HELP ME CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE ! Boston/USC/Minnesota

[TuffyDDS]

HI all !

I am a new member of this forum. I received my acceptance letter from USC yesterday. So now I am in a bit of confused state as I have my Boston and Minnesota interviews in Dec.

I wanted to know amongst these three which would be a right choice. Should I go for my other interviews or accept USC?

I really seek a good advise from you all so that I can choose the best.
Please do respond.

Thanks a lot n hoping for a positive response.

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[La fea]

USC- LA is hot most of the time, not the safest neighborhood, PBL, great clinics and pre clinics, ?expensive

BU- short duration of program, not v expensive, nice neighborhood, almost 9 months of pre clinics, big class, pretty cold

UMN- 2 years of clinics almost, excellent pre clinics, kinda expensive, very cold.

how far do you have to go from your family?

 

[TuffyDDS]

Thanks for ur response.

 

[Ibanez]

USC- LA is hot most of the time, not the safest neighborhood, PBL, great clinics and pre clinics, ?expensive

BU- short duration of program, not v expensive, nice neighborhood, almost 9 months of pre clinics, big class, pretty cold

UMN- 2 years of clinics almost, excellent pre clinics, kinda expensive, very cold.

how far do you have to go from your family?

More like...

USC: Very expensive

UMN: Very expensive and very cold (weather)

BU: Very Cold (weather)

I think it is easy for a person to adapt to cold weather than to live a stressful-"20k/yr MORE"-training.

M.

PS Whoever thinks money shouldn't be a deciding factor, well he/she should go shoppin'. jk

HI all !

I received my acceptance letter from USC yesterday. So now I am in a bit of confused state as I have my Boston and Minnesota interviews in Dec.

I wanted to know amongst these three which would be a right choice.

Well you do not have acceptance from BU and UMN, do not risk your acceptance at USC.

Or if you are damn confident?
Go ahead and decline the painful >100K/yr pricey advanced standing program with PBL curriculum.

M.

 

[La fea]

Well you do not have acceptance from BU and UMN, do not risk your acceptance at USC.

Or if you are damn confident?
Go ahead and decline the painful >100K/yr pricey advanced standing program with PBL curriculum.

M.

Thanks for saying that! I was hesitating

 

[dagu123]

i wud say, at present u shud pay the $1500 by dec 8. secure the admission first.
But do go to BU and UMN, see the schools personally, ask students studying there about their experience with that school and then decide.

if u like BU or UMN, u can sacrifice $1500 for a better school. but if u dont like those much (or u r not accepted) then u always have a place to go..

 

[jatt007]

I was having the impression that UMN would be less pricey overall than other two, cz cost of living in Minnesota is very cheap.. like 800$ compared to 1600$ at both BU and USC. So total saving of 20 K over two years which is a lot of money...
Also, what is the tuition fees for UMN? I know at USC its not 100K, its about 70K, Excluding living expenses and trasportation.. am I right?? which is more than at BU.. about 10 K more per year..
But dont know about UMN.???
If someone knows abt UMN tuition that would help deciding the money factor..

Also considering if you want to do specialization UMN > USC > BU ...
Living expense (BU = USC) > UMN

Correct me if I am wrong... what say guys...

 

[TuffyDDS]

I was having the impression that UMN would be less pricey overall than other two, cz cost of living in Minnesota is very cheap.. like 800$ compared to 1600$ at both BU and USC. So total saving of 20 K over two years which is a lot of money...
Also, what is the tuition fees for UMN? I know at USC its not 100K, its about 70K, Excluding living expenses and trasportation.. am I right?? which is comparable to BU..maybe 5 - 10 K more per year..
But dont know about UMN.???
If someone knows abt UMN tuition that would help deciding the money factor..

Also considering if you want to do specialization UMN > USC > BU ...
Living expense (BU = USC) > UMN

Correct me if I am wrong... what say guys...

Thnks jatt007 for ur reply.
Seems u are also in the same condition? Did u get admission at Minnesota?
Anyway thanks again.

 

[impaction]

HI all !

I am a new member of this forum. I received my acceptance letter from USC yesterday. So now I am in a bit of confused state as I have my Boston and Minnesota interviews in Dec.

