Help! USC or Colorado

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Choose Colorado. Hands down. Colorado has a better reputation, cheaper, nicer place to live, better chance of specializing, and better school. Why pay a LOT more for a lesser program?
 
Colorado. I wouldnt question this choice at all.
 
Hoo Flung Poo said:
I would like to hear from both camps, please. I have two weeks to decide.
Thanks in advance.
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what are your deciding factors! gotta ask yourself that questions first!
 
Thank you all for the imput. I realize that I am asking a question that elicits predominately subjective responses, however, this is a life changing decision (like may other predents in my situation) that I would like the pros and cons to each, addressed. PBL is cool, but I kind of feel like it is similar to asking Tiger Woods to change his swing as he is about to tee off at the Masters. Lifestyle, pre- and post dental school? Will I have to shovel snow to get to school in Denver? Etc. Thanks again in advance for your advice. Take care and be bold and strong.
 
Hoo Flung Poo said:
Thank you all for the imput. I realize that I am asking a question that elicits predominately subjective responses, however, this is a life changing decision (like may other predents in my situation) that I would like the pros and cons to each, addressed. PBL is cool, but I kind of feel like it is similar to asking Tiger Woods to change his swing as he is about to tee off at the Masters. Lifestyle, pre- and post dental school? Will I have to shovel snow to get to school in Denver? Etc. Thanks again in advance for your advice. Take care and be bold and strong.
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I don't know much about colorado, but I do go to USC and can give you info on the school...First go here, I made a thread about PBL and USC... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=376880&highlight=pbl

read the entire thread...especially in the middle where I explain PBL. let me know if you have any questions
 
Hoo Flung Poo said:
Thank you all for the imput. I realize that I am asking a question that elicits predominately subjective responses, however, this is a life changing decision (like may other predents in my situation) that I would like the pros and cons to each, addressed. PBL is cool, but I kind of feel like it is similar to asking Tiger Woods to change his swing as he is about to tee off at the Masters. Lifestyle, pre- and post dental school? Will I have to shovel snow to get to school in Denver? Etc. Thanks again in advance for your advice. Take care and be bold and strong.
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That is an excellent analogy. Your study habits and learning style got you to dental school and PBL would be a major, MAJOR change in your studying and learning. Best not mess with what works.

To continue your analogy, it would be like asking Tiger to change his swing moments before the tee-off, but you would be paying a lot more for a coach 😱 who would not be telling you anything, and you would need to figure out the new swing by yourself 😱😱

Aurora is a pretty awesome place, and the nice thing about Colorado is it's cheaper so you would have money to have fun as a studnet. It does snow but it's not ridiculous in you will get snowed in. A lot of people from all over the country move to Colorado because it is a great place to live and cost of living is still affordable.

I'd pick Colorado hands down, especially if you are not 150% certain about PBL.
 
Only you can make this decision. Both are wonderful schools. Coming from someone who is older, don't base your decision from advice on this forum as you never know who's telling you one thing just to benefit themselves and perhaps leave one extra spot open for them.
 
Quatro said:
Only you can make this decision. Both are wonderful schools. Coming from someone who is older, don't base your decision from advice on this forum as you never know who's telling you one thing just to benefit themselves and perhaps leave one extra spot open for them.
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Entirely true, but if someone is smart enough to be accepted to dental schools they are smart enough to listen to people's advice and see what points are good and what points are not. Personally I know without question where I would go if given the choice, but youre right it is a matter of personal decision.
 
widsmtooth29 said:
That is an excellent analogy. Your study habits and learning style got you to dental school and PBL would be a major, MAJOR change in your studying and learning. Best not mess with what works.

To continue your analogy, it would be like asking Tiger to change his swing moments before the tee-off, but you would be paying a lot more for a coach 😱 who would not be telling you anything, and you would need to figure out the new swing by yourself 😱😱

Aurora is a pretty awesome place, and the nice thing about Colorado is it's cheaper so you would have money to have fun as a studnet. It does snow but it's not ridiculous in you will get snowed in. A lot of people from all over the country move to Colorado because it is a great place to live and cost of living is still affordable.

