Columbia vs Penn vs Pitt (IS)

[drdentisthopeful]

School 1: Columbia
Pros:

• Big City Person-NYC
• P/F
• Center of Precision Medicine
• Med Curriculum
• Medium Class Size
• Dream School for as long as I can remember

Cons:

• Costs

School 2: Penn
Pros:

• 30k/year Scholarship
• Location-Philly
• Located on same campus as undergrad/other grad schools

Cons:

• Grades
• Large Class Size

School 3: Pitt (IS)
Pros:

• Lots of connections to the school

Cons:

• Expensive for an Instate school
• A little too close to home

Summary: My gut is telling me to go to Columbia, not because of the name but more so the curriculum and the location, which are very important to me. However, it is difficult to ignore the price, although I plan on applying for many scholarships, even small value ones because anything can help. With the scholarship from Penn, Pitt and Penn are about the same price. I am from around the Pittsburgh area, and did my undergrad close by, so I really do want to branch out. If it were just a decision between Pitt and Penn, I would go Penn. I also want to add I do plan on specializing in the future in either perio or omfs. Thank you everyone for your input.

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[macsak]

School 1: Columbia
Pros:

• Big City Person-NYC
• P/F
• Center of Precision Medicine
• Med Curriculum
• Medium Class Size
• Dream School for as long as I can remember

Cons:

• Costs

School 2: Penn
Pros:

• 30k/year Scholarship
• Location-Philly
• Located on same campus as undergrad/other grad schools

Cons:

• Grades
• Large Class Size

School 3: Pitt (IS)
Pros:

• Lots of connections to the school

Cons:

• Expensive for an Instate school
• A little too close to home

Summary: My gut is telling me to go to Columbia, not because of the name but more so the curriculum and the location, which are very important to me. However, it is difficult to ignore the price, although I plan on applying for many scholarships, even small value ones because anything can help. With the scholarship from Penn, Pitt and Penn are about the same price. I am from around the Pittsburgh area, and did my undergrad close by, so I really do want to branch out. If it were just a decision between Pitt and Penn, I would go Penn. I also want to add I do plan on specializing in the future in either perio or omfs. Thank you everyone for your input.

how much more is columbia?

 

[drdentisthopeful]

Around 50-70k more give or take

 

[swimmer101]

Hey if you don‘t mind me asking, what were your stats?

 

[future_nostalgia]

If Penn and Pitt are around the same price -- I'd go with Penn. Chose Penn over Columbia back in the day largely because of cost. Living in NYC will also be very expensive which is a huge consideration bc now you're not just paying for things education-related. Penn does well matching students into Perio and OMFS so that shouldn't be an issue either.

Ultimately, Penn and Columbia will give you a relatively similar experience and having grades at Penn didn't feel that stressful for me since we were completely unranked and everyone collaborated w one another. I think if you can save money now, you'll thank yourself later.

 

[Boat on the Chesapeake]

I would think even with a $30k/y scholarship the difference between Pitt and Penn is significant. Really go item by item on their estimates (not the total budget they let you borrow, but what you’d actually pay for insurance/housing and what fees are mandatory). Consider car vs public transit, and housing costs. Both are good schools but I appreciate the need to branch out. If you’re specializing though you can always do residency elsewhere and less debt buys more freedom in the long run.

If Penn is really <$100k more than Pitt I could see going for it. I wouldn’t pay more for Columbia than Penn IMO.

 

[macsak]

I would think even with a $30k/y scholarship the difference between Pitt and Penn is significant. Really go item by item on their estimates (not the total budget they let you borrow, but what you’d actually pay for insurance/housing and what fees are mandatory). Consider car vs public transit, and housing costs. Both are good schools but I appreciate the need to branch out. If you’re specializing though you can always do residency elsewhere and less debt buys more freedom in the long run.

If Penn is really <$100k more than Pitt I could see going for it. I wouldn’t pay more for Columbia than Penn IMO.

2019 data shows $134k COA difference between IS pitt and private upenn
so the scholly would make the difference only $14k

 

[Rocklandm]

Go to Pitt . Although a little too close to home is a con right now, rest assured that when things get crazy at school, that’ll become a pro. You will need family and friends - a support system. They also have a great clinical experience.

 

[Allsmiles!]

Three good schools for different reasons…go to the cheapest choice. Is 50 - 70k include everything? ALL costs? To include living? That is a lot…I’m struggling to say this, but the only exception I would make is if you were 100% positive you wanted to do OMFS (which it doesn’t seem so…”perio or OMFS”), I could see an argument for choosing Columbia. Again, I would only consider this if you were 100% sure about OMFS, and you like everything about the school, location, etc. if not, go to the cheapest option.

 

[persimmon_girl]

Did you go to Pitt for undergrad? If so then it makes sense you'd want to branch out, but it could be really helpful coming in having those connections already. The people who went to pitt have an advantage and dental school is different enough from undergrad that it doesnt feel like you arent branching out. Penn is great though too, so if its the same price as Pitt then maybe put two deposits for now and keep vetting out both options and see where youre more comfortable. It could help you specialize more too

Columbia is a great school, but if you want to specialize you'll do it no matter where you go. Consider how you'll feel when youre in residency and your co-residents are in 300k less debt than you.

 

[Spahrtan]

Would love to know what your final decision is and why? A follow-up comment on this thread after you start classes is nice to see too!