dental school PROPAGANDA

[toothyfairy]

every school i interviewed at said they were the BEST! but who really is?!

it’s so hard to tell without any official rankings!

i know it has a lot to do with personal preference.. but i'm having a hard time sorting propaganda from fact!

i've been accepted to several schools in the NERB area.. what’s your take?
WHO'S THE REAL #1?

(esp. out of UMich, UPenn, StonyBrook, Buffalo, Columbia, and UMaryland)

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[Mo007]

every school i interviewed at said they were the BEST! but who really is?!

it’s so hard to tell without any official rankings!

i know it has a lot to do with personal preference.. but i'm having a hard time sorting propaganda from fact!

i've been accepted to several schools in the NERB area.. what’s your take?
WHO'S THE REAL #1?

(esp. out of UMich, UPenn, StonyBrook, Buffalo, Columbia, and UMaryland)

Schools interview applicants they think better suites them, as far as the overall profile of the applicant is concerned (stats, research experience, etc). The fact they interview you, also gives them the oppertunity to sell themselves, by making themselves attractive... hence the statement "We are the best in this, we are the best in that...". They are appropriately telling that you have shot, and later want you to take a very close look at their acceptance offer (if they decide to accept you). This kind of language is what puts applicants to the test on days like December 1st, especially when the school(s) really wants the applicant to attend their school over others.

No ranking, every school knows that. I don't think you (as an applicant) could rank any school, unless you have visited all the schools, and then make a personal ranking, which could be different from someone else's - that's why it's not necessary to rank schools, because of the diversity of all schools. Some put a lot of weight on research (Harvard), others put clinical experience as their #1 focus (temple), so if ranking was used, and the ranker is using "research" as the tool to rank schools - then Harvard would come out on top.

Choose a school that best fits your prefereces, and you will feel comfortable to attend over others. (forget the propaganda!).

Good Luck.

 

[ecdoesit]

Choose a school that best fits your prefereces, and will feel comfortable to attend over others. (forget the propaganda!).

Good Luck.

I agree. It really doesnt matter where you graduate from, in 4 yrs, u will get ur DDS or DMD and become a dentist. No school is perfect and no school is bad at everything. You getta pick the one that fits you. Just like real life, we have to deal with decision-making. Think about adcom as our parents who care about us. Do we listen? Do we just do what we like? So, just follow your game and find ur sch.

 

[toony]

every school i interviewed at said they were the BEST! but who really is?!

(esp. out of UMich, UPenn, StonyBrook, Buffalo, Columbia, and UMaryland)[/I]

i agree.. every school seems to say they're the best. and, i'm in the same boat too. for me, gotta choose either umich or upenn.

ANY SUGGESTIONS, pls??

 

[Sprgrover]

Dental schools are trying to sell you on them and their program - it's like any major purchase (car, home, etc.) which typically comes loaded with hype and advertisement. I agree with the other posters that said it really doesn't matter where you go, so make a decision based on the criteria that matter to you personally (e.g. community, academic support, clinical experience, location, etc.).

 

[J2AZ]

You are looking for our opinion not some philosophical mumbo jumbo so here is my opinion.

1) Buffalo: This school is not very expensive and will provide you will good clinical skills. I have not heard of any unhappy students and b/c it is part of a larger university there will be research oportunities if you want them. I wish I had applied to this school. However, it is in the snow belt and during the winter months you will have to shovel out your car and let it warm up before heading to school. This will add about 30 minutes to your commute each day. It is butt cold and you may have to deal with cloudy days.

2)UMaryland: It is a state school so you are bound to get a well rounded education. The stats of the incoming class tend to be high so you know they are attracting a high caliber student. It is part of a larger university so there will be research opportunities if you want. I am unsure of the area but I do know that there is bound to be a large underserved population in Baltimore. It is not the wealthiest of towns so you will probably get plenty of patients. Also, I have heard that out of state students can become residents and take advantage of instate tuition.

3) StonyBrook: Something tells me you are from NY. This school is probably located close to your family and b/c it is not it upstate it will not be as cold as Buffalo and not nearly as expensive as Columbia. You will get a well rounded education at this school but you are going to sacrafice on the prestige scale. Not many people outside of NY are familiar with the school. My aunt got her RN from the school and so I know of it. It is a quality institution that will educate you well. If you are after prestige and you have the money go to Columbia.

