Help! Penn Vs. WVU

[ElectraOnAzalea]

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I think I've read every thread on here regarding penn vs. cheaper state school, but i still feel like I need to make this thread. I just got accepted to Penn last week. My heart literally jumped out of my chest when i read the e-mail. When i was at the school i felt like i belonged there. I loved Philadelphia, the school and opportunities it provides, faculty, and students. Everything was wonderful. I feel like I could thrive at penn. Now the trouble starts. COST. It's plaguing me. WVU is CHEAP. I didn't feel that comfortable there, but I know it's a good school who will graduate competent dentists.

I don't want to be miserable for four years wishing I had gone to Penn. I don't want the cost to hold me back from what i truly want, but cost is a huge factor. I guess i'm just saying I'm scared of the debt. Will i be able to pay this off? I'm i crazy for even thinking about penn?

 

[tamkhan]

WVU. You'll thank yourself later on. Spending one day at a school isn't enough to know whether you'll be comfortable there or not. You might have a different experience if you visit the school again. With time, you will adjust.
Save money.

 

[small]

If you think you might spend everyday wondering if it was really worth paying $150,000 +interest more to live in Phily and go to Penn, then go to WVU. If you're sure you wouldn't give it a second thought, go to Penn. I'm spending more to go to Colorado and I will never look back. Of course, I'm also thinking of my wife and son, so maybe our situations are a little different.

Either way, you'll make enough money to pay off your loans. 99% of working dentist seem to say GO CHEAP!

(http://www.towniecentral.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?s=2&f=214&t=85402&r=0 you'll need a login)

but most dentists are greedy bstrds anyway, right?😉
Seriously though, it's a tough decision. Good luck!

 

[shvora]

I chose Buffalo over Penn

 

[letsgoblue]

I chose columbia over umdnj!
It depends on people. Decision making is tough, but I believe I made the right decision!😉
Good luck!

 

[Slutskya]

I think I've read every thread on here regarding penn vs. cheaper state school, but i still feel like I need to make this thread. I just got accepted to Penn last week. My heart literally jumped out of my chest when i read the e-mail. When i was at the school i felt like i belonged there. I loved Philadelphia, the school and opportunities it provides, faculty, and students. Everything was wonderful. I feel like I could thrive at penn. Now the trouble starts. COST. It's plaguing me. WVU is CHEAP. I didn't feel that comfortable there, but I know it's a good school who will graduate competent dentists.

I don't want to be miserable for four years wishing I had gone to Penn. I don't want the cost to hold me back from what i truly want, but cost is a huge factor. I guess i'm just saying I'm scared of the debt. Will i be able to pay this off? I'm i crazy for even thinking about penn?

I felt the same way you did when I read my email that Penn accepted me. I, too, loved the school. I'm in the same dilemma as you. Should I go to Penn or UCLA? At this point, I'm about 90% sure that I'll attend Penn despite the higher cost. I just don't want to regret not going to my school of choice. With this said, I agree with some of the other post about visiting the school again. I plan on going to UCLA in a couple of weeks to visit again before I finalize my decision to attend Penn. I think the final decision comes down to you. I keep getting advise from my 2 mentors, who are practicing specialists in California. Yet, I know I'll decide in the end what is right for me. Good luck to us both!

 

[hattrack04]

I felt the same way you did when I read my email that Penn accepted me. I, too, loved the school. I'm in the same dilemma as you. Should I go to Penn or UCLA? At this point, I'm about 90% sure that I'll attend Penn despite the higher cost. I just don't want to regret not going to my school of choice. With this said, I agree with some of the other post about visiting the school again. I plan on going to UCLA in a couple of weeks to visit again before I finalize my decision to attend Penn. I think the final decision comes down to you. I keep getting advise from my 2 mentors, who are practicing specialists in California. Yet, I know I'll decide in the end what is right for me. Good luck to us both!

I started a thread about Penn vs. UCLA. Look it up in the archive because I think it will be beneficial for you to read.

 

[jazzyb]

I havent been to Penn, but i did visit Mo-town and i must say i was pretty impressed with the university. I mean it is the only university that i know of that makes a "elevated transit" system for the students. The class size and just the entire faculty was pretty descent as far as i could see. And i also think the entire cost factor is a quite a big difference. I mean its not like ure saving a grand or so per year, i think its over 8-9 grand a year. So ya if it were me i would go with WVU!!

 

[SHC1984]

Penn send acceptance letters thru EMAIL? not snail mail? I didn't know that. I better start checking my email more often then...

Anyways, Congrats on your acceptance to Penn. I would most definetly choose Penn over WVU. However, if you are 110% sure that you won't specialize and want to be a GP then go to WVU b/c its cheaper.