I'd pick Colorado hands down, especially if you are not 150% certain about PBL.
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Go to Colorado...that place is awesome.

In regards to money....CO is no longer the steal it used to be. You can't get in state after one year, no matter what. Whatever status you're admitted as (out of state/in state) that will not change. Not even if your spouse gets married, you pay taxes, children in school, etc. So.......it's about $100k more than previous years.

Still, it's a rockin' place.
 
Hoo Flung Poo said:
Thank you all for the imput. I realize that I am asking a question that elicits predominately subjective responses, however, this is a life changing decision (like may other predents in my situation) that I would like the pros and cons to each, addressed. PBL is cool, but I kind of feel like it is similar to asking Tiger Woods to change his swing as he is about to tee off at the Masters. Lifestyle, pre- and post dental school? Will I have to shovel snow to get to school in Denver? Etc. Thanks again in advance for your advice. Take care and be bold and strong.
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LOL! As a Colorado native, I can guarentee that this would be RARE. Snow plows pretty much take care of things. This past snow season was an oddball, but even then, it wasn't that bad. The mountains get a substantial amount of snow, yes. But, the frontrange, and especially Denver, has a very mild climate. In fact, we get more sunny days per year than does San Diego. I'd pick Colorado for sure. However, I also like to keep the bad drivers out of my state, so if you're one of them, you'll never have to worry about snow driving at UCS 😀.
 
IcySpice06 said:
LOL! As a Colorado native, I can guarentee that this would be RARE. Snow plows pretty much take care of things. This past snow season was an oddball, but even then, it wasn't that bad. The mountains get a substantial amount of snow, yes. But, the frontrange, and especially Denver, has a very mild climate. In fact, we get more sunny days per year than does San Diego. I'd pick Colorado for sure. However, I also like to keep the bad drivers out of my state, so if you're one of them, you'll never have to worry about snow driving at UCS 😀.
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so i guess what it comes down to, go to colorado, if you like the snow, cold weather and traditional lecture... but go to USC if you like the sun, the beach, warm weather and PBL!!!
 
seansk said:
so i guess what it comes down to, go to colorado, if you like the snow, cold weather and traditional lecture... but go to USC if you like the sun, the beach, warm weather and PBL!!!
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Hummm....the op should do the math on the financials of attending USC. You go to CO and you can take vacations monthly to the beach while your USC colleagues are working 6 days a week to pay that $5k a month loan payment. That is alot of cash....

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml

do it....
 
wizziefiend said:
Hummm....the op should do the math on the financials of attending USC. You go to CO and you can take vacations monthly to the beach while your USC colleagues are working 6 days a week to pay that $5k a month loan payment. That is alot of cash....

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml

do it....
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wrong mentality,

I have, I don't care about the money, it'll be insignificant once I graduate and take out loans for my office, home, real estate etc... and i don't wana take vacations to the beach, I wana live near the beach! can't stand the cold! but thats me...its not all about the money, its about what makes you happy!!!
 
seansk said:
so i guess what it comes down to, go to colorado, if you like the snow, cold weather and traditional lecture... but go to USC if you like the sun, the beach, warm weather and PBL!!!
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Yeah, no offence man, but I have lurked for a few months now. You come onto SDN and push PBL, and warm weather. I too am an older applicant (turning 30 next week! gulp) and like Quatro have been around a little bit. Los Angeles really is not that great of a place to live in my opinion, and it is extremely expensive. It is the second most expensive city to live in according to USB's yearly study (http://www.citymayors.com/economics/expensive_cities2.html) and USC's tuition is super expensive as well. If you've been to LA you know thanks to traffic it is at least a 45 minute drive on most days to the beach. I personally do not buy the reasons beach and warm weather to justify USC. The reason why I can say these things is I have been to LA many times and I was also accepted to USC but turned it down because it was not right for me. I did not apply to Colorado because they tend to take from in-state a lot, but in hindsight I wish that I did, just to see what would have happened.

Seansk: It's great to see that you are proud of your school and I do not discourage you from having school spirit. But personally I think the reasons you present at not reasons that I personally value too much.

