Did you attend the cheapest school?

[DrReo]

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For those who are attending/attended dental school, did you attend the cheapest dental school you were accepted at? What are your opinions about this subject?

 

[UCSF2012]

For those who are attending/attended dental school, did you attend the cheapest dental school you were accepted at? What are your opinions about this subject?

Nope. That was Buffalo. UCSF's one of the cheaper ones I got into, but it's still several 10's of K's more than Buffalo. I simply would have been miserable at Buffalo. Bored out of my mind. Dental school's not all study. There's plenty of opportunities to live life.

 

[gryffindor]

Yes. That school was Buffalo. Four miserable years of studying and cold weather. But it's been four years since graduation and I'm glad I did. Keeping my educational debt low has allowed me to pursue more options for my career such as residency, taking on more debt in a practice loan, and working fewer hours if I desire to spend more time with my family.

Read the sig below.

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

yep, and i couldn't be happier! I thought i wanted to get out and experience something new, but going to WVU has definitely not been disappointing. The school is amazing, the professors are amazing, and my class is amazing. We all get along really well, and having a small class is really nice. Also, i can't imagine school without some of the people i've met so far <33.

Go cheap! Schools not easy, save yourself some stress and be happy wherever you are.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Nope. That was Buffalo. UCSF's one of the cheaper ones I got into, but it's still several 10's of K's more than Buffalo. I simply would have been miserable at Buffalo. Bored out of my mind. Dental school's not all study. There's plenty of opportunities to live life.

You obviously don't know much about Buffalo, then! I've noticed that the people who say there's no culture, performing arts, etc. have only been to the grocery store and Target. I go out all the time and have found many gems (cultural and otherwise) in the city. And I have lots of friends outside of school, since a lot of my classmate stay in to study. 🙄

To the OP, I went to the cheapest school I applied to (Buffalo) and am very content.

 

[UCSF2012]

You obviously don't know much about Buffalo, then! I've noticed that the people who say there's no culture, performing arts, etc. have only been to the grocery store and Target. I go out all the time and have found many gems (cultural and otherwise) in the city. And I have lots of friends outside of school, since a lot of my classmate stay in to study. 🙄

To the OP, I went to the cheapest school I applied to (Buffalo) and am very content.

Be careful to not put words into peoples' mouths. I do think there's a lot of culture in that city. When'd anybody say there's no culture there? I just don't think there's enough people in that city for me. I've lived in a booming metropolitan area for years, and Buffalo was just kinda scarce for me. Buffalo, NY suffers from a slowed economy. That's evident. Liked the school alright. Not diggin' the city.

 

[cobalt31]

interesting! i don't know which i would do. we'll see with what the situation is after dec 1. im sure there will be a lot more of these posts in a month.

 

[carbide]

Hell yes I did! I was gonna reapply if necessary (got into a private but did not like the price tag) but got in finally to my state school. Think of a DDS like a commodity, the only difference maker is the price. So why pay more for the same degree that grants you the exact same privileges.

 

[Slutskya]

I chose Penn over UCLA, but only after I got some financial help. Personally, I just really liked Penn when I interviewed there. Everyone is different. It's hard to tell people to pick one school over another for $ b/c if you end up miserable, you might regret it. Both options can work out.

 

[beannaithe]

I went to the cheapest school, but the one that I liked the best and that meshed the best with my personality. It was just convienent that it was cheapest.

THough if the price difference were like $20k/year I'd probably choose the cheapest.

 

[Lurchdubious]

I went to the cheapest school, but the one that I liked the best and that meshed the best with my personality. It was just convienent that it was cheapest.

THough if the price difference were like $20k/year I'd probably choose the cheapest.

I thought I was going to the cheapest, until the school I chose raised their tuition by several thousand this year 🙄. Oh well, now it's just in line with the other schools I got into, and I really like where I'm at. There aren't really any "cheap" options when there is no D-school in your state of residence.

