Help me decide if I want to interview at Harvard

[cougar fool]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey Guys,

So I need some help. I have an interview scheduled at Harvard and I am thinking about cancelling it. Before you call me crazy here me out...

Cons:
1) I know that Harvard is premo if you want to specialize but I have heard the clinical is not so great. Is there truth to that? I am pretty sure that I want to do general dentistry so I am thinking there might be a better school for that.
2) Living in Boston is expensive.
3) Flight is $420 bones. I have already spent thousands to apply so it isn't that big of a deal but $400 bucks is $400 bucks.
4) Don't get into clinic until really late compared to some schools.

Pros:
1) Great Medical education.
2) The 'name' of Harvard will follow me throughout my life.
3) Living in Boston could be cool since I am from the west.
4) If I later decide to specialize I will have a foot in at pretty much anywhere.

I am going to be doing the Air Force Scholarship so tuition isn't really a factor at this point. In the end I am looking for a school with the best clinical experience. Any suggestions are really appreciated.

Thanks

 

[alanan84]

It's just an interview, you're not deciding if you want to go there! Wow... Go to the interview, ask all the questions you have doubts about, then make a decision if they accept you.

 

[DrDDSman]

Well, congrats on scoring a Harvard interview...since tuition isn't a factor in your final decision, I would bite the bullet and pony up the cost of travel. Worst case scenario: you'll get rejected. Best scenario: You get an acceptance and and they may woo you at the interview (and you end up attending) I'd go for it and keep the option open (unless you already know you will be attending somewhere else).

 

[preOMFS]

Pre December 1= Go to ALL your interviews

Post December 1= Pick n Choose if you already have an acceptance

 

[Atticus]

In the end I am looking for a school with the best clinical experience. Any suggestions are really appreciated.

Thanks

You really answered this for yourself. If you want to be in the clinic early and you know that you won't be in it w/ Harvard... You really wouldn't be happy there. Also, literally no one (except you, your family and those who happen to examine your diploma hanging on the wall of your office) will know that you went to Harvard. BUT, what if you get rejected at all of the other schools you interview at? You'll instantly regret not spending $400 on the Harvard interview.

That being said... Choosing whether or not to attend the interview really depends on how many interviews you already have set up. Though no interview guarantees acceptance, I'd think if you already have >5 interviews completed or lined up, you'll be fine to cancel it.

Tough decision for you! What a good position to be in 🙂

 

[cougar fool]

I have had 3 interviews and have 2 planned.

 

[THINKOFMYFUTURE]

Depends on how "padded" your position is in my opinion. Did you attend, or are attending many interviews and was/is your top choice one of them? Did those interviews go well? According to previous statistics, what was the ratio of those interviewed/accepted at the schools you have interviews with? (This is still not a guarantee, despite reflecting a very certain trend).

Next is, do you really want to go to Harvard? You may have your reasons for or against, weigh them carefully. But don't be afraid to decline any interview, there is nothing wrong with that, as long as you know you can get in somewhere else where you will be as happy or happier than the school you're now contemplating interviewing at <-- determining this is obviously the hardest part!

I was also in a similar situation as you with another "renowned" school, and ended up declining. Personally, versus my top choices
a) the school was too expensive
b) inconvenient (to me) location
c) less attractive curriculum
d) similar performance on boards
e) about the same specialization rate

Basically, it came down to going to my top choice, vs. going to a school just because of its name. I dwelled on that for a while and its pretty stupid to justify the latter case.

I really want to stress again though, that, before you even consider declining any interview, you need to be almost sure that you will be accepted somewhere else. Not only that, your pros of dropping the interview must be clear and substantial. Make no mistake its not an easy decision to make.

 

[UCfan]

Pre December 1= Go to ALL your interviews

Post December 1= Pick n Choose if you already have an acceptance

It has been explained well.

 

[marscole]

go and find out... you never know what will happen next!!!

never regret!!!👍

 

[cyrano]

Well you applied there, so you must have some attraction to it. So I'd check it out.

