Columbia Students, Please, Please Answer!

[LoF27]

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I've been accepted to Columbia and have the following questions. Even if you don’t have time to read and answer all the questions, any little bit of feedback will help. I have searched previous posts and saw some answers there, but I'd like as many different perspectives as possible. Also, please PM me if there’s anything you don’t want to post. Thanks!

1. Are you worried that Columbia is deficient in its clinical training? I know the party line is that clinical aptitude will come through a GPR or other residency and thus Columbia should not be expected to produce dentists who are ready to hit the ground running after graduation. But won’t less-than-stellar clinical skills hurt you when you begin a residency? What is your opinion on this?

2. Is it possible for students to go far above and beyond the minimal clinical requirements to gain more experience if they would like to? Are there enough patients to go around for this? Is there enough faculty to support this?

3. Is it often the case that you have exams one right after the other? Is any attempt made to not load things up on you all at once? Are you given any time off from classes to study for the boards?

4. I know Columbia has a high avg. score for the first set of boards, but are scores also high on the second set of board exams given their clinical nature?

5. When I toured the school on my interview, my impression was that the facilities were quite run-down and that the clinic was very chaotic. Do you think the clinic is well-run and organized?

6. Compared to what you know about other schools, is the workload manageable? Obviously it will be A LOT of work, but do you feel like the assignments given are extremely unreasonable such that the faculty doesn't even really expect you to get through it all? What type of students are the most successful ones in your class? Is it the extremely intelligent/naturally talented ones or is it those who are willing to study every waking hour and miss sleep? Do students have time to workout?

7. If I remember correctly from the tour, you buy your dental instruments at Columbia rather than renting them. If so, why does the tuition and fees schedule list that the dental kit is $3400 each year, rather than a one-time expense?

8. Can you schedule your own patients? For example, if you need to take a Friday off, can you just decide not to schedule any patients that day?

9. Are you responsible for collecting payments from patients? What happens when they don’t pay?

10. How much time off do you have in between semesters? Also, my best friend is getting married the second weekend in this coming September and my sister is getting married the very next weekend after that. Is there any chance I can make it to both weddings without falling miserably behind? In other words, how tough is the first month of school?

11. Do you do your own lab work? If most people don’t, can you if you want to? I think this would be to do even if you don’t end up doing your own lab work in practice—it’s good to understand how it’s all done (plus, it looks like fun).

12. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the most competitive and 5 being the least competitive, how would you rank the “cut-throatness” of Columbia? How collegial are the students? Do you help each other out?

13. Why did you choose Columbia over other dental schools? Do you feel you made the right decision?

14. In your opinion what are the best things about Columbia, what are the worst? What are the top things students complain about?

15. How is the couples housing? Are the apartments decent or are they gross? What amenities do they include? Once you secure an apartment, can you stay there all four years? I live in NYC now, is there no chance I’ll get that housing? Is it possible to get into the graduate housing they have near the 116th campus?

16. What percentage of the faculty is full-time? What percentage of the faculty is still in private practice and are thus good clinicians themselves? What percentage is more interested in research than anything else?

17. From what you know, are alumni happy? Is there anyway to contact an alum for feedback now that they are out in the real world?

18. Everyone says name doesn’t matter for dental school. I can’t believe that is entirely true. In your opinion, what are the advantages of the Columbia name?

That’s all for now!! Thanks for ANY and ALL input!!!!

 

[shabu2]

I've been accepted to Columbia and have the following questions. Even if you don’t have time to read and answer all the questions, any little bit of feedback will help. I have searched previous posts and saw some answers there, but I'd like as many different perspectives as possible. Also, please PM me if there’s anything you don’t want to post. Thanks!

1. Are you worried that Columbia is deficient in its clinical training? I know the party line is that clinical aptitude will come through a GPR or other residency and thus Columbia should not be expected to produce dentists who are ready to hit the ground running after graduation. But won’t less-than-stellar clinical skills hurt you when you begin a residency? What is your opinion on this?

2. Is it possible for students to go far above and beyond the minimal clinical requirements to gain more experience if they would like to? Are there enough patients to go around for this? Is there enough faculty to support this?

3. Is it often the case that you have exams one right after the other? Is any attempt made to not load things up on you all at once? Are you given any time off from classes to study for the boards?

4. I know Columbia has a high avg. score for the first set of boards, but are scores also high on the second set of board exams given their clinical nature?

5. When I toured the school on my interview, my impression was that the facilities were quite run-down and that the clinic was very chaotic. Do you think the clinic is well-run and organized?

6. Compared to what you know about other schools, is the workload manageable? Obviously it will be A LOT of work, but do you feel like the assignments given are extremely unreasonable such that the faculty doesn't even really expect you to get through it all? What type of students are the most successful ones in your class? Is it the extremely intelligent/naturally talented ones or is it those who are willing to study every waking hour and miss sleep? Do students have time to workout?