4) Columbia: This school is too damn expensive for my taste. You will receive a good education and have research oportunities but you will pay out the nose for them. The tuition is not that bad but the living expenses will kill you. You will have more prestige associated with your degree but in dentistry that really does not matter. If you think you may want to specialize you should look into this school b/c it does give you the "brand name." Specialty programs will see Columbia and think that you are smart. For the extra money you are not getting the equivalent in education. Its like buying Prada.

5) Michigan: You will be in Ann Arbor which is a great college town. You will also have great research oportunities. What you will not have are patients. Like UCLA, Michigan is in a wealthier part of the state. You are not in Detroit where their is not shortage of patients. If you want to general dentistry and you do not want to do an AEGD or GPR, stay away from this school. If you are 90% sure you want to specialize then go for it.

6) PENN: If you are 100% sure you want to specialize go here. If there is a chance you want to be a GP go some place else. I read in a post a few months back that a philly area dentists looking to hire associates shy away from Penn grads b/c their clinical skills are pretty bad. However, this school has great research opportunities and Philly is a fun city. It would most likely cost less than Columbia so if you want prestige and you are looking to specialize go here. However, on the prestige scale I would say Columbia does rank a bit higher. Penn can often be the lost Ivy League school (is it a state school?...is it private?...)

If I had to choose, as my rankings indicate, I would go to Buffalo. In the end it is the most bang for your buck.

 

[MrBenny]

You are looking for our opinion not some philosophical mumbo jumbo so here is my opinion.

1) Buffalo: This school is not very expensive and will provide you will good clinical skills. I have not heard of any unhappy students and b/c it is part of a larger university there will be research oportunities if you want them. I wish I had applied to this school. However, it is in the snow belt and during the winter months you will have to shovel out your car and let it warm up before heading to school. This will add about 30 minutes to your commute each day. It is butt cold and you may have to deal with cloudy days.

2)UMaryland: It is a state school so you are bound to get a well rounded education. The stats of the incoming class tend to be high so you know they are attracting a high caliber student. It is part of a larger university so there will be research opportunities if you want. I am unsure of the area but I do know that there is bound to be a large underserved population in Baltimore. It is not the wealthiest of towns so you will probably get plenty of patients. Also, I have heard that out of state students can become residents and take advantage of instate tuition.

3) StonyBrook: Something tells me you are from NY. This school is probably located close to your family and b/c it is not it upstate it will not be as cold as Buffalo and not nearly as expensive as Columbia. You will get a well rounded education at this school but you are going to sacrafice on the prestige scale. Not many people outside of NY are familiar with the school. My aunt got her RN from the school and so I know of it. It is a quality institution that will educate you well. If you are after prestige and you have the money go to Columbia.

4) Columbia: This school is too damn expensive for my taste. You will receive a good education and have research oportunities but you will pay out the nose for them. The tuition is not that bad but the living expenses will kill you. You will have more prestige associated with your degree but in dentistry that really does not matter. If you think you may want to specialize you should look into this school b/c it does give you the "brand name." Specialty programs will see Columbia and think that you are smart. For the extra money you are not getting the equivalent in education. Its like buying Prada.

5) Michigan: You will be in Ann Arbor which is a great college town. You will also have great research oportunities. What you will not have are patients. Like UCLA, Michigan is in a wealthier part of the state. You are not in Detroit where their is not shortage of patients. If you want to general dentistry and you do not want to do an AEGD or GPR, stay away from this school. If you are 90% sure you want to specialize then go for it.

6) PENN: If you are 100% sure you want to specialize go here. If there is a chance you want to be a GP go some place else. I read in a post a few months back that a philly area dentists looking to hire associates shy away from Penn grads b/c their clinical skills are pretty bad. However, this school has great research opportunities and Philly is a fun city. It would most likely cost less than Columbia so if you want prestige and you are looking to specialize go here. However, on the prestige scale I would say Columbia does rank a bit higher. Penn can often be the lost Ivy League school (is it a state school?...is it private?...)

If I had to choose, as my rankings indicate, I would go to Buffalo. In the end it is the most bang for your buck.

If you check the respective sites of the Penn dental and Columbia dental, Penn dental is almost $10,000 more a year. For the value, my opinion is Columbia is the better choice. Of course, there is no bias on my part, seeing as i will be going to CU next year.