 

[Sauce]

Pre December 1= Go to ALL your interviews

Post December 1= Pick n Choose if you already have an acceptance

Its all well and good to attend as many interviews as possible but you still need to be selective Pre Dec 1. If not for the monetary costs but for the time in missed classes/lost wages.

 

[a1pha]

You don't know anything about a school until you interview and get a feel (and the facts) of student life. As a result, almost nobody on here is going to tell you proper info about the school. Just go to your interview.

 

[preOMFS]

Its all well and good to attend as many interviews as possible but you still need to be selective Pre Dec 1. If not for the monetary costs but for the time in missed classes/lost wages.

If the OP or any predent is indeed dedicated to going to dental school, then he or she should be prepared to attend all interviews before december, otherwise, they should not have applied to as many schools. Most professors will understand and dental school interviews should take precedence over any potential wages.

 

[peerless218]

GO!!! How many people can ACTUALLY claim they even got an interview at Harvard!! Go for the experience!!

 

[Svart Aske]

Go for it. I interviewed at Harvard a few weeks ago and I went without any expectations (I heard the same things regarding clinical training) and was even surprised I got an interview in the first place. My impressions:

- Friendly faculty members
- Seems like a close-knit community since there are only 35 students/class
- Happy student body
- "It's not that bad," said students when asked about how 1st and 2nd year were. Apparently the curriculum and collaborative relationship among students reduce stress.
- You are getting HMS education for the first two years!
- Relatively low tuition compared to other private schools
- Boston is a lot of fun
- The name has a lot of leverage

I was however disappointed that we never got to see the clinics during our tour. We were shown the classrooms, study lounges, dorms etc. but never got a close look around the HSDM building itself. Did they have something to hide? I don't know.

A student told me that they're renovating the pre-clinics though. Also, I was told by a student that Harvard graduates say they don't feel inadequately trained compared to graduates of other dental schools when they enter residencies. But you should find out more about that. By the way, here's an article that might be useful:
http://www.jdentaled.org/cgi/content/full/71/8/1080

It comes down to what you want to get out of a dental education. Harvard's selling point is their name and the number of graduates that get matched into specialty residencies. I'm sure they also like to see students who get into research and possibly take on leadership positions in their careers (future deans and directors). If you're not that ambitious and your priority is simply to get early exposure to good clinical training at an affordable price, I don't know if there's a compelling reason to go to Harvard.

 

[sajjy]

Go for it. I interviewed at Harvard a few weeks ago and I went without any expectations (I heard the same things regarding clinical training) and was even surprised I got an interview in the first place. My impressions:

- Friendly faculty members
- Seems like a close-knit community since there are only 35 students/class
- Happy student body
- "It's not that bad," said students when asked about how 1st and 2nd year were. Apparently the curriculum and collaborative relationship among students reduce stress.
- You are getting HMS education for the first two years!
- Relatively low tuition compared to other private schools
- Boston is a lot of fun
- The name has a lot of leverage

I was however disappointed that we never got to see the clinics during our tour. We were shown the classrooms, study lounges, dorms etc. but never got a close look around the HSDM building itself. Did they have something to hide? I don't know.

A student told me that they're renovating the pre-clinics though. Also, I was told by a student that Harvard graduates say they don't feel inadequately trained compared to graduates of other dental schools when they enter residencies. But you should find out more about that. By the way, here's an article that might be useful:
http://www.jdentaled.org/cgi/content/full/71/8/1080

It comes down to what you want to get out of a dental education. Harvard's selling point is their name and the number of graduates that get matched into specialty residencies. I'm sure they also like to see students who get into research and possibly take on leadership positions in their careers (future deans and directors). If you're not that ambitious and your priority is simply to get early exposure to good clinical training at an affordable price, I don't know if there's a compelling reason to go to Harvard.