7. If I remember correctly from the tour, you buy your dental instruments at Columbia rather than renting them. If so, why does the tuition and fees schedule list that the dental kit is $3400 each year, rather than a one-time expense?

8. Can you schedule your own patients? For example, if you need to take a Friday off, can you just decide not to schedule any patients that day?

9. Are you responsible for collecting payments from patients? What happens when they don’t pay?

10. How much time off do you have in between semesters? Also, my best friend is getting married the second weekend in this coming September and my sister is getting married the very next weekend after that. Is there any chance I can make it to both weddings without falling miserably behind? In other words, how tough is the first month of school?

11. Do you do your own lab work? If most people don’t, can you if you want to? I think this would be to do even if you don’t end up doing your own lab work in practice—it’s good to understand how it’s all done (plus, it looks like fun).

12. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the most competitive and 5 being the least competitive, how would you rank the “cut-throatness” of Columbia? How collegial are the students? Do you help each other out?

13. Why did you choose Columbia over other dental schools? Do you feel you made the right decision?

14. In your opinion what are the best things about Columbia, what are the worst? What are the top things students complain about?

15. How is the couples housing? Are the apartments decent or are they gross? What amenities do they include? Once you secure an apartment, can you stay there all four years? I live in NYC now, is there no chance I’ll get that housing? Is it possible to get into the graduate housing they have near the 116th campus?

16. What percentage of the faculty is full-time? What percentage of the faculty is still in private practice and are thus good clinicians themselves? What percentage is more interested in research than anything else?

17. From what you know, are alumni happy? Is there anyway to contact an alum for feedback now that they are out in the real world?

18. Everyone says name doesn’t matter for dental school. I can’t believe that is entirely true. In your opinion, what are the advantages of the Columbia name?

That’s all for now!! Thanks for ANY and ALL input!!!!

So much has been written about Columbia already. If you have done some searches, everyone who attends seems to really like, or LOVE it here. The people who don't bash it. Personally, there are many great and bad aspects of Columbia.

1. Clinically we are a bit behind the national avg, but the cases are here if you are motivated and want to work hard. I would pit some of my classmates to any other in the nation in terms of clinical skills. scheduling is done yourself, but due to the sharing of each chair by two students, you have plenty of time to pursue EC, research, etc. This is also why we are not as strong clinically - reduced chair time = less clinic time.

2. Didactics are strong here. They really focus on medicine and you get a great education. Part I avg for each class are among the highest in the nation. Competition is high with yourself because you have so many bright people and hard workers in each class, but every class here is very tight with each other.

3. Almost 50% of every class specializes. That is enough said about the Columbia name and education. No rank, no grades, just focus on strong Part I scores lets many students realize entrance into a competitive specialty. Just check out these numbers:

6/8 ortho
3/3 endo
1/1 perio
2/2 prostho
6/8 peds
9/9 OMFS

there are very few dental schools in the US that produces ~10% orthodontists and ~15% OMFS from each class!!!!!!!!!!! Granted if you graduate #1 and 97 Part I you can do whatever, but top 40% are specializing in my class.

4. I chose Columbia because it is NYC and >20K/yr cheaper than NYU (living expenses included). The clinics are a little outdated and space is cramped, but no one really complains. Every dental school has its own pitfalls, but choose for your own reasons.

If you get acceptance into a state school, go there and kick butt and you will make a great dentist. Columbia offers a great didactic education, "ivy league" name (if this matters to you), relatively small class size, and and an awesome nightlife experience in NYC. I would come to Columbia again if I had to do it all over again. No dental school is perfect, just make the right decision for YOU. Good luck

 

[LoF27]

Thanks for your reply, shabu2--I really do appreciate you taking the time to write it.

 

[Ramathorn]

6/8 ortho
3/3 endo
1/1 perio
2/2 prostho
6/8 peds
9/9 OMFS

That actually looks pretty impressive. What are some of the schools for ortho and OMFS?

 

[angelg5]

Well, it definitely seems like Columbia students have had great success in being accepted into their specialty programs. Do you happen to know the avg. scores for NBDE Part I and II at Columbia?

Thanks!

 

[drrenrey]

bump.

 

[collegeboy30000]

bump

 

[StarGirl]

11. Do you do your own lab work? If most people don’t, can you if you want to? I think this would be to do even if you don’t end up doing your own lab work in practice—it’s good to understand how it’s all done (plus, it looks like fun).

most people don't do their own lab work... but you can if you want to, I've set some denture teeths (cause the lab couldn't get it right) and did my own gold crown (cause it's cheaper for the patient)...so some stuff you can do, but but you don't do your own porcelain, processing of dentures, or metal frameworks etc...

1. Are you worried that Columbia is deficient in its clinical training? I know the party line is that clinical aptitude will come through a GPR or other residency and thus Columbia should not be expected to produce dentists who are ready to hit the ground running after graduation. But won’t less-than-stellar clinical skills hurt you when you begin a residency? What is your opinion on this?