 

[J2AZ]

I checked the sites and you are right. Columbia will cost you about 10K less a year. However I am interested in the type of housing you can get in NYC for the price listed on the website. $6,500 for 10 months is a bargain!! Is there room for a bed or do you just roll out the sleeping bag when the sun goes down?

 

[Supernumerary]

This is exactly why they stopped doing the rankings in the first place. People were getting too worked up about what some organization (which was pretty much clueless about dental education) said about the school. And a poll of 5 random people on an internet message board isn't a whole lot better.

You are right though that the school is going to blow a bunch of smoke up your sphincter when you are interviewing. Your best bet is to make a point of talking to current students about the school while you are there for interviews --- and not the people who were hand-picked to sit on the admissions committee either.

 

[aphistis]

What's with the rash of "rank all the schools even though nobody has made a real effort at doing this for an entire decade" threads? Come on, people.

 

[J2AZ]

What's with the rash of "rank all the schools even though nobody has made a real effort at doing this for an entire decade" threads? Come on, people.

This is not you typical "what school is #1" or "rank the top 5 schools" thread. Toothyfairy has to choose btwn five specific programs and wants our opinion. Hell, I know if I was accepted to 5 programs I would be asking evrybody from my mother to the postman what they thought of the schools. It is human nature. I am sorry if some people dont have an opinion and are unwilling to be a part of a debate that my help toothyfairy make her decision.

 

[Dukie]

I would add that MD will be opening their brand new building next January (though I would honestly guess it will take until September). This is going to be truly state of the art and no school will be able to match it.

 

[Mo007]

Great advice from J2AZ...

But...

The OP never mentioned his/her preferences, and yet some people encourage that he/she should go to a certain school - simply because 1 or 2 factors out of at least dozen or so, are the sole reasons of choosing a school!??

The truth is, toothyfairy have been to all schools that he/she wants to hear other people's opinions on. Why doesn't he/she tell us what pros and cons she realized during his/her visit to these schools.... there is no need to recall what he/she already knows. Visiting the school for an interview is usually when people start to really feel - if the school is really for them or not, and whether it has come out on top over others or not, isn't that the case?

 

[toothyfairy]

thanks everyone for your encouragement and advice..

maybe it would help to know a little bit more about my priorities in picking a school...

1. i want to go to a school with a good reputation! sure, it depends a lot on a student's personal achievement but what we do know from applying to dental school, is that if you have good grades from a good school.. you're going farther than with good grades from an ok school
(this is why i made the original comment about figuring out who is who in dental schools)

2. yes, i'm from NY.. but i'm leaning toward UPenn because i felt most comfortable there... i'm having trouble swallowing the money issue since Stony Brook was the school i felt third most comfortable at (not like it was the last..)
who was my 2nd? UMichigan.. but it's quite far away from home and maybe not all the school i can get if i'm spending that much money?

3. i want to be a DDS or a DMD when i finish four years... going right into practice? a specialist? i have no idea.. but i want to have opportunities if i am looking for them

thanks again everybody,
*toothyfairy

ps. i am, infact, a "she"

 

[Zurik5]

I heard that Illinois was #1 last year.

 

[Mo007]

I heard that Illinois was #1 last year.

 

[aphistis]

I would add that MD will be opening their brand new building next January (though I would honestly guess it will take until September). This is going to be truly state of the art and no school will be able to match it.

Unless they put faculty & staff of similar quality in place, plenty of schools will match & even surpass it. The building is WHERE you learn dentistry, not HOW.

 

[aphistis]

This is not you typical "what school is #1" or "rank the top 5 schools" thread. Toothyfairy has to choose btwn five specific programs and wants our opinion. Hell, I know if I was accepted to 5 programs I would be asking evrybody from my mother to the postman what they thought of the schools. It is human nature. I am sorry if some people dont have an opinion and are unwilling to be a part of a debate that my help toothyfairy make her decision.

And you'd be a fool for doing so, considering 99.998% of people--including your mother, your postman, and the overwhelming majority of folks even here on the SDN dental boards--have any experience with any of those schools, much less all of them.

You can solicit 25 million independent opinions on which dental school to attend. But if none of them know what they're talking about, what good has it done you?

 

[Zurik5]

And you'd be a fool for doing so, considering 99.998% of people--including your mother, your postman, and the overwhelming majority of folks even here on the SDN dental boards--have any experience with any of those schools, much less all of them.

You can solicit 25 million independent opinions on which dental school to attend. But if none of them know what they're talking about, what good has it done you?

