Crime rate a factor in selecting dental school?

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I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on dental schools in "bad neighborhoods." Were you or are dissuaded from applying to school due to the crime rate in the surrounding area? Are you reconsidering any schools after visiting and finding them to be in slightly rougher areas than you though?

I applied to Penn and Maryland, both great schools, but am slightly hesitant to move there with my family, especially Baltimore. Of course, a lot of people live and raise families in these cities, I understand that. But, coming from a smaller, relatively safe city, the problems of these larger cities still gives me pause.

How about you?
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small said:
I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on dental schools in "bad neighborhoods." Were you or are dissuaded from applying to school due to the crime rate in the surrounding area? Are you reconsidering any schools after visiting and finding them to be in slightly rougher areas than you though?

I applied to Penn and Maryland, both great schools, but am slightly hesitant to move there with my family, especially Baltimore. Of course, a lot of people live and raise families in these cities, I understand that. But, coming from a smaller, relatively safe city, the problems of these larger cities still gives me pause.

How about you?
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I totally agree with you. Those locations you just mentioned would be fine for me, but I do not have kids and a family. Also, I think the safety factor is in every single applicants mind. There is no way that any person in this world does not consider it; even if it is slightly. Life would be great if all the schools were in nice suburbs/nice areas. I would have to say stony and Uconn are in places where I would have no problem at all living. I havn't been to many places yet though.
 
Totally. I didn't even consider any schools in Philly or Baltimore, and even VCU's Richmond has me doubting. Great as these schools may be, I don't particularly feel like spending four years in the ghetto.
 
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i specifically am looking for bad neighborhoods. I am interested in PH dentistry and feel that dental schools in those areas will give me a great opportunity for advancement of my career goals
 
the dental school at md was not really in the heart of baltimore...when i was there it seemed a little secluded...it was very pretty and clean...i don't recall seeing any bad parts...temple, yeah..it was kinda bad...but coming from someone who lives in houston, went to a school in the middle of the ghetto and was still out at 1am around campus...it didn't seem so bad...to me since i've seen way worse...
 
I would imagine that even if the school is in a bad neighborhood, the school itself would be pretty safe. If you have a car you can live in a nicer part of town and just drive to school. Both, Baltimore and Philly have some really nice, safe suburbs about a 20 minute drive out of the city.
 
crrees said:
i specifically am looking for bad neighborhoods. I am interested in PH dentistry and feel that dental schools in those areas will give me a great opportunity for advancement of my career goals
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Me too! I can understand why some people, especially those with kids, would be worried about living in a not so good neighborhood, but I think that bad neighborhoods offer a lot of opportunities and experiences that would be much harder to find in nicer neighborhoods. When I was telling people about my experience interviewig at Temple I told everyone that one of the pro's of the school is the nieghborhood. A lot of people didn't understand that reasoning, but I think a lot of that has to do with what each person wants to do with their dental education and career.
 
I am a product of the inner city. I can't see myself living in a small town for the next four years of my life. I only applied to schools in major cities. Like New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, DC. I chose those cities because I'll be able to serve a community that reflects my own.
 
Now, here is another question, one that might be better addressed by those you who have lived in a "ghetto" or other stereotypically rough urban area: do you feel that much of the concern about living in/passing through/ being close to these high crime areas is unfounded? Part of me wants to think so as I love larger cities and want to provide my child with the opportunity to interact with people from many different cultures. Do the dangers outweigh those benefits, or is this just "don't-go-to-that-part-of-town" fear-mongering that gets incubated in many predominantly white, suburban communities?
 
