Current or future BU students

[gUmNuMmEr19]

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For those of you who are currently attending BU how is your schedule like the first year and are your exams in a block schedule where you take them all at once, or spread out?

What advice would you give to the entering DMD1 class in order to be successfull their first year?

 

[Jamison321]

For those of you who are currently attending BU how is your schedule like the first year and are your exams in a block schedule where you take them all at once, or spread out?

What advice would you give to the entering DMD1 class in order to be successfull their first year?

Yea this is something that interests me too.

 

[WildcatDMD]

For those of you who are currently attending BU how is your schedule like the first year and are your exams in a block schedule where you take them all at once, or spread out?

What advice would you give to the entering DMD1 class in order to be successfull their first year?

hey guys, here's a little info about 1st year at BU.

first off, you will have a full week of orientation (8am-5pm or so). All kinds of administrative stuff. I found the old thread I posted in what seems like many years ago... 🙂

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=1710739#post1710739

There should be a lot of info about orientation in there. Especially about the DVD/books decision you will have to make (i went with the books).

Orientation itself will suck, but you will get the opportunity to meet your classmates, and there will be opportunities probably that weekend to meet the other years' classes. We are looking forward to meeting the new group. 🙂

As for how the schedule is for the first semester:

You will go to school way too much. i would say that 9am - 4pm is about the average, but every day is different, you have to live by your schedule. You'll have 9 classes I believe. I went to almost every class for the first 2 months... i haven't really gone to as many classes this semester. You will eventually figure out what you need to do to get by with the grades you want. That is really my only advice: Work your tail off for the first exams in each class so you figure out how much work you need to put into them.. if you get A's on all them, you might be able to take it a little easier, if you barely pass, get ready to work your tail off for every test.

The first semester there is pretty much an exam every week, but some of these classes/exams are not that big a deal (others are like finals from undergrad for each test). First semester is almost 100% lecture classes, not very fun (I have enjoyed 2nd semester much more, even though their are more classes.. at least picking up that handpiece and cutting some preps and placing amalgam and composite puts a perspective on why we are putting ourselves through all these classes.)

I feel a little bit bad that your class will be the first class without our former anatomy professor (he's been there for 20 years) (who is leaving BU to go to UNLV). Although I did not always agree with him, or always like him, he was definitely one of the best, if not the best, professors we had (especially 1st semester). I have to admit that many of the 1st year science professors are not that great, so losing him will be a significant loss.

Besides that, you will hopefully make some good friends in your class, you will be spending A LOT of time with them in a very small room (G301) for the next year. 😀

I look forward to meeting you guys (you better be cool)...

 

[Jamison321]

What kind of feedback have you been given about the APEX program?

 

[Rezdawg]

1st semester sounds like a pain in the arse. I was hoping to get to some of the handpiece stuff and cutting preps during the 1st semester. I guess I gotta wait a while.

I think I like the exam every week better than when they unload a bunch of exams in one week. So, I guess thats a good thing, even though it means that you are basically studying for an exam all the time.

I need to start getting my act together...Im too lazy these days.

About APEX, how hard is it to be placed somewhere outside of Boston? For instance, if I want to go back home to Houston during that time, would it be difficult to work that out?

 

[WildcatDMD]

What kind of feedback have you been given about the APEX program?

I'm about to start the first APEX rotation in ~4 weeks, so i will have much better info later this summer, but I have talked to some of my friends from 2nd year and also to 3rd and 4th years while assisting in the clinic:

Basically, it is what you make of it. Many students view it mostly as a summer break with 32 hrs/week assisting (you are only allowed to do "non-invasive procedures") and learning about dentistry. A significant portion of students found dentists in their hometown to do APEX; however, this does not always work out--i believe it is because it is somewhat of a process for the dentist to get accepted (or to go through with) to be a participating APEX doc.

I will be working at one of the community health centers/homeless clinics close to the school in the South End in Boston this summer. Not at all what I was expecting, nor what I asked for, but I am actually excited and look forward to a good learning experience. (Mostly I am excited to not have to study for a while--I plan on finally getting to experience more of what this city has to offer).

