so much that they forget that we are also going into a medical field. A strong medical background that some schools like Columbia provide prepare the future dentist to be able to treat a broader spectrum of complicated medical cases."
Granted youre a doctor, and sufficient med background is required, but not at the expense of clinical training. From what i hear from some oral surgery residents, who went to columbia, you guys dont even have clinical requirements. I mean what the hell is up with that. YOU ARE FIRST DENTISTS. And if you cant even get a sound clinical foundation, then you are a failure as a dentist.
uclaguy
"3. Columbia has a reputation that sells your practice. I don't care how much SDN people think Columbia dent is not highly regarded...the school in general is regarded as a TOP university close to the level of Harvard. This will sell your practice. If I were a patient I would rather go to a dentist who has gone to Columbia rather than some no name school

This is probably one of the most bull**** statements i have heard. What sells your practice, is your professional demeanor and your work, not some school.
I will not disagree with the fact that at columbia yu get a good basic science education, really good board scores and a higher chance to specialize. BUt in terms of clinical skills, and seeing patients it is one of the poorest programs out there.
Therfore it depends what you want to end up going. If you want to specialize, go to columbia. If not, go to temple or a very strong clinically oriented school.

 

[J2AZ]

Agree with #1...remember folks dental school is 4 years b/c the science behind what we do is just as important as the clinical skills. If you come out with no science/medical backgraound then you are not a dentist, rather a technician!

 

[gundam]

Agree with #1...remember folks dental school is 4 years b/c the science behind what we do is just as important as the clinical skills. If you come out with no science/medical backgraound then you are not a dentist, rather a technician!

Ha, are you saying if you don't graduate from Columbia, you are not gonna be a dentist but only technician. No other school will teach you how to judge whether or not a patient's potential sickness will affect his oral health?
What an igorranant joke.
I don't think by learning microbiology and arm leg anatomy you will be a dentist.
We future dentists should focus on the head, J2AZ you probably need some head work yet to be done.
Unfortunately, 80% of you will not even be able to perform a technician job after four years. However, the other 20% of you might move on to be a real DENTIST after 6-10 years. I will then bow down on my knees and kiss up to those of you.
Yeah right.

 

[The Godfather]

Agree with #1...remember folks dental school is 4 years b/c the science behind what we do is just as important as the clinical skills. If you come out with no science/medical backgraound then you are not a dentist, rather a technician!

I guess it depends on what you want to do with your education. I can guarantee that when I have a practice, and someone is looking for an associateship, excellent clinical skills and speed or going to count a hell of a lot more than someone's science knowledge. I'll be trying to run a profitable business - not a university. My .02

 

[J2AZ]

Yo yo yo, gundam, where did I say you had to go to Colombia to get a good education? In fact where did I say you need to go to any of the "top" schools to be a good dentist. All I am saying is the science/medical knowledge that we gain in dental school, regardless of what school, is what distinguishes us as a DOCTOR of Dental Surgery or a DOCTOR of Dental Medicine. Hell, do us all a favor and try to learn a little while you are in school so that you can one day live up to the title of “Dr.” and not bring down the profession. Same goes for you Godfather and the little chop shop you hope to one day open up.

 

[Profchaos]

Yo yo yo, gundam, where did I say you had to go to Colombia to get a good education? In fact where did I say you need to go to any of the "top" schools to be a good dentist. All I am saying is the science/medical knowledge that we gain in dental school, regardless of what school, is what distinguishes us as a DOCTOR of Dental Surgery or a DOCTOR of Dental Medicine. Hell, do us all a favor and try to learn a little while you are in school so that you can one day live up to the title of “Dr.” and not bring down the profession. Same goes for you Godfather and the little chop shop you hope to one day open up.

By the way, gundam don't speak English.
They talk in machine languages and body languages.
chop off J2AZ's head hahaha...

 

[aceking]

i did not even apply to CU, but i think i know more about CU than those CU2009 students.
First of all you may be thinking why i did not apply(personally i thought it was important for me)... friends that are attending and even some that graduated told me that CU was not what they expected. Mainly because the instructors do not pay attention to dental students as much. All the subjects that you learn from lectures and stuff should somehow relate to dentistry(directly or indirectly) but nobody tell you how because its lecture rooms fit better for MDs than DMDs; therefore, i can see why there was a little frustration there to my friends.
People talk about specialties including GPR and AEGR like it is the samething.........WHEN THE TRUTH IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT MOST OF THOSE STUDENTS DONT HAVE THE SKILLS TO PRACTICE RIGHT AWAY. This is what i believe: when a school produces hella kids that go into residencies it has little to do with the lack to good basic dental education. i mean "good basic dental education" as good clinically and academically. If i knew that i had to go to Dental school for4yrs and then pull another 3-4years in specialty to be a dentist in high school, i would had chosen a different career, preferably MD. This is why i chose a D-school known for producing students ready to practice right away and leave the reading and specialty seminars for the weekends after i get my DMD
Anyways, good luck guys in CU or wherever school you go becuase it is too late for any changes. We are stuck now with the school that we chose.
CU is a known school.. nobody denies that... therefore, be happy and dont ruin the rep. that CU has as a school in general.
Peace

