Help: Columbia v. Michigan

[ah1989]

Hey guys, I am struggling to make a decision, and just want some more feedback/input

I'm in-state for Michigan, so that's obviously quite a bit cheaper than Columbia (not to mention the cost of living for NYC vs. Ann Arbor)

I've been at UM for 4 years now, and really would like to experience something new for a bit.. Also, I would like to specialize, so I feel like Columbia would better prepare me for that (med school curriculum, status, etc.)

I'm just having trouble justifying the price difference, any advice? What would you do? Thanks!

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[CTDent88]

I'm going to a state school (90% sure...) mainly due to cost. If one is willing to suck up the extra $150,000 - $200,000 dollars to go to a private school, I say go for it. But personally, I can't even fathom the value of that much money given my background.

 

[JBieber]

How much is the price difference again?

 

[ah1989]

From tuition/cost of living estimates, it looks like it would be 235k for Mich vs 307k for Columbia over the 4 years... so about 70k different

 

[JBieber]

From tuition/cost of living estimates, it looks like it would be 235k for Mich vs 307k for Columbia over the 4 years... so about 70k different

Is 307k your personal estimate? I thought the estimate they gave us was around 336k for 4 years...

 

[txlonghorn]

Michigan it is then.

 

[RynestoneCowboy]

i don't think that tuition should be the be-all end-all in anyone's decision. sure, it will cost more money, but no matter where you go you'll end up earning enough to pay it back within a reasonable time frame.

i think the one question you should ask yourself is this: will you regret not going to try something new just because it will save you money?

i think at the end of the day, if you really do want to try living somewhere else, this is in all likelihood the last chance you'll get before you start getting tied down by other things (i.e. partners/spouses, job options, etc). and it seems to me like you're trying to justify to yourself that picking michigan is the more prudent choice, which suggests that you really want to go to columbia.

in the end, you gotta do what makes you the happiest. the finances will work themselves out at the end of the day wherever you go. so go with your gut, and pick the one you like best.

(sorry this is a little rant-y. it just has been bothering me that so many people seem to prioritize cost over everything else.)

 

[Pennywisdom]

i don't think that tuition should be the be-all end-all in anyone's decision. sure, it will cost more money, but no matter where you go you'll end up earning enough to pay it back within a reasonable time frame.

i think the one question you should ask yourself is this: will you regret not going to try something new just because it will save you money?

i think at the end of the day, if you really do want to try living somewhere else, this is in all likelihood the last chance you'll get before you start getting tied down by other things (i.e. partners/spouses, job options, etc). and it seems to me like you're trying to justify to yourself that picking michigan is the more prudent choice, which suggests that you really want to go to columbia.

in the end, you gotta do what makes you the happiest. the finances will work themselves out at the end of the day wherever you go. so go with your gut, and pick the one you like best.

(sorry this is a little rant-y. it just has been bothering me that so many people seem to prioritize cost over everything else.)

Sure, but how you would feel if you were tied down by massive loans? Thinking about dental school tuition stresses me out already.

Oh well, to each and their own.

 

[JBieber]

i don't think that tuition should be the be-all end-all in anyone's decision. sure, it will cost more money, but no matter where you go you'll end up earning enough to pay it back within a reasonable time frame.

i think the one question you should ask yourself is this: will you regret not going to try something new just because it will save you money?

i think at the end of the day, if you really do want to try living somewhere else, this is in all likelihood the last chance you'll get before you start getting tied down by other things (i.e. partners/spouses, job options, etc). and it seems to me like you're trying to justify to yourself that picking michigan is the more prudent choice, which suggests that you really want to go to columbia.

in the end, you gotta do what makes you the happiest. the finances will work themselves out at the end of the day wherever you go. so go with your gut, and pick the one you like best.

(sorry this is a little rant-y. it just has been bothering me that so many people seem to prioritize cost over everything else.)

me too.

 

[CTDent88]

Just from my general observation,

Dentists: go to the cheapest school possible
Pre-Dents: loans aren't that big of a deal, you'll pay it off.

It'd be interesting to know how many pre-dents actually understand the work that goes behind earning an extra $150k - $300k while managing a family, bills, jobs, etc.

 

[johnr43210]

Just from my general observation,

Dentists: go to the cheapest school possible
Pre-Dents: loans aren't that big of a deal, you'll pay it off.

It'd be interesting to know how many pre-dents actually understand the work that goes behind earning an extra $150k - $300k while managing a family, bills, jobs, etc.

People have different goals. Within dentistry, there are different things you can do in addition to treating patients. In terms of treating patients with hands, you will be the same no matter where you go. If you are interested in other things, you might think about other factors.

Also, not all dentists share the same perspective. We probably talked to 5-10 dentists at best, and the sample size is too small to say, dentists think we should just choose dental schools solely based on cost. For instance, if you talk to a specialist who went to Penn or Columbia, they might say something different. It's subjective.

 

[johnr43210]

also, location for where you want to practice might play a role.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey guys, I am struggling to make a decision, and just want some more feedback/input

I'm in-state for Michigan, so that's obviously quite a bit cheaper than Columbia (not to mention the cost of living for NYC vs. Ann Arbor)

I've been at UM for 4 years now, and really would like to experience something new for a bit.. Also, I would like to specialize, so I feel like Columbia would better prepare me for that (med school curriculum, status, etc.)

I'm just having trouble justifying the price difference, any advice? What would you do? Thanks!

There is one HUGE (70 thousand dollar huge) advantage of michigan over columbia

What exactly is the advantage of columbia over michigan? I don't believe there is an edge in specialization from either school. As matter of fact, michigan has all 9 specialties and from what I am told, all of them are ranked very high. If you want to specialize, then michigan seems like a better choice cause you might be able to pull off some externships at those programs during your breaks.

 

[BlueWolv]

Also, I would like to specialize, so I feel like Columbia would better prepare me for that (med school curriculum, status, etc.))

Michigan is a school you go to if you want to specialize (if you buy in to the "school matters" philosophy). If that's the only thing holding you back I would def go to Michigan. The opportunities are plentiful there. I know what you mean wanting to go somewhere new though. THAT may be a good reason for choosing Colombia, NOT chances of specializing. GO BLUE!

 

[lululime]

Don't forget that there will be additional expenses for housing and all if you move away!

Actually, if you just want some kind of change you could just move out of your parents and live on your own/with room mates/with a significant other/with other dental students.