 

[WildcatDMD]

1st semester sounds like a pain in the arse. I was hoping to get to some of the handpiece stuff and cutting preps during the 1st semester. I guess I gotta wait a while.

I think I like the exam every week better than when they unload a bunch of exams in one week. So, I guess thats a good thing, even though it means that you are basically studying for an exam all the time.

I need to start getting my act together...Im too lazy these days.

About APEX, how hard is it to be placed somewhere outside of Boston? For instance, if I want to go back home to Houston during that time, would it be difficult to work that out?

Yeah, unless they have changed the schedule, you will hardly know you are in dental school the first semester. It is just a med school or maybe some crappy grad school experience. I learned almost nothing about the oral cavity except what the professors tried to make "relate" to dental practice.

This semester was fun with the operative classes. I really enjoy the hands on stuff... which is good, since I'm going to be a dentist.

And, no, for the most part it is not hard to get an apex site outside of Boston. But I have heard stories of where it didn't work out. You should be fine to go home.

 

[Rezdawg]

Wildcat, thanks for the info. 👍

 

[gUmNuMmEr19]

Yeah, unless they have changed the schedule, you will hardly know you are in dental school the first semester. It is just a med school or maybe some crappy grad school experience. I learned almost nothing about the oral cavity except what the professors tried to make "relate" to dental practice.

This semester was fun with the operative classes. I really enjoy the hands on stuff... which is good, since I'm going to be a dentist.

And, no, for the most part it is not hard to get an apex site outside of Boston. But I have heard stories of where it didn't work out. You should be fine to go home.

Hey Wildcat thanks for all that information, it really helps. I just got a couple more questions for you. First of all, whats that occupational health screening all about? Next, I noticed you said we take 9 classes first semester and that we have tests every week. Do we have tests in every class every week and are the exams cumulative? I know Tufts has an exam block schedule where they take all there exams in one week, does BU do that or are they spread out?

Finally, would you reccommend the EXCEL program if you took it?

thanks

 

[gUmNuMmEr19]

OH yeah, would you happen to have a copy/sample of what our first semester schedule looks like with the clasees and time blocks.

 

[WildcatDMD]

No, the tests aren't for all classes every week, just one (sometimes 2). And there are a couple weeks w/o tests. The tests are rarely cumulative--but trust me, there is plenty to know for each test, although for some 1 credit classes there is only one test, and that test determines your grade in that class.

I would say that the first month and a half is not that bad at all, you will get lulled into thinking that dental school is not that much work, but after that it is a true pain in the @ss, be prepared. And 2nd semester has 12 classes... 🙂 (a few of them are really nothing, though).

Ok, I have to study now, for the next three weeks.. we have 7 more tests until the summer. I'll happily answer more question this summer (i know that i was irritated by having so little information before I got here when I was in your shoes), but I need to stop using this posting to procrastinate... or I might be in your guy's class. 😳

 

[konovsi]

Are there enough patients for the 3rd and 4th year students?

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Yeah, unless they have changed the schedule, you will hardly know you are in dental school the first semester. It is just a med school or maybe some crappy grad school experience. I learned almost nothing about the oral cavity except what the professors tried to make "relate" to dental practice.

This semester was fun with the operative classes. I really enjoy the hands on stuff... which is good, since I'm going to be a dentist.

And, no, for the most part it is not hard to get an apex site outside of Boston. But I have heard stories of where it didn't work out. You should be fine to go home.

Im really suprised that BU runs their curriculm that way....you learn hardly nothing about the oral cavity in your first semester??? I find that strange.

And im also suprised that you guys do no operative the first semester!!! hell, at Temple, we spent our first day doing inventory on our kit, and the second day we opened everythng up and went right into things.

To date, we have done waxups, impressions, stone models, mounting on our articulators, acrylic provisionals, Class 1/2/3/4/5 composites and amalgam restorations to death, and right now we are starting crown and bridge work.....and we've only been here 8 months now!!!!!!

