Commuting for Dental School

[predentwasconfused]

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I think i know the answer to this already....

I'm about 40 minutes away from the dental school I'll likely end up going to (Temple) if I live with my parents, which I know is going to sound ridiculous, but that's a solid $50000 I can save on rent and groceries.

With traffic, it sometimes ends up being 1.5 hours (I commute for my undergrad which is about 20 min away from Temple).

Is this viable at all? Are any other dental students commuting nearly this much? I would ofc love to live in the city with my own place, but it's just so much. I know Philly is cheaper than most other cities, but it's still a lot of money. And I don't want to live with other strangers, I either want to live alone or with other students.

Thanks!

 

[oralcare123]

It’s hard, but doable
You would have to be very organized in order to eliminate “going back to school “disasters. All phone calls, orders etc should be taken care before you leave for a day
Since you, most likely, stay at school later, you would be able to avoid traffic
I would live home and save those 50K

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I commuted 40 minutes each way for undergrad for four years. Couldn't imagine doing that for another four years with triple the workload

 

[SableFire]

Live near campus the first two years and move back the last two.

 

[predentwasconfused]

Live near campus the first two years and move back the last two.

Why do you say that?

 

[SableFire]

Why do you say that?

More free time 3rd and 4th year. Commuting wouldn't be that big of deal. I have a friend who is moving back home to his parents next year for his 4th year because he's realizing he has more free time and that'll save him money.

 

[DynamicDental]

I am in the same boat with Temple. I also plan to commute from home to save money.

 

[Medin2017]

More free time 3rd and 4th year. Commuting wouldn't be that big of deal. I have a friend who is moving back home to his parents next year for his 4th year because he's realizing he has more free time and that'll save him money.

isn't there lab work in afternoon and nights?

 

[SableFire]

isn't there lab work in afternoon and nights?

Yeah but it seems overall you have more time. If you plan accordingly you could probably do most of your lab stuff during the day or stay late one night. Spending multiple late nights at school each week isn't as necessary 3rd and 4th year as the first two. Also lab is closed on the weekends so there is no reason to come in and work. I think as long as you make the best of your time at school commuting 3rd and 4th year could be very doable. Those 730am classes 3rd year will suck though.

 

[predentwasconfused]

Yeah but it seems overall you have more time. If you plan accordingly you could probably do most of your lab stuff during the day or stay late one night. Spending multiple late nights at school each week isn't as necessary 3rd and 4th year as the first two. Also lab is closed on the weekends so there is no reason to come in and work. I think as long as you make the best of your time at school commuting 3rd and 4th year could be very doable. Those 730am classes 3rd year will suck though.

I might consider doing this then. I'm really worried about workload, because definitely there are some times in undergrad where I feel like living on campus would give me more time, but I'm managing just barely. If dental school is as much harder as I think it is, it might be better to get an apartment first two years. Thanks!

 

[Medin2017]

I might consider doing this then. I'm really worried about workload, because definitely there are some times in undergrad where I feel like living on campus would give me more time, but I'm managing just barely. If dental school is as much harder as I think it is, it might be better to get an apartment first two years. Thanks!

depends what grades you want and how much of a risk taker you are + just natural ability and discipline

 

[schmoob]

I might consider doing this then. I'm really worried about workload, because definitely there are some times in undergrad where I feel like living on campus would give me more time, but I'm managing just barely. If dental school is as much harder as I think it is, it might be better to get an apartment first two years. Thanks!

The dental school workload is significantly higher. And lots of time will be spent in lab practicing for practical or finishing projects.

 

[O Gaúcho]

I commute about 25-30min each way a day and I know many students who commute 40min to an hour each way to save money. It is defiantly doable. I'd give it a try if I were you and if you feel like it's not working out then just find a place closer to the school.

 

[predentwasconfused]

The dental school workload is significantly higher. And lots of time will be spent in lab practicing for practical or finishing projects.