To the other poster, UCLA vs Penn? WOW that would be a HARD decision. Now, if I was in those shoes I would be stuck myself. Good luck! 🙂

 

[hattrack04]

To the other poster, UCLA vs Penn? WOW that would be a HARD decision. Now, if I was in those shoes I would be stuck myself. Good luck! 🙂

Ya, it was quite a brain-buster for me, that's for sheezy

 

[SHC1984]

Ya, it was quite a brain-buster for me, that's for sheezy

How come you didn't choose Columbia? 😀

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

Thank you everyone for taking time to help me think through my options. I just want to make the choice that is right for me. I know a sacrifice will have to be made either way i choose, but also either way i still get to fulfill my dream to be a dentist😍. If anyone has anymore insight feel free to chime in. I'm still thinking away!

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

Penn send acceptance letters thru EMAIL? not snail mail? I didn't know that. I better start checking my email more often then...

Anyways, Congrats on your acceptance to Penn. I would most definetly choose Penn over WVU. However, if you are 110% sure that you won't specialize and want to be a GP then go to WVU b/c its cheaper.

To the other poster, UCLA vs Penn? WOW that would be a HARD decision. Now, if I was in those shoes I would be stuck myself. Good luck! 🙂

I guess they started sending a heads up through e-mail to expedite the decision making process. I'm still not sure why it took them 5 montsh to review my application. Maybe they wanted to interview everyone before they decided to give me a shot? Who knows, but i'm glad they did =)

I don't know if i want to specialize or not, but the thing that gets me is maybe penn would give me a slight specialization edge, but then with all that debt how am i supposed to pay to specialize if i happen to get into a program that has a tuition????

 

[Sawmoo]

I'm in the exact same dilemma. UPenn vs UConn! I'm currently on UConn's waitlist, but I'm giving myself the decision to know that if I did get into UConn, should I still go and give up UPenn? UConn is in Farmington, whereas UPenn is in Philadelphia. UPenn costs 4x as much as UConn, it would be a HUGE save, but yet, student life between the two will be very different and I'm assuming more fun at UPenn. I've heard the life of dentists during their time of paying off their loans is not bad, their quality of life is reasonable. It will definately take a longer time to pay off the loans if I went to UPenn than UConn, but what I want to know is...WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME SPAN AN AVERAGE DENTIST CAN PAY OFF A LARGE LOAN (a loan similar to that of UPenn, NYU, BU, etc)? 😕

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

I sent in my deposit to Penn today. I can still get my WVU deposit refunded up til May 1st. I don't want to hold on to this WVU spot if i'm not going to go there because i know people are still waiting, but i need a little more time to think this one out.

 

[Greensalad]

I'm in the exact same dilemma. UPenn vs UConn! I'm currently on UConn's waitlist, but I'm giving myself the decision to know that if I did get into UConn, should I still go and give up UPenn? UConn is in Farmington, whereas UPenn is in Philadelphia. UPenn costs 4x as much as UConn, it would be a HUGE save, but yet, student life between the two will be very different and I'm assuming more fun at UPenn. I've heard the life of dentists during their time of paying off their loans is not bad, their quality of life is reasonable. It will definately take a longer time to pay off the loans if I went to UPenn than UConn, but what I want to know is...WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME SPAN AN AVERAGE DENTIST CAN PAY OFF A LARGE LOAN (a loan similar to that of UPenn, NYU, BU, etc)? 😕

I've talked to specialists. They said if you're really that bothered by loans, loans of 500k can be paid off within 10 years if you're a specialist like them. You could also marry your classmate (like they all did) and get it paid off ever quicker. But they also said that if you're more business inclined, going to the cheaper school would be the better decision.

 

[SHC1984]

Here are just a few people from Predents that turn down their state school (cheaper) for Penn. So Penn is worth the extra $$$.

http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2844
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2750
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=3545
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2490
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=3542

Good Luck! 🙂

 

[makushin]

I honestly think you'd be insane to go to Penn unless someone else is footing the bill. The price difference is just way too large. Go to WVU unless someone else is paying. Penn is not going to make you a better dentist.

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

Here are just a few people from Predents that turn down their state school (cheaper) for Penn. So Penn is worth the extra $$$.

http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2844
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2750
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=3545
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2490
http://www.predents.com/?page=user&user_id=3542

Good Luck! 🙂

I think most of those people have the dean's scholarship! I think it really comes down to what you want out of your dental education. There are a lot of things that penn offers that aren't available at WVU, but i know if i were to go to WVU ultimately i'd come out a great clinician. I'm just trying to decide how much the extra things/opportunities are worth to me.

 

[makushin]

Anyways, Congrats on your acceptance to Penn. I would most definetly choose Penn over WVU. However, if you are 110% sure that you won't specialize and want to be a GP then go to WVU b/c its cheaper.

How exactly is Penn better if you want to specialize? Why should somebody avoid WVU if they want to specialize? Quite frankly, Your advice sucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation

 

[makushin]

I think most of those people have the dean's scholarship! I think it really comes down to what you want out of your dental education. There are a lot of things that penn offers that aren't available at WVU, but i know if i were to go to WVU ultimately i'd come out a great clinician. I'm just trying to decide how much the extra things/opportunities are worth to me.