Ill repeat it again...if you have a choice, GOTO A SCHOOL THAT EMPHASIZES CLINIC...thats whats gonna put food on the table.

 

[nothen2do]

Im really suprised that BU runs their curriculm that way....you learn hardly nothing about the oral cavity in your first semester??? I find that strange.

And im also suprised that you guys do no operative the first semester!!! hell, at Temple, we spent our first day doing inventory on our kit, and the second day we opened everythng up and went right into things.

To date, we have done waxups, impressions, stone models, mounting on our articulators, acrylic provisionals, Class 1/2/3/4/5 composites and amalgam restorations to death, and right now we are starting crown and bridge work.....and we've only been here 8 months now!!!!!!

Ill repeat it again...if you have a choice, GOTO A SCHOOL THAT EMPHASIZES CLINIC...thats whats gonna put food on the table.

Don't let badvibes affect your impression of BU, he DOES NOT go to the school, and thus has no first hand knowledge of the school. He just has something up his arse.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Im really suprised that BU runs their curriculm that way....you learn hardly nothing about the oral cavity in your first semester??? I find that strange.

And im also suprised that you guys do no operative the first semester!!! hell, at Temple, we spent our first day doing inventory on our kit, and the second day we opened everythng up and went right into things.

To date, we have done waxups, impressions, stone models, mounting on our articulators, acrylic provisionals, Class 1/2/3/4/5 composites and amalgam restorations to death, and right now we are starting crown and bridge work.....and we've only been here 8 months now!!!!!!

Ill repeat it again...if you have a choice, GOTO A SCHOOL THAT EMPHASIZES CLINIC...thats whats gonna put food on the table.

You have some good points, but MANY schools teach nothing (or very little) about the oral cavity during the first semester.

We did MINIMAL simlab stuff our first semester at Arizona, but it sure was nice to complete 100% of our science courses during the first year. That leaves everything open to dentistry and only dentistry.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Don't let badvibes affect your impression of BU, he DOES NOT go to the school, and thus has no first hand knowledge of the school. He just has something up his arse.

I got nothing up my arse...its just that the student from Boston completely proved what Ive said about BU the entire time.....it just aint worth the money if you have other, cheaper options.

 

[Jamison321]

I got nothing up my arse...its just that the student from Boston completely proved what Ive said about BU the entire time.....it just aint worth the money if you have other, cheaper options.

For whatever his reason BadVibes has been ripping BU for a long time now. He goes out of his way to post about a school he doesnt even go to. Don't listen to him on the topic of BU as it is all negative.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

For whatever his reason BadVibes has been ripping BU for a long time now. He goes out of his way to post about a school he doesnt even go to. Don't listen to him on the topic of BU as it is all negative.

I got no personal thing against BU at all.....Im just trying to tell it how it is. And not all what I say about BU is negative....I think Boston is an amazing city and that BU has nice facilities!! 😉

 

[WildcatDMD]

Im really suprised that BU runs their curriculm that way....you learn hardly nothing about the oral cavity in your first semester??? I find that strange.

And im also suprised that you guys do no operative the first semester!!! hell, at Temple, we spent our first day doing inventory on our kit, and the second day we opened everythng up and went right into things.

To date, we have done waxups, impressions, stone models, mounting on our articulators, acrylic provisionals, Class 1/2/3/4/5 composites and amalgam restorations to death, and right now we are starting crown and bridge work.....and we've only been here 8 months now!!!!!!

Ill repeat it again...if you have a choice, GOTO A SCHOOL THAT EMPHASIZES CLINIC...thats whats gonna put food on the table.

Do you want a round of applause for your school? This is dental school, the administration would have to be ******ed to NOT emphasize clinical... that's what we do, we're going to be dentists... dentistry is clinical.