Looks like married men enjoy fighting the good fight

For all of you USNews rankings ******, it looks like Indiana is ranked number 4, in the bottom 10! Something you might want to consider when picking a school.
Bottom 10

 

[Dukie]

Unless they put faculty & staff of similar quality in place, plenty of schools will match & even surpass it. The building is WHERE you learn dentistry, not HOW.

First of all, Maryland is known for having an excellent clinical faculty and have quickly risen to one of the tops for research funding. I'm not at all saying that other schools do not have excellent faculties as well.

But faculty aside, being in a new building which is entirely paperless and uses the top digital technology does make a difference in how you learn. This is the technology of the future of dentistry- learning with it will better prepare students for their own practices. I'm not saying that this is the only reason to attend Maryland, but it absolutely should be a consideration.

 

[aphistis]

First of all, Maryland is known for having an excellent clinical faculty and have quickly risen to one of the tops for research funding. I'm not at all saying that other schools do not have excellent faculties as well.

But faculty aside, being in a new building which is entirely paperless and uses the top digital technology does make a difference in how you learn. This is the technology of the future of dentistry- learning with it will better prepare students for their own practices. I'm not saying that this is the only reason to attend Maryland, but it absolutely should be a consideration.

Sorry, not convinced. So you'll be taking digital radiographs (which you'll still interpret the same as good ol' fashioned analog x-rays), and your clinic coordinators will be filing insurance claims electronically (which will have a hundredfold more impact on them than you). Furthermore, even those two examples won't even affect you till you're in the clinics third & fourth years.

The rest is PR, tax levies, and profit-sharing for building contractors & supply companies. Until students start getting CERECs in their D1 instrument kits, you'll be learning the same dentistry as everyone else no matter how sexy the building you're learning it in.

 

[Bullfan16]

I have to agree with Bill...the only differences you see are in the structure of a building and new technology. Yeah so it is new age...but are you going to be able to afford to be paperless and have a digital x ray machine and a $93,000 cerec machine? Also, in the end you are becoming a dentist to learn procedures not check out the latest trends in technology. Maryland may very well be a great new school (I know a guy who did his DDS and residency in endo there and he said it was great) but I dont think that makes it better than any schools out there. They are all pretty much the same. I personally would go to a school that cared and made sure that I graduated (ie not private)....privates dont care if you graduate or not, state schools have to or they lose out on a lot of $$$$ that they cant spare to lose. Also, I want to go to a school where I learn to use my hands even if it is old-school...who cares??? I would actually prefer to go to an older school....that emphasizes hand skills and lab work.


About U of I (thats Illinois for those who dont know)...Zurik...didnt you go to IU undergrad? Yeah IU sucks but hey when was the last time U of I went to the championship game (not final four, but actual championship game...I dont care about Nick Anderson and Kendall Gill final four team of 89). Anybody know how many IL basketball teams have won it all....1 team....Loyola 1963. Sorry rankings dont mean much in March.

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

Technology and research funding has nothing to do with being a "top" school. NYU is a prime example. Yeah I think this place is great, but I do not think its the best.

We have a new sim lab, cerec, lasers, digital radio, invisalign, top 10 in NIH research funding...man I could keep going and going. They love new technology here and they keep getting it. Our dean has some very deep pockets. Point is, we have almost everything plus some of what other schools have but by no means are we the top school.

 

[Sprgrover]

... Penn can often be the lost Ivy League school (is it a state school?...is it private?...)

It's private and I don't think anyone has misplaced the University.

 

[JavadiCavity]

I agree with Bill. Most of the reasons mentioned for choosing a school are worth considering but they are by themselves not the critical. A practice philosophy and clinical experience will be some of our key take aways from d-school. You can't learn these from equipment and buildings. You learn them from faculty and staff.

The tragedy is that most applicants didn't know what questions to ask or investigate while they were interviewing. We were too geeked out to even be at the school to ask the questions that matter the most. For example, at every interview I heard questions like: "So, like, are there old tests available?" or "Do you have time for a social life?" or "Do you actually study from your books?"

The questions that applicants were too afraid to ask (because they thought the adcoms wouldn't appreciate you being so direct) were:

"Will I be able to perform an appreciable amount of endo on maxillary molars or will I be taught to refer these more difficult cases? what about implants, grafts, 3rd molar extractions, ortho cases?"

