Columbia vs. UPenn

[@armydentalstudent]

Hi, so I heard back from both of these school yesterday but am conflicted on which one I should choose. Sadly, I did not get into my state school, so the cost is going to be quite high. I checked the dental school explorer, and both of these schools are similar in price. Also, they are similar in prestige, so it's hard to compare them.

I would say the things that separate them in my mind are the location and the grading systems. Columbia is located in NYC, and since I haven't lived in a city like that, I'm not sure if I'll like the crowdedness. Columbia also has P/F grading, and I am hopeful that it will make things less competitive. However, for Penn, I think the location would be nicer, but they don't have P/F grading. Since I haven't been able to visit either school, I don't really know what other pros/cons there are. Any input would be helpful!

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[future_nostalgia]

Both schools are really expensive, but you also have to factor in how much more expensive it is to live in NYC vs. Philly! I personally eliminated Columbia based on that factor alone. It's an amazing school and I really loved it but I couldn't justify the cost if I could go to a school that was less money and just as amazing.

Penn doesn't have P/F but there also isn't any ranking so it doesn't really feel as competitive. Maybe someone from Columbia could speak more about their experiences though since I only have attended Penn and that's all I know haha. You really can't go wrong with either option! Congrats!

 

[wengerout]

You can't go wrong either way. With the similarities in cost if I were you I would probably pick Columbia.

 

[Rachapkis]

Of course, both schools are excellent. However, when I visited Columbia, I had a strong negative reaction to the location. When I visited Penn, my feelings were exactly the opposite.

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

Penn gives you a much better clinical education. Regardless of whether you want to specialize, I think it's important to learn how to be a dentist and practice it while in school.

 

[wengerout]

Penn gives you a much better clinical education. Regardless of whether you want to specialize, I think it's important to learn how to be a dentist and practice it while in school.

Personally, from what I have seen from friends at Penn the delta in clinical education is slim to none. Definitely doesn't make the lack of Pass-Fail worth it IMHO. Plus Penn is more expensive.

 

[wengerout]

Both schools are really expensive, but you also have to factor in how much more expensive it is to live in NYC vs. Philly! I personally eliminated Columbia based on that factor alone. It's an amazing school and I really loved it but I couldn't justify the cost if I could go to a school that was less money and just as amazing.

Penn doesn't have P/F but there also isn't any ranking so it doesn't really feel as competitive. Maybe someone from Columbia could speak more about their experiences though since I only have attended Penn and that's all I know haha. You really can't go wrong with either option! Congrats!

WaHi isn't as expensive as the rest of NYC but Philly is definitely cheaper. Penn's tuition last I checked is higher though so likely comes out to wash depending on how frugal you want to live.

P/F is worth it's weight in gold to me personally lol. but having visited Penn to see some friends there I get the attraction. I love the clinic at Penn as well and the fact you have your own stand alone building. Really can't go wrong either way.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Sadly, I did not get into my state school

My condolences.

Big Hoss

 

[DMD12345]

Residencies still see your gpa from Penn so it’s not like you can take things easier as opposed to Columbia

 

[future_nostalgia]

Residencies still see your gpa from Penn so it’s not like you can take things easier as opposed to Columbia

I don't think P/F implies that you can take thing easier! I've heard from people at P/F schools that their exams are still really difficult to "pass." Of course you don't have to worry about grades as much, but if there's internal ranking within a P/F system, then that system is kinda pointless imo. I don't know if Columbia internally ranks but I know some places (more med schools) have P/F grading but still internally rank students.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I don't know if Columbia internally ranks

Per a friend, they do or at least they did.

Big Hoss

 

[tigerkinghalo]

Hi, what were your stats