But there is a lot more to dental education than just clinical education. If it were only clinical, this would be a tech school and could probably be completed in 2 years. It is the rest of the stuff we do and know that makes us healthcare providers. Anyone with some about of manual dexterity has the capability of learning the clinical things we do (opps.. don't tell anyone that), it is the other information that gives us a higher likelihood of keeping our patients safe, healthy, and happy. So, in rebuttal, FIND A SCHOOL THAT EMPHASIZES THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY MANUAL LABOR, BUT THAT PEOPLE TRUST US WITH A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THEIR HEALTH.

We take part one of the boards in December, I don't know how many other schools take the boards at that time (after 1st semester 2nd year)-- I know Arizona takes them after 1st year (which seems crazy, but apparently works, right Gavin?). So, we have to finish all our science classes by this time.

I, of course, exaggerated a little about not having any classes dealing with the oral cavity in the first semester (it just felt like it at times). All our classes touch on the oral cavity as all the basic science classes emphasize topics related to dental practice. And we did have our basic oral radiology class, and the beginning of our dental anatomy class started in the first semester (many of our classes overlap semesters).

Here are the first year classes:

Fall 2004:
Anatomical Sciences I (Histology)
Biochemistry
Physiology
Dental Anatomy
Genetics
Basic Oral Radiology
Dental Ethics
Introduction to Dental Practice
Evidence Based Dentistry

Spring 2005:
Anatomical Sciences II (Gross Anatomy)
General Pathology
Operative Dentistry I
Operative Dentistry I Lab
Physiology
Evidence Based Dentistry
Dental Anatomy
Microbiology
Biomaterials
Introduction To Dental Practice
Integrated Problems in Practice Management

And to compare to your list, this semester we have done: wax-ups, mounting on our articulators, we have had 3 summative exams (clinical) on amalgams and composites and quite a bit of lab time (plus any time extra that we wanted to come in to the simlab and practice). We have our alginate lab this next week to prepare us for our APEX experience this summer.

I don't know how many other schools preclinical labs are, but I know that our simulation lab is possibly one of the best in the nation. I guarantee that we will all be as clinically proficient as is possible by the start of our actual clinical work 3rd year, and by graduation will be the best new dentists that we can be.

I don't really know why you feel compelled to talk s*** about BU all the time, but I do know that it is just wasting your time. If you want to convince people to go to your awesome school, then tell them the good things about your school, instead of trying to point out what you (as another FIRST YEAR dental student) think are bad things about another school's curriculum. 👎 I am sure people a little more knowledgeable than you have designed our program to meet the goals of the school and the profession in producing competent dentists.

Ahh.. that felt kind of good.. feel like I've been in a sensory deprivation chamber all day.. studying sucks

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I don't really know why you feel compelled to talk s*** about BU all the time, but I do know that it is just wasting your time. If you want to convince people to go to your awesome school, then tell them the good things about your school, instead of trying to point out what you (as another FIRST YEAR dental student) think are bad things about another school's curriculum. 👎 I am sure people a little more knowledgeable than you have designed our program to meet the goals of the school and the profession in producing competent dentists.

Actually, I always tell people that there are way better options than my school....although my school is very clinically-based, it is quite expensive and I tell people to choose the tons of other clinical schools out there that are way cheaper. Its just too bad that not only is Boston University THE MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL ON THE ENTIRE PLANET (and I mean that literally...I dont think there is another dental school in the whole world with a cost of education as much as BU), its clinical education is mediocre at best.

My advice to anyone out there....if you got ANY, and I mean ANY other option than BU, its a no brainer. If BU is your only choice....great! You'll become a dentist and you will get the career that you've always wanted! 👍

Now that felt good!!!!

 

[Jamison321]

Actually, I always tell people that there are way better options than my school....although my school is very clinically-based, it is quite expensive and I tell people to choose the tons of other clinical schools out there that are way cheaper. Its just too bad that not only is Boston University THE MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL ON THE ENTIRE PLANET, its clinical education is mediocre at best.

