Florida vs. NOVA

[2thDoctor]

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Ok so I have heard tons of things about both schools.
Florida takes their boards after 2 years of curriculum and NOVA after year one. NOVA is a bit more expensive, but lets you keep your instruments while UF makes you give them back. I also heard NOVA has brand new cutting-edge equipment and UF is sort of dated. I have been leaning towards UF, but now am really considering NOVA. I also applied to UNC, MUSC (charleston, SC), and Harvard. Let me know what you guys think about these schools if you know anything about them I would definitely appreciate it.

 

[rimmies]

I applied to both as well. Here is what i'm thinking. Nova is 80K more expensive which is a nice chunk of change. Also, there has been lots of negative pub around nova recently. The other thing you probably need to factor in to the equation is what you want to do after dental school. I'm 27 and know that I want to go into private general practice, so specilization rates don't matter to me. UF always has great board scores, so if your looking to move on you may want to lean heavily towards UF. These are all based on an instate student. UF is harder to get into than nova I believe even though predents says that the stats are equal. let me know what you decide, and your reasons.

 

[xtractime]

true UF's instruments are loaners.....but when you go into practice you will most likely buy new instruments (or use the previous dentist's instruments) anyways. you can't do much with 1 set of instruments.

 

[jackbauer!]

a buddy of mine goes to UFCOD and told me he kinda wishes he were at NOVA.

all other reasons aside, you will be saving closer to $100k by going to UF. i think it's a no brainer.. but after talking to my friend, it seems that "the grass is always greener on the other side."

just apply to both and hope for the best.

jb!🙂

 

[Fonz]

Ok so I have heard tons of things about both schools.
Florida takes their boards after 2 years of curriculum and NOVA after year one. NOVA is a bit more expensive, but lets you keep your instruments while UF makes you give them back. I also heard NOVA has brand new cutting-edge equipment and UF is sort of dated. I have been leaning towards UF, but now am really considering NOVA. I also applied to UNC, MUSC (charleston, SC), and Harvard. Let me know what you guys think about these schools if you know anything about them I would definitely appreciate it.

Are U in-state? My main reason for only applying to NOVA is because they are more like other private universities and don't have a huge preference for in - staters. Feel like I'd just be wasting $ applying to UF

 

[2thDoctor]

Thanks everybody!! I have definitely been leaning towards UF b/c I go there now for undergrad and I know the place inside and out. The only thing I have gotten from there that is bad is a very competitive atmosphere which I am not all that thrilled about, but the labs are amazing and they have a new implant lab that I am really excited about. I just wanted to see if NOVA was better with their professors compared to UF.

And I think you are right about the instruments one set is no big deal anyhow.

 

[jackbauer!]

Thanks everybody!! I have definitely been leaning towards UF b/c I go there now for undergrad and I know the place inside and out. The only thing I have gotten from there that is bad is a very competitive atmosphere which I am not all that thrilled about, but the labs are amazing and they have a new implant lab that I am really excited about. I just wanted to see if NOVA was better with their professors compared to UF.

And I think you are right about the instruments one set is no big deal anyhow.

don't choose a school b/c of an "implant lab"... as a pre-doctoral student, you will probably never use it. choose a school based on price, graduation rates, frendliness of students/faculty, and location....

IMO, board scores and toys are not good reasons to choose school x over school y.

jb!🙂

 

[mg777]

No one has gone to both UF and Nova. We did lose a student due to expulsion about a year ago, and he's at Nova now. This guy may be the one to ask for the best comparison of faculty and facilities.

Go ahead and interview at both and see how they feel to you.

 

[rimmies]

so what part of the dental school is in shands? I was there to give moral support who was having a procedure at shands and rode the elevator up to what I thought was the dental school-where was I?

 

[rimmies]

a buddy of mine goes to UFCOD and told me he kinda wishes he were at NOVA.

all other reasons aside, you will be saving closer to $100k by going to UF. i think it's a no brainer.. but after talking to my friend, it seems that "the grass is always greener on the other side."

just apply to both and hope for the best.

jb!🙂

I keep hearing that dental school sucks no matter where your at. 100k might make it a lot better. The problem with my situation is that my wife has a good job here in south Florida and her photography business is growing, it looks like a gain of 100k in tuition might not be enough if I do get accepted to UF to make us move north.

 

[SuperC]

Thanks everybody!! I have definitely been leaning towards UF b/c I go there now for undergrad and I know the place inside and out. The only thing I have gotten from there that is bad is a very competitive atmosphere which I am not all that thrilled about, but the labs are amazing and they have a new implant lab that I am really excited about. I just wanted to see if NOVA was better with their professors compared to UF.

And I think you are right about the instruments one set is no big deal anyhow.

The atmosphere is NOT competitive! I love my classmates, we all get along, we all party together, we study together its a cream dream!

-C

 

[2thDoctor]

Thanks SuperC...i was waiting to hear from somebody actually in UF. I was in the early admit program there and got out b/c of my DAT. When I was in the operative a few girls told me that everybody was cut throat and used a few other not so nice words about it...and she said it seemed to be in every class, not just hers......so it made me a little worried. I didn't want an opinion from just one person though you know. Thanks appreciate it

 

[2thDoctor]

SuperC...I was wondering if you could explain to me the problem with competing for chairs....is it that you guys have to sign up in advance with patients for spots or is it first come first serve and you have to be there at 4 am to get a chair. I know chairs are a HUGE problem at some places, but don't know how big a deal it is at UF. Thanks again!!

 

[PlanB21]

Hey 2thdoctor..i start UF this fall. The students you assisted in the operative clinic are probably now 4th years. A student in that class told me the class is EXTREMELY competitive with alot of high GPAs. Speaking with now current 2nd years..they love their class and they have a great time. It just all depends on the personalities. I am pretty sure it is like that for most schools. I know people in both schools..UF and Nova. Nova has the location and the new look to a school, but from most of my friends who attend Nova (NOT ALL OF THEM), Nova has issues right now (chair availability and overcrowded and disorganized) . It is real expensive..you will leave about 300K in debt.

However, you will still be a good dentist if you go to Nova and a sibling in my family is a 4th year there and they love it. UF has of course the old dental school look and what not but you wil be in less debt ( i will be in 150K). I agree with a previous poster in that UF is a little bit more geared toward specializing, but that is really just based on preparation for the Boards. I do not know how competitive my class will be because I did not participate in the summer research program. My research boss from undergratuate, who is part of the accreditation team, said UF will be scheduling our patients for us after accredidation after spring 2008 . Interview at both and see how you like them after..oh yea then you can think about all this IF YOU GET IN....so for now...sit back and hate the stress!