 

[Katalyst]

I chose LSU instead of UCSF, even though I'm a California resident. Two main reasons - it's actually cheaper to pay out-of-state LSU tuition than in-state UCSF by ~$130,000 over four year (with living). And two, I know too many people in the bay area that would have bided for my time. The only people I know in New Orleans are dental students (helps me be in the top of the class).

 

[ou_jay]

I did. It may not be the best, but it is not bad. Overall, it has been good. It has saved me a lot of money, and I'm sure other schools would have had their problems too. As a predent you don't really know how to tell what to look for in a school. Until you've been through it, money is one of the only things that you can concretely decide on, and once you've been through it it is too late.

 

[DrBadVibes3]

Yes. That school was Buffalo. Four miserable years of studying and cold weather. But it's been four years since graduation and I'm glad I did. Keeping my educational debt low has allowed me to pursue more options for my career such as residency, taking on more debt in a practice loan, and working fewer hours if I desire to spend more time with my family.

Read the sig below.

Griffin is the perfect example why pre-dents should choose a cheap school......the memo in her sig says it all.

 

[runrabbitrun]

Griffin is the perfect example why pre-dents should choose a cheap school......the memo in her sig says it all.

I agree, I know dentists can make a comfortable living, but with the way the economy is and the recent behavior of lenders I thanks my lucky stars I attended the cheap school

 

[LatPterygoid]

Schools will continue to attract the same types of candidates. The specialty seekers will go to a select few schools. Buffalo and Stony'll continue to get those looking to save a buck. Etc.

 

[LatPterygoid]

I chose LSU instead of UCSF, even though I'm a California resident. Two main reasons - it's actually cheaper to pay out-of-state LSU tuition than in-state UCSF by ~$130,000 over four year (with living). And two, I know too many people in the bay area that would have bided for my time. The only people I know in New Orleans are dental students (helps me be in the top of the class).

The third (biggest) reason why you chose LSU over UCSF is because you got rejected by UCSF. According to your predent, you got rejected by UCSF on Oct 24, and LSU was the only school that accepted you.

 

[12YearOldKid]

Here's another vote for going to the cheapest school. Don't listen to all the crap about "finding the right fit" and the school that "matches your personality." Dental school is tough everywhere.

The two biggest factors that will affect your dental school experience are:
1. Your attitude.
2. The classmates you end up with.

The school itself really doesn't have a lot to do with things. Your classmates are going to be the biggest outside influence on your education and there's nothing you can do about choosing them. It's all luck of the draw there. I had a great class, but the class ahead of me was full of cutthroats, gossips and saboteurs. SAme school - completely different experience depending on which year you enrolled.

Go to the cheapest school you get into.

 

[DR Dentist 09]

I ended up going to the cheapest school not because it was cheap but because it was the city I liked best - thus, where I would prefer to spend my 4 years of dental school. My classmates who chose the school because of price (not because it was their only choice) are relieved that they don't have to deal with second loans and can manage their financial situation somewhat . . . however, keep in mind that sometimes you get what you pay for. While the education may be the same no matter what the cost, sometimes the stress of shortage of supplies, faculty, staff, adequate facilities, properly functioning equipment, etc. is worse than just paying the couple extra K's. My advice, is to do your research, make sure you get the most out of your buck.

 

[gryffindor]

Schools will continue to attract the same types of candidates. The specialty seekers will go to a select few schools. Buffalo and Stony'll continue to get those looking to save a buck. Etc.

Mostly they'll get NY state residents since they are state schools first, and then they'll get some out of staters looking to get a DDS without going broke at the other two NY schools.

 

[Katalyst]

The third (biggest) reason why you chose LSU over UCSF is because you got rejected by UCSF. According to your predent, you got rejected by UCSF on Oct 24, and LSU was the only school that accepted you.

Haha, third is true (3 times in fact), but not the biggest reason. Still would have chosen the cheapest school, LSU in my case. Moving to a different part of the country broadens your horizon. I've lived in the Bay Area before, but not the South. Also, the clinical focus of a school was important to me, rather than more research oriented programs such as the UC's.