My advice to anyone out there....if you got ANY, and I mean ANY other option than BU, its a no brainer. If BU is your only choice....great! You'll become a dentist and you will get the career that you've always wanted! 👍

Now that felt good!!!!

BadVibes you say its clinical education is mediocre. But you personally do not know this. You got to temple not BU so how would you know other than probably a couple people telling you that? I hate to say this but you are the classic case of someone who wanted to go to a school (BU in this case) but got rejected so just started to rip it whenever given the oppurtunity.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

BadVibes you say its clinical education is mediocre. But you personally do not know this. You got to temple not BU so how would you know other than probably a couple people telling you that? I hate to say this but you are the classic case of someone who wanted to go to a school (BU in this case) but got rejected so just started to rip it whenever given the oppurtunity.

dude....BU was my last interview last year, and since it was a regional one, I just went for $hits and giggles.....my bday was the night before the interview, so I got absoultely wasted, slept in the next day and was 15 mins late for my interview...in the interview I acted so cocky (cause I didnt care), and I still got accepted a week later.

I couldnt comment on the cycle this year, but all I know is that last year, all you had to do was be able to breathe and you could've gotten into BU. I NEVER intended to goto BU....like 90% of people out there, BU was my safety school.....thank god things worked out for me for the best!

 

[WildcatDMD]

Badvibes,

I am certainly glad you did not choose BU, if you actually were accepted. For me, you definitely made the right decision. 👍 There are already plenty of irritating people at my school. I do apologize that you apparently got a little butt-hurt that I shot down your comments.

As to the most expensive thing, I believe that NYU is slightly more expensive, but there is a large grouping of private schools in the same ridiculously expensive range. Don't feel too special that you are saving a couple thousand a year. I have also heard of a few people at my school who were also accepted to Temple, but chose BU because they did not feel they were a fit at Temple for whatever reasons (if I had met someone like you on any of my interviews, I would certainly think twice as well). And, actually, BU does have a reputation of being a good clinical school..

But to welcome you to the real world, being a great general dentist doesn't all come from what you learn in school. Every dentist I've talked to has said that the real learning comes after school. What school I attended for dental school will not matter very much (if at all) 5 years from now (even with the slightly higher debt), we are all going to graduate, get our DMD/DDS and pass our licensing examinations. Where we go from there is up to each individual. I am sure that most of us will be more than happy to forget all about dental school after it is done, even if we went to the greatest dental school in the world.

And finally, seriously get a f***ing life. Stop dropping in with your BS here. This thread was not made to convince people to go to BU; I am certainly not telling people how great it is here, it has its problems just like any dental school. This thread is mostly for those who have been accepted and have chosen to attend BU. This is for the incoming first-years to get some information about what to expect--from those who actually attend BU and know what they are talking about. Badvibes you fit neither into the "current" nor "future" BU students categories, and trust me, that is ok with me (and I'm sure with our incoming class).

Please take your comments elsewhere. Maybe you can start an anti-BU website if you are so bothered by my school, but your comments here are just getting in the way of good information and irritating those who actually want to know about BU.

 

[TOdentist]

Thanks so much Wildcat, you've been a great help! 😀 . I agree that BU is a good school, despite what many people say.

 

[Jamison321]

To anyone who is going to BU do you know when or if you already have receieved your financial aid package? Thanks.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

When my overseas friends talk about the enormous cost of education in the US, I always tell them the example of BU's dental school....and when I tell them the number, they can hardly stand up.

NYU might be slightly more expensive, but at least they provide you with the largest patient pool on the continent!!!! Because of that I consider BU the most expensive school on Planet Earth.....but your right, there are other schools that are comparable....but if your gonna spend all that money, why dont you goto a school where its actually worth it???

The average debt of dental students upon graduation is $142K according to the ADA.....my debt is gonna be slightly higher at $150-160K, but the debt coming out of BU is gonna be like $300k!!!! 😱

And thats in US dollars!!!! If your Canadian, multiply that by at least 1.5, and I cant even imagine the result.