For me, picking a school the quality of the program bears the heaviest weight. Secondly the total cost (not just tuiton, but cost of living too, scholarships, etc.) played a major part in my choice. USC cost way too much in tuition and way too much in cost of living for the same degree I could get elsewhere for a lot less. Plus the program at USC was not nearly as good. Where I lived for the next 4 years came into play, but was a much less important factor to me. The OP asked for everyone's opinion and I am giving mine.

To the OP: When you're young you do not think as much about debt, but do yourself a huge favor. Wherever you go, save as much money as you can. It will compound, increase, and when everyone else who went to overpriced schools are working like crazy to pay off debt you will have savings and be sharing a vacation house in the Caymens with another dentist friend who managed his finances well 🙂 Best of all, you will have the option of living wherever you want when graduating because you did not limit your options by taking unnecessarily taking on extra debt. So if you can go to school somewhere awesome, like Colorado I would say you are in a very good situation.
 
seansk said:
wrong mentality,

I have, I don't care about the money, it'll be insignificant once I graduate and take out loans for my office, home, real estate etc... and i don't wana take vacations to the beach, I wana live near the beach! can't stand the cold! but thats me...its not all about the money, its about what makes you happy!!!
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I know dentists do well financially, and the predent attitude is that they will be able to afford anything, but very few people are truly going to become rich by working as a dentist. This is one of my favorite commercials and is relevent to this thread: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hn5EP9StlVA

People really do get into way too much debt. The best way to create wealth is to be smart and avoid getting into debt in the first place. It's much easier to stay out of debt initially than to pay your way out of debt. Remeber, banks do not lend you the money for free, and have structured loans in a way for them (not you) to maximize profits.

I am very glad to hear that you are happy with your 4 years at USC. Personally, I am going to be very happy with my choice of going somewhere that will cost me a $100k less in after-tax dollars where I am getting a great education. Plus, I know I will be able to move anywhere I like (including Los Angeles) immediately after graduating to live and practice for 30 years, all because I did not take on additional debt while in my 4 years at school. I was not planning on discussing all of this but it seems on SDN that many people are very misinformed about their finances and are making some very life-altering financial decisions. I hope some of my points help people make their decisions.

So in closing I will say that I agree the beach is nice, but being able to afford to take time off to go to the beach is even nicer.

That, ironically, is my $0.02.
 
widsmtooth29 said:
I know dentists do well financially, and the predent attitude is that they will be able to afford anything, but very few people are truly going to become rich by working as a dentist.

This is one of my favorite commercials and is relevent to this thread: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hn5EP9StlVA

People really do get into way too much debt. The best way to create wealth is to be smart and avoid getting into debt in the first place. It's much easier to stay out of debt initially than to pay your way out of debt. Remeber, banks do not lend you the money for free, and have structured loans in a way for them (not you) to maximize profits.

I am very glad to hear that you are happy with your 4 years at USC. Personally, I am going to be very happy with my choice of going somewhere that will cost me a $100k less in after-tax dollars where I am getting a great education. Plus, I know I will be able to move anywhere I like (including Los Angeles) immediately after graduating to live and practice for 30 years, all because I did not take on additional debt while in my 4 years at school. I was not planning on discussing all of this but it seems on SDN that many people are very misinformed about their finances and are making some very life-altering financial decisions. I hope some of my points help people make their decisions.

So in closing I will say that I agree the beach is nice, but being able to afford to take time off to go to the beach is even nicer.

That, ironically, is my $0.02.
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haha i guess we have different ways of thinking about life!!! I actually just made a thread about this very topic!!! good luck to you!! whatever makes you happy is what you should do!!

