Columbia vs Michigan

[dent2817]

Got accepted to both Columbia and University of Michigan. I am in state at Michigan. I am currently having a very tough time deciding between the two. I like columbia in all aspects, but the only thing holding me back is the price differential. I feel like turning down columbia is something i would regret for a very long time. Could use some helpful advice on deciding between the two!

Thanks!

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[bc1002]

Most people here will tell you to attend state school because money is critical. I personally am a big fan about going to cheap school because it just makes sense. Plus Michigan has very good reputation and well established program. In my opinion, the name of "Columbia" is not worth the money.

 

[deleted659902]

Yeah, I would choose Michigan too. Michigan's got a really good reputation in the dental field btw.

 

[rendal]

Agree with the above posts; I know the name Columbia is hard to turn down, but Michigan has a hell of a name in the dental field itself. It's also very good clinically and less expensive, so I think Michigan is your best bet.

 

[spazway]

I chose Minnesota (IS) over Penn, but was also in the same boat of "will I regret this for the rest of my life?"

Realize that both are good schools. You'll be a dentist either way.

I know that I would be happy at both Minnesota and Penn (and probably many other dental schools I didn't consider as well). You would probably be happy at both Columbia and Michigan (unless one works their students into the ground significantly more than the other).

Just realize that your choice probably matters far less than you think it does in the grand scheme of things--
1) You will be a dentist either way.
2) You will be able to pay off the extra loans from Columbia eventually, but
3) Fewer loans from Michigan means financial freedom for you sooner.

 

[dent2817]

Disclaimer: I did go to Michigan for undergrad and I want to get out and experience something new. Not sure if I can stay at the same school for 8 straight years. Im not sure if i want to specialize but almost everyone who wants to from columbia gets in to whatever specialty they want, so that is intriguing.

 

[kimothy_777]

I have a similar decision to make as well - where I really want to go to the more expensive school. My parents have told me that regardless of my decision, to make sure I have peace about it. I am figuring in all aspects into my decision - where I can see myself living, experiencing something new, and the fact that, as stated above, either way as a dentist I will be able to pay off these loans. Good luck!

 

[shonster460]

Disclaimer: I did go to Michigan for undergrad and I want to get out and experience something new. Not sure if I can stay at the same school for 8 straight years. Im not sure if i want to specialize but almost everyone who wants to from columbia gets in to whatever specialty they want, so that is intriguing.

This is not entirely true but you're right in saying that it might be slightly easier to specialize from Columbia (med classes if you're interested in OMFS, H/P/F curriculum, time for externships). However, getting into a competitive residency largely depends on the applicant. The name of the school is not as a big of a factor as you would think. Michigan is a great name anyway as people have already noted. Might be a bit more work to specialize at Michigan but you'll be saving a lot of money. Also, if you decide not to specialize, you'll get better clinical training at Michigan.

 

[Lock_Jaw]

I'm so confused why everyone thinks Michigan is so established in dentistry? Please explain, i've been there multiple times, my girlfriend attends UM and I know many dentists who went there as well. I'm not saying it's a bad school or anything, but I think people are over hyping it. Its not like it's the Harvard or Yale of Medical or Law school. So what is it?

Personally I'd choose based on whether you want to specialize or not. Columbia would be sweet experiencing NY, but 100k cost difference is a bit to consider. I'd go Columbia personally, but I want to experience something other than Michigan.

 

[vgupt]

Got accepted to both Columbia and University of Michigan. I am in state at Michigan. I am currently having a very tough time deciding between the two. I like columbia in all aspects, but the only thing holding me back is the price differential. I feel like turning down columbia is something i would regret for a very long time. Could use some helpful advice on deciding between the two!

Thanks!

Hey I am in the exact same boat. I placed my deposit at Michigan in December and was recently accepted to Columbia. I am having the same concerns as you are for sure. But I think the most important question is what will make you happy. Forget about reputation, money, etc. All of those are secondary to your happiness. Personally, I'm 99% set on attending Columbia. I think there are two main reasons I feel this way. 1. I am also a Michigan native who attended University of Michigan and I really want a new fresh experience. I believe this will help make me a more well rounded person. 2. I greatly desire to specialize and although UMich has a great reputation, if you want Oral Surgery or Ortho you will most likely have to finish top 10-15%. This isn't impossible but I don't want to leave anything to chance.

I'm really interested in what you decide. please let me know and good luck! Either way congrats on your hard work!

 

[vgupt]

I'm so confused why everyone thinks Michigan is so established in dentistry? Please explain, i've been there multiple times, my girlfriend attends UM and I know many dentists who went there as well. I'm not saying it's a bad school or anything, but I think people are over hyping it. Its not like it's the Harvard or Yale of Medical or Law school. So what is it?

Personally I'd choose based on whether you want to specialize or not. Columbia would be sweet experiencing NY, but 100k cost difference is a bit to consider. I'd go Columbia personally, but I want to experience something other than Michigan.