And do you get anything extra out of it?? If you did, I might actually advocate it, but you get nothing special.....you actually get something worse compared to PLENTY of other cheaper alternative schools out there!!! So you pay double to get worse.....explain to me how thats a wise decision???

If your willing to spend the loot to live and study in Boston, goto the school thats actually gonna give something back on your investment.....and in Boston there is only one school....Tufts.

I agree with you that over time we will all be dentists, but why the hell would you pay so much for nothing??? Coming out of BU, you will be DOUBLE the amount of debt of the average student......You do realize that your gonna pay all that money back one day, right??? doesnt make sense (unless its your only option).

BU is like a blonde bimbo.....looks great on the outside, but expensive and seriously dull on the inside!

Anyways, get back to the topic of the thread. Jamison wants to know financial aid information...you better tell him cause he is sure gonna need it!!! 😱

 

[WildcatDMD]

Yawn.... Get to work on your website. Hmm, not unlike yourself, who couldn't get into any of the canadian schools, many people did not have a choice. What the hell is wrong with that? We all are going to school to do the same awesome profession. We should all support each other. The cost of education does suck, there is no question, and I agree that people should go with the least expensive option in most cases.

I will tell you that in any business there is always some sunk cost in starting up--it is up to each person to decide whether or not that cost is worth it. From all indications I (and many others) see, dentistry as a business has a VERY bright future in place for us, especially in the States. I am not very worried about the ~200K debt I will have upon graduation. On top of that we (hopefully) will be doing a job we will truly enjoy (something that I could probably not say, for myself, of many other professions which regularly bring home 150K+/yr).

Hopefully you, with your awesome attitude, will be able to handle your significant loans as well, and we will all be happy clinicians. Good luck to you.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Yawn.... Get to work on your website. Hmm, not unlike yourself, who couldn't get into any of the canadian schools, many people did not have a choice. What the hell is wrong with that? We all are going to school to do the same awesome profession. We should all support each other. The cost of education does suck, there is no question, and I agree that people should go with the least expensive option in most cases.

Ive been sayin that from the beginning....if you dont have a choice, then might as well goto BU...why not?

Anyways, we are in agreement on most things (although I dont see how your debt is gonna be 200K unless your forking 100K of your own money)....just carry on with the thread on helping BU students.....

 

[WildcatDMD]

Thank you, no need to bash another school without any first hand experience. And the cost doesn't really come out to $300K. Probably more like $260K if you were to take out the very maximum amount allowed every year. Many people live in apartments with other students and live thriftily to reduce their living costs. The actual tuition is something like $45K/year, more with some added fees/books/laptop. I slang rocks on the side to help with the living expenses. 👍

 

[WildcatDMD]

One last thing from me about this argument, and I swear I'm done. The only reason I have spent so much time defending BU from badvibes ignorant comments is that I don't want the incoming class to feel bad about going to BU like it appears you are trying to do. Everyone should be proud that they were accepted to dental school; most people who apply to dental school don't get accepted anywhere. BU dental is expensive, but is certainly just as good a school as any other. I definitely don't love everything about it, but I am not worried that I am going to get a sub-par education, and the class of 2009 shouldn't either. We all should be happy that we even have the opportunity to become dentists.

I don't know why I am in such a positive mood today, I think i'm losing my mind from studying.. we have 6 tests in the next 16 days.

 

[gUmNuMmEr19]

One last thing from me about this argument, and I swear I'm done. The only reason I have spent so much time defending BU from badvibes ignorant comments is that I don't want the incoming class to feel bad about going to BU like it appears you are trying to do. Everyone should be proud that they were accepted to dental school; most people who apply to dental school don't get accepted anywhere. BU dental is expensive, but is certainly just as good a school as any other. I definitely don't love everything about it, but I am not worried that I am going to get a sub-par education, and the class of 2009 shouldn't either. We all should be happy that we even have the opportunity to become dentists.

I don't know why I am in such a positive mood today, I think i'm losing my mind from studying.. we have 6 tests in the next 16 days.