People seem to forget that even going to dental school is part of you life and you must be happy there!! you are in your 20's and these are possibly the best years of your life, contrary to the common belief!!! Yes I do think it is important for me to live where I am comfortable, where I don't have to worry about the cold. To me weather and the sun are really important!! I love the outdoors, and I like to live in a place that offers what I like!! my sacrifice is to pay the extra money and be comfortable here where I really like!! for another it might be going to somewhere they might not love for 4 years and coming out with less loans at the end. It is a different perception of lifestyle. and we must respect each others choice and let people make their own decisions...notice in my posts i never persuade or tell people to do something...I just give them my opinion of where I live, where I go to school. But I always tell them to decide whats best for them... Giving them facts about a place is different than saying "you should go to colorado because ....."

my opinion, my beliefe
Best of luck!
 
widsmtooth29 said:
Yeah, no offence man, but I have lurked for a few months now. You come onto SDN and push PBL, and warm weather. I too am an older applicant (turning 30 next week! gulp) and like Quatro have been around a little bit. Los Angeles really is not that great of a place to live in my opinion, and it is extremely expensive. It is the second most expensive city to live in according to USB's yearly study
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Again I never push PBL, I truely like to help people understand PBL better, my phylosphy is that knowledge is power!! look at my posts, I never, told someone to come to PBL. I said come if it is right for you!!! big difference!

Its funny that you say LA is not a great place to live...I actually made a really sarcastic post about this in another thread. Nothing is perfect..It is a matter of personal preference. Regardless of what is wrong or right. I like it here!

The only thing that bothers me that when people do not respect other people's choices and opinions. They say they do but then they really disapprove of it, the next sentence of their paragraph!!!

best of luck!
do what makes you happy and respect others choices!
 
seansk said:
Again I never push PBL, I truely like to help people understand PBL better, my phylosphy is that knowledge is power!! look at my posts, I never, told someone to come to PBL. I said come if it is right for you!!! big difference!

Its funny that you say LA is not a great place to live...I actually made a really sarcastic post about this in another thread. Nothing is perfect..It is a matter of personal preference. Regardless of what is wrong or right. I like it here!

The only thing that bothers me that when people do not respect other people's choices and opinions. They say they do but then they really disapprove of it, the next sentence of their paragraph!!!

best of luck!
do what makes you happy and respect others choices!
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I applaud USC for trying a full out PBL. It takes guts to make such a radical change. Their decision to go PBL could have made them the most desirable school in the nation with all other schools scrambling to follow suit. But that did not happen...
 
seansk said:
haha i guess we have different ways of thinking about life!!! I actually just made a thread about this very topic!!! good luck to you!! whatever makes you happy is what you should do!!
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No problem. Saw your other thread and replied to it. FYI I am a business undergrad with an accounting minor.

Personally, I am going to save the $100k by going to a less expensive school. That $100k saved I will invest early on. Furthermore, the money I save from not having to pay interest on $100k I didn't borrow will also get invested. That's an amazing return on investment, and over 30 years will easily be worth 2 million, just for picking a cheaper school that in my opinion has a stronger program. Win-win situation for me.

But you're right. Different people do things differently. Glad we both agree on this. Good luck with your dental studies too.
 
It would be interesting to see both of you in 20 years and see how you feel about this topic
 
seansk said:
go to USC if you like the sun, the beach, warm weather and PBL!!!
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If LA is so great why are you inside using a computer on the weekend when you could be out having fun? 🙂
 
widsmtooth29 said:
No problem. Saw your other thread and replied to it. FYI I am a business undergrad with an accounting minor.

Personally, I am going to save the $100k by going to a less expensive school. That $100k saved I will invest early on. Furthermore, the money I save from not having to pay interest on $100k I didn't borrow will also get invested. That's an amazing return on investment, and over 30 years will easily be worth 2 million, just for picking a cheaper school that in my opinion has a stronger program. Win-win situation for me.

But you're right. Different people do things differently. Glad we both agree on this. Good luck with your dental studies too.
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You should change your name to DeciduousToothT.

Let's say you do "invest" that 100k and turn it into 2mil. (Which I highly doubt will happen) What's an old grandpa like you going to do with 2mil? I hope by that stage of your life you realize what is really valuable in life .