 

[gundam]

By the way, gundam don't speak English.
They talk in machine languages and body languages.
chop off J2AZ's head hahaha...

You wanna see some blood don't you. 😎
Laser beam----------------------

 

[The Godfather]

Yo yo yo, gundam, where did I say you had to go to Colombia to get a good education? In fact where did I say you need to go to any of the "top" schools to be a good dentist. All I am saying is the science/medical knowledge that we gain in dental school, regardless of what school, is what distinguishes us as a DOCTOR of Dental Surgery or a DOCTOR of Dental Medicine. Hell, do us all a favor and try to learn a little while you are in school so that you can one day live up to the title of “Dr.” and not bring down the profession. Same goes for you Godfather and the little chop shop you hope to one day open up.

Wait until you've owned a business. Then you can talk to me. Get your head out of the clouds and get off your high horse. You've got to be able to think of some better justification for your choice than this bs. Ask any dentist with a profitable practice which is more important to his business - his clinical skills or what he can remember from his didactic training, and I think you'll get a huge wakeup call. Good luck with your practice. I suppose you are going to think the caries out of their teeth.

 

[J2AZ]

Wait until you've owned a business. Then you can talk to me. Get your head out of the clouds and get off your high horse. You've got to be able to think of some better justification for your choice than this bs. Ask any dentist with a profitable practice which is more important to his business - his clinical skills or what he can remember from his didactic training, and I think you'll get a huge wakeup call. Good luck with your practice. I suppose you are going to think the caries out of their teeth. QUOTE]

What are you talking about? What choice? What B.S.? What until I’ve owned a business before I can talk to you? You sound like a very pleasant individual. Your reasoning would have some validity had I downgraded the necessity of good clinical skills or had I never owned a business. Unlike you, I view dentistry as being duel faceted. What we learn didactically and clinically will be very important when treating patients. The two are closely tied to together. If you don’t know the science behind what you do how are you going to answer your pts questions...."because I said so...I’m the Godfather...wait until you’ve owned a business before talking to me...now shut up and let me fill those teeth!!!" Sounds like a great plan. As someone who has owned a business you must realize the importance of customer satisfaction and providing a product your customers have faith and trust in. In dentistry you and your work are your product. You owe it to your pts to be well educated both didactically and clinically. If you do this and then go on to treat your patients with respect your practice will grow by itself.

You know were I stand and as far as I’m concerned this dialogue is over. Have a good life.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Wait until you've owned a business. Then you can talk to me. Get your head out of the clouds and get off your high horse. You've got to be able to think of some better justification for your choice than this bs. Ask any dentist with a profitable practice which is more important to his business - his clinical skills or what he can remember from his didactic training, and I think you'll get a huge wakeup call. Good luck with your practice. I suppose you are going to think the caries out of their teeth. QUOTE]

What are you talking about? What choice? What B.S.? What until I’ve owned a business before I can talk to you? You sound like a very pleasant individual. Your reasoning would have some validity had I downgraded the necessity of good clinical skills or had I never owned a business. Unlike you, I view dentistry as being duel faceted. What we learn didactically and clinically will be very important when treating patients. The two are closely tied to together. If you don’t know the science behind what you do how are you going to answer your pts questions...."because I said so...I’m the Godfather...wait until you’ve owned a business before talking to me...now shut up and let me fill those teeth!!!" Sounds like a great plan. As someone who has owned a business you must realize the importance of customer satisfaction and providing a product your customers have faith and trust in. In dentistry you and your work are your product. You owe it to your pts to be well educated both didactically and clinically. If you do this and then go on to treat your patients with respect your practice will grow by itself.

You know were I stand and as far as I’m concerned this dialogue is over. Have a good life.

Of course I agree with you on this, but you do realize that EVERY single dental school has to take the same board exams to get our dental degree, right? So every dental student gets adequate didactic training in order to become a dentist.....the ADA makes sure of this.

