For Students who attend:Michigan, UNC, Maryland, Tufts, NYU, Columbia, UPenn???

[Cablindian]

Hello,
I am applying for the Fall 2007 cycle, and I'm considering the mentioned schools. I've looked at the statistics for each school, but I want to know from someone who attends one of these schools: what's it really like?

For all schools: Is the program more traditional, academic, clinical, problem based, or a combination?

In particular:
Michigan: What do most people do and where do most people go on weekends (besides studying)? Do most people travel to Detroit?

Maryland: Where do most people live? There are many rumors that Baltimore is still rampant with drugs and violence. How true is this rumor?

UNC: What's Chapel Hill like? I've heard the social scene can be a bit slow.

UPenn: I've heard that D1 and D2 students "live" in the basement. What is the deal with that? How is the foreign exchange program?

NYU: Will someone please shed some light on the rampant NYU rumors!

Columbia: I know the school is predominantly Asian and male; is there any discrimination against females?

Tufts: I have heard that Boston natives in general are very unfriendly and unsupportive to minorities. Is this true?

I know this seems like a lot, but deciding where to go is very important. I certainly don't want to end up somewhere that isn't what I expected or read in a propaganda catalog. I really want the inside scoop from students that are there and are living it.

Thanks a bunch!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Sprgrover]

...UPenn: I've heard that D1 and D2 students "live" in the basement. What is the deal with that? How is the foreign exchange program?...

Both the preclinical labs and the primary classrooms are located in the basement of the Levy and Evans buildings. It really isn't as horrible as it may sound - yes, there are windows (except for the classrooms, in which the lights are usually off for PowerPoint presentations anyway) and you won't be spending all of your time down there. I presume by the "foreign exchange program" you mean Penn's extensive externship program. While I have yet to complete mine (right now South Africa seems really alluring) I have heard a lot of positive things about them and have seen some amazing photographs from students that have gone abroad for their externships. I hope this answers your questions!

 

[hockeydentist]

Both the preclinical labs and the primary classrooms are located in the basement of the Levy and Evans buildings. It really isn't as horrible as it may sound - yes, there are windows (except for the classrooms, in which the lights are usually off for PowerPoint presentations anyway) and you won't be spending all of your time down there. I presume by the "foreign exchange program" you mean Penn's extensive externship program. While I have yet to complete mine (right now South Africa seems really alluring) I have heard a lot of positive things about them and have seen some amazing photographs from students that have gone abroad for their externships. I hope this answers your questions!

sprgrover,
penn lets you go to south africa! sounds like penn wants to do its own version of the amazing race.. I wonder if temple lets students do this sort of stuff?

 

[UNCdentalguy]

UNC: What's Chapel Hill like? I've heard the social scene can be a bit slow.

Chapel Hill is the essential college town, which means there is plenty of social scene. The town is built around a 25,000 student university, which means ample drinking and partying opportunities, and the entire area is known for having a great music and arts scene. Pay it a visit and fall in love.

 

[Dr.Brutus]

Chapel Hill is the essential college town, which means there is plenty of social scene. The town is built around a 25,000 student university, which means ample drinking and partying opportunities, and the entire area is known for having a great music and arts scene. Pay it a visit and fall in love.

This is true. I interviewed at UNC and absolutely fell in love with the campus, Franklin St. and the town. I was singing James Taylor for the next week.

 

[MD2b20004]

This is true. I interviewed at UNC and absolutely fell in love with the campus, Franklin St. and the town. I was singing James Taylor for the next week.

I just have to add that I love NC in general, my exgf moved there when we were together for college and man did I fall in love with the city when I visited the first time. (it was Charlott though, I do not know too much about other cities). Everything is green, beautiful weather (coming from a person living all his life in the midwest), living expenses are cheap for what the state offers, and she lived on the boarder of SC and they have AWESOME beach. Whats better than sex on the beach in SC... Granted we broke up because I was sick of long distance crap and it got too expensive to fly there, and we argued more about dumb crap because of the distance issue, so no more NC visits for me.

 

[packbacker]

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is 2 hours from the beach, 3 hours from the mountains, and has ample social scene. Aside from what was stated above, the area has the Carolina Hurricanes, the Durham Bulls (AAA baseball) with one of the most beautiful AAA stadiums I've ever seen, the best college basketball you've ever seen (Duke, UNC, NCSU all within 20 miles), an excellent music scene, and plenty of outdoorsy things to do.

 

[UNCdentalguy]

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is 2 hours from the beach, 3 hours from the mountains, and has ample social scene. Aside from what was stated above, the area has the Carolina Hurricanes, the Durham Bulls (AAA baseball) with one of the most beautiful AAA stadiums I've ever seen, the best college basketball you've ever seen (Duke, UNC, NCSU all within 20 miles), an excellent music scene, and plenty of outdoorsy things to do.

And for those reasons so continues the Yankee invasion...

For any of you that do visit UNC for interviews, you might want to snag some bball tix to watch the 2007 National Champion Tar Heels.

 

[Cablindian]

I'm hearing alot of positive things about UNC. One more question: I've heard that it's almost impossible to get into UNC if you're a nonresident. Is this true?

 

[Dr.Brutus]

I'm hearing alot of positive things about UNC. One more question: I've heard that it's almost impossible to get into UNC if you're a nonresident. Is this true?

It's very tough...but definitely worth a try.

 

[Sweeti8286]

Michigan: What do most people do and where do most people go on weekends (besides studying)? Do most people travel to Detroit?


people do pretty normal things around here for the most part....shoot pool, bowling, movies, parties, football games.... there are plenty to do around Ann Arbor. It's only a 45 minute drive to Windsor, Canada...so people go to the casino there. And if there's a break, people go to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH.