This is essential to the application process and people need to read what has been said above! All great comments in my opinion! I can see how some of you truly would want to attend dental school in a "rough neighborhood" for the reasons that you mentioned. I know that your comfort level in those areas is a direct results of habituation, becoming accustomed to experiences that others would run from. Most likely this habituation came from your youth and pre-adolescent years. On the other hand, if you grew up in Smalltown, USA where everyone smiles at each other and there is ZERO crime- you have got years of habituation to suffer through before you become as comfortable as someone who grew up there. And I say "suffer" because you will feel out of place, unsure, and violent for no reason other than from your fear and misunderstanding. Some smalltowners might want to try this on to see how it feels but it's a rough road to travel for 4 years with no off-ramps.
So here comes a rant for you:
The first time that your car gets the windows shattered you will have second thoughts. When you learn the hard way that you should not watch the guy moving to his music in traffic next to your car- because one day one of them follows you home and threatens you- you'll wish you were living elsewhere. The first time that you are held-up at gun point by what you thought was just another beggar approaching you for money- you'll be thinking about a school that you could live safely next to. If you have kids- don't even consider it if you grew up in a quiet town. I've been there, when the neighbors bumping above your apartment at 3am are keeping your kids screaming instead of sleeping and you ask them for the 5th time to turn it down and they get mad and threaten your family with a gun- you will remember how you can't protect them while you're away at school and that the cars that park across the street and are left vacant and "bumping" at max. volume can't be evicted. Just don't do this to your kids. Don't juggle "your being gone at school all day" with crime. They deserve better.

Maybe that gave you a taste of what the "mental adjustment" is like if you have never moved into a rough area for the first time. It handicaps you emotionally and mentally.

So to mix things up even more:
Please add to my list of schools that most would consider "in a rough area":
1. Temple
2. USC
3. ...?
 
dentalalltheway said:
This is essential to the application process and people need to read what has been said above! All great comments in my opinion! I can see how some of you truly would want to attend dental school in a "rough neighborhood" for the reasons that you mentioned. I know that your comfort level in those areas is a direct results of habituation, becoming accustomed to experiences that others would run from. Most likely this habituation came from your youth and pre-adolescent years. On the other hand, if you grew up in Smalltown, USA where everyone smiles at each other and there is ZERO crime- you have got years of habituation to suffer through before you become as comfortable as someone who grew up there. And I say "suffer" because you will feel out of place, unsure, and violent for no reason other than from your fear and misunderstanding. Some smalltowners might want to try this on to see how it feels but it's a rough road to travel for 4 years with no off-ramps.
So here comes a rant for you:
The first time that your car gets the windows shattered you will have second thoughts. When you learn the hard way that you should not watch the guy moving to his music in traffic next to your car- because one day one of them follows you home and threatens you- you'll wish you were living elsewhere. The first time that you are held-up at gun point by what you thought was just another beggar approaching you for money- you'll be thinking about a school that you could live safely next to. If you have kids- don't even consider it if you grew up in a quiet town. I've been there, when the neighbors bumping above your apartment at 3am are keeping your kids screaming instead of sleeping and you ask them for the 5th time to turn it down and they get mad and threaten your family with a gun- you will remember how you can't protect them while you're away at school and that the cars that park across the street and are left vacant and "bumping" at max. volume can't be evicted. Just don't do this to your kids. Don't juggle "your being gone at school all day" with crime. They deserve better.

Maybe that gave you a taste of what the "mental adjustment" is like if you have never moved into a rough area for the first time. It handicaps you emotionally and mentally.

So to mix things up even more:
Please add to my list of schools that most would consider "in a rough area":
1. Temple
2. USC
3. ...?
Click to expand...

i would add umdnj to your list...also, its one thing to go to a school in a rough area and leave when classes are done than to take an apartment across the school in said rough areas...that would be just dumb and yea, you are basically inviting those behaviors you listed above...

i went to a rough school for undergrad, never had any problems; while some did... for example, stupid student was walking around campus at 1 am and got mugged....2 weeks later said student did the same thing and got mugged again around the same area...you would have thought he learnt the first time... a lot of all these things are common sense especially when it comes to protecting yourself...
-ld
 
Maryland Dental is in a "transition area" of Baltimore. It's how we, and most schools, get patients. Dental schools don't exist in amazing areas for a reason.