Well if the price diff is really $150k, you have to ask yourself: Are they worth a $1700 monthly loan payment with after-tax dollars for 10 years? If the answer is yes, go for it. I personally had "buyers remorse" from attending an expensive private school for undergrad freshman year. I transfered to a cheap school and had no regrets. There are times when the private schools are just not worth it no matter how much cool **** they advertise. After interviewing this winter, I realized dental school is one of those times. FWIW, I didn't apply to Penn because of the $.

 

[SHC1984]

How exactly is Penn better if you want to specialize? Why should somebody avoid WVU if they want to specialize? Quite frankly, Your advice sucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation

I would pick Penn over WVU no matter what. However, I say that if the OP knows he was going to be a GP FOR SURE, then it doesn't really matter where he goes. I never say anything about WVU being a bad school for specializing or anything about that school for that matter...

Quite frankly, I don't see how your "advice" is any better...🙄👎

 

[makushin]

I would pick Penn over WVU no matter what. However, I say that if the OP knows he was going to be a GP FOR SURE, then it doesn't really matter where he goes. I never say anything about WVU being a bad school for specializing or anything about that school for that matter...

Quite frankly, I don't see how your "advice" is any better...🙄👎

Why would the school matter less if the OP wanted to be a GP? Please explain.

 

[blankguy]

GP or no GP go to whichever school you feel will better prepare you as a dentist.
This choice shouldn't have any bearing on becoming a GP or a specialist, just like people can specialize going to any school.

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

This choice has nothing to do with being a specialist. I think i have equal ability to specialize at either school if i choose to do so. I'm sure I won't know if i want to specialize until I get into the thick of things, so why should that sway my decision? Basically, this decision boils down to goals I have set for myself along the way. A huge salary has never been my primary interest in life and so the extra loan payments may not phase me as much as it would the next business savvy individual. I'm also looking into NHSC scholars program (will the application ever be available?) and loan repayment programs because one of my main priorities is to use my skills in a place where it is most needed.

I also think location and happiness is key to success also. I've known for quite some time that i want to experience life outside of my home-state. I've been ties here forever mostly due to monetary stipulations. I think going elsewhere will benefit me personally.

 

[nattyj252]

Electra, I felt the same way graduating from hs. I don't really fit in in WV and I wanted to get away from Morgantown! So I went away to school and majored in something ridiculously hard, joined a varsity sports team, a sorority, countless clubs, and basically got in over my head.
Anyways, I realized that being at this school with my fancy major and annoying people wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I had to figure it out for myself though (my parents told me countless times that I would feel that way!). I'm just glad my parents paid for it, if I had to foot the bill myself I would have transferred back.
Basically, do whatever you want if money isn't a factor. WV has this way of sucking people in (you don't like it there but you can't leave!) lol. If I had gotten into UConn for d school my parents wouldn't have paid for it but I would have gone anyways because I am pretty sure that I will ultimately end up specializing/practicing there or somewhere close by.
My dad went to d-school and did his endo residency at WVU. He's done well for himself, and had ample opportunity to leave West Virginia to practice/teach, so there are opportunities wherever you go to d school 🙂!

 

[Slutskya]

I sent in my deposit to Penn today. I can still get my WVU deposit refunded up til May 1st. I don't want to hold on to this WVU spot if i'm not going to go there because i know people are still waiting, but i need a little more time to think this one out.

I sent my deposit to Penn too. I've decided to attend Penn over UCLA, my state school. Good luck on your final decision in May.

 

[Sawmoo]

This choice has nothing to do with being a specialist. I think i have equal ability to specialize at either school if i choose to do so. I'm sure I won't know if i want to specialize until I get into the thick of things, so why should that sway my decision? Basically, this decision boils down to goals I have set for myself along the way. A huge salary has never been my primary interest in life and so the extra loan payments may not phase me as much as it would the next business savvy individual. I'm also looking into NHSC scholars program (will the application ever be available?) and loan repayment programs because one of my main priorities is to use my skills in a place where it is most needed.

I also think location and happiness is key to success also. I've known for quite some time that i want to experience life outside of my home-state. I've been ties here forever mostly due to monetary stipulations. I think going elsewhere will benefit me personally.

I understand location and happiness is key to success as well. I was thinking the exact same thing when thinking of UPenn. I've been in the same home-state for about 20 years and 4 more if I go to my state school, if accepted. HOWEVER, I started to think of the happiness once I become a dentist, given both situations, state-school vs UPenn. I will be in large debts with loans for a very long time if UPenn was the case. (Please look at this website and see what your future has for you: http://www.accessgroup.org/calculators/loan_repay.htm ) I keep thinking of post-dental school life and I know I don't want loans running my life. The money that one accumulates in interests alone can be used for different purposes than just loan repayment. For me, in particular, I'm stuck until I hear from my state school, which I know will be a smart decision. 👍