There's really not much in Detroit...besides a few ball parks, museums, Greek Town...office buildings and scary ghetto neighborhoods. It's interesting for the first or second time for a visitor...but after that, it really isn't that impressive.

 

[v&andy_yankee]

Columbia: I know the school is predominantly Asian and male; is there any discrimination against females?

Nope. If anything, being female probably gives you an advantage (they want to make the class more diverse/balanced). There are more Asians than whites, there are more males than females. However, that doesn't mean the admins discriminate against any group.

 

[Dukie]

I like all this UNC love. Who are you people? I'm looking forward to meeting those incoming first years... Send me a PM.

In terms of out of state, yes, it is pretty difficult. The school accepts a max of 20% out of state (16 people) and the quality of applicants is just continuing to rise.

That being said, I would certainly encourage you to apply. NC is a nice state and UNC is a decent place to go to school too.

 

[nightsleep]

I like all this UNC love. Who are you people? I'm looking forward to meeting those incoming first years... Send me a PM.

In terms of out of state, yes, it is pretty difficult. The school accepts a max of 20% out of state (16 people) and the quality of applicants is just continuing to rise.

That being said, I would certainly encourage you to apply. NC is a nice state and UNC is a decent place to go to school too.

In addition to the rise in quality, they also consider if there are state schools (especially good ones) where you're from. They like to give others a chance who don't have the same.

 

[jpollei]

Chapel Hill is the essential college town, which means there is plenty of social scene. The town is built around a 25,000 student university, which means ample drinking and partying opportunities, and the entire area is known for having a great music and arts scene. Pay it a visit and fall in love.

No, he's lying! It's terrible, don't come here! You'd hate it...go somewhere like Boston or Philly or LA instead. There's nothing to do. Don't waste the time!

 

[jpollei]

I'm hearing alot of positive things about UNC. One more question: I've heard that it's almost impossible to get into UNC if you're a nonresident. Is this true?

OK, so make sure you read the sarcasm in my last post. True it can be difficult and it is becoming moreso as a non-res to get in as word seeps out. But honestly, that should NEVER keep you from applying anywhere. At UNC I applied as a non-res--as were the two guys I moved out here with (grtuck and stucker on SDN)--and have been glad I did ever since. Sure the odds don't seem in your favor as compared with other places, but every year there are 15 or so folks who get in who also had the numbers stacked against them. It's a fantastic school, town, area, etc.

 

[capisce?]

UNC is a decent place to go to school too.

Coming from a dookie that's as good a compliment as you can get. Especially since every one of them spend their saturday nights at top of the hill and players cause durham blows.

 

[deandomer]

Haven't been to Chapel Hill in a few years, but while I was there I thought (and still hold tightly to the view) that this it is the best place in the world.

 

[jpollei]

Haven't been to Chapel Hill in a few years, but while I was there I thought (and still hold tightly to the view) that this it is the best place in the world.

That may be a bit of a stretch--nothing beats a sunny mid-winter morning flying down the chutes through 30 inches of fresh powder at Alta. Still, celebrating a national championship on Franklin Street comes close. Come by on the first Monday night of April, 2007 after we cut down the nets in Atlanta.

 

[ElCubanito]

I stayed 4 days in Boston when I went to my interview. There's a lot of minority students. I was treated very well and felt right at home. I went to a bar and made some friends...hehe. If you interview at Tufts go to Rock Bottom. Nice for drinks!!!

 

[grtuck]

I just wanted to echo that I LOVE UNC. I came here as an out-of-stater in 2002 for dental schoool, and love it so much that it played heavily in my decision to stay here for my residency. I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Laters!
grtuck

 

[SRW26]

I just wanted to echo that I LOVE UNC. I came here as an out-of-stater in 2002 for dental schoool, and love it so much that it played heavily in my decision to stay here for my residency. I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Laters!
grtuck

I've heard so many great things about the area. I have a couple of relatives in NC I can't wait to visit, fingers crossed for an interview (an out-of-stater here)!

Thanks everyone for the info on these schools

 

[drPheta]

Rock Bottom That place is alright.

I hated Boston my first year here. It's a nice place, but I just hated how the streets were (or rather weren't) labeled, and how they coursed through the city. I hated how "rough" the Bostonians were. I hated a lot... but most of it had no basis, really. I think I was just homesick. Beantown is actually a nice place to be, though I still wouldn't want to raise my kids here. However, I can see myself practicing here for a bit after dental school, so that should tell you a lot.

Tufts is in Chinatown, how the hell are they going to be crude to minorities? Boston is the university capital of America, how the hell are they going to be crude to minorities? If you ever come to Boston to interview, shoot me an EMAIL and I'll gladly take you around the "campus." Though, I can't offer you a place to stay, cause I live with my girl in a tiny 600 sq. ft apt.

As for the education here, it's heavily clinical with a big emphasis on grades. By that, I mean the school is very progressive in the way they try to make you competent dentists while making sure you score well on the boards AND pass the NERB. As for specialty, I'd say a good 25% of the class go to a specialty and another 20% go into a GPR or AEGD. The remaining 55% go into private practice or academia. Those are rough estimates coming from what I can remember the last time I read the senior year books.

 

[abzirian]

Michigan:

I lived in Ann Arbor all 21 years of my life. And while i am personally totally sick of Ann Arbor, it really isn't a bad place to be. One of my favorite suburban towns actually (too bad i'm really a city-kinda guy). You can totally see people walking in groups of 10 or 20 walking around aimlessly from one cafe to another, but there are a ton of bars and a few clubs (tho the club scenes here are not too good). I personally hate detriot.. could never find much to do.. clubs in windsor are much nicer than here if you're willing to drive up there (takes like an hour), and there are casinos there (and detroit for that matter). It's totally laid back here, but the colleges are pretty with it.