I would take you more seriously if it weren't for the OSU pic. Umich is the Harvard or Yale of everything. I just want something new.

 

[Lock_Jaw]

I would take you more seriously if it weren't for the OSU pic. Umich is the Harvard or Yale of everything. I just want something new.

I got into OSU, so i'll be attendding there. I didn't get into UMich, but I don't have anything against them. I'm not some dihard OSU person, quite the contrary actually. But seriously, base you options off of specialization, location, and cost. I'd attend Columbia for the new experiences and places, but my choice would be blurred even more as my GF attends UMich. So honestly speaking, I have a very unbiased opinion, but just my thoughts, everyone is entitled to their own though.

 

[predental75]

I'm so confused why everyone thinks Michigan is so established in dentistry? Please explain, i've been there multiple times, my girlfriend attends UM and I know many dentists who went there as well. I'm not saying it's a bad school or anything, but I think people are over hyping it. Its not like it's the Harvard or Yale of Medical or Law school. So what is it?

Personally I'd choose based on whether you want to specialize or not. Columbia would be sweet experiencing NY, but 100k cost difference is a bit to consider. I'd go Columbia personally, but I want to experience something other than Michigan.

How is Michigan not established in dentistry?? No one is saying it's better than these Ivy schools, but for a significantly cheaper price tag, it still gives you great skills & education, with a reputable and established name to go with it (just like OSU could as well). Not be rude, but you just sound a little bitter, and are trying to convince OP to pay $100K more in tuition for your own satisfaction

 

[vgupt]

I got into OSU, so i'll be attendding there. I didn't get into UMich, but I don't have anything against them. I'm not some dihard OSU person, quite the contrary actually. But seriously, base you options off of specialization, location, and cost. I'd attend Columbia for the new experiences and places, but my choice would be blurred even more as my GF attends UMich. So honestly speaking, I have a very unbiased opinion, but just my thoughts, everyone is entitled to their own though.

Hey man I didnt mean to offend you. I was just saying that as a friendly rivalry comment. But that was a really mature response and you made some great points. Thanks for the post and congrats on osu. Youll have an awesome time there!

 

[Lock_Jaw]

Not offended, just making sure there was no confusion.
All great schools, all offer great opportunities.

I am not bitter, not in the slightest, just confused as I continually read people praising UMich dental program when I am unsure of why. (This is not me saying it's not a great school, but people continually say "well.... it's Michigan" as a reason for attending, and things of the sort. Is there some great things I don't know about, or is it just the name of the university that people think is great? Facilities? Clincal experience? Research (the one things I would understand)? City (fun city, yes)

Please don't get offended by what I say because I'm just curious to peoples opinion of the school that I may have missed. Also realize we all have our own opinions and are entitled accordingly.

As far as convincing anyone about where to go, not at all, I am just inciting my opinion as is the purpose of a post like this. I want to specialize, so I would choose Columbia, if anything I'd be bitter towards Columbia because I didn't get an interview.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

You're thinking of choosing Columbia over Michigan because you think you have a better chance of specializing at Columbia since they're pass/fail and you are unsure you'll be in the top 10-15% at UMich?

Well, at least be sure to not bring that up if you're interviewing for specialties down the line.

And there's the problem with people choosing pass/fail schools. If you graduate top 10 at your state school, I know you're legit as you've demonstrated four years of excellent grades and hard work. If you graduate from a pass/fail school, I have no idea. Even if you crush boards, I have no idea.

 

[deleted659902]

You're thinking of choosing Columbia over Michigan because you think you have a better chance of specializing at Columbia since they're pass/fail and you are unsure you'll be in the top 10-15% at UMich?

Well, at least be sure to not bring that up if you're interviewing for specialties down the line.

And there's the problem with people choosing pass/fail schools. If you graduate top 10 at your state school, I know you're legit as you've demonstrated four years of excellent grades and hard work. If you graduate from a pass/fail school, I have no idea. Even if you crush boards, I have no idea.

Just so people don't misinterpret this, the top 10% is only necessary if you are aiming for ortho or OMFS. Otherwise, top 25-30% can be sufficient for getting the residency interviews.

 

[Lock_Jaw]

Yeah it's hit or miss, I think % only matters to a certain extent. I think great LOR's will go further than ranking. But, I haven't specialized or gone through that process, so who am I to say?

 

[predental75]

Aren't boards pass/fail now? So I feel like class rank could have more of an impact in selecting candidates for residency interviews. Of course, LORs and other experiences will contribute as well (as mentioned), but now if their main criteria are boards and class rank and both are pass/fail for someone who went to a pass/fail school, then how are they selecting candidates? Just based on what your professors think and your experiences? (I don't think this is right or wrong - just trying to think of what criteria they will use moving forward.)

 

[Lock_Jaw]

Good question. Maybe a current student could chime in? I think most P/F schools offer some sort of ranking system for top 10% or something like that, I thought I remember seeing something such as that on a website. It may have been columbia.