Hey WildcatDMD,

I know your busy, but I was just wondering does BU have a dress code, cause I know some schools do. Can you wear jeans to class? And also where would you recommned to live, I would prefer to be a short walk from campus, any ideas? ANyways, good luck on all your exams, and thanks for all your help so far. Later

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

One last thing from me about this argument, and I swear I'm done. The only reason I have spent so much time defending BU from badvibes ignorant comments is that I don't want the incoming class to feel bad about going to BU like it appears you are trying to do. Everyone should be proud that they were accepted to dental school; most people who apply to dental school don't get accepted anywhere. BU dental is expensive, but is certainly just as good a school as any other. I definitely don't love everything about it, but I am not worried that I am going to get a sub-par education, and the class of 2009 shouldn't either. We all should be happy that we even have the opportunity to become dentists.

I don't know why I am in such a positive mood today, I think i'm losing my mind from studying.. we have 6 tests in the next 16 days.

Good luck! We finish finals on Wednesday...I cant tell you how much of a rough ride it was....its gonna be great for the summer to begin!!!

 

[WildcatDMD]

Hey WildcatDMD,

I know your busy, but I was just wondering does BU have a dress code, cause I know some schools do. Can you wear jeans to class? And also where would you recommned to live, I would prefer to be a short walk from campus, any ideas? ANyways, good luck on all your exams, and thanks for all your help so far. Later

There is no dress code for regular classes, or even preclinical labs (although some students wear scrubs in the sim-lab so they don't dirty up their nice clothes). You'll need scrubs for anything that goes on in the clinic, which first-year is for your radiology rotation, some introductory classes in the clinic where you will just learn some very basic stuff like head, neck and oral cancer exams, perio-probing, and also for the required assisting sessions (where you assist and observe the 3rd+4th years or residents of you want). There will be a scrub sale put on by ASDA (student dental association) after school starts if you want to buy scrubs then if you don't already have some, so don't worry about getting some if you don't already have them.

As for the scrubs themselves, you can wear pretty much any color you wish, or your class can color code themselves if so desired. The only people I know with a certain color of scrubs are the ortho residents who wear smokey-blue colored scrubs, but some people in my class also wear that color--either because they want to go into ortho, or they just like the color.

As for housing, people in my class live all over the place. I live in the Back Bay, which is one of the more expensive neighborhoods, but also one of the nicest/safest, I usually just walk to school ~25 min, but I'm fairly close to the #1 bus and the CT1 buses that go up/down Mass Ave. The CT1 actually stops at the dental school itself.

As ridiculous as it sounds, average prices for a studio pretty much anywhere close to school are about $900/mo and up, and 1-Bedrooms are from about $1200/mo up. Some people live in 2/3 bedrooms together, I believe there is a list you can signup for with the student housing office to find a roommate. A significant portion of my class lives in the housing right by the school (which is in South End), which I'm sure you have or will get information about from the school--it would be nice to just get out of bed and walk across the street to class/library. But I don't particularly like the area, but that's just my own bias growing up in the suburbs of Arizona. There are nicer parts of South End the further North you go. Some people have bought apartments... $200,000 would be very cheap for one of these... but in the long run it is probably less of a waste of money than renting, if the housing costs stay as high as they are.

You can come here and get a realtor/leasing agent to drive you around and look at different places for free. I would definitely go around with a few different agencies to see the huge range in places/prices. In the end it's about how much money you are willing to spend. Several people are moving this summer from wherever they initially chose because they found they did not like the area/neighbors.

Badvibes, yes this summer is very long overdue. But it will probably feel better than any other summer I have ever had... the thought of not studying on a weekend is almost a lost memory.

 

[Rezdawg]

we have 6 tests in the next 16 days.

Oh boy. Cant wait.

Good luck, you should be allowed to hibernate for 3 months after that.

 

[konovsi]

Hey guys, has anyone applied for private loans yet? If so what lenders you are choosing? I am going this saturday to look at some studio apartments in Allston and Symphony area. Prices are crazy, hopefully 2nd year can get a roomate in a larger apartment.