How can you expect to match yourself to a program that you really don't know anything about? Good luck to everyone who picks a school because "I heard that all of the girls there are hot?" or "The student:faculty ratio is really low."

 

[J2AZ]

And you'd be a fool for doing so, considering 99.998% of people--including your mother, your postman, and the overwhelming majority of folks even here on the SDN dental boards--have any experience with any of those schools, much less all of them.

You can solicit 25 million independent opinions on which dental school to attend. But if none of them know what they're talking about, what good has it done you?

Actually I would be a very intelligent consumer. It does not matter WHO you are talking to but rather that you ARE talking and thinking through your decision. I value my mothers opinion greatly and bouncing ideas off of her has helped me in many ways. In addition, who knows, the postman may be from the town where the school is located and he may have a sister who has a great duplex and is looking for a tenant. Of course the people you talk to may not be familiar with the program. However, they have life experience and can possibly raise questions you may have not have considered. To me, dialogue is key. You dont have to take others opinions as the gospel but rather points of view to consider. However, since you do not like people to have points of view that differ from your own I will concede and say you are right Aphistis. Once again you are right. All schools are the same. All schools have great research programs and as you know all are great clinically. Also, the name of every school holds the same weight in academic circles. Also, amazingly last year all schools had the same part I board score average! I am so glad I did not spend any time researching the differences between schools b/c you are so right...there are none!

 

[aphistis]

Look, boss, I don't know what kind of authority you think you are, but retreating to pandering & groundless insults isn't the most persuasive way to go. You might not like my up-front style, and that's your prerogative, but I support my comments with logic & factual information, and clearly identify speculation when I'm offering it. If you're going to condescend to anyone on this board you'd better have a lot more up your sleeve than you've shown so far.

Actually I would be a very intelligent consumer. It does not matter WHO you are talking to but rather that you ARE talking and thinking through your decision.

Excellent point. Next time I'm shopping for a car, I'll make sure to ask the guy behind the counter at Taco Bell what he thinks I should look for. After all, "It does not matter WHO you are talking to but rather that you ARE talking." As for the thinking component, I'll let the people reading this decide for themselves.

I value my mothers opinion greatly and bouncing ideas off of her has helped me in many ways. In addition, who knows, the postman may be from the town where the school is located and he may have a sister who has a great duplex and is looking for a tenant.

I don't dispute that parents' opinions are extremely valuable for their added experience. As for the postman remark, the likelihood of a situation like the one you describe is so vanishingly small it doesn't even warrant rebuttal.

Of course the people you talk to may not be familiar with the program. However, they have life experience and can possibly raise questions you may have not have considered. To me, dialogue is key. You dont have to take others opinions as the gospel but rather points of view to consider.

Sure, but if you're looking for opinions on dental schools, you might get some higher-yield information by seeking out people who are affiliated with the dental professions. But what would I know about dental school?

However, since you do not like people to have points of view that differ from your own I will concede and say you are right Aphistis. Once again you are right. All schools are the same. All schools have great research programs and as you know all are great clinically. Also, the name of every school holds the same weight in academic circles. Also, amazingly last year all schools had the same part I board score average! I am so glad I did not spend any time researching the differences between schools b/c you are so right...there are none!

See, this is the crap I wrote about above. It's completely unwarranted, completely unsupported, & completely a fabrication of claims I've never made. You can't support any of the garbage you're laying at at my feet, and really, the whole thing reads like it's little more than some sort of temper tantrum. Way to take the high road.

If you're still interested in (and capable of) actually responding to my claims in a halfway restrained fashion, I'm game for continuing discussion on the topic--but like I said up top, if you can't do any better than this, forget it.

 

[Dukie]

I have to agree with Bill...the only differences you see are in the structure of a building and new technology. Yeah so it is new age...but are you going to be able to afford to be paperless and have a digital x ray machine and a $93,000 cerec machine? Also, in the end you are becoming a dentist to learn procedures not check out the latest trends in technology. Maryland may very well be a great new school (I know a guy who did his DDS and residency in endo there and he said it was great) but I dont think that makes it better than any schools out there. They are all pretty much the same. I personally would go to a school that cared and made sure that I graduated (ie not private)....privates dont care if you graduate or not, state schools have to or they lose out on a lot of $$$$ that they cant spare to lose. Also, I want to go to a school where I learn to use my hands even if it is old-school...who cares??? I would actually prefer to go to an older school....that emphasizes hand skills and lab work.