I am glad that you got a good impression of the school and your observations are all correct. Also, I am surprised that your group was not shown thee clinics during the tour as it is the main part (first stop) of the tour. Personally speaking, the teaching practice and faculty practice are really beautiful. Yes, they are renovating a lot of things which will be ready by the time we will hit the clinics.
I like the last point you made which is totally true. If one expects an early exposure to clinics training and is not interested beyond dentistry then Harvard might not be a good fit.

 

[sugarsting]

Go for it. I interviewed at Harvard a few weeks ago and I went without any expectations (I heard the same things regarding clinical training) and was even surprised I got an interview in the first place. My impressions:

- Friendly faculty members
- Seems like a close-knit community since there are only 35 students/class
- Happy student body
- "It's not that bad," said students when asked about how 1st and 2nd year were. Apparently the curriculum and collaborative relationship among students reduce stress.
- You are getting HMS education for the first two years!
- Relatively low tuition compared to other private schools
- Boston is a lot of fun
- The name has a lot of leverage

I was however disappointed that we never got to see the clinics during our tour. We were shown the classrooms, study lounges, dorms etc. but never got a close look around the HSDM building itself. Did they have something to hide? I don't know.

A student told me that they're renovating the pre-clinics though. Also, I was told by a student that Harvard graduates say they don't feel inadequately trained compared to graduates of other dental schools when they enter residencies. But you should find out more about that. By the way, here's an article that might be useful:
http://www.jdentaled.org/cgi/content/full/71/8/1080

It comes down to what you want to get out of a dental education. Harvard's selling point is their name and the number of graduates that get matched into specialty residencies. I'm sure they also like to see students who get into research and possibly take on leadership positions in their careers (future deans and directors). If you're not that ambitious and your priority is simply to get early exposure to good clinical training at an affordable price, I don't know if there's a compelling reason to go to Harvard.

LMAO I don't know how that happened because at my interview I walked through the clinic literally 7 times going from the new building to the old building and back and forth. It looks the same as the faculty clinic...just not as nice. 😛

Never believe in renovations because they usually take powers of 10 times longer than projected.


As for whether or not to interview...I think it is quite a bold (i.e. presumptuous, stupid, arrogant) statement to skip any interview, especially Harvard, before Dec 1st. Like others said, go and find out. Also remember you are (anyone is) still unlikely to be accepted. Every school you interview at will help you make a more informed final decision because you will discover what you're really looking for in a school.

 

[Svart Aske]

LMAO I don't know how that happened because at my interview I walked through the clinic literally 7 times going from the new building to the old building and back and forth. It looks the same as the faculty clinic...just not as nice. 😛

Never believe in renovations because they usually take powers of 10 times longer than projected.


As for whether or not to interview...I think it is quite a bold (i.e. presumptuous, stupid, arrogant) statement to skip any interview, especially Harvard, before Dec 1st. Like others said, go and find out. Also remember you are (anyone is) still unlikely to be accepted. Every school you interview at will help you make a more informed final decision because you will discover what you're really looking for in a school.

How favorably did the clinics compare to those of other schools where you have interviewed?

I feel like schools like Harvard and Penn can get away with having unimpressive facilities (which is true for Penn).

 

[Zubnaya Feya]

I have actually thought that Harvard facilities were real nice. Everywhere where we walked it was clean and all the equipment was modern. I have heard things about "not enough clinical experience" but I felt like it was b-crap when I interviewed at the school. You get 2-month rotations outside of d school (which is pretty long compared to other schools) and the clinic starts during the 2nd year (April of 2nd year) but not 3rd, like others said.

PBL is great to prepare you for clinic and Patient-Doctor series actually involve going to a hospital the first year (2nd week of first year I believe) to interview patients. They said you interview tens and tens of patients before you start doing procedures in clinic and this gives you valuable communication skills. It is a different curriculum but it works very well: if anyone is interested, you can read this: http://www.jdentaled.org/cgi/reprint/67/9/1003

 

[sugarsting]

How favorably did the clinics compare to those of other schools where you have interviewed?

I feel like schools like Harvard and Penn can get away with having unimpressive facilities (which is true for Penn).

pretty standard..similar quality to all the other ones i've seen..