FSU forum

[Viraj]

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How is it going folks!!!
I wanna check whether there are nemore Seminoles here who r interested in dentistry. One of my freind and me are trying to make a Predental Society here in FSU, so would really appreciate response to this post.
Peace out

 

[baracuda]

Viraj,

Just wondering since you're from Florida, What is the word on Nova? Do you know how the dental community look at them? and how do they compare to UF? Any good/bad or inside info you could give me would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Stomatologist]

Hello baracuda,

I live in Miami and have rejected Nova as a school choice. I initially applied because I hadnt taken the DAT (never know how your going to do, then just to be on the safe side I applied to 10 schools initially), but after getting my scores I decided no to send the secondary application.

Among pre-dents at Florida International University, Nova is definetly not well regarded. First of all, the school lacks a reputation (which may be influential when graduate school comes). Additionally, there are rumors that the same exams run year after year which, if is true, will eventually undermine your preparation for the National State Boards. Also, the school does not have a full range of graduate programs to apply to. And finally, it is expensive (at the same level that other well established North Eastern schools), although South Florida is not an expensive place to live.

On the positive side, the school has state of the art facilites. The weather in South Florida is superb, almost always in the 70-80 range. Finally, as I said before South Florida is not an expensive place.

I believe that your dental education depends a lot in the effort you put into it. I truly believe that in a few years the school will be better regarded.

When compared with University of Florida (which I was accepted in), Nova has no chance. UF is a well know school with a reputation established over several decades. It is infact one of the best schools in the south east, and if you are a Florida resident, the tuition is a lot less. Their faculty is well know with lots of research and an a broad graduate program availability. Moreover, Gainesville is even shipper than Fort Lauderdale to live in (a one bedroom apartment could go for 400 dollars a month) and you will be within a walking distance from the school. The weather factor is also a plus, NO SNOW!!!

The only complaint I have heard about UF is the lack of patient availability. However, I have spoken to an UF alumni and he just said, "dont let all the requirements to fall behind, if you do periodical work, your will finish on time". Also, that UF mainly trains general dentists, that is to qualify for graduate school you need to be in the top 5-10% of the class.

Since I want to specializa, I am going to the North East where graduate school acceptance rate is higher.

I hope this is of any help.


Best wishes!

😎

 

[Stomatologist]

Hello baracuda,

I live in Miami and have rejected Nova as a school choice. I initially applied because I hadnt taken the DAT (never know how your going to do, then just to be on the safe side I applied to 10 schools initially), but after getting my scores I decided no to send the secondary application.

Among pre-dents at Florida International University, Nova is definetly not well regarded. First of all, the school lacks a reputation (which may be influential when graduate school comes). Additionally, there are rumors that the same exams run year after year which, if is true, will eventually undermine your preparation for the National State Boards. Also, the school does not have a full range of graduate programs to apply to. And finally, it is expensive (at the same level that other well established North Eastern schools), although South Florida is not an expensive place to live.

On the positive side, the school has state of the art facilites. The weather in South Florida is superb, almost always in the 70-80 range. Finally, as I said before South Florida is not an expensive place.

I believe that your dental education depends a lot in the effort you put into it. I truly believe that in a few years the school will be better regarded.

When compared with University of Florida (which I was accepted in), Nova has no chance. UF is a well know school with a reputation established over several decades. It is infact one of the best schools in the south east, and if you are a Florida resident, the tuition is a lot less. Their faculty is well know with lots of research and an a broad graduate program availability. Moreover, Gainesville is even shipper than Fort Lauderdale to live in (a one bedroom apartment could go for 400 dollars a month) and you will be within a walking distance from the school. The weather factor is also a plus, NO SNOW!!!

The only complaint I have heard about UF is the lack of patient availability. However, I have spoken to an UF alumni and he just said, "dont let all the requirements to fall behind, if you do periodical work, your will finish on time". Also, that UF mainly trains general dentists, that is to qualify for graduate school you need to be in the top 5-10% of the class.

Since I want to specializa, I am going to the North East where graduate school acceptance rate is higher.

I hope this is of any help.


Best wishes!

😎

 

[NYNOLE2]

Viraj,
As an alumni of the great FSU I fully support your idea to start the program, I wish I had something like that when I was there. Keep up the good work!!!

 

[baracuda]

Stomatologist,

Thanks for the info on Nova. The reputation will eventually come, but the recycling of exams, if ture, is scarey!!

Which Northeast School are you planning on going? I've been accepted to a few schools and right now I'm deciding between Columbia, Tufts, and Nova. What do you think of columbia or tufts?

Take care

 

[UofM01]

Stomatologist,

Let me clear something up for you because it seems that you have heard only rumors and no facts.

