Extra Year or 100K?

[QuantB1]

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So I'm on the waitlist at UoP and accepted at my state school. I really liked both schools at my interviews and would be happy to go to either. If I get in UoP will cost me a little over 100k more. Does anyone think that I can justify the extra price tag with the extra year? Will I be more likely to get a higher paying job when I graduate due to the more renowned program, or does it matter? I know it doesn't matter to the patient, but for the hiring doctors, will they hire a UoP grad over another based solely on the school?

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

So I'm on the waitlist at UoP and accepted at my state school. I really liked both schools at my interviews and would be happy to go to either. If I get in UoP will cost me a little over 100k more. Does anyone think that I can justify the extra price tag with the extra year? Will I be more likely to get a higher paying job when I graduate due to the more renowned program, or does it matter? I know it doesn't matter to the patient, but for the hiring doctors, will they hire a UoP grad over another based solely on the school?

Stick with your in state acceptance.

Regardless of what school you attend, you'll still graduate with a DDS/DMD. The extra price and the big name will not make a significant (or any) difference regarding job prospects or what have you. Even if you give this offer up and apply next cycle, it's not guaranteed that UoP will take you. Then you have the "why in the world would you pay so much extra money for the same degree?!?! " question that people will throw at you.

 

[wired202808]

So I'm on the waitlist at UoP and accepted at my state school. I really liked both schools at my interviews and would be happy to go to either. If I get in UoP will cost me a little over 100k more. Does anyone think that I can justify the extra price tag with the extra year? Will I be more likely to get a higher paying job when I graduate due to the more renowned program, or does it matter? I know it doesn't matter to the patient, but for the hiring doctors, will they hire a UoP grad over another based solely on the school?

all programs will pay the same. Experience is more important than the name of the school. Go with the cheaper option for the best results.

 

[Sublimazing]

Are you planning on doing a Specialty/Residency following D School? That might sway the decision one way or the other

 

[somedayDDS]

Take whichever school you liked better. Do not worry about the money in this case. If the difference in cost between the two is only 100k then that extra year of being a practicing dentist that you get from going to UofP will be worth much more than that anyways. Personally I would go to UofP.

 

[omnipoDent]

Take whichever school you liked better. Do not worry about the money in this case. If the difference in cost between the two is only 100k then that extra year of being a practicing dentist that you get from going to UofP will be worth much more than that anyways. Personally I would go to UofP.

I agree, but I definitely agree depending on the state school. As I don't know which state school, it's hard to compare the two schools. There are some state schools that are just as good as UofP, in my opinion, in terms of faculty, facilities, patient pool, etc...I think if you're comparing UCLA or Michigan, there are others as well but I just picked these two for reference, to UofP, then I'd go state school. There are other state schools, though, where I believe you will get superior training at UofP, and I'd go to UofP over them. Plus, you get out a year early at UofP, so you will make up that money in an extra year of salary later.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Take whichever school you liked better. Do not worry about the money in this case. If the difference in cost between the two is only 100k then that extra year of being a practicing dentist that you get from going to UofP will be worth much more than that anyways. Personally I would go to UofP.

I think I misread the OP's initial post thinking he wanted to reapply for UoP if he didn't get off the waitlist.

I agree with somedayDDS. Cost is important but it's there are other aspects to consider to. It's nice at UoP, because you get out a year early. So it almost justifies the cost aspect. Finishing three years instead of four would definitely influence my decision.

 

[wired202808]

So I'm on the waitlist at UoP and accepted at my state school. I really liked both schools at my interviews and would be happy to go to either. If I get in UoP will cost me a little over 100k more. Does anyone think that I can justify the extra price tag with the extra year? Will I be more likely to get a higher paying job when I graduate due to the more renowned program, or does it matter? I know it doesn't matter to the patient, but for the hiring doctors, will they hire a UoP grad over another based solely on the school?

pick the cheapest option, whichever one that is. I cant tell from your statement.

 

[dantemac]

I honestly can't think of a state dental school that is terrible off the top of my head. You will have extra time in your career to pay back less debt: no brainer, state school.

 

[QuantB1]

Thanks for all the responses! You can see why this will be a tough decision. It seems like the train of thought is split 50/50, one half picking the 3 yr, other half picking the cheaper option, and to all it is a "no brainer". To clarify, my state school is UNLV, and being on the waitlist at UoP still gives me a good shot at being accepted for this year, but guaranteed a spot for next year. If I don't get in this cycle then it would be a no brainer, I would for sure go to UNLV.

For those that feel the cheaper option is better, what do you say to the people who submit that the extra year of your career will more than make up for the extra cost?

Thanks

 

[stateu2013]

For those that feel the cheaper option is better, what do you say to the people who submit that the extra year of your career will more than make up for the extra cost?

I simply say that it isn't true. Sure, you might make $120,000 in your first year, but unless you can pocket $100,000 of that (impossible), you still come out behind.

Some will respond with, "But you will make $300,000 in the middle of your career, so the extra price is worth it," although they forget that, if anything, taking out another $100,000 in debt to attend a 3-year program will actually slow down their timeline for becoming a practice owner.

It just depends, do you want to graduate and pay student loans of $2,000/month, or $3,000/month? Because whether you graduate at the age of 25 or 26, losing an extra $1,000+ every single month for the next 10+ years is going to make UoP seem like a waste. It will make you wonder, "where was this mythical $300,000 "mid career" year that I gained by going to Pacific?"

 

[wired202808]

I simply say that it isn't true. Sure, you might make $120,000 in your first year, but unless you can pocket $100,000 of that (impossible), you still come out behind.

Some will respond with, "But you will make $300,000 in the middle of your career, so the extra price is worth it," although they forget that, if anything, taking out another $100,000 in debt to attend a 3-year program will actually slow down their timeline for becoming a practice owner.

It just depends, do you want to graduate and pay student loans of $2,000/month, or $3,000/month? Because whether you graduate at the age of 25 or 26, losing an extra $1,000+ every single month for the next 10+ years is going to make UoP seem like a waste. It will make you wonder, "where was this mythical $300,000 "mid career" year that I gained by going to Pacific?"

👍 I agree the loans last 10 years meanwhile 1 years worth of income post tax will not be enough to eliminate the loans. I personally would go with the cheaper option. 100K will turn into 150k post interest, you'll save more $$$ in the long run if you go with the cheaper route.

 

[study girl]

I am a UoP student... I love the school, but really 100,000 is a lot of money. If you like your state school go with that. You will be closer to home, have less debt/stress after graduating, and still be a great dentist.

 

[thewobblytooth]

UNLV is cheaper, you should go there. The education at UNLV is still pretty good from what I understand. Many students move onto specialties if you're interested in that.

 

[Double Bonded]

Go to the state school. I to am on the waitlist for UoP, it's an amazing school and one of the best in the country but $100,000 isn't chump-change.

 

[wired202808]

The only question I want to raise in this thread is the overlooked factor of UNLV tuition hikes. I was under the impression from previous posts I read that UNLV tuition rises tremendously from D1 to D4. You should look into the past hikes and see what happened. There might be a chance that they can raise the tuition so much that it might be equivalent or slightly less than UoP after the 4 years of UNLV are said and done.