I wanted to know amongst these three which would be a right choice. Should I go for my other interviews or accept USC?

I really seek a good advise from you all so that I can choose the best.
Please do respond.

Thanks a lot n hoping for a positive response.

CONGRATS FOR GETTING INTO USC...
i think its a pretty good school...
u cannot compare the 3 schools as each provide different things,...
it depends what your priorties are..
what factors gonna play a role in your descion making..
USC-- EXCELLENT WEATHER, GR8 CLINICS, GR8 pre-clinics, PBL
UMN-- EXCELLENT PROGRAM, GOOD FOR PG, V.V.COLD
BU---- SHORT PROGRAM, V.V COLD

Moreover i would say that you should accept usc admission as u are not still sure about the results at BU and UMN
when is ur interview at BU

 

[TuffyDDS]

CONGRATS FOR GETTING INTO USC...
i think its a pretty good school...
u cannot compare the 3 schools as each provide different things,...
it depends what your priorties are..
what factors gonna play a role in your descion making..
USC-- EXCELLENT WEATHER, GR8 CLINICS, GR8 pre-clinics, PBL
UMN-- EXCELLENT PROGRAM, GOOD FOR PG, V.V.COLD
BU---- SHORT PROGRAM, V.V COLD

Moreover i would say that you should accept usc admission as u are not still sure about the results at BU and UMN
when is ur interview at BU

Hi thanks for your feedback. My BU interview is on 4 Dec.
thanx

 

[TuffyDDS]

Thanks for all the inputs...

I have found out the tuition fees ( excluding living expenses) for all three.

BU 118,000( 2007) maybe more in 2008
USC 140,000(2008)
UMN 140,000(2008)

Now considering the living expenses:-
BU = USC > UMN.. more like BU and USC might cost twice as much as UMN.
correct me if I am wrong here....

Could someone tell about the clinicals wise, what would be the ranking?
Also from the perspective of Ease of specialization?

I have heard about the low graduation rate in USC in 2006 2007, is that improving.. does someone know??

Thanks in advance...

 

[TuffyDDS]

Thanks a lot for posting the reply. I have secured my USC seat as most of the fellow SDNers have suggested.
I am just kind of pre-planning on UMN and BU's outcomes. Hoping to get in at least one of them.

Here are my findings from the SDN readings.

A -- Cost : 1)BU 2)UMN 3)USC (UMN and USC have same tuitions but USC might be more on living expenditure though, so not much difference I guess)
B -- Clinicals : 1) ?? 2) ?? 3) BU
C -- Ease of gettin in speciality : 1)?? 2)?? 3) BU

Could anyone shed some light on B and C criterion??

Comparing USC and UMN which one is better for Clinicals exposure and getting in specialities?

Appreciate your inputs.

 

[refresh]

Firstly confirm your place in USC, attend all the interviews which u have.Once u get acceptance then luk into your options.Regarding the skools.

1) UMN: less no of international graduates are enrolled,more concentration on the FTD's and good clinical exposure,no doubt about it.

2) BU: Cheap comparitive to other skools,short duration,less stressfull as compared to other skools.little less clinical exposure (MY OPINION)u have guidance in theory(CLASSES)

3) USC: Cost factor plus living expenditure,PBL i have few of my friends who gave mixed opinions about this,no theoritical classes,but good clinical exposure.

So, good luck to your interviews, once you get acceptances then comes your priorities Finance,Family,moving from one plave to other and Finally what does ur heart say. Talk to people when u attend the interviews have a look at the settings and Decide.

PS: No one can influence you the final decision should be yours.

Hope this helps.

Finally,what i have posted here is my personal view no offence to whomsoever concerned.

 

[refresh]

Thanx! and Good luck to you, iam already done with my DMD from BU. Currently busy wid the work.

Thanks a lot for posting the reply. I have secured my USC seat as most of the fellow SDNers have suggested.
I am just kind of pre-planning on UMN and BU's outcomes. Hoping to get in at least one of them.

Here are my findings from the SDN readings.

