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Hey everyone,
So I have narrowed my decision down to either Buffalo or Case. I would really appreciate any input as to pros/cons of the schools that I may not be familiar with OR any information below that I have been mis-informed about.
NOTE: I am an international student, so I cannot get in-state tuition for Buffalo after first year (which is a big pro for that school for most people). The difference in tuition between the two schools ends up being ~$10,000 with Buffalo's tuition increase, which is still about ~$40,000 difference for the four years, but I'd like to prevent money from making the decision here (at least hypothetically
).
Buffalo
- close to home (less than a 1.5 hour drive)
- don't mind the weather (coming from Canada)
- own operatory in 3rd & 4th year
- multiple choice exams, more than one exam for every course
- good clinical training, except maybe in ortho and implants
- opportunity to do a minor in fourth year
- get all the Jewish holidays off school (apparently there's some 4-day weeks!)
- have summers off - can do some research, extra clinic stuff, relax lol
- boards part I = summer after 2nd year
- dress code = scrubs
- externship program btw 3rd & 4th year
- letter grading system (A,B,C,D,F)
- some classes with Med students (I know gross anatomy for sure, although separated during labs, and I think half of histo?)
- enthusiasm and friendliness of the students/staff during the interview
- great classmates (based on the Facebook group!)
Case
- a plane-ride away (not a long one though)
- I think the weather is kind of the same as Buffalo, maybe less snow, but as I said that doesn't bother me
- own operatory for 3rd & 4th year (unless Case over-accepts again)
- one exam worth 100% of grade for each course
- PBL learning first year - doesn't really make or break anything for me
- good clinical training
- dress code = scrubs
- get your own "secretary" for booking patients
- Pass/Fail grading system (may change if boards go pass/fail) --> however since they secretely rank you for those applying to specialty programs, this doesn't really seem to me like it would eliminate competition
- Healthy Smiles Sealant program - get clinical exposure very early on
- boards = Christmas after 2nd year
- DentSim labs - although I have heard not to base a decision on these, they are cool but not necessary
- classes SOLELY with dental students
- both the staff and students were also very friendly, but my other 2 interviewees were both married Mormon students - I have heard that the class gets kind of cliquey because many of the students at Case are married and Mormon and they tend to stick together.. my fellow interviewees may have just been a coincidence, but please correct me if I am wrong!
I want to be a GP, so I'm just looking to get the best education that I can. They both seem like excellent schools and I would be honoured to attend either one.. unfortunately that is making the decision hard!
Any input is GREATLY appreciated - I have to decide by Friday! Thanks!
So I have narrowed my decision down to either Buffalo or Case. I would really appreciate any input as to pros/cons of the schools that I may not be familiar with OR any information below that I have been mis-informed about.
NOTE: I am an international student, so I cannot get in-state tuition for Buffalo after first year (which is a big pro for that school for most people). The difference in tuition between the two schools ends up being ~$10,000 with Buffalo's tuition increase, which is still about ~$40,000 difference for the four years, but I'd like to prevent money from making the decision here (at least hypothetically
).Buffalo
- close to home (less than a 1.5 hour drive)
- don't mind the weather (coming from Canada)
- own operatory in 3rd & 4th year
- multiple choice exams, more than one exam for every course
- good clinical training, except maybe in ortho and implants
- opportunity to do a minor in fourth year
- get all the Jewish holidays off school (apparently there's some 4-day weeks!)
- have summers off - can do some research, extra clinic stuff, relax lol
- boards part I = summer after 2nd year
- dress code = scrubs
- externship program btw 3rd & 4th year
- letter grading system (A,B,C,D,F)
- some classes with Med students (I know gross anatomy for sure, although separated during labs, and I think half of histo?)
- enthusiasm and friendliness of the students/staff during the interview
- great classmates (based on the Facebook group!
)Case
- a plane-ride away (not a long one though)
- I think the weather is kind of the same as Buffalo, maybe less snow, but as I said that doesn't bother me
- own operatory for 3rd & 4th year (unless Case over-accepts again)
- one exam worth 100% of grade for each course
- PBL learning first year - doesn't really make or break anything for me
- good clinical training
- dress code = scrubs
- get your own "secretary" for booking patients
- Pass/Fail grading system (may change if boards go pass/fail) --> however since they secretely rank you for those applying to specialty programs, this doesn't really seem to me like it would eliminate competition
- Healthy Smiles Sealant program - get clinical exposure very early on
- boards = Christmas after 2nd year
- DentSim labs - although I have heard not to base a decision on these, they are cool but not necessary
- classes SOLELY with dental students
- both the staff and students were also very friendly, but my other 2 interviewees were both married Mormon students - I have heard that the class gets kind of cliquey because many of the students at Case are married and Mormon and they tend to stick together.. my fellow interviewees may have just been a coincidence, but please correct me if I am wrong!
I want to be a GP, so I'm just looking to get the best education that I can. They both seem like excellent schools and I would be honoured to attend either one.. unfortunately that is making the decision hard!
Any input is GREATLY appreciated - I have to decide by Friday! Thanks!
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