I think the point everyone is trying to make is that there is a certain limit that we, as dentists should know.....do we seriously need to know the anatomy and medicine below the waistline??? If you think that knowledge is gonna help your future practice....you go right ahead and do that....Ill focus on my crown preps instead.

 

[cusp of carabelli]

You wanna see some blood don't you. 😎
Laser beam----------------------

wouldn't a laser beam coagulate the wound while it is cutting?...thus no blood? 😛 ..hehe..neways..sorry to disturb the flow of this discussion....back to your regularly scheduled pi$$ing contest....

 

[MrBenny]

wouldn't a laser beam coagulate the wound while it is cutting?...thus no blood? 😛 ..hehe..neways..sorry to disturb the flow of this discussion....back to your regularly scheduled pi$$ing contest....

dammit carabelli. you DID disturb the flow of this discussion. the vitriol on this thread (and any thread with the word "Columbia" in it), was captivating and spellbinding. a real page turner. all 5 pages of it.

columbia bashers. they come on here, rip on our school without provocation, and when we defend it, they rip on US for being arrogant, "snooty" (a great word by the way. almost like snot, but not.), and ignorant. haha. its like the bully who picks on the wrong kid, gets his butt beat, and goes crying to the teacher.

there are no more facts to lay out. I think we know everything about columbia but their average shoe size (well, at least the ones who don't go on to specialize).

no one from my school has, in an unprovoked manner, bashed anyone's else school (save maybe paolo), so why don't you guys exercise some restraint. these threads only get lamer by the minute.

 

[MrBenny]

dammit carabelli. you DID disturb the flow of this discussion. the vitriol on this thread (and any thread with the word "Columbia" in it), was captivating and spellbinding. a real page turner. all 5 pages of it.

columbia bashers. they come on here, rip on our school without provocation, and when we defend it, they rip on US for being arrogant, "snooty" (a great word by the way. almost like snot, but not.), and ignorant. haha. its like the bully who picks on the wrong kid, gets his butt beat, and goes crying to the teacher.

there are no more facts to lay out. I think we know everything about columbia but their average shoe size (well, at least the ones who don't go on to specialize).

no one from my school has, in an unprovoked manner, bashed anyone's else school (save maybe paolo), so why don't you guys exercise some restraint. these threads only get lamer by the minute.

To the many sensitive columbia-bashing souls out there, some comments in my last post might've been arrogant. I go to Columbia, after all.

 

[The Godfather]

Of course I agree with you on this, but you do realize that EVERY single dental school has to take the same board exams to get our dental degree, right? So every dental student gets adequate didactic training in order to become a dentist.....the ADA makes sure of this.

I think the point everyone is trying to make is that there is a certain limit that we, as dentists should know.....do we seriously need to know the anatomy and medicine below the waistline??? If you think that knowledge is gonna help your future practice....you go right ahead and do that....Ill focus on my crown preps instead.

Exactly. Any school requires you to learn the relevant medical science. My point, J2AZ (which you seem to be missing), is that to me, it is just not as important as clinical skills when running a private practice. I would hope anyone would have the capacity to summon information for their patient when appropriate (regardless of where you go to school). But as far as running a private practice, clinical skills are where it's at. Since my goal is to be in private practice (I'm negotiating with a several dentists right now to "buy into" a new practice that's going up while I'm in school), for me, a school that stresses this and prepares you right out of the gate is preferable to one that does not. It's just my opinion, my goals, and based on my personal business experience and my relationships with many dentists over the last couple years. Sorry if you felt inflamed, but you really shouldn't imply that just because someone feels clinical skills are more important than didactic training, that they are automatically going to run a chop shop. Do I think that those having an education that stresses didactic are going to be bumbling (although enlightned) hackers? Certainly not. If you'd like, start a poll and we'll see what everyone else thinks.
BTW I have nothing against Cola (or any other d school for that matter) I was just cruising the usual cola bashing thread (it's like a car wreck - you can't just not look), and was voicing my opinion on a subject.

 

[gryffindor]

dammit carabelli. you DID disturb the flow of this discussion. the vitriol on this thread (and any thread with the word "Columbia" in it), was captivating and spellbinding. a real page turner. all 5 pages of it.

columbia bashers. they come on here, rip on our school without provocation, and when we defend it, they rip on US for being arrogant, "snooty" (a great word by the way. almost like snot, but not.), and ignorant. haha. its like the bully who picks on the wrong kid, gets his butt beat, and goes crying to the teacher.

there are no more facts to lay out. I think we know everything about columbia but their average shoe size (well, at least the ones who don't go on to specialize).

no one from my school has, in an unprovoked manner, bashed anyone's else school (save maybe paolo), so why don't you guys exercise some restraint. these threads only get lamer by the minute.