A -- Cost : 1)BU 2)UMN 3)USC (UMN and USC have same tuitions but USC might be more on living expenditure though, so not much difference I guess)
B -- Clinicals : 1) ?? 2) ?? 3) BU
C -- Ease of gettin in speciality : 1)?? 2)?? 3) BU

Could anyone shed some light on B and C criterion??

Comparing USC and UMN which one is better for Clinicals exposure and getting in specialities?

Appreciate your inputs.

 

[TuffyDDS]

Thanks for replying.. so you are already done.. great ..
I am still having a very specific question about..
Comparing "USC and UMN" which one is better for Clinicals exposure and getting in specialities? as I know both are better than BU in both areas.. But which one would you say is better for..
1) Clinicals (UMN or USC)
2) Ease of getting in PG.. (UMN or USC)
Thanks in advance..

 

[sharpcanine]

hi
Congrats Tuffy DDS on ur acceptance at USC..clinical wise i think UMINN is better...
if u dont mind pls post ur stats....and tell us abt ur interview experience at USC..

 

[impaction]

hi
Congrats Tuffy DDS on ur acceptance at USC..clinical wise i think UMINN is better...
if u dont mind pls post ur stats....and tell us abt ur interview experience at USC..

UMN has exceptionally good clinicis.. but USC is not far behind...
USC is a nice school, with strong clinicas and USc requires u to put lots of efforts and u can shape ur career here...
u will be a strong clinician after graduating from it.. Also u can use PBL to ur advantage ... As i think in the conventional classroom study, most of the guys just cram(at least i used to do) things at the last moment.
but in PBL u can study things according to your style and it can end up on a better side...
One of my seniors graduated from usc.. and is accepted into ortho-pedo program at Upenn...
he talks highly of the program...
you are lucky that you got acceptance...
i applied twice to it without achieving success..
wish u all the best with ur choice

 

[blessme]

what happened with USc are u on alternate list??where else have u been interviewed.

thanks

UMN has exceptionally good clinicis.. but USC is not far behind...
USC is a nice school, with strong clinicas and USc requires u to put lots of efforts and u can shape ur career here...
u will be a strong clinician after graduating from it.. Also u can use PBL to ur advantage ... As i think in the conventional classroom study, most of the guys just cram(at least i used to do) things at the last moment.
but in PBL u can study things according to your style and it can end up on a better side...
One of my seniors graduated from usc.. and is accepted into ortho-pedo program at Upenn...
he talks highly of the program...
you are lucky that you got acceptance...
i applied twice to it without achieving success..
wish u all the best with ur choice

 

[sharpcanine]

hi impaction..
If u dont mind can u put more light on PBL system..what exactly that term means..
thanks in advance

 

[carabelli]

UMN has exceptionally good clinicis.. but USC is not far behind...
USC is a nice school, with strong clinicas and USc requires u to put lots of efforts and u can shape ur career here...
u will be a strong clinician after graduating from it.. Also u can use PBL to ur advantage ... As i think in the conventional classroom study, most of the guys just cram(at least i used to do) things at the last moment.
but in PBL u can study things according to your style and it can end up on a better side...
One of my seniors graduated from usc.. and is accepted into ortho-pedo program at Upenn...
he talks highly of the program...
you are lucky that you got acceptance...
i applied twice to it without achieving success..
wish u all the best with ur choice

I totally agree..i am a recent graduate of USC (07)and feel that clinical skills are drilled into you. To graduate on time, you really have to work for it...!! PBL is great for the adv standing programs as we've already gone through a lot of theory before we come here and that gives you a chance to explore topics of interest in greater depth. I personally thought its a great school for honing your clinical skills especially in prosthodontics and would definitely recommend the program of youre looking to be a splecialist or want to straight away start practicing.

 

[enzosz]

problem based learning

hi impaction..
If u dont mind can u put more light on PBL system..what exactly that term means..
thanks in advance

 

[impaction]

PBL is problem based learning...
In which they consider u as doctors and ask you to consider all the aspect and then make a treatment plan...
i think it polish your skills as clinician...
its not spoon feeding..
As we (at least I) come from the school system , in which teacher teaches and gives notes and we cram the book and then score marks.. and then PASS...
But to be honest there is little alround development...
we just think in one dimension...
I think in PBL , they make u multi -dimensional.... which in the long run will definitely pay you off..