That's BS. I think I did more "clinical" work than the requirements of most schools. You make it into whatever you want...

2. Is it possible for students to go far above and beyond the minimal clinical requirements to gain more experience if they would like to? Are there enough patients to go around for this? Is there enough faculty to support this?

Yup. and Yup.

5. When I toured the school on my interview, my impression was that the facilities were quite run-down and that the clinic was very chaotic. Do you think the clinic is well-run and organized?
Actually the Jr Clinic chairs are new and the Sr. Clinics are great cause you get your own chair and you don't have to wheel around your equipment (like some other schools).


17. From what you know, are alumni happy? Is there anyway to contact an alum for feedback now that they are out in the real world?

I am pretty happy, but don't PM me cause I'm almost always too busy to answer silly questions like these since you should have asked during your interview.

 

[wizziefiend]

6/8 ortho
3/3 endo
1/1 perio
2/2 prostho
6/8 peds
9/9 OMFS

When I interviewed, these numbers at first really impressed me. But then I started talking to students and almost every first year student said they were dead set on specializing. Now all of a sudden, 60% of the class is NOT specializing and they want to! I don't think it's the school that gets you into the specialty programs but the performance of the individual student.

Still impressive though and the program obviously points you toward success, just not sure how important it is and be sure the program matches you. It sure didn't match my desires! Good luck!

 

[Jone]

Isn't the way your ranking works is the top 10% are ranked, and then everyone else is considered unranked (as reported through PASS)?

Just thought it interesting since if there was truly no rank, and you just have
to focus on boards and research, you are at a pretty big advantage. At the same time, a friend of mine from Columbia scored a 97 on NBDE1 and landed only 4 interviews out of 20 applications. He attributed this low yield to "I wasn't ranked top 10%". If he knows he wasn't ranked top 10%, then there must be some sort of rank. On the other hand, a fellow from my school which does rank, ranked top 10% with a 95 NBDE1. He got 15 interview invites out of 18 schools he applied to. Both candidates had equal research credentials (conferences, published).

No rank, no grades, just focus on strong Part I scores lets many students realize entrance into a competitive specialty.

 

[PSMohan]

There is a rank at Columbia, but it only shows if you are in top 10%, top 30%, top 50% and below. Strong part I scores do help, but that's not the only factor to get into a specialty. They do look at extracurricular activities and most importantly your personality.

By the way, dentistry is not about what you specialize in. It's about how happy you make your patient during/after tx and how happy you are in seeing your work.

P.S. Back to the first post...If you try to find out an easy way to get a DDS, Columbia is not your choice. It has the toughest curriculum and the most demanding faculties. Everyone at Columbia has to work really hard to get his/her degree and it makes us proud. Columbia students are prepared better both clinically and didactically than any graduate from any other dental school.

 

[Jone]

wow!
gosh darnit, i wish i had gone there instead.

Columbia students are prepared better both clinically and didactically than any graduate from any other dental school.

 

[DocPainless]

I heard that Columbia can be a pretty depressing place to be. The building is pretty old, the surrounding area is pretty ghetto, the curriculum is hard and not necessarily relevant (and you're surrounded by smarter medical students). . . and so on. A close friend of mine who is a dental student told me of a Columbia student who fell into depression, took a year off and then came back third year to complete dental school.

What do you guys think?

 

[INFNITE]

I heard that Columbia can be a pretty depressing place to be. The building is pretty old, the surrounding area is pretty ghetto, the curriculum is hard and not necessarily relevant (and you're surrounded by smarter medical students). . . and so on. A close friend of mine who is a dental student told me of a Columbia student who fell into depression, took a year off and then came back third year to complete dental school.

What do you guys think?

you're making us sound more miserable than we really are. yes, life sucks, and blah blah, and yes, we live in da 'hood....still....living in NYC is tough to beat (unless its in LA or some other major metro area). The key to succeeding is to balance the academic stress with a fun and satisfying social life. This has been the only reason keeping me sane....but of course 2nd year is gonna suck even more....not looking forward to it.

 

[onetoothleft]

THere are pros and cons to Columbia and I think if you did a search you would see that they are discussed ad nauseum. I am happy here and I am so glad I chose to come here. I am working harder than I ever though possible and I am learning so much. Just go where your gut tells you to go, where you think you would fit in the best!

 

[collegeboy30000]

bump, bump.

C'mon Columbia students, we know your busting your butts studying.
The answer to the OP question's will give us ( Class of 2011) a better understanding of what to expect.

Thanks.👍

 

[shabu2]

I heard that Columbia can be a pretty depressing place to be. The building is pretty old, the surrounding area is pretty ghetto, the curriculum is hard and not necessarily relevant (and you're surrounded by smarter medical students). . . and so on. A close friend of mine who is a dental student told me of a Columbia student who fell into depression, took a year off and then came back third year to complete dental school.

What do you guys think?

News to me. Rumors abound about and within Columbia. Don't believe the hype. Isn't everyone a little depressed in dental school anyways? 😉