"Columbia bashing" seems to be an annual event on SDN pre-dental. Read last year's discussion with the link below. The name of the thread is "is columbia really that good?"

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=114232

 

[MrBenny]

"Columbia bashing" seems to be an annual event on SDN pre-dental. Read last year's discussion with the link below. The name of the thread is "is columbia really that good?"

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=114232

yes , its an annual celebratory event on SDN pre-dental. sometimes i put on my party hat when i scroll thru another "Is Columbia hell on earth?" thread. and if i see a badvibes entry, I blow a balloon and do a jig. and for every "Columbia kids have less clinical skills than untrained baboons", I take a hit. Maybe two if its the weak stuff.

 

[gundam]

"Columbia bashing" seems to be an annual event on SDN pre-dental. Read last year's discussion with the link below. The name of the thread is "is columbia really that good?"

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=114232

Hey. Thanks for the link.
I'm glad to see many people last year thought Tufts' a better place than Columbia.
You make my life so much better!

 

[ScorpiORTHO]

yes , its an annual celebratory event on SDN pre-dental. sometimes i put on my party hat when i scroll thru another "Is Columbia hell on earth?" thread. and if i see a badvibes entry, I blow a balloon and do a jig. and for every "Columbia kids have less clinical skills than untrained baboons", I take a hit. Maybe two if its the weak stuff.

Mr.Benny,
You are HILARIOUS! Can't wait to see u next year.

 

[uclaguy]

Ok this discussion has gone way too far...way too often!!!


Here is basic info on positives and negatives of Columbia:

Positives:
Good didactic reputation
Good board scores
Take classes in a top notch medical school
Nyc
Great for those who want to specialize
Reputation of Columbia as an Ivy League School

Negatives:
Weak clinical reputation
Take classes with med students
Expensive


To predental students,

Use this as an abbreviated guide to making your decision on attending Columbia. You should definitely check the school out just as you would any other dental school. For those who want to specialize, I believe this maybe a top 5 school to go. However, if you are clinically oriented this may not be the best place to go.

 

[MrBenny]

Hey. Thanks for the link.
I'm glad to see many people last year thought Tufts' a better place than Columbia.
You make my life so much better!

You must be a Dr. Badvibes protege. He's trained you well. Your endless ridicule of Columbia makes you a worthy successor to bv. What do you two do, get together, build gundams, and hate on columbia? sounds like a blast, i guess the godfather and many many others attend these gundam parties as well. who provides the Zima and wine coolers?

 

[gundam]

You must be a Dr. Badvibes protege. He's trained you well. Your endless ridicule of Columbia makes you a worthy successor to bv. What do you two do, get together, build gundams, and hate on columbia? sounds like a blast, i guess the godfather and many many others attend these gundam parties as well. who provides the Zima and wine coolers?

Mr.Benny,
You are HILARIOUS! Can't wait to build gundam with you after you drop out.

 

[onetoothleft]

Mr.Benny,
You are HILARIOUS! Can't wait to build gundam with you after you drop out.

What is a gundam? Is that like Transformers or something?

 

[The Godfather]

You must be a Dr. Badvibes protege. He's trained you well. Your endless ridicule of Columbia makes you a worthy successor to bv. What do you two do, get together, build gundams, and hate on columbia? sounds like a blast, i guess the godfather and many many others attend these gundam parties as well. who provides the Zima and wine coolers?

If you would read my previous post, I really don't have an opinion about Cola at all. I've never been there, never applied there, and know little other than their stats for admission, so I don't feel I can make such a call. I was just offering my opinion about clinical vs. didactic (with no regard to any particular school. The fact that this was contained in a thread pertaining to Cola does not automatically mean that anything I stated was in regard to that school). If some of you Cola people were not so defensive, then those that do have an agenda would leave you alone because you'd take the sport away. If you act like an ass, what do you expect in return?

 

[MasterTLT]

What is a gundam? Is that like Transformers or something?

Yeah, something like Anime Transformers, but a little different.

 

[AUG2UAG]

I think the point everyone is trying to make is that there is a certain limit that we, as dentists should know.....do we seriously need to know the anatomy and medicine below the waistline??? If you think that knowledge is gonna help your future practice....you go right ahead and do that....Ill focus on my crown preps instead.

I think propoganda like this makes our profession look aweful.

Let me first of all ask if you're at all interested in the inner workings of living beings and if that was or was not a primary influence of your decision to study the sciences. Furthermore, there are no two parts that exist as separate and independent in the entire biology of the human body. Therefore, would you not agree that a more full understanding of the science is essential for future progresses of our profession as health care providers, a highly esteemed position in our society and one that we do not want to lose for fear of mistrust.