To OP: Whether you go to Colorado or SC, you will get an education, and become a dentist. The real decision is Surf or Ski? All I can say is, even if Colorado gave me a full scholarship, I would still go to SC. 👍
 
briansle said:
Let's say you do "invest" that 100k and turn it into 2mil. (Which I highly doubt will happen)
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go to: http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm Put in 100k, compounding 12 times per year at 9%. Without even adding money to the principal it is $2.3 million in 35 years. That's only a 9% return and putting nothing else in, by the way.

Ever heard of Louis Navellier? If you haven't yet, when you become a dentist you will. He's a stock broker with a newsletter with very conservative stocks and there has not been a year yet that I have gotten less than 22% return on my stocks. Even if I only get 14% per year that $100k is going to be worth $13 million by the time I retire. Actually it will be more, because I will put money into it every year. All because I played it smart and saved money early in the game.

Turning $100k into $2+ million is very likely if you have time on your side. But as armorshell said it best, if you want to give away a lot of easy money to other people, be my guest. I have certainly tried to point out what saving money puts you ahead in life.
 
briansle said:
All I can say is, even if Colorado gave me a full scholarship, I would still go to SC. 👍
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USC likes people like you....

I still think USC dental should no longer be a dental school and become a business school. Somehow they are managing to sell an inferior product for far in excess cost of competition.....they have secrets that companies would kill to have! :laugh:
 
widsmtooth29 said:
go to: http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm Put in 100k, compounding 12 times per year at 9%. Without even adding money to the principal it is $2.3 million in 35 years. That's only a 9% return and putting nothing else in, by the way.

Ever heard of Louis Navellier? If you haven't yet, when you become a dentist you will. He's a stock broker with a newsletter with very conservative stocks and there has not been a year yet that I have gotten less than 22% return on my stocks. Even if I only get 14% per year that $100k is going to be worth $13 million by the time I retire. Actually it will be more, because I will put money into it every year. All because I played it smart and saved money early in the game.

Turning $100k into $2+ million is very likely if you have time on your side.
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😱 Alright you got me. You do deserve to be called WisdomTooth29.

I apologize. But Hey check this out... I found a even more secure and faster way to make 2million out of a 100k.

HOW TO MAKE 100K INTO 2MIL

1) Take your 100k and buy a fancy life insurance policy.

2) Dress in blue clothing from head to toe. This is a very important step. Blue jeans, a XXXXL blue shirt, blue hat, blue socks, blue shoes, and don't forget to hang a blue bandanna from your right pocket.

3) Go to Compton, California. Find a busy street corner.

4) Stand on that street corner. Throw up the "OK" sign with your fingers.

5) Your loved ones may now collect the 2 million.

SUCCESS 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
 
Brian, people just hate USC man, we gotta accept it!!! not matter what they'll try to argue you to death, even if they know they're completely wrong and they don't make sense!!!

To the SDN forum in general, I sincerely apologize that I go to USC and I am an idiot along with 144 students every year!! I would like to say I'm sorry for voicing my opionions and even tho people don't respect it, I'm ok with it, because I know I'm completely wrong in everything I do!

I am also sorry that I love the school I go to and try to give people on SDN my experiences and information that might or might not benefit them!!

My sincere apologies!!!
 
Ok dear predent I have been to both schools:

1. first of all the whole thing depends on where you live

2. Secondly, at colorado you learn many clinical skills that you wouldn't otherwise anywhere (not even at temple or case western) because colorado does not have any of the specialties (except ortho) and therefore pre-doctorals have to do everything since they can't refer them to endo etc..

3. USC is pbl. Is that up your alley?
 
widsmtooth29 said:
Yeah, no offence man, but I have lurked for a few months now. You come onto SDN and push PBL, and warm weather. I too am an older applicant (turning 30 next week! gulp) and like Quatro have been around a little bit. Los Angeles really is not that great of a place to live in my opinion, and it is extremely expensive. It is the second most expensive city to live in according to USB's yearly study (http://www.citymayors.com/economics/expensive_cities2.html) and USC's tuition is super expensive as well. If you've been to LA you know thanks to traffic it is at least a 45 minute drive on most days to the beach. I personally do not buy the reasons beach and warm weather to justify USC. The reason why I can say these things is I have been to LA many times and I was also accepted to USC but turned it down because it was not right for me. I did not apply to Colorado because they tend to take from in-state a lot, but in hindsight I wish that I did, just to see what would have happened.