Safety was an issue for me when choosing a dental school.. so some may ask, "Then why in the world would you choose Baltimore?" I liked the school. When going to dental school in ANY city, you must be very cautious: don't walk alone at night, be careful crossing the street, lock the doors always (and set the alarm), etc. Baltimore is a very rough city, but never have I felt "unsafe" and I live on "the west side of MLK".. those familiar w/ b'more will know what I'm taking about & those not probably know what I'm referring to.

For those considering Maryland for dental school, know that there are VERY nice (and affordable) suburbs if that's your style, and there are many of places w/in walking distance to school that have 24 hour security. In addition, our campus police are excellent & very friendly. I never feel unsafe walking around campus even when the library closes.

jb!🙂
 
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USC is in the heart of South Central. Don't travel south of Exposition. You'll run into over 100 blocks of gang infested neighborhoods. I lived a few blocks from USC as a teenager. Stay around the campus and you should be ok. Just don't think about jogging to King Blvd or 42nd Street. Temple is in North Philadelphia. Actually on Broad Street. One of the toughest areas in the city of brotherly love. Have you guys heard of the Broad Street Bully? Roc-a-fella Records rappers Freeway and Beanie Sigel hail from that area. Fat Albert and the junkyard gang also are from North Philly. You may be laughing but that cartoon was based on the impoverished conditions of that area in the 1970's. Howard University is also located in a rough neighborhood. Go south of the campus and you'll walk into the bowels of urban decay. IV drug users and stick up kids are plentiful in this area. Guarenteed culture shock for anyone who has no idea of what an inner city black community looks like. I used to do research at Columbia Hospital. It's located in Harlem/Washington Heights area. If the dental school is nearby it is safe to say that it is also in a rough area.
 
Is UNLV in a bad neighborhood? How about Michigan?
 
This is why I am praying for stony to accept me Dec 1.. Please stony... accept me...
 
How is the area around UCSF?
 
StayinNCali said:
Is UNLV in a bad neighborhood? How about Michigan?
Click to expand...

I think Michigan is in a pretty nice area. You might have the regular college rowdies out for some boozing on game day, but Ann Arbor is a very nice town.
 
small said:
I think Michigan is in a pretty nice area. You might have the regular college rowdies out for some boozing on game day, but Ann Arbor is a very nice town.
Click to expand...
Thanks, alumni that I know were very happy with the program there.
 
PCrooks said:
...
Click to expand...

you have been everywhere...fyi, the location of Columbia Medical Center[includes the dental school] is located in Washington Heights, and what exactly is tough?

If you can't appreciate the richness of this neighborhood then you have serious problems. It's certainly not "rough". If the neighborhood were a problem then the school would have moved a long time ago...they have been here for 90 years. Try for once to see the goodness in people and communities and not let your differences get in the way.

[enough]
 
Penn is not in that rough an area of the city. Many areas are worse. I lived as far as 48'th street and as close as one block from Locust Walk, the main walkway of campus. Penn might get a rough branded reputation, because of events that happened in the past year, that can happen in any major city. Specifically, some Law student getting his Corvette stolen on 40th Street and a man died outside of the Dental building in the back alley last year after a failed car theft. It was definitely a shock to see the narrow street taped off, because things don't usually get that out of hand.

To give you an idea of how it would be for a family, the family that lived behind our house was a transplant surgeon at the Hospital of U of Penn. He had a wife and young kid, and lived there with no problem. He lived in west philly to save money to build up a nest egg, and was comfortable doing so. Other than that, many Grad students and their families live in Center City (fairly safe), some parts of Old City (not too bad), some from Blue Bell (neighboring 'burb), or across the bridge in NJ (Cherry Hill).
 
collegeboy30000 said:
you have been everywhere...fyi, the location of Columbia Medical Center[includes the dental school] is located in Washington Heights, and what exactly is tough?