 

[ForRuner99]

Hey, just found this forum browsing the net today. I'm a 3rd year, almost 4th year at BU. Just to let you guys know about the housing, I have a car, so the first and second year I lived in Allston and Brighton...if I had not had a car (I actually rode the bus the first 3 days of class and it took about 45 min) I wouldnt have lived that far away. Just something to think about. There are always classmates renting out their apartments, and right now is a good time to look being as most of us are doing externships over the summer. Something to keep in mind. Also, take a look around the prudential and symphony area...those are a little closer to school, yet more expensive.
Good Luck

Forgot to say....bring your golf clubs....there are some decent public courses to play at, and quite a few people go play

 

[gatorfan99]

Ive been sayin that from the beginning....if you dont have a choice, then might as well goto BU...why not?

Anyways, we are in agreement on most things (although I dont see how your debt is gonna be 200K unless your forking 100K of your own money)....just carry on with the thread on helping BU students.....

Why is are you even making comments here? You are NEITHER a present nor a future BU student, believe WE ARE ALL GLAD about that.

F off loser

 

[Rezdawg]

Just saw Fever Pitch last night, so now I want to hit up some Red Sox games.

Im really confused as to whether or not I should bring my car. Im thinking of living in the back bay area and taking the bus to school. However, for all the "other" stuff, is it easier to have a car?

I will probably not go to Boston with a car, and if I decide that I want my car there later, then I will have it shipped up or something. Ive never used public transportation in Houston, so its going to be an adjustment.

 

[LestatZinnie]

i havent read all of drbadvibe's comments, but i do agree that cost is not an issue that can be ignored. if it's 20-30k difference, then fine no big deal, but if you can save 50, 100k going to one school vs another, go to the cheaper one. just remember that not all dentists make 6 figures (not to mention those borderline of 6 figures will be less after tax) and if you end up being one of the more unfortunate ones, 50k of extra debt will be alot.

the only time when i say cost is not really an issue if you have a practice to inherit and don't have to shell out another 200-300k to buy one.

 

[WildcatDMD]

i havent read all of drbadvibe's comments, but i do agree that cost is not an issue that can be ignored. if it's 20-30k difference, then fine no big deal, but if you can save 50, 100k going to one school vs another, go to the cheaper one. just remember that not all dentists make 6 figures (not to mention those borderline of 6 figures will be less after tax) and if you end up being one of the more unfortunate ones, 50k of extra debt will be alot.

the only time when i say cost is not really an issue if you have a practice to inherit and don't have to shell out another 200-300k to buy one.

No one has ever said to go to a more expensive school than you have to (unless you really like some school that costs more). But thanks for the reitteration.

Actually, I wonder how many dentists make less than six figures in private practice if they work full time (4-5 days/week). I would be surprised if many did. My dentist (whom I also shadowed) works a VERY relaxed schedule, and is not at all high-priced, and I know from his hygienist that he nets at least $150K/yr.

 

[Rezdawg]

i havent read all of drbadvibe's comments, but i do agree that cost is not an issue that can be ignored. if it's 20-30k difference, then fine no big deal, but if you can save 50, 100k going to one school vs another, go to the cheaper one.

I think everyone agrees that if you can save 50K or 100K then you go to the cheaper school. I dont think that has ever been an argument. However, most private schools are at about the same price. They are all expensive as hell.

Here is a look at a few of them:

Boston U: $42,000/yr
USC: $48,000/yr (52K first 3 years and 35K for 4th year)
Tufts: $41,000/yr
Case: $38,000/yr
Columbia: $46,000/yr
NYU: $45,000/yr
Penn: $44,000 /yr
Pacific: $60,000/yr

As you can see, a lot of private schools are in the same range. Some schools, like Temple, allow the student to attain residency and pay less (38K for nonresidents and 28K for residents). However, there are a handful of schools that are basically in the same range, as I showed. There are also a handful that are more expensive than BU.