deciding where to go

[h213]

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I have recently received a letter from the dean of my state school notifying that I will be receiving a full tuition scholarship for 4 years! 🙂 I didn't know state schools provide such thing! But now I am confused more than ever about my choice of dental school . With my impression of U Penn and Dean's Scholarship (half off of the tuition), I was fairly sure of my decision of attending
Penn. Now that I have found out that I can get free education from my state school, which is known for providing a great dental education, I am becoming undecisive about where to attend next year. I am not 100 % sure that I want to specialize, but I do interests in certain areas from my shadowing experience. My question to you and also the current dental students is about applying for the specialities. I am fully aware from shadowing dental students that ranking counts significantly when applying to specialities. Can current Penn student tell me about the difficulty of the level of study at Penn, and how the ranking works? I believe that my state school can provide me a great education also that will prepare me well for the boards. The dental school student at my interview at Columbia told me that attending ivy league school helps a lot on the application. For those of you who have went through the application cycle, is that true?

I think I am writing to much here, but it will be great to hear from those of you who went through similar situation last year or going through it currently. Thanks. PM me anytime. 🙂

 

[wise146]

Which state are from--which school gave the full scholarship??

 

[RaiderNation]

Dude, don't be stupid. Take the full-tuition scholarship. Most people can only dream of getting that offer. Take it!

 

[init4damoney]

This would be a no brainer for me. You get the same degree no matter where you go. Always go the cheaper route. The only time I'd consider something more expensive would be if the school would only cost me 10-15k more over four years.

 

[arns51]

Wow, I know everybody chooses schools for different reasons, but I dont know how anybody could turn an offer like that down, from any school.

What school is it?

 

[h213]

Yeah... I was about 70 percent sure that I wanted to go to Penn to broaden my horizon and go back to where I used to live in my childhood... and the letter came just recently.... so I am in this dillemma right now. I will PM you guys ... please let me know what you think.. I think I will be stupid to turn down a free education from a great state school just because I wanna live in a city atmosphere 🙁

 

[Sam Spade]

H2: Which school offered you a full scholarship? That is fantastic! Congratulations! Please specify the schools that you are comparing so that we can help you better.

 

[h213]

The reason that I am not naming my state school is that I appreciate them very much for offering me a great opportunity to be a part of their family and I do not want to show any ungratefulness by saying anything about their program. Whether I choose my state school or Penn, I will be turning down almost 20,000 a year scholarship.. 🙁 I know both of these schools can provide me a good education, and I know choosing my state school will make a perfect sense financially. However, I do want to explore more diverse and culturally rich atmosphere. I did want to explore NY by attending Columbia, but no money was offered ( 60,000 a year wasn't working for me.... 🙂 Hence, it came down to state school vs Penn. I am leaning toward my state school. I am making a right decision, correct? I will continue to talk to students from both of these schools. But I only have a week to let them know regarding my decision....If you are a current Penn students or future students, please share your knowledge about the college with me. 🙂 Thanks.

 

[Pre-Dent-David]

Going somewhere that you will be happy may be worth the extra money. You still get half off at pen which is still a great deal.

 

[Supernumerary]

First of all, I need to explain something to the predental students. I hear a lot of "it's worth it if you will be happy there." But the fact of the matter is that dental students are not happy anywhere. Sure there may be small, intermittent flickers of joy, but these will be few and far between. The school will do their best to woo you when you apply, bringing in cute girls from the soon to be graduating class to persuade you. Don't let them trick you. Dental school will change you in ways that no other institution can; this includes prison, war, and hell itself. Be ready for it. 😱 😉

O.K. maybe I'm exaggerating, but I truly believe most any school is going to be what you make of it. Think of how much stress you will avoid by not having a $4000/month loan repayment to make upon graduation. You will have opportunities that few of your classmates will be able to afford. You will be able to get a home sooner, a nice car sooner, you will be able to afford to scratch start in the location of your choice if that's what you want, you could go to any residency you want without worrying about racking up an unbearable debt load. I would totally take the scholarship!!!

 

[Woodsy]

Dude, take the scholarship! I mean it's FREE schooling. Heck, if you don't want it I'd be more than happy to take it from you but I don't ahve that chance.

Honestly, you'd be stupid not to take it.