If you can't appreciate the richness of this neighborhood then you have serious problems. It's certainly not "rough". If the neighborhood were a problem then the school would have moved a long time ago...they have been here for 90 years. Try for once to see the goodness in people and communities and not let your differences get in the way.

[enough]
Click to expand...


LOL, at college boy. True, I have lived in many places! Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Washington DC, and Baltimore. I am a product of the inner city. I have never felt uncomfortable in any urban environment and I surely didn't feel unsafe at Columbia Medical. I was simply stating that individuals not used to urban environments may consider the Washington Heights area as being rough. That's for them to decide, not you!

Unlike many people I want to go to a dental school in a "rough neighborhood". That way I will be able to contribute to my community. The urban, inner city. Plus, I think it would be very inspiring for a young black kid from one of these impoverished areas to see me, a young black male working as a dentist. Not just any black male, but a black male who came from the same type of environment as they do. Perhaps, that image may inspire them to also become a dentist, doctor, or lawyer.
 
In nearly every city, you can find nice areas with wholesome family values esp in the outskirts. A few people mentioned VCU... Richmond was a bit intimidating at first, but I settled into a nice west end apartment and I ran alone at night ALL the time. I never felt safer. It was pretty, VERY low crime, a lot of malls, grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment etc and only $540/mo for a fairly large one bedroom garden style apt.. but most places in the west end are more expensive.

Like any neighborhood that isn't in the middle of nowhere, you have to generally be willing to outbuy the people you don't want to live near. I can tell you that 3/5 of Richmond and surrounding suburb is very nice. Unfortunately the bad areas surround Richmond North, East and South but only for about 2-3 miles in any of those 3 directions.
 
Although a catchin a bullet in the ass while walkin around school sounds tempting, I think I'd rather go to a happy town where crime is low. Call me crazy. Interesting thread, I've thought alot about this while haven't discussed it. Environment was a major factor on my selection as I plan on starting a family within the next couple of years.
 
Detroit Mercy should be on this list. They are moving in January- I think to just east of Dearborn. I have no idea what the new area will be like, but it is closer to the city. Detroit is a little creepy for me, but think of all the cool cases that come through- the ones you would only get to see in textbooks.
Conversely, Ann Arbor is one of the nicest places in Michigan- shouldn't even be mentioned on this thread.
What does everyone think of UT Memphis? I haven't been to Memphis in over a decade, but I remember it was pretty rough.
 
It will definitely affect my decision; I really liked everything about Temple, but the area will play a role when I select if to go there or not (if I get accepted). Every student I had talked to D4 and down, had never been at the school past 5 and do their studying primarily at home; I want to go to a school where I can sit in the library and study the night before a test with other students. On the other hand, bad areas produce many patients and is the reason that Temple is great clinically.

In the end if I want to be a GP I will seriously consider Temple, but if I think I want to specialize I might look elsewhere for my DDS/DMD.
 
collegeboy30000 said:
...fleece like...




only Chuck Norris can say that
Click to expand...

Collegeboy...Do you even know me?? I think not. Matter of fact I know you don't. I'd appreciate it if you stop with the dorky cheap shots. LOL, at you again! Who still watches Chuck Norris in 2007?

I meant exactly what I said in my post. I want to go to a dental school in a neighborhood people consider as being "rough", for the reason I previously stated. To help provide my community with dental care as well as perhaps inspire young African Americans with an image other than the exploited negative ones that they see on tv.

Besides, living/going to school in a "rough" neighborhood isn't nothing new to me. I've been doing it my entire life.
 
Who still watches Chuck Norris in 2007?
Click to expand...

Whoa, hey now. Let's not say things we can't take back.

Remember, Chuck Norris was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced when he killed every terrorist and saved the day in a little over 12 minutes.
 
PCrooks said:
I meant exactly what I said in my post. I want to go to a dental school in a neighborhood people consider as being "rough", for the reason I previously stated. To help provide my community with dental care as well as perhaps inspire young African Americans with an image other than the exploited negative ones that they see on tv.
Click to expand...