I may ask you if you might be in the least bit interested in how a plant works and you might say no. However, if you cared to look at how similar the "dark" cycle in plants are to our understanding of animal carbohydrate metabolism, then you might be amazed and <u>if</u> you don't care about the role of acetyl-CoA in our system, then you have a total neglect for possible future applications of this knowledge in a clinical setting. It might actually cause you to learn and absorb and advance that knowledge.

 

[MrBenny]

Mr.Benny,
You are HILARIOUS! Can't wait to build gundam with you after you drop out.

Drop out? Of Columbia? THE Columbia? The one where the last two years, we learn how to make origami cranes and give foot massages to our professors and superior med school counterparts instead of practicing our clinical skills? Let me tell you, I give damn good massages. No way I'm dropping out of that.

no thanks. i don't even know what gundams are. what's an anime transformer? is that like anime porn?

and godfather, are you kidding me? defensive? Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same thing we do if someone ripped into your school and called it the most overrated educational institution in your field and make implications that all of its students are elitists and snobs, and where we come out about as knowledgeable about clinical dentistry as aborted fetuses.

 

[gundam]

Drop out? Of Columbia? THE Columbia? The one where the last two years, we learn how to make origami cranes and give foot massages to our professors and superior med school counterparts instead of practicing our clinical skills? Let me tell you, I give damn good massages. No way I'm dropping out of that.

no thanks. i don't even know what gundams are. what's an anime transformer? is that like anime porn?

and godfather, are you kidding me? defensive? Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same thing we do if someone ripped into your school and called it the most overrated educational institution in your field and make implications that all of its students are elitists and snobs, and where we come out about as knowledgeable about clinical dentistry as aborted fetuses.

Benny. I can use a massage, however, too bad you are not Mrs. Benny
Gundam is an anime porn, they also call it hentai. You can search for them on google. The feature of gundam is they have huge metal hoo hoo deli.
I may change my mind and go to Columbia instead of Tufts, just for educational purpose for all Columbia naiives.

 

[nothen2do]

I think propoganda like this makes our profession look aweful.

Let me first of all ask if you're at all interested in the inner workings of living beings and if that was or was not a primary influence of your decision to study the sciences. Furthermore, there are no two parts that exist as separate and independent in the entire biology of the human body. Therefore, would you not agree that a more full understanding of the science is essential for future progresses of our profession as health care providers, a highly esteemed position in our society and one that we do not want to lose for fear of mistrust.

I may ask you if you might be in the least bit interested in how a plant works and you might say no. However, if you cared to look at how similar the "dark" cycle in plants are to our understanding of animal carbohydrate metabolism, then you might be amazed and <u>if</u> you don't care about the role of acetyl-CoA in our system, then you have a total neglect for possible future applications of this knowledge in a clinical setting. It might actually cause you to learn and absorb and advance that knowledge.

Agreed and I agree with Mr Benny. But if you said anything that disagreed with dr. badvibes then I probably would agree anyways

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I think propoganda like this makes our profession look aweful.

Let me first of all ask if you're at all interested in the inner workings of living beings and if that was or was not a primary influence of your decision to study the sciences. Furthermore, there are no two parts that exist as separate and independent in the entire biology of the human body. Therefore, would you not agree that a more full understanding of the science is essential for future progresses of our profession as health care providers, a highly esteemed position in our society and one that we do not want to lose for fear of mistrust.

I may ask you if you might be in the least bit interested in how a plant works and you might say no. However, if you cared to look at how similar the "dark" cycle in plants are to our understanding of animal carbohydrate metabolism, then you might be amazed and <u>if</u> you don't care about the role of acetyl-CoA in our system, then you have a total neglect for possible future applications of this knowledge in a clinical setting. It might actually cause you to learn and absorb and advance that knowledge.

Actually, I and 95% of dentists out there have no intentions of "advancing that knowledge"....

I have no interest in going into research and "advancing that knowledge" and thats why I never picked a didactic school. however, if that is your thing, than all power to you. I admire people like you because its your type that keep our profession progressing.

Since Sept 2003 when I first joined these forums, I have consistenly said that if one wants to go into research and "advance that knowledge", then a school like Columbia/Penn/Harvard would be the absolute best choice. If thats the case with you, than you will have made an outstanding choice by going to Columbia. Good Luck

I hope one day you insecure Columbians would stop focusing on my negative comments about Columbia and realize that I have nice things to say about the school as well.