hahahaha maybe they even tell him or her to post positive things about their school. would explain some of the gushing over ASDOH. It'd be like the music labels that make interns put up thousands of fake myspace comments and customer reviews saying how good the new cd is.
I am totally biased toward all of the CA schools! I'm from California, I have family on my side and my wife's side in CA- and we enjoy the many perks of that situation (free meals, baby-sitting). I have lived in many different climates and I will definitely be practicing in California ( my top 5 schools were the 5 CA schools). After going to my ASDOH interview- I totally overhauled my school preferences. My CA interviews impressed me as well but the ASDOH interview showed me so many things about the school that I thought were only rumors.
1. Arthur Dugoni (the man IS dentistry) chaired a panel who created the school based on some amazing ideals.
2. The instructors do not get tenure and have to excel to earn their way back each year (everyday the dean gets applications for would-be new instructors)
3. The very latest technology- no school is ahead of them.
4. Quiet location- tons of housing within walking distance (Mesa/Phoenix has plenty to do- Super Bowl in '08).
5. Happy students.
6. Super high rates on the boards
7. Most applicants of any school (they get to be very choosey)
8. Keeps up with UOP in many areas and surpasses them on some.
9. All but 2 of their graduating class that applied for specialist programs got in.
10. They are very clinically based and focused on efficiency and competency.
If you don't like UOP then you won't like ASDOH either. Personally I am looking forward to attending the most clinically based school who keeps up on the latest technology, is in the best area, keeps their teachers motivated to treat students well, and has a class full of other amazing students who are equally driven by morals and passion. ASDOH shot past some other CA schools in my opinion when I personally saw what they are all about. Most people hate on them for the simple fact that they ARE so selective (manual dexterity tests, extensive 3 tiered interview process) but I was just flattered that they don't just let anybody in- they are looking for very specific qualifications and the biggest one is- do you care about others/will you care about others as a dentist/will you really give back to the community (local and world-wide) once you have reached your goals.
I understand why you feel how you do about them- a may have joined the club if I had never witnessed for myself and just believed the rumors. My big decision now is "how important is it to me to stay close to home in CA?"
