Columbia Versus BU

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i think id choose BU just because the difference in cost is so enormous. i think you would thank yourself later lol
 
Both are obviously awesome schools and I am in a very similar situation to yours. I think that getting into an oral surgery program will definitely be easier at columbia because that's what columbia is all about. And at BU, you would probably have to be in the top 10% to get into an oral surgery program. However, if you are smart enough to get into Columbia, why wouldn't you be capable of being in the top 10% at BU? My point is that whether you go to Columbia or BU, you are going to get into an oral surgery program because that is your goal.

Good luck on whatever you do!
 
I've heard a lot bad things about BU on here..
 
I've heard that at Columbia, the students are treated like second class citizens because of the med school classes. So, there are bad things and good things about every school
 
Does this include living expenses for both?
 
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I thought I remember Columbia COA being more expensive, even reaching NYU range. Oh well

Well, I did read a thread a while ago who asked a school if they had any extra money to give because he got a scholarship to another school but the other one was his first choice. He put it in a more professional matter of course . Could try your luck and do it that way.


But if you have 100k to put towards your loans, then it's 50k vs 200k. Still a big deal. If you got into Columbia, you'll specialize anywhere if you have the work ethic.
 
And if you specalize, that's more years your loans collect interest.
 
this is seriously a tough decision, in my opinion.

you may say you want to do oral surgery now, but to be honest, you have no idea what to expect out of dental school. i can't tell you how many people i've met, who have the grades for oral surgery, but have gotten to the point where they have grown to like general dentistry even more than OS. i've also met people who wanted to do OS, but realized they couldn't do as well as they wanted to get the grades for OS. but, in any case, some things you should consider.

1. you got into columbia (congrats--huge accomplishment). clearly, that's a testament to the kind of student you are. with that said i'm sure you could do well at BU and still get oral surgery.

2. the curriculum difference--any medical school integrated curriculum prepares you better for the cbse/oral surgery exam. not to say that it can't be done otherwise, but it'll make preparing for the exam a heck of a lot easier.

3. the grading systems--columbia is H/P/F, where as BU isn't. what do you prefer

4.. pre-clinically/clinically , both schools are pretty average. columbia doesn't have the best reputation from a clinical perspective. and i'm not making that up... that's from talking to resident directors and professors who have taught there. say you discover that oral surgery isn't for you, and you want to pursue general dentistry. then what? you'll be at a disadvantage clinically.

5.. cost-that amount is a huge thing to consider. yes columbia is 300k, and it is in the most expensive city to live in in the U.S. is it worth it to you? BU is throwing a lot of money your way, and that's something that i wouldn't take lightly.

when all is said and done, i say BU. between the $$ you'll be saving, and keeping your options open from a general standpoint, i feel like you can't turn that down.

edit: and i want to say this---columbia does not make getting oral surgery easier. that is a very bad misconception. they churn out specialists because, first of all, you're classmates with some of the best dental students in the country (statistically). so naturally, you'll have your specialization rate at a very high %.

the boards are P/F. the only other things that really come into consideration: 1. your cbse exam score 2. extracurriculars---externships, research, shadowing 3. letters of rec
 
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