Tufts
1st year (class of 2007)
Like:
-Clinically strong
-Excellent location (public transportation, city life...though Boston is definitely not NYC)
-Strong reputation among profession
-Diverse student body
-Admin tries to cater to students' needs
-Mass allows 3rd year dental students to be licensed hygienists ($$$ on the side)
-Big Brother/Big Sister (you have a 2nd year assigned as your sibling to give you advice, help you out, answer student type questions the admin can't answer), though my big bro sucked nads. Whoever has me will be lucky, cause I wouldn't want my little bro/sis to get shafted.
-Faculty is excellent. For the most part, they are on their game clinically and didactically.
-I'm doing well here
Wish would change:
-Politics (admin does try to cater to students' needs, but the "higher ups" make that difficult)
-Wish school didn't worry about image too much (i.e. not willing to go out on a limb to try something new/daring in lieu of improving student experience/improving curriculum/etc.)
-Wish school didn't baby the less driven so much (the need to be spoon fed isn't discouraged)
-Wish tuition was cheaper
-Wish FULL scholarships required earning for each year (i.e. admissions stats depict full scholarships for 1st year, 1st year stats depict full scholarships for 2nd year, and so on.)
-Wish the dental student lounge wasn't so weak
-Wish the subjective grading on projects wasn't there (HOWEVER, this is something to be dealt with in all clinical situations including the licensure exams)
-Main campus is too far, so we can't take advantage of the free amenities they offer to easily (i.e. free state of the art gym).
If you have no shot at your state school (or a cheaper alternative), and the difference btw tuition between your choices is $10,000 or less, choose Tufts b/c:
-Clinical is excellent (1st year alone, and I can see how competent we'll be when we graduate)
-The commute to school is much easier than Harvard or BU (green line stinks, and BU is some blocks away from the subway stop. Tufts is right there, next to the orange line subway stop)
-It's not the most expensive of all the private schools, though still not the cheapest
-Besides the need to be spoon fed, the students are very easy going. Tufts does a fairly good job of choosing the right classmates
-Upperclassmen are very very helpful. Entire student body is helpful
-Not cutthroat here. Most want to be GP, and those that want to specialize usually don't hold any grudges (at least I don't see any...ignorance is bliss).
Ummm, go Jumbos.?
Damn: Yah-E beat me, but his post is defunct 🙂
), willingness to adapt curriculum based on student input, innovative ideas. Patient pool is huge, no shortage here. On and ON.
