Decisions...

[brib126]

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OK...so i know its early and premature to really talk about this subject....but I am going to open it up for discussion anyways.

What do you think should be more important in the decision making process of choosing a school...price or fit of program? I am a CT resident and HOPE to be in the situation where I get into UCONN and PENN which are my top two choices. UCONN is obviously known for their great board scores and education with the med students. From what I hear PENN may prepare you better to be a clinician. My interest definitely lies in the direction of being a clinician while I am less interested in the research/academic portion of the field.

Based on that I would say PENN is the better fit especially after interviewing there, BUT there is a HUGE cost difference. I also feel like there are many opportunities for continuing education on clinicial aspects of the profession that could help one compensate if they feel they are not ready to perform certain procedures. Not to mention, a residency program will also help with that.

What do you think???

 

[psiyung]

I'm in dental school, and i can tell you that ANY school you choose will be a wise one. Here's the thing about dental school or any other hands on profession. Your ability to perform depends on how hard YOU work, and how much time and effort YOU put into school projects, and on your patients. The professors will all tell you exactly what you are doing wrong, etc, but results only come with hard work and effort.

That's my opinion on the matter

 

[brib126]

I'm in dental school, and i can tell you that ANY school you choose will be a wise one. Here's the thing about dental school or any other hands on profession. Your ability to perform depends on how hard YOU work, and how much time and effort YOU put into school projects, and on your patients. The professors will all tell you exactly what you are doing wrong, etc, but results only come with hard work and effort.

That's my opinion on the matter

thanks...that makes a lot of sense.

I appreciate the response

 

[Nendo21]

thanks...that makes a lot of sense.

I appreciate the response

I'd pick UCONN...you'll do fine on boards and become a good general practitioner...but either school is great so look at the price tag if it comes down to it. Huskies are awesome too! 👍

 

[flat4]

You say Penn is a clinical school? I think Penn is one of the more research oriented schools around. I have much resepect for Penn as an institution but I don't know if I would pay all that extra money to have a piece of paper with "Penn" written on it when I can get the same training elsewhere for 1/3 of the tuition. It just doesn't make sense in our field unless you are trying to specialize and get an edge. Yes they may prepare you better for the boards but half the stuff you learn for the boards you will forget as soon as you take the test. If you really want to be the best clinician, go to a school that gives you the most hands on work (ie. most clinic time/# of patients). If you want to specialize, those schools may be the ones for you, but if you're going for the name, forget about it and go with the cheaper school. Just my $.02.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

You say Penn is a clinical school? I think Penn is one of the more research oriented schools around. I have much resepect for Penn as an institution but I don't know if I would pay all that extra money to have a piece of paper with "Penn" written on it when I can get the same training elsewhere for 1/3 of the tuition. It just doesn't make sense in our field unless you are trying to specialize and get an edge. Yes they may prepare you better for the boards but half the stuff you learn for the boards you will forget as soon as you take the test. If you really want to be the best clinician, go to a school that gives you the most hands on work (ie. most clinic time/# of patients). If you want to specialize, those schools may be the ones for you, but if you're going for the name, forget about it and go with the cheaper school. Just my $.02.

I agree with flat4 on this one, which I guess is why we both went to Temple....but where the hell did you hear that Penn was a clinical school??? I believe you have to do some more research my friend.

Both of the schools you listed are heavily academic/research schools, and you will most likely not be able to come out of any of those two with a solid clinical education and thus will not be a competent GP when you graduate.

However, if thats not what you want, and you want the best chance to specialize, dude its a no brainer! UCONN in a heartbeat! Its like 1/8 the price of Penn and just as good as Penn (even better board scores) in everyway possible....

 

[brib126]

I agree with flat4 on this one, which I guess is why we both went to Temple....but where the hell did you hear that Penn was a clinical school??? I believe you have to do some more research my friend.

Both of the schools you listed are heavily academic/research schools, and you will most likely not be able to come out of any of those two with a solid clinical education and thus will not be a competent GP when you graduate.

However, if thats not what you want, and you want the best chance to specialize, dude its a no brainer! UCONN in a heartbeat! Its like 1/8 the price of Penn and just as good as Penn (even better board scores) in everyway possible....