Seansk: It's great to see that you are proud of your school and I do not discourage you from having school spirit. But personally I think the reasons you present at not reasons that I personally value too much.

For me, picking a school the quality of the program bears the heaviest weight. Secondly the total cost (not just tuiton, but cost of living too, scholarships, etc.) played a major part in my choice. USC cost way too much in tuition and way too much in cost of living for the same degree I could get elsewhere for a lot less. Plus the program at USC was not nearly as good. Where I lived for the next 4 years came into play, but was a much less important factor to me. The OP asked for everyone's opinion and I am giving mine.

O.k., Mr. Wisdom... I go to USC, i love it. I was actually talking to a recent D-school graduate that went to colorado and told him that i got into usc. He was really impressed that i got in there and congratulated me on getting into a very respected school. A lot of the dorks on SDN have no clue what they are talking about, when they try and rank schools and act like they know what they are talking about. Honestly this is when and why i would choose to go to USC over other schools. 1. USC has very good Alumni, if you plan on living in the west, especially california and don't have a parents practice to take over, then USC would be a wise choice to be able to be connected when you are finished. 2. If you have a family, (wisdom you are almost 30, you probably do) you have much more flexiblity to spend time with your wife and kids, especially during your first year because of PBL. 3. If PBL is your thing (like it is mine) then go to USC. I was accepted to multiple schools, but my future employer went to USC and encouraged me to go there. IF all you are worried about is saving a little extra cash which translates into a few hundred dollars a month in loan payments when you are finished, go to colorado. Anyways all in all I love USC and PBL and havn't regretted my decision to come here ever... So go where you want to go and don't let any of the ignorant posters on SDN tell you where you should or shouldn't go, they really don't know much of anything from what i've read. Good luck with your choice.
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DATRAT said:
A lot of the dorks on SDN have no clue what they are talking about, when they try and rank schools and act like they know what they are talking about.
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You're on SDN.. ;-)


DATRAT said:
Honestly this is when and why i would choose to go to USC over other schools. 1. USC has very good Alumni, if you plan on living in the west, especially california and don't have a parents practice to take over, then USC would be a wise choice to be able to be connected when you are finished. 2. If you have a family, (wisdom you are almost 30, you probably do) you have much more flexiblity to spend time with your wife and kids, especially during your first year because of PBL. 3. If PBL is your thing (like it is mine) then go to USC. I was accepted to multiple schools, but my future employer went to USC and encouraged me to go there.
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I was not going to comment on this, but whenever I talked to USC and this seems to spill over onto sdn, USC likes to focus on the intangibles that cannot be measured. The quality of life, good alumni relations, and flexibility are not things I can measure. Not once has USC said these are our numbers and this is how we compare. For example what exactly is "good alumni" and what does that mean? How do I know if "good alumni" at usc is really better than the alumni at Penn? How do I know if USC really is more flexible than Penn? See my point?

Some schools focus their pitch on board scores, specialization rates, cost of tuition, low default rate, and so on. USC seems to focus on things that cannot be measured. Even though USC could talk about measurable things, they don't. Talking to USC people honestly reminded me of talking to a used car salesman. Instead of focusing on things I could measure and compare, the conversation always drifted to intangibles that cannot be measured. At the very least this makes me raise an eyebrow..


DATRAT said:
IF all you are worried about is saving a little extra cash which translates into a few hundred dollars a month in loan payments when you are finished, go to colorado. Anyways all in all I love USC and PBL and havn't regretted my decision to come here ever... So go where you want to go and don't let any of the ignorant posters on SDN tell you where you should or shouldn't go, they really don't know much of anything from what i've read. Good luck with your choice.
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All along my point is that it is much more than "a little extra cash." It is a lot of money. I'm talking spending an extra $30k or more a year for the next 10 to 15 years! I would not be so quick to write me off as "ignorant." I am not going to argue about it. Go ahead and crunch the numbers yourself and you will see what I am talking about.
 
widsmtooth29 said:
You're on SDN.. ;-)




I was not going to comment on this, but whenever I talked to USC and this seems to spill over onto sdn, USC likes to focus on the intangibles that cannot be measured. The quality of life, good alumni relations, and flexibility are not things I can measure. Not once has USC said these are our numbers and this is how we compare. For example what exactly is "good alumni" and what does that mean? How do I know if "good alumni" at usc is really better than the alumni at Penn? How do I know if USC really is more flexible than Penn? See my point?