About U of I (thats Illinois for those who dont know)...Zurik...didnt you go to IU undergrad? Yeah IU sucks but hey when was the last time U of I went to the championship game (not final four, but actual championship game...I dont care about Nick Anderson and Kendall Gill final four team of 89). Anybody know how many IL basketball teams have won it all....1 team....Loyola 1963. Sorry rankings dont mean much in March.

Actually, if you'd done your research, Maryland is the first dental school and they are known for their clinical preparation and hand skills. Once again, as I've said a couple times now, new technology isn't the only reason to attend a school, but it absolutely should be a factor.

And to aphistis, I see that you are once again having an infantile argument with another SDNer. All that J2AZ is saying is that it is useful to compare schools and obtain the opinions of as many people as possible. Naturally, some opinions are worth more than others; however, it is useful for some people to hear the thoughts of other people, if only to give one new points of view to consider.

Can we please try to keep the discussion at a somewhat mature level?

 

[aphistis]

And to aphistis, I see that you are once again having an infantile argument with another SDNer. All that J2AZ is saying is that it is useful to compare schools and obtain the opinions of as many people as possible. Naturally, some opinions are worth more than others; however, it is useful for some people to hear the thoughts of other people, if only to give one new points of view to consider.

Can we please try to keep the discussion at a somewhat mature level?

I'll take that bet. Show me where I've been "infantile" in my discussion with J2AZ.

 

[Typo]

To me, this just goes to show how much of an individual decision "rankings" are. Everyone has their own concerns: costs, location, faculty, clinical hours/procedures, average board scores, number of students specializing, etc.

Bill mentioned that state-of-the-art facilities need to have talented faculty to back them up, and I agree. Also, for him and others, the technology at a school isn't important. This is fine. For me, however, technology is a huge deal. I'm the type of guy who never used a paper planner despite buying several of them, but after buying a Pocket PC I can't live without my planner. I could list several more examples in my life similar to this. Technology is going to be a huge part of my practice since it excites me so much.

Maryland is very appealing to me because of its new building - some may think I'm strange, but this is the type of thing that will motivate me more as a dental student (like a Pocket PC motivated me to manage my time). To me, technology is more important than cost. $50,000 or even $100,000 (yes, I'm serious) extra to be in a far more state-of-the-art building is worth it, because it will make me a more excited and motivated student, which will make my experience in dental school more valuable.

This certainly isn't to say that Maryland is a better school, but it is to say that it's a better school for me. Like many have said, it's something that each person needs to consider for themselves, regardless of "propaganda" or what other people say.

 

[zidanereal2003]

It's private and I don't think anyone has misplaced the University.

I don't understand why some students who doesn't get into upenn. hates the school. I chose upenn over columbia and Harvard.

 

[Sprgrover]

I don't understand why some students who doesn't get into upenn. hates the school. I chose upenn over columbia and Harvard.

Good choice! I'll see you in class next fall.

 

[drtagman]

apparently UPenn doesn't ask for a writing sample.

 

[zidanereal2003]

It's private and I don't think anyone has misplaced the University.

I agree with you.. I like upenn.. I don't care what others think

 

[hockeydentist]

To me, this just goes to show how much of an individual decision "rankings" are. Everyone has their own concerns: costs, location, faculty, clinical hours/procedures, average board scores, number of students specializing, etc.

Bill mentioned that state-of-the-art facilities need to have talented faculty to back them up, and I agree. Also, for him and others, the technology at a school isn't important. This is fine. For me, however, technology is a huge deal. I'm the type of guy who never used a paper planner despite buying several of them, but after buying a Pocket PC I can't live without my planner. I could list several more examples in my life similar to this. Technology is going to be a huge part of my practice since it excites me so much.

Maryland is very appealing to me because of its new building - some may think I'm strange, but this is the type of thing that will motivate me more as a dental student (like a Pocket PC motivated me to manage my time). To me, technology is more important than cost. $50,000 or even $100,000 (yes, I'm serious) extra to be in a far more state-of-the-art building is worth it, because it will make me a more excited and motivated student, which will make my experience in dental school more valuable.

This certainly isn't to say that Maryland is a better school, but it is to say that it's a better school for me. Like many have said, it's something that each person needs to consider for themselves, regardless of "propaganda" or what other people say.

Seems to me that we assume technology= much better care for the patient. Not always the case though.