Columbia isn't in all that bad of an area. It's like the Bronx - some pretty decent areas mixed in with areas like Tremont or East Harlem, where I'd get my ass handed to me with frequency. But I grew up in Jersey City, so none of what I saw was anything new. But yeah, I agree with you, people aren't going to react the same way. My fiance was uncomfortable, so I can see how people might react differently.

I think there's a lot of inner city imagery on TV that is negative, but not just for African Americans. But come on, you think they're being exploited ? No more than anyone else. They're making a strong, decent living, so no one should feel bad them. For reference, check other ethnic channels. Nothing new at all.
 
Montserrat said:
I think there's a lot of inner city imagery on TV that is negative, but not just for African Americans. But come on, you think they're being exploited ? No more than anyone else. They're making a strong, decent living, so no one should feel bad them. For reference, check other ethnic channels. Nothing new at all.
Click to expand...

True, the description of people from all backgrounds have been painted negatively on television. I never denied that. I was just simply making references on how I want to contribute to my (African-American) community. What's wrong with doing that?

Also, I never said that people should feel bad/sad/happy/sorry for entertainers who make their living off of telling stories about their own inner city experiences. However, we all can't be rappers or ball players. Currently, there are more young black men aspiring to be the next Jay Z than there are actually filling out college applications. That's a problem!

What I'd like to do is show the youth in my community that they don't have to settle. Show them that they don't have to exploit women, glamorize ignorance, or impoversihed conditions in order to make a halfway decent living. Before anybody gets bent out of shape I am not talking about progressive rappers such as Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Mos Def, The Roots, Hieroglyphics and etc. Just as these kids have all the faith that they can make it as ball players and entertainers, I would like to plant that seed that may also inspire them to become judges, corporate executive officers, and doctors.
 
PCrooks said:
True, the description of people from all backgrounds have been painted negatively on television. I never denied that. I was just simply making references on how I want to contribute to my (African-American) community. What's wrong with doing that?

Also, I never said that people should feel bad/sad/happy/sorry for entertainers who make their living off of telling stories about their own inner city experiences. However, we all can't be rappers or ball players. Currently, there are more young black men aspiring to be the next Jay Z than there are actually filling out college applications. That's a problem!

What I'd like to do is show the youth in my community that they don't have to settle. Show them that they don't have to exploit women, glamorize ignorance, or impoversihed conditions in order to make a halfway decent living. Before anybody gets bent out of shape I am not talking about progressive rappers such as Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Mos Def, The Roots, Hieroglyphics and etc. Just as these kids have all the faith that they can make it as ball players and entertainers, I would like to plant that seed that may also inspire them to become judges, corporate executive officers, and doctors.
Click to expand...

Nah man. I didn't find anything offensive or wrong with what you wrote. Props to you if that's what you want to do with your education and life. I just disagreed with the "negatively exploiting" part of it. When I think of negative exploitation, I don't think of exorbitant salaries and financial stability. If too many kids have pipe dreams and are foolishly pursuing it without counsel, it's not exploitation - it's bad parenting.
 
PCrooks said:
Howard University is also located in a rough neighborhood. Go south of the campus and you'll walk into the bowels of urban decay. IV drug users and stick up kids are plentiful in this area. Guarenteed culture shock for anyone who has no idea of what an inner city black community looks like. I used to do research at Columbia Hospital. It's located in Harlem/Washington Heights area. If the dental school is nearby it is safe to say that it is also in a rough area.
Click to expand...

well... howard used to be in that type of area, but it is very much a transition area and those same areas near howard that are the "bowels of urban decay" are being replaced with 500,000 dollar 1 bedroom condos... you can't buy a house in the immediate area for under 400,000 these days...

where columbia is pretty much the same... it may not be the suburbs, but if you are smart at both of these schools... then you will be safe...