NOVA has every graduate program for dentistry available including Oral Sugery which will begin in May of this year. As far as price yes of course it is more expensive than UF...this is always the case when you compare a public school (UF) to a private school (NOVA). When I was at the interview for NOVA there was another student who was interviewing with me and that had been accepted to UF and was choosing NOVA over it.

NOVAs' Tuition is about 28,000 a year which is about average compared to other private schools. I talked to the students there about the patient pool and so forth and they said that there are more than enough patients to go around. They informed me that if you finish your requirements for the clinic you can go on and ask for more patients and improve on your weak points.

As for the Boards...on Part 1 last year they did really good from what the students had told me. As for part 2 I do not think it was that great but that is due to the fact that they have only had one class graduate.

Yes it is a new school with not a lot to say when talking reputation. I was skeptical just like yourself...but when I went there and seen the school and spoke with everyone there face to face I really did not get a bad vibe. Nova to me seemed like a school that was ready to kick off in the years to come. It really is progressing from what I am hearing. I hope this clears up some of the rumors.

 

[Stomatologist]

Dear colleague,

By no means I claimed as facts the information on the previous post. If you read it carefully, I specifically stated "rumors". Moreover, I said that a good dental education pimarily depends on the effort and maturity you put into it regardless of the school you attend.

Aswering your claim about choosing Nova over UF, I believe is a personal decision. For example, one may want to stay near one's family relatives in South Florida or be looking for a more exciting time in Miami, or may be the guy just liked the school better. What ever the case, is personal. However, facts are facts, and it is a fact that University of Florida is a better-regarded school than Nova. If not, ask South Eastern students where they rather go. Rumors did not influence my decision of not going to Nova, I simply gathered comments from dentist in the area and almost all recommended UF over other schools like Temple, BU, Tufts and even UPenn.

I have to agree on the facilities issue. Certainly, Nova has one of the best in the country with every modern equipment you could imagine. Then again, all that is relative, UPenn for example, has a very non-attractive facility (outdated equipment,etc) and it is one of the best institutions in the country (about 90% of the class have the opportunity to go into graduate school, research, funding, ivy league, etc, etc, etc). Although it may influence you psychologically, facilities, in my opinion are a secondary matter, the most important thing is to get the most of the school's faculty. Best professors will rely best ideas, tricks, and in-depth knowledge. In one word, experience, and that my friend, comes from years and years of teaching, research, and clinical experience.

So far, I know of two peoplewhom are/were, respectively attending to Nova. Additionally, I have a friend that will begin in September. All are great students, as I believe you are, and I am sure they/you will make awesome dentists.

I finally have to agree with you in the reputation issue. As time passes and will prepare alumni begin to graduate and suceed in life, the school will eventually gain the desired reputation (that's probably why they are pretty selective in the pre-docs acceptance, NDB's scores are also a measure on how well the students are, it is unfortunate that dental schools have not been ranked for several years, this could clear the school's reputation controversy.

This is my humble opinion. 😎

 

[Stomatologist]

That is,

well prepared alumni

sorry about the syntax error.

 

[baracuda]

Stomatologist,

Gotta few questions for you:

1. Since you live in florida, How is the dentist demand (in south florida)? Is it easy for new dental grads to find jobs or is it a saturated market? Do you have any info on what the pay rate is for dental associates in florida?

2. You mentioned that you talked to a few dentists. Just curious about their opinion on Tufts? How about columbia?

3. Where are you deciding to go to school next year?

 

[UofM01]

Stomatologist,

I agree with you. A school is not a good school only because of the fact that they have the most updated equipment. This does put the cherry on the sundae though. 🙂
The main reason I applied to NOVA is because one of the Faculty members who is a member of the oral surgery department lives in Michigan where I am from. He is regarded as one of the best if not the best oral surgeons in all of southeastern Michigan. I spoke with him on several occasions and he informed me that NOVA will be getting better as the years come and YES it will be a school that I can be a proud alumni from. I agree that good teachers and students make a school what it is not the actual name or surrounding area. Those little perks just make it a little more attractive in ones mind.
The faculty that NOVA has from what my Doctor friend has told me are very good educators.

IN the end though..it's not where you go it's what you put into the program. I abide by this 100%. I have worked with dentists for over 5 years now and have met the good and bad from the same schools. Like my dentist says who is probably the best I have seen as far as general..."There are 2 types of bad dentists
1>those that are not good and realize it so they go on and take more classes or do a residency or practice after hours.
2>those that are not good and think that they are good".

Anyways I know that if you want to be good and you have that desire and determination like most of us do on this network we will be great dentists. Good Luck!