I would think that choosing a school to attend is a personal choice. There are so many factors that come into play when one is pondering the choice of paying a deposit. Clearly evident from all the response.

HD

 

[Typo]

Seems to me that we assume technology= much better care for the patient. Not always the case though.

It seems that most technology is aimed at making things more convenient and comfortable. So, a crappy dentist will have an easier time being crappy, and a top-notch dentist will have an easier time being top-notch. I definitely agree with you that it doesn't necessarily add up to being better for the patient.

 

[jk5177]

I agree. It really doesnt matter where you graduate from, in 4 yrs, u will get ur DDS or DMD and become a dentist. No school is perfect and no school is bad at everything. You getta pick the one that fits you. Just like real life, we have to deal with decision-making. Think about adcom as our parents who care about us. Do we listen? Do we just do what we like? So, just follow your game and find ur sch.

I may be ignorant, but it seems to me a Ivy League school may carry more weight. Say if you have patients who aren't sure and they may look around in your waiting room for diplomas. Wouldn't a Columbia University look better than Poughkeepsi Dental School?

 

[jk5177]

You are right though that the school is going to blow a bunch of smoke up your sphincter when you are interviewing. Your best bet is to make a point of talking to current students about the school while you are there for interviews --- and not the people who were hand-picked to sit on the admissions committee either.

I don't understand why they want to blow smoke up my ass during an interview. Are they that desperate? Aren't we, the applicants, the one's who are desperate?

 

[jk5177]

Technology and research funding has nothing to do with being a "top" school. NYU is a prime example. Yeah I think this place is great, but I do not think its the best.

We have a new sim lab, cerec, lasers, digital radio, invisalign, top 10 in NIH research funding...man I could keep going and going. They love new technology here and they keep getting it. Our dean has some very deep pockets. Point is, we have almost everything plus some of what other schools have but by no means are we the top school.

If you don't mind sharing, why do you not think NYU is a top school?

 

[jk5177]

It seems that most technology is aimed at making things more convenient and comfortable. So, a crappy dentist will have an easier time being crappy, and a top-notch dentist will have an easier time being top-notch. I definitely agree with you that it doesn't necessarily add up to being better for the patient.

I disagree. And I disagree specifically on the use of laser in replacement of drill. If I'm wrong, please correct me, but I've heard that lasers are more efficient for endo surgeries since it doesn't cause as much bleeding. Also, it doesn't hurt nor does it make that awful drilling noise and smell when it is used to remove the cavities, hence very good for pedodontists. Am I correct?

I am actually looking for a school that has the technology and offers new clinical skills that are applicable when I graduate. I heard there are a lot of schools that teach outdated techniques.

It seems like NYU has the technology, now I just need to find out if they are clinically advanced as well.

 

[Bullfan16]

I may be ignorant, but it seems to me a Ivy League school may carry more weight. Say if you have patients who aren't sure and they may look around in your waiting room for diplomas. Wouldn't a Columbia University look better than Poughkeepsi Dental School?

You are right...you really are ignorant as is anyone who says having an Ivy League DDS/DMD diploma in their waiting room is beneficial to their practice. Ask your dentist how many times a person has asked them where they went to school....you will be surprised at the answer. In any case, those who have have asked do not know which schools were harder to get into and which schools are "better" nor do they know a damn thing about dentistry. What they do know is they are in pain and want to get out of it immediately. In the dental world, it is all about word of mouth (no pun intended). Dentists know which dentists are good and which arent so good....just as patients determine how well their experience went while in the chair and tell their friends exactly how they felt (more importantly if they are out of pain or still in pain). So you see, your diploma has nothing to do with it. Why doesnt anyone get this? If you want to get an MS, PhD, or JD then school prestige might matter (ie tier system), but in the world of dentistry it SIMPLY DOESNT MATTER. AT ALL. WHATSOEVER. Go where you feel comfortable spending the next 4 years of your life and not based on some mookie who says "go here because of the name/reputation".

 

[Sprgrover]

I may be ignorant, but it seems to me a Ivy League school may carry more weight. Say if you have patients who aren't sure and they may look around in your waiting room for diplomas. Wouldn't a Columbia University look better than Poughkeepsi Dental School?