I can't speak on the others and you are prob. right, but I just know from living in DC my whole life and growing up pretty much at HUs campus... and living in NYC...
 
small said:
I think Michigan is in a pretty nice area. You might have the regular college rowdies out for some boozing on game day, but Ann Arbor is a very nice town.
Click to expand...


OMG... AMAZING COLLEGE TOWN!!!! hehe to the rowdies... they are tons of fun 😉

sooo many cute shops, super safe, soooo adorable... but even there you can get mugged if you arent careful, but it really is SUPER FAB!!
 
PCrooks said:
...as well as perhaps inspire young African Americans with an image other than the exploited negative ones that they see on tv...
Click to expand...

Listen here fabric softner, I want to be an inspiration for YOUNG WHITE RICH kids[even though I am Hispanic] and show them that they too can be dentist and rise up against the exploitation depicted on tv.

Like someone else said parenting is a huge factor.

People who pound their chest and swear that they will be the savior are hardly ever those that make an impact.
[let your actions do all the talking]
 
isnt UDM in a bad area?
 
PCrooks - I think you have a fabulous goal in mind and I wish you the best of luck. I have seen the impact of good role models, and I hope that you will be able to inspire young people in whatever community you work in. Good luck, and don't listen to people that doubt you or your goals! 😀
 
tooth decay said:
I just read that Detroit is named America's most dangerous city to live in. Does that change anyone's mind?
Click to expand...


On the flip side, Amherst NY is the 4th safest place in the US. It's usually 1st, but the damn bike path rapist killed someone last year, so now it's 4th (they caught him though, so you'll be safe).

Who just switch their first choice to Buffalo?
 
Chuck Norris's tears cures cancer, too bad Chuck Norris does not cry.

When the "Boogie Man goes to sleep, he looks for Chuck Norris in his closet.
 
collegeboy30000 said:
Chuck Norris's tears cures cancer, too bad Chuck Norris does not cry.

When the "Boogie Man goes to sleep, he looks for Chuck Norris in his closet.
Click to expand...

108980225_f04e0e2f3d.jpg
 
They had to cancel plans for the Walker Texas Ranger Video Game...

Chuck Norris gets played by no man
 
collegeboy30000 said:
I want to be an inspiration for YOUNG WHITE RICH kids[even though I am Hispanic] and show them that they too can be dentist and rise up against the exploitation depicted on tv.

Like someone else said parenting is a huge factor.

People who pound their chest and swear that they will be the savior are hardly ever those that make an impact.
[let your actions do all the talking]
Click to expand...

You are funny collegeboy! Do you know how ignorant you sound? LOL, Keep em' coming because my friends and I are having a blast making jokes about you. LOLOLOL!!!! You don't pay attention! That flaw will not carry well into your practice. I never said that I planned to be the savior of any person, race, or community! That task is too great for just one individual. I said that I would like to SERVE my community and perhaps INSPIRE young African Americans in the process. Quit being a hater! Do the idea of me serving my community bother you that much? Do the possibility of me inspiring a young black person to pursue higher education threatens you? Deal with it! Maybe, your own conscience is trying to tell you not to COMPLETELY forget about who you are and where you come from.

No doubt, parenting is a huge factor. I never said that I was trying to raise anyones kids. I said inspire. Many people are inspired by the work of others. No where does it say you have to be a parent in order to inspire people.

Check mate!
 
P-man, don't let it rattle you. I think you're doing a good thing. Everyone needs positive role models in their life. I think someone's just trying to get a rise out of you. My hats off to you.
 
Blarelli said:
Whoa, hey now. Let's not say things we can't take back.

Remember, Chuck Norris was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced when he killed every terrorist and saved the day in a little over 12 minutes.
Click to expand...

LOL!

I've been re-reading this thread simply for the Chuck Norris jokes.
 
Cymbidium said:
LOL!

I've been re-reading this thread simply for the Chuck Norris jokes.
Click to expand...

We aim to please.

"There is no theory of evolution ; just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live."

"The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist."

"Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird."
 
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