I did not say penn was known for being a clinical school. All i said was in comparison to UCONN it might prepare you better to be a clinician. I have researched this point in depth speaking with many dental professionals that attended both schools and even some that are outside observers. I have also spoken with the director of a residency program who deals directly with graduates of both schools. I understand that both schools are heavily into the research/academics, but as a general comment if one knew everything about both programs then i cant imagine them honestly believing UCONN would prepare you better than PENN to be a clinician. Besides what people have told me, the discussion about the curriculum during the interview was enough to realize this.

This is no knock on UCONN at all. As you said, for people wanting to specialize, it is clearly one of the best places to go. It has just as good of a reputation and quite possibly gives you the best overall academic education. Not to mention the faculty is outstanding and the school economically has an unbeatable price. However, for my sake I am simply comparing the two schools based on their clinical preparation.

just a random question...what schools come to your mind as the best to prepare you for being a gp?

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I did not say penn was known for being a clinical school. All i said was in comparison to UCONN it might prepare you better to be a clinician. I have researched this point in depth speaking with many dental professionals that attended both schools and even some that are outside observers. I have also spoken with the director of a residency program who deals directly with graduates of both schools. I understand that both schools are heavily into the research/academics, but as a general comment if one knew everything about both programs then i cant imagine them honestly believing UCONN would prepare you better than PENN to be a clinician. Besides what people have told me, the discussion about the curriculum during the interview was enough to realize this.

This is no knock on UCONN at all. As you said, for people wanting to specialize, it is clearly one of the best places to go. It has just as good of a reputation and quite possibly gives you the best overall academic education. Not to mention the faculty is outstanding and the school economically has an unbeatable price. However, for my sake I am simply comparing the two schools based on their clinical preparation.

just a random question...what schools come to your mind as the best to prepare you for being a gp?

Well, I guess Penn would make you a better clinician compared to UConn, but in my opinion that doesnt really mean much, since the underlying fact is that you still will not be a clinically competent dentist....so why the comparison?

You are basically comparing two schools that are apples and apples....

As far the schools that better prepare you for a GP, there are many in the country, and I dont know all of them.....but basically any school that emphasizes on clinic, has a huge number of patients, and high clinical requirements for graduation....makes sense, right?

 

[brib126]

Well, I guess Penn would make you a better clinician compared to UConn, but in my opinion that doesnt really mean much, since the underlying fact is that you still will not be a clinically competent dentist....so why the comparison?

You are basically comparing two schools that are apples and apples....

As far the schools that better prepare you for a GP, there are many in the country, and I dont know all of them.....but basically any school that emphasizes on clinic, has a huge number of patients, and high clinical requirements for graduation....makes sense, right?

absolutely...i appreciate the response

 

[ItsGavinC]

... i cant imagine them honestly believing UCONN would prepare you better than PENN to be a clinician

LOL. I laugh every time I see people posting about "clinical" schools.

As a poster above stated, you can go to a superior "clinical" school and still end up being a terrible clinician. Likewise, you can go to a poor "clinical" school and be a tremendous clinician.

It doesn't matter what school you attend, it matters how hard you work and what you strive for.

 

[brib126]

.... it matters how hard you work and what you strive for.

i 100 percent agree with that...but wouldnt you say if you give 100 percent at school A and 100 percent at school B you will come out better at school A if it has a better clinical program???

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

i 100 percent agree with that...but wouldnt you say if you give 100 percent at school A and 100 percent at school B you will come out better at school A if it has a better clinical program???

That was exactly what I was gonna put...once again, Im gonna disagree with the almighty Gavin here for the exact reasons that brib126 stated.

Dentistry is a skill using your hands, and like any other skill using your hands (instruments, origami, model airplanes), the more you do it, the better you get....practice makes perfect, right?

Sure, some people are gonna be naturally talented at it and get it right away, and if you are a superstar with your hands, you might not think you need a clinical school, but dentistry is a profession where you are constantly learning with the more exposure you get....so you could be the best with your hands, but still benefit from a highly clinical school....

If school A emphasizes on clinic, and makes you constantly use your hands, provides you with unlimited amount of patients to practice on, and basically provides a high amount of time dedicated to clinical sciences

whereas

School B does the opposite

If you strive at both, which one would produce the better dentist no matter how good or bad you are with your hands?