Some schools focus their pitch on board scores, specialization rates, cost of tuition, low default rate, and so on. USC seems to focus on things that cannot be measured. Even though USC could talk about measurable things, they don't. Talking to USC people honestly reminded me of talking to a used car salesman. Instead of focusing on things I could measure and compare, the conversation always drifted to intangibles that cannot be measured. At the very least this makes me raise an eyebrow..




All along my point is that it is much more than "a little extra cash." It is a lot of money. I'm talking spending an extra $30k or more a year for the next 10 to 15 years! I would not be so quick to write me off as "ignorant." I am not going to argue about it. Go ahead and crunch the numbers yourself and you will see what I am talking about.
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Just say you don't like USC, or its students, you really don't have to explain your reasoning anymore!!! I'm sure 144 students make the mistake of going to USC every year, and also 2500 applicants each year make a mistake of applying to USC, one of the highest applicant pools out of all dental schools. But don't take my word for it and 30000 undergrads...No we don't have a good alum connection your right!!!

you don't have to go as far disproving what is known about a college for many years!! you can just say you don't like it, thats perfectly fine!!!
 
seansk said:
Just say you don't like USC, or its students, you really don't have to explain your reasoning anymore!!! I'm sure 144 students make the mistake of going to USC every year, and also 2500 applicants each year make a mistake of applying to USC, one of the highest applicant pools out of all dental schools. But don't take my word for it and 30000 undergrads...No we don't have a good alum connection your right!!!

you don't have to go as far disproving what is known about a college for many years!! you can just say you don't like it, thats perfectly fine!!!
Click to expand...

Lol. Talk about negative psychology
 
widsmtooth29 said:
You're on SDN.. ;-)




I was not going to comment on this, but whenever I talked to USC and this seems to spill over onto sdn, USC likes to focus on the intangibles that cannot be measured. The quality of life, good alumni relations, and flexibility are not things I can measure. Not once has USC said these are our numbers and this is how we compare. For example what exactly is "good alumni" and what does that mean? How do I know if "good alumni" at usc is really better than the alumni at Penn? How do I know if USC really is more flexible than Penn? See my point?

Some schools focus their pitch on board scores, specialization rates, cost of tuition, low default rate, and so on. USC seems to focus on things that cannot be measured. Even though USC could talk about measurable things, they don't. Talking to USC people honestly reminded me of talking to a used car salesman. Instead of focusing on things I could measure and compare, the conversation always drifted to intangibles that cannot be measured. At the very least this makes me raise an eyebrow..




All along my point is that it is much more than "a little extra cash." It is a lot of money. I'm talking spending an extra $30k or more a year for the next 10 to 15 years! I would not be so quick to write me off as "ignorant." I am not going to argue about it. Go ahead and crunch the numbers yourself and you will see what I am talking about.
Click to expand...

Just say you don't like USC, or its students, you really don't have to explain your reasoning anymore!!! I'm sure 144 students make the mistake of going to USC every year, and also 2500 applicants each year make a mistake of applying to USC,one of the highest applicant pools out of all dental schools. But don't take my word for it and 30000 undergrads...No we don't have a good alum connection your right!!!

I'm sure 30000 undergrads make a mistake of paying extra for their education here too!! yes all these people are ignorat and make a mistake of paying a bunch of extra money each year!! I guess we have a lot of dumb people going to USC after all! non of them become anything in their life usually...they end up working at the corner of the street selling oranges!

you don't have to go as far disproving what is known about a college for many years!! you can just say you don't like it, thats perfectly fine!!!

