High Stats, Need Advice Narrowing List of Schools to Apply

[Nottaway]

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So I've been lurking on SDN for a while now, and it seems that the consensus is simply choosing to go to the cheapest schools or the school that high specialization rate if you intend on specializing. I realize that my above-average stats (listed below) will get my foot in the door at many schools, but the problem is for me is deciding which schools to apply to. I feel that I don't feel I know enough about specialties to decide if I want to pursue that or stay with general dentistry (thus my inclusion of high-specialization rate schools on my list).

Stats: Cali resident, 3.75GPA, 25AA DAT, 600 Hours (paid) Lab+Research, 300 Hours dental clinic volunteering, multiple leadership positions in dental club. Not URM

POTENTIAL LIST OF SCHOOLS:
- All 3 Ivies (Penn, Columbia, Harvard)
- Basically all Cali Schools (UCLA, UCSF, UOP, USC, Western)
- UMaryland
- UMichigan
- UNC
- Possibly some "safeties" (don't know which though)

I have narrowed down my list of schools first based on out-of-state acceptances, states I would want to live in, and word-of-mouth reputation. My question is: How can I narrow down my list and what "safeties" should I be looking at, and does price always take precedence over a schools reputation training great clinicians or opportunities it provides?

 

[887194]

I think your list of schools is quite good and very realistic. Your safety schools would be western and USC. Personally, I don't think you should solely look at price when choosing your dental school education. While yes, it is a very important factor to consider, it isn't the only one. I know the general theme on SDN is go to the cheapest school, but I would say: go to the cheapest best school - if that makes sense. When you ask: "what should I be looking at?" you need to make a list of what's important to you. Somethings I valued were: an established US program (i'm Canadian), good location, top-notch facilities, and technology, a high specialization rate and during my interviews I paid attention to the culture of the students among other things. It appears that you have a very solid application and you may receive scholarships from certain schools, thus narrowing the cost. I would suggest that you submit your application in early June and I think by December 1st, you will be quite comfortable. GL!

 

[predent2151]

Solid list. And IMO yes price matters. A lot. You should definitely get into at least one school. Don’t underestimate the importance of an interview though even with stats like that. If you do decide on general dentistry, the name of your school won’t impact your career at all so the theme of go to the cheapest school is very important. If you think you may want to specialize then it gets a little harder. Your school list looks really good. I applied to 8 with a 22AA and 4.0 and got into 4/8 so far.

 

[WolfsBane]

So I've been lurking on SDN for a while now, and it seems that the consensus is simply choosing to go to the cheapest schools or the school that high specialization rate if you intend on specializing. I realize that my above-average stats (listed below) will get my foot in the door at many schools, but the problem is for me is deciding which schools to apply to. I feel that I don't feel I know enough about specialties to decide if I want to pursue that or stay with general dentistry (thus my inclusion of high-specialization rate schools on my list).

Stats: Cali resident, 3.75GPA, 25AA DAT, 600 Hours (paid) Lab+Research, 300 Hours dental clinic volunteering, multiple leadership positions in dental club. Not URM

POTENTIAL LIST OF SCHOOLS:
- All 3 Ivies (Penn, Columbia, Harvard)
- Basically all Cali Schools (UCLA, UCSF, UOP, USC, Western)
- UMaryland
- UMichigan
- UNC
- Possibly some "safeties" (don't know which though)

I have narrowed down my list of schools first based on out-of-state acceptances, states I would want to live in, and word-of-mouth reputation. My question is: How can I narrow down my list and what "safeties" should I be looking at, and does price always take precedence over a schools reputation training great clinicians or opportunities it provides?

Im going to start by saying there is no such thing as a safety school. I know people that had stats like or better than yours and got turned down by all the schools including the “safety” schools. Additionally, and don’t take this the wrong way, but who gets to decide which school is or isn’t a safety school? Last I checked most schools have similar stats with the exception of a few. NEVER assume that you will automatically get an interview just because its a “safety” school because that may be the only place you get into.

That being said, you have what looks like a great application. I would apply to The schools listed and maybe add stonybrook and uconn. You look like a great applicant on paper, hopefully you are the same in person!!

 

[WolfsBane]

I think your list of schools is quite good and very realistic. Your safety schools would be western and USC. Personally, I don't think you should solely look at price when choosing your dental school education. While yes, it is a very important factor to consider, it isn't the only one. I know the general theme on SDN is go to the cheapest school, but I would say: go to the cheapest best school - