Help! UMich, Columbia, Maryland, Temple...

[strut]

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[Dentist 2 be]

Wow, There are so many factors to consider in a decision as important as this one. You must first decide which of the factors are most important to you and that will help you make your decision. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Omahahahaha]

Wow......what a great thread....

 

[Biogirl361]

this is why we just need a professional ranking of schools, maybe with a breakdown for different categories like clinical, research, location etc. have you seen the number of comparing schools threads lately?

 

[ecdoesit]

Personally, I am big supporter of state schools.
So, Mich or Maryland. If u can stand the cold, Mich(strong research, clinical, and lower cost). If u like the new dental building, then UMD(great clinical experience). Then I will consider Columbia since it is in NY.

 

[BeachLuvr]

I'd go with ecdoesit, just because state schools can save you a busload 🙂 and still give you great education. The other cities will still be there (God willing) when you graduate, so if it's a location issue...you can always move, anytime. Ultimately, go where your heart says go.

 

[jk5177]

It's funny how people are always talking about the cost, and then there is the other camp that tell people not to worry. How diammetrically opposing.

 

[delicious]

h

Strut, maybe if you could narrow down your choices to just two schools this thread might be of some help to you. Those schools are all very different, and it's hard to compare four of them at once.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

It's funny how people are always talking about the cost, and then there is the other camp that tell people not to worry. How diammetrically opposing.

Unless they have rich families or marry a rich person, those people who say not to worry about the cost are downright stupid and will regret it in the future. Just go on DentalTown and see how many dentists regret not going to a cheaper clinically based school.

 

[paolorossifan]

Unless they have rich families or marry a rich person, those people who say not to worry about the cost are downright stupid and will regret it in the future. Just go on DentalTown and see how many dentists regret not going to a cheaper clinically based school.

You may one those dentists that thanks themselves they spent the extra $ to become a DOCTOR of Dental Surgery and not a glorified hygenist at some "clinical school".

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

You may one those dentists that thanks themselves they spent the extra $ to become a DOCTOR of Dental Surgery and not a glorified hygenist at some "clinical school".

I dunno....I dont think patients are gonna come to me to diagnose their diabetes...instead they are gonna come to me to give them restorations, extractions, cosmetic, etc. However, if you wanna be a dentist who diagnoses heart disease, all power to you dude!!!

 

[Pikeyman]

Yeah. But if you really want to be a "DOCTOR" of dental surgery, go for DDS/PhD. The bottom line is that if you have a DDS, you will probably end up treating patients just as you will learn and do in your dental school clinics. Sure, research may come in handy if you come across some patients with the cases. It all depends on what you want. Some big name schools require research from their students in order for them to graduate.

I'm not sure myself as to where to go. Should I go for one of the big name schools for the sake of what the name can do in the future? Or should I just think about the cost and go to a state school?

Something to think about, I guess

 

[USUaggie]

I think a name might help if further education is important to you, but if it's about money I don't think it will make a difference. to me it seems like business skills would be the deciding factor there. It would be interesting to see a list comparing what dentists from different schools earn and what there post-doc opportunities have been. Does anyone know if there is any kind of a comparison out there?

 

[paolorossifan]

I dunno....I dont think patients are gonna come to me to diagnose their diabetes...instead they are gonna come to me to give them restorations, extractions, cosmetic, etc. However, if you wanna be a dentist who diagnoses heart disease, all power to you dude!!!

These are the PRE-dental forums, stop living in the past.

 

[USUaggie]

These are the PRE-dental forums, stop living in the past.

Hey dork, I think most of us are grateful for the dental students that answer our questions here. They are in a better position to give advice than you or I.

 

[paolorossifan]

Hey dork, I think most of us are grateful for the dental students that answer our questions here. They are in a better position to give advice than you or I.

Not when they let they're bitterness gets the better of them, dork.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Not when they let they're bitterness gets the better of them, dork.

Bitterness?? Am I bitter that we will both become dentists, but you will have a higher debt than me??? (unless your parents are paying, then its a diff story)

 

[USUaggie]

Of course you are, as are the rest of us non-columbians! Paloriferism, is glorified hygenist a term you made up or is that Columbia propaganda? You've used it a few times and I'm wondering if there's a story behind it.

 

[agaex]

Unless they have rich families or marry a rich person, those people who say not to worry about the cost are downright stupid and will regret it in the future. Just go on DentalTown and see how many dentists regret not going to a cheaper clinically based school.

Cost should not be a factor when considering dental school, and if it is, it should be very low on the deciding factors list. These people are not stupid, they are realistic, unlike yourself who have posted about money/cost being tantamount to raging fire. As a dentist, your professional degree can most certainly service any debt load that you may accumulate in dental school. I would like to believe that people choose their professional careers, in this case dentistry, based on what they really want to do, not on the amount of money. Willie Sutton was a famous bank robber who robbed many banks in the northeast. When asked why he robbed banks, he replied, "because that's where the money is." You may think that these more expensive schools are crap compared to their cheaper counter parts, but that certainly is not the case. By ADA standards, your education is well enough at any dental school to be a viable dentist. I've seen through many posts your dislike for BU, Columbia, and the like. If your logic is so corrrect, why do people still go there? Your Temple seems like the much better choice. Why though? Because that's where the money is. Boston has tons of universities and colleges, a lot with only avg quality of education, but at the premium price. Same with NY. The smart money is betting they must be doing something right if they still have students wanting to go there. The location, the people you meet, and the people who go there that's what's important.

The dentists on DentalTown may or may not be telling you the whole story about their expenses. Even if they went to NYU, which arguably is the most expensive dental school, their debt could still be easily serviced. Obviously you won't be living like Donald Trump, but you won't be scrounging around for money to buy food with either. It's all relative. You can't expect to own a million dollar practice your first day out, it takes time.