Dumb to pass up dean's scholarship at Penn for Stony Brook (in-state)?

[athena52]

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I'm trying to decide between Penn and Stony Brook. I keep choosing one in my head and deciding thats were I'm going, but then doubting myself as soon as I do and leaning toward the other. Stony Brook still is about 10 g's cheaper per year than Penn, even with the scholarship. I think I'm leaning toward Stony Brook, but would I be stupid to pass up Penn at half-tuition? I really like that you get your own chair 3rd and 4th year at Stony, while from what I've heard you have to "fight" for a chair at Penn. I also think I'd like a smaller setting than 120 students, but 30 something is a bit too small. Some people have alluded that Stony is lacking didactically, is that true? Would I get a better education at Penn? I don't want to go to Penn just for the name, but if it helps me be a better dentist I definitly do. I'm not sure if I want to specialize yet, but if I do I think I want to do prosth, which means I need a good amount of clinical background. I'd appreciate any input, thanks!!

 

[Blackstars]

I'm trying to decide between Penn and Stony Brook. I keep choosing one in my head and deciding thats were I'm going, but then doubting myself as soon as I do and leaning toward the other. Stony Brook still is about 10 g's cheaper per year than Penn, even with the scholarship. I think I'm leaning toward Stony Brook, but would I be stupid to pass up Penn at half-tuition? I really like that you get your own chair 3rd and 4th year at Stony, while from what I've heard you have to "fight" for a chair at Penn. I also think I'd like a smaller setting than 120 students, but 30 something is a bit too small. Some people have alluded that Stony is lacking didactically, is that true? Would I get a better education at Penn? I don't want to go to Penn just for the name, but if it helps me be a better dentist I definitly do. I'm not sure if I want to specialize yet, but if I do I think I want to do prosth, which means I need a good amount of clinical background. I'd appreciate any input, thanks!!

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide between UPENN's scholarship and VCU

 

[Richnator]

I'm trying to decide between Penn and Stony Brook. I keep choosing one in my head and deciding thats were I'm going, but then doubting myself as soon as I do and leaning toward the other. Stony Brook still is about 10 g's cheaper per year than Penn, even with the scholarship. I think I'm leaning toward Stony Brook, but would I be stupid to pass up Penn at half-tuition? I really like that you get your own chair 3rd and 4th year at Stony, while from what I've heard you have to "fight" for a chair at Penn. I also think I'd like a smaller setting than 120 students, but 30 something is a bit too small. Some people have alluded that Stony is lacking didactically, is that true? Would I get a better education at Penn? I don't want to go to Penn just for the name, but if it helps me be a better dentist I definitly do. I'm not sure if I want to specialize yet, but if I do I think I want to do prosth, which means I need a good amount of clinical background. I'd appreciate any input, thanks!!

Go to Stony Brook. Sure, U penn has the IVY status. But, Stony Brook is a great school too. I think Stony Brook can offer the same quality education as U PEnn. Again, between those two choices, you can't go wrong with picking either school. Both are great.

Good luck,
Rich

 

[I'mFillingFine]

I'm trying to decide between Penn and Stony Brook. I keep choosing one in my head and deciding thats were I'm going, but then doubting myself as soon as I do and leaning toward the other. Stony Brook still is about 10 g's cheaper per year than Penn, even with the scholarship. I think I'm leaning toward Stony Brook, but would I be stupid to pass up Penn at half-tuition? I really like that you get your own chair 3rd and 4th year at Stony, while from what I've heard you have to "fight" for a chair at Penn. I also think I'd like a smaller setting than 120 students, but 30 something is a bit too small. Some people have alluded that Stony is lacking didactically, is that true? Would I get a better education at Penn? I don't want to go to Penn just for the name, but if it helps me be a better dentist I definitly do. I'm not sure if I want to specialize yet, but if I do I think I want to do prosth, which means I need a good amount of clinical background. I'd appreciate any input, thanks!!

I'm in almost the EXACT situation, but for Buffalo instead of Stony Brook (and of course I didn't get the dean's scholarship 🙁). I mean, even at buffalo you get your own operatory for the last two years, so your story sounds really familiar.

I really really fell in love with Penn, but for me it'd be around an 80K difference and it's SO difficult to look objectively and figure out if it's worth it or not.

I think we have to figure out if the name DOES make a difference, if the students are treated better at one school versus another (the dental students seem to be saying that private schools tend to be more student-oriented than public, who make it seem like they're being generous by letting you go there), and how students are able to pay off their debt when they graduate.

As for the clinical/academic/didactic stuff, I honestly think that you can tailor your education to your needs. A school wouldn't be accredited if it truly didn't prepare you. I go to a big university, and you can make it an ivy league experience or a community college one! I mean, it's all how you go about planning your academic life....

 

[ninjajustin]

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide between UPENN's scholarship and VCU

choose penn

 

[oldboy]

I'm in almost the EXACT situation, but for Buffalo instead of Stony Brook (and of course I didn't get the dean's scholarship 🙁). I mean, even at buffalo you get your own operatory for the last two years, so your story sounds really familiar.

I really really fell in love with Penn, but for me it'd be around an 80K difference and it's SO difficult to look objectively and figure out if it's worth it or not.

I think we have to figure out if the name DOES make a difference, if the students are treated better at one school versus another (the dental students seem to be saying that private schools tend to be more student-oriented than public, who make it seem like they're being generous by letting you go there), and how students are able to pay off their debt when they graduate.

As for the clinical/academic/didactic stuff, I honestly think that you can tailor your education to your needs. A school wouldn't be accredited if it truly didn't prepare you. I go to a big university, and you can make it an ivy league experience or a community college one! I mean, it's all how you go about planning your academic life....

What about UCONN fillingfine?

 

[RockinDDS]

Some people have alluded that Stony is lacking didactically, is that true?

10000000000000% no way on god's green earth can this be anywhere near the truth!

SB, if anything, is more didactic than other schools. We take all of our basic science classes with the med school (s/a CU, Harvard, Uconn).

Spend a day with is and you'll see just how incorrect that statement is!

 

[Audio]

10000000000000% no way on god's green earth can this be anywhere near the truth!

SB, if anything, is more didactic than other schools. We take all of our basic science classes with the med school (s/a CU, Harvard, Uconn).

Spend a day with is and you'll see just how incorrect that statement is!

Yeah, I think you should stay away from SB because it's TOO didactic. Not a good enough clinical experience 😀

 

[RockinDDS]

Yeah, I think you should stay away from SB because it's TOO didactic. Not a good enough clinical experience 😀

I am going to take a shot in the dark here by guessing that you have no basis for your comment. If you do, please elaborate.

SB offers plenty of clinical experience, which all begins in the second year. Additonally, because this area is not impoverished you get to do more advanced dental work as opposed to just having to pull someone's tooth because that is all medicaid will pay for.

I am not looking to start a debate about SB, but I think comments like that should come from someone who IS at the very least a dental student.