There are probably one or two handfull of people, I have ran into on SDN, that are totally anti USC, and you must admit that you are one of them. There is no shame...after all it is your opinion!!

by the way I can't measure my love for my brother, how do you know that I really love my brother??? you don't!! good argument. Let's get out the ruler and measure. I'm sure you measure how much you love your significant other with lovometer!!...bf/gf...your family etc... then you really know you have made a good choice in your life partner!!
 
UCFpremed said:
Colorado gives its students Apple notebooks.
Click to expand...
If this is true it sounds like more of a sales pitch to me than what Mr. "DecidioustoothT" was talking about!
 
seansk said:
Just say you don't like USC, or its students, you really don't have to explain your reasoning anymore!!!
Click to expand...

By the way I have not called anyone "dumb" or "ignorant" or anything else. You are the only person to use that language.

I am sure that USC dentists are good dentists. I just found the program not suited for me. If I come across as knocking it, don't take it personal. I'm explaning what *I* personally found, seeing that the OP asked.
 
This is something I don't understand.....

Why do people constantly post on the "pre-dental" forum about their choices and which school might fit them best? It seems logical that you would post this on the "dental" forum where people actually have some experience with the schools in question. These threads only create animosity and resort to people defending the schools they will be attending.

In all honesty, you should listen to your heart and prioritize your life. If you're resorting to SDN to unlock the answer for you, then my friend, you have a lot to figure out.

Good luck with your future endeavors!
 
Columbia07 said:
This is something I don't understand.....

Why do people constantly post on the "pre-dental" forum about their choices and which school might fit them best? It seems logical that you would post this on the "dental" forum where people actually have some experience with the schools in question. These threads only create animosity and resort to people defending the schools they will be attending.

In all honesty, you should listen to your heart and prioritize your life. If you're resorting to SDN to unlock the answer for you, then my friend, you have a lot to figure out.

Good luck with your future endeavors!
Click to expand...

Good idea, I'm gonna do that right now. Thanks for everyones input.
 
I have been accepted to both Colorado and USC as well and, for me, it is an easy choice to make.

First of all, being from Alaska, I am a WICHE student at Colorado and will pay about a third of the cost compared to USC.

Second, I feel that the Colorado lifestyle better accomodates a lifelong Alaskan rather than Southern California.

Third, I was much more impressed with the facilities at Colorado, prefer a lecture setting and like the idea of a smaller class size.

Thats just my input.
 
seansk said:
so i guess what it comes down to, go to colorado, if you like the snow, cold weather and traditional lecture... but go to USC if you like the sun, the beach, warm weather and PBL!!!
Click to expand...

Don't listen to this guy, he's a 2010; He's still doesn't even know what dentistry is all about. I'm class of 2009 and would definitely go to Colorado, I interviewed there and it was an awesome school. The first year at SC is a joke, I was at the beach all day and learned very little, this guy is probably in the same boat I was, that's why some people get to love SC. No dental clinical classes and a 2-session local anesthesia rotation (to learn how to "proper administer anesthesia) for the price tag is simply not right and for you 2010, wait 'till you sophmore year, you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
TeethVader said:
Don't listen to this guy, he's a 2010; He's still doesn't even know what dentistry is all about. I'm class of 2009 and would definitely go to Colorado, I interviewed there and it was an awesome school. The first year at SC is a joke, I was at the beach all day and learned very little, this guy is probably in the same boat I was, that's why some people get to love SC. No dental clinical classes and a 2-session local anesthesia rotation (to learn how to "proper administer anesthesia) for the price tag is simply not right and for you 2010, wait 'till you sophmore year, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

haha sup man!
 
I am also class of 2009 and I would not recommend USC. The clinical training at USC is borderline poor and you can get a much better clinical experience at other schools. Students have troubles getting the patients that they need and it is disorganized with some major problems. If I could, I would pick another school. Private message me if you want any details.
 
if you go to USC over colorado, i may have a breakdown... it's not even my choice, but if i knew somewhere out there someone turned down colorado to go to USC it'd ruin my day at least. it ain't right, i tell you. it ain't right.
 
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