Generally, what's the latest the labs are open until? I don't plan on going home to study, I prefer being on campus to study and do work because I get nothing done at home. If it's not like midnight, commuting 3rd and 4th year might be best for me.

 

[schmoob]

Generally, what's the latest the labs are open until? I don't plan on going home to study, I prefer being on campus to study and do work because I get nothing done at home. If it's not like midnight, commuting 3rd and 4th year might be best for me.

Every school is different so I can't tell you about lab hours.
I will tell you that you will definitely have midnight days at school, lots of them. There will be weeks with multiple exams you need to study for, as well as spend long hours in the lab practicing for lab practicals.

 

[Faux]

Live near campus the first two years and move back the last two.

Back in my cycle I heard temple has one of the most manageable d1 years. They really ease you into it seems. I'd stay home for the year and see from there.

 

[predentwasconfused]

Back in my cycle I heard temple has one of the most manageable d1 years. They really ease you into it seems. I'd stay home for the year and see from there.

I have heard Temple focuses more on clinical aspects than just pure academic work. I'll ask some Temple students!

 

[predentwasconfused]

Every school is different so I can't tell you about lab hours.
I will tell you that you will definitely have midnight days at school, lots of them. There will be weeks with multiple exams you need to study for, as well as spend long hours in the lab practicing for lab practicals.

I mean, at least I'd beat the traffic

 

[schmoob]

I mean, at least I'd beat the traffic

Yes, on the way home. But unless you leave to go back to school a few hours later to beat morning rush hour, you will still hit traffic. It sounds like you will still be averaging a 2 hour commute every day - I would not recommend this with the dental courseload the first 2 years.

You really shouldn't worry about this now, it's incredibly specific. You're a sophomore in undergrad so you won't know for sure what school you're going to for at least 2 more years. Concentrate on your classes and the DAT for now. 🙂

 

[a_hildy]

More free time 3rd and 4th year. Commuting wouldn't be that big of deal. I have a friend who is moving back home to his parents next year for his 4th year because he's realizing he has more free time and that'll save him money.

So I was just accepted to U of Mn School of Dentistry (Go Gophers, for the class of 2022). My parent's house is 22 minutes away from the university. Would you recommend living near campus or commuting from home? Living at home would save a lot of money. Im just curious to get your input on my circumstance! Thanks for your help!

 

[toothmagic]

I think i know the answer to this already....

I'm about 40 minutes away from the dental school I'll likely end up going to (Temple) if I live with my parents, which I know is going to sound ridiculous, but that's a solid $50000 I can save on rent and groceries.

With traffic, it sometimes ends up being 1.5 hours (I commute for my undergrad which is about 20 min away from Temple).

Is this viable at all? Are any other dental students commuting nearly this much? I would ofc love to live in the city with my own place, but it's just so much. I know Philly is cheaper than most other cities, but it's still a lot of money. And I don't want to live with other strangers, I either want to live alone or with other students.

Thanks!

I'll be commuting round 30-40min everyday to live with my parents as well. I know it's not as much. If I were you, and you don't dread the sound of your own voice (I do, lol), record yourself studying and play it to yourself while driving. It might help. 🙂 Just my 2 cents.

 

[O Gaúcho]

So I was just accepted to U of Mn School of Dentistry (Go Gophers, for the class of 2022). My parent's house is 22 minutes away from the university. Would you recommend living near campus or commuting from home? Living at home would save a lot of money. Im just curious to get your input on my circumstance! Thanks for your help!

Commute!! 22 minutes is nothing! Students who live 'close' are still 10 minutes away

 

[nebuchadnezzar90]

I live about 30 min away, or 1 hour away with traffic. I leave for school at 6:30am and come back home at 7ish pm unless i'm studying at the library. It's definitely annoying but saving money is nice and so is not having to cook or do laundry. A lot of my classmates are also on the same boat and some don't mind it and some hate it but it really depends on the person. Let me know if you have any questions.