No. My experience with dentistry thus far has taught me that skills and good interpersonal skills are the prized aspects of a good dentist and not the name of school on their diploma. Unlike medicine in which the school is frequently listed along with the other person's credentials (for example, examine a hospital's newsletter or even some advertisements) the name of the dentist's school is rarely listed as an accolade. Last year, when a similar discussion about 'prestige' and names of schools came up, I would ask the other person which school their dentist attended. Every one of them did not have a clue and almost every one of them loved their dentist and raved about his/her skills - and then asked if they should worry if he/she graduated from a not-so-recognizable school. I informed them that if they were satisfied with the work and he/she had great chair-side manners then why should it matter which school it came from - at which point they would scratch their head and then agree with me. So no, it doesn't matter.

 

[DIRTIE]

Generally speaking anybody who chooses to go to a more expensive school is out of thier mind. Hello! You have to pay those loans back. Money doesn't grow on trees, even if your a dentist. Thats pretty much the bottom line. Anybody can get into any specialty from any school. Just get good grades and score high on the boards, it really doesn't make a difference what school you are at. Of course go to your state school, why do you think your parents have been paying all of those taxes. Hello!!!!

 

[Bullfan16]

Generally speaking anybody who chooses to go to a more expensive school is out of thier mind. Hello! You have to pay those loans back. Money doesn't grow on trees, even if your a dentist. Thats pretty much the bottom line. Anybody can get into any specialty from any school. Just get good grades and score high on the boards, it really doesn't make a difference what school you are at. Of course go to your state school, why do you think your parents have been paying all of those taxes. Hello!!!!

Exactly.

 

[drtagman]

but you might get a hotter wife if you said you went to Columbia. seriously.

 

[jk5177]

In case you haven't heard, hotter wifes only last for so long, and then they get old - just like all of us. No kidding.

 

[SeaBass]

I am in my first year of practice work along side graduates from several different schools. We all studied the same textbooks and seem to have a similar approach to things. Chances are you will match your school requirements in a couple months of practice. In retrospect I don't believe a particular school will make you a great dentist, rather it will take YEARS of practice holding yourself to the same standards and ethics you learned in school to get there. I understand in the US tuition varies from school to school. I would suggest if you have a choice to take this factor into consideration when choosing a school.

 

[drtagman]

In case you haven't heard, hotter wifes only last for so long, and then they get old - just like all of us. No kidding.

yea, but they are still hotter for a good 30 years. No joke.

 

[airvent]

MD is a good school even with out the new building. If you go there you will get as good an education as you would anywhere else. The new building is just a plus if simply because new stuff is fun. Plus MD is a solid school. No one will "ooh and ahhh" like they would for Harvard or Columbia, but it is still a respected program (as are many others).

I think J2AZ had the right idea in the 6th post, where he listed the plus and minuses of each school. They are minor but they add up to make the experience. If you are a top notch student then you will likely be a top notch dentist and will likely get into the specialization you want whether you go to Howard or Harvard.

I personally think living in big cities is fun, but inconvenient. Just running to the grocery store becomes more of a chore let alone commuting and parking. Riding the subway or waiting at the bus stop gets old after a while and does not compare to walking 5 minutes to class. Stupid small stuff like that should not influence your decision but around year 3 it will definitely be a rock in your shoe.

So basically what I'm saying is: You will get a good education at all schools you listed, and they will not limit your options afterwards. So unless you really need the validation of a prestigious university i would also consider the small things too.

 

[drtagman]

i'll be sure to show her this quote in the future... seriously, no... thinking about where to go to find what wife... ... that has to top the list of 'fools and tools with no game'.

show me some love baby!! am i right or am i right? ooh, it feels good to be such a:
P(N) . I(E) . M(R) . P(D) . !!

first of all, wow, u guys are such losers. i forgot that most people on this site lack a sense of humor, and AUG2UAG let me assure you that i can and have met girls outside of dental school, most likely alot more than you (unless ur a mute), im going to dental school to become a dentist. if you had read the previous posts or the title of this thread you might have actually gotten the joke, depending on how lame ur sense of humor is.
btw im sure you wont show this to my future wife because i would not be friends with anyone that cant take a statement like that and laugh, but instead tries to put it down only to make himself look better. ur comeback, however, sucked. what the hell is the pimp/nerd thing, are you calling me a nerd and ur self a pimp, cuz calling ur self a pimp would def put you at the top of the list for 'fools and tools with no game.' and what, did you fall asleep in the middle of my statement or find it boring, whats the face with the zzzs for?