ECU vs UNC

[Mugsy1888]

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I was accepted at ECU in December and just was accepted at UNC is past week. I literally have no idea where I would prefer to go. If anyone has thoughts or knows people at either school, advice would be appreciated!

 

[aznboi89x]

I was accepted at ECU in December and just was accepted at UNC is past week. I literally have no idea where I would prefer to go. If anyone has thoughts or knows people at either school, advice would be appreciated!

which school do you live close by?

Whats the tuition for both schools?



considering UNC is a very good reputable school, you have your answer.

 

[DentVols17]

UNC no question.

 

[tpmonaha]

Each school has their own philosophy. ECU really has a goal to provide dental services to the under represented areas of NC while obviously Carolina is one of the top dental schools in the area. I would say that you need to pick the school based on what fits you best!

 

[telemonster]

UNC is one of the top schools in the country and ECU is an unproven brand new school.

Go to UNC.

 

[predent111]

UNC is way cheaper, its a top 5 dental school, and greenville doesnt compare to chapel hill

 

[chellis]

Unless you are excited about PBL then I'm not sure why this is even a discussion. UNC is a top school, cheaper, better city (I spent time in both for undergraduate and graduate studies), chance to specialize if the option arises.

/thread

 

[Bis-GMA111]

i feel like you can't go wrong with either one, given that they're both state schools.

i'd say UNC just because it has an established reputation

 

[shootingstar7]

I think ECU is cheaper, and their PBL curriculum is more of an augmentation to regular coursework than other PBL programs. But then, UNC is UNC.You find yourself in a very wonderful predicament my friend. Congrats!

 

[Mugsy1888]

I know UNC is UNC and that is obviously why I would like to go there. On the other hand, I feel like the way ECU works without grades (pass/fail) would take a lot of stress out of 4 years that are bound to be difficult. I get that pass/fail does not make the curriculum easier, it just makes me feel like there would be a lot less pressure to get perfect grades. Also, I'm nervous that UNC would be reallllly hard and that I might not do well. My DAT AA is really good (25) but my undergrad sGPA is just above 3.0. I think I got in both schools because of my DAT AA and EC so I'm concerned that the curriculum at UNC would beat my ass. Thoughts?

 

[aznboi89x]

I know UNC is UNC and that is obviously why I would like to go there. On the other hand, I feel like the way ECU works without grades (pass/fail) would take a lot of stress out of 4 years that are bound to be difficult. I get that pass/fail does not make the curriculum easier, it just makes me feel like there would be a lot less pressure to get perfect grades. Also, I'm nervous that UNC would be reallllly hard and that I might not do well. My DAT AA is really good (25) but my undergrad sGPA is just above 3.0. I think I got in both schools because of my DAT AA and EC so I'm concerned that the curriculum at UNC would beat my ass. Thoughts?

the admissions committee have made the decision that you can SURVIVE their 4 year dental curriculum, you must have faith in yourself. You should be fine. You have made it this far and passing should be the least of your worries.

 

[telemonster]

I know UNC is UNC and that is obviously why I would like to go there. On the other hand, I feel like the way ECU works without grades (pass/fail) would take a lot of stress out of 4 years that are bound to be difficult. I get that pass/fail does not make the curriculum easier, it just makes me feel like there would be a lot less pressure to get perfect grades. Also, I'm nervous that UNC would be reallllly hard and that I might not do well. My DAT AA is really good (25) but my undergrad sGPA is just above 3.0. I think I got in both schools because of my DAT AA and EC so I'm concerned that the curriculum at UNC would beat my ass. Thoughts?

You would be fine at either school - I know students at both schools and the student body is really supportive. You would have plenty of help if you needed it, so you wouldn't have to worry about that at either school.
If you are into PBL and working in an impoverished county, ECU.
If you want didactic with experience in specialities, UNC.

It's a call that only you can make, but it is a great problem to have honestly.

 

[Mugsy1888]

This may be stupid but what is the difference between PBL and didactic?

 

[aznboi89x]

PBL you learn on your own, read and research on your own, and no lectures (USC and LECOM incorporates PBL).

didactics there are professors actually lecturing the material to you

 

[Mugsy1888]

This is going to sound awful, but I love everything about ECU except the fact that I would be pushed to work in an underrepresented area. Would it be bad to go there and ultimately not end up working in such an area? I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH SCHOOL TO CHOOSE!!!!!

 

[aznboi89x]

This is going to sound awful, but I love everything about ECU except the fact that I would be pushed to work in an underrepresented area. Would it be bad to go there and ultimately not end up working in such an area? I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH SCHOOL TO CHOOSE!!!!!

how can you ask what PBL is when you interviewed there and got to see their presentation regarding PBL?

PBL at USC and LECOM: you are grouped up with 5-10 dental students and everyday you are to sit down in a room presented with a case scenario. This is where you recall all your basic sciences and tie it all together. Histology, endocrinology, human physiology, and etc. are all related together somehow. You go home everyday and learn all these subjects and by next morning you explain how it works and how it relate to the case.

didactics: traditional lecture like undergrad, go the class, copy notes, and take test.

 

[telemonster]

This is going to sound awful, but I love everything about ECU except the fact that I would be pushed to work in an underrepresented area. Would it be bad to go there and ultimately not end up working in such an area? I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH SCHOOL TO CHOOSE!!!!!

It would probably be frowned upon since that is the goal of the university, but I doubt they can make you practice somewhere. And it's impossible to know for sure because there hasn't been a graduating class yet.

 

[Seahawk]

This is going to sound awful, but I love everything about ECU except the fact that I would be pushed to work in an underrepresented area. Would it be bad to go there and ultimately not end up working in such an area? I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH SCHOOL TO CHOOSE!!!!!

Well, ECU's entire mission is that. If it doesn't help get dentists into rural NC, they won't do it or want you to do it. I sat through a presentation by their admissions director saying that.They have PF grading, limited specialties on purpose, clinics you rotate through in underserved areas...The only reason I can think of for going to ECU is if you wanted to do public health/rural undeserved general dentistry.

 

[Mugsy1888]

Well, ECU's entire mission is that. If it doesn't help get dentists into rural NC, they won't do it or want you to do it. I sat through a presentation by their admissions director saying that.They have PF grading, limited specialties on purpose, clinics you rotate through in underserved areas...The only reason I can think of for going to ECU is if you wanted to do public health/rural undeserved general dentistry.

The idea of P/F grading intrigues me. I feel like there would be a whole lot less pressure on you as a student.

 

[tpmonaha]

This is completely up to you. It is good to get feedback from other people about the choice you have to make. But YOU are the one who will ultimately be there for four years so you need to figure out which program fits you. But like everyone said, UNC is UNC and they are a top school and ECU is newer (obviously).

Def a good problem to have so congratulations!

 

[telemonster]

The idea of P/F grading intrigues me. I feel like there would be a whole lot less pressure on you as a student.

Going to a school just because it is P/F is a mistake. You have to pass to graduate anyway. If you want to specialize you will have to go to UNC anyway. If you want to go into private practice, then "C's get degrees" and you could go to UNC or ECU and feel no pressure.

The choice is clear to me. UNC accepted you because you can handle the academic rigors of dental school, which is probably 80% time management anyway.
Go to UNC, don't pick a place based on how much less stressful it would be.

 

[soondds]

I think you would always regret turning down unc with such a good reputation for a new school like ecu.

 

[SES0112]

What have you chosen?