 

[runrabbitrun]

The two biggest factors that will affect your dental school experience are:
1. Your attitude.
2. The classmates you end up with.

The school itself really doesn't have a lot to do with things.

I agree that your attitude and your classmates have a lot to do with your dental school experience, but to say the school doesn't really have a lot to do with things is silly.

The quality of the professors and administration and how well the clinics are run are all things that can have a direct impact on your attitude as well as affecting your d-school experience.

Also, this is just conjecture, but I am of the opinion that the philosophy of the school, the scope of opportunities that the school offers, its location, its reputation, etc... has a great influence on the types of classmates you will end up with.

D-school is tough everywhere (although its not as bad at some schools), but your experience will not be the same at every school. Where you go to school will make a difference. A bigger price tag does not ensure a better education or experience.

 

[youngmc27]

I go to one of the most expensive schools in the country and I would trade it for a cold weather cheaper school any day even though SoCal weather is great.

 

[Hysteria24]

I go to one of the most expensive schools in the country and I would trade it for a cold weather cheaper school any day even though SoCal weather is great.

Well... I turned down a cold weather cheaper school and instead chose your school.

Now just 3.5 months in, I am already reaping many of the benefits of the program that I had identified during my initial research of the school.

Only time will tell how the financial sacrifice will turn out. 👍

 

[youngmc27]

Well... I turned down a cold weather cheaper school and instead chose your school.

Now just 3.5 months in, I am already reaping many of the benefits of the program that I had identified during my initial research of the school.

Only time will tell how the financial sacrifice will turn out. 👍

I was not saying I don't like the program just the cost. I really like the school but I would love to be taking 60,000 in loans instead of 100,000 per year.

 

[CaliGirl15]

I am at the cheaper for the schools I got into...which is by no means cheap. But I am about to go on the 3 year HSPS AF scholarship so I guess it won't really matter now. So far I am very happy with my choice.

 

[Tstarfish]

I was lucky that my top school was one of the cheapest schools in the nation (Baylor). Texas schools are all very resonable in comparison to other schools around the nation. I graduated college with no debt so taking out loans for dental school was very hard for me, but overall I would go anywhere for dental school no mater how much the cost. If you are really worried about the high price tag then join the military-if not then just take the high price tag. I recommend going to the school you like best, having extra debt is a lot better then hating where you are for four years. Good luck deciding!

 

[joduee]

yes i joined the cheapest school earlier.

 

[Guy Smiley]

I actually chose to go to an out of state school over my in state school. The cost by all the estimates that were given from both schools was only about a $15-20k difference over 4 years, and I really felt like the education I got and living where I lived for 4 years was worth it.

 

[McFlown]

I think I go to a pretty cheap dental school. Here at McGill we pay around 22K for tuition, and 21K for loupes + equipment. This is the total for all 4 years, in canadian dollars. Montreal is also fun. I think I lucked out when I got accepted here. 🙂

 

[219122]

^^ To be fair, that figure is for in province students only. The rest of Canada pays 38K for 4 years in tuition plus fees. Still a cheap school that I would kill to go to though, lol.

 

[Aceofspades]

I agree that your attitude and your classmates have a lot to do with your dental school experience, but to say the school doesn't really have a lot to do with things is silly.

The quality of the professors and administration and how well the clinics are run are all things that can have a direct impact on your attitude as well as affecting your d-school experience.

Also, this is just conjecture, but I am of the opinion that the philosophy of the school, the scope of opportunities that the school offers, its location, its reputation, etc... has a great influence on the types of classmates you will end up with.

D-school is tough everywhere (although its not as bad at some schools), but your experience will not be the same at every school. Where you go to school will make a difference. A bigger price tag does not ensure a better education or experience.

I always laugh when I hear people say this because you can find someone who thinks that any school is a "good school". If you ask what is a "bad school" you will probably get some unqualified answers followed by people who come to defend the school. Every school (or it's students) claim to have great professors, a well run clinic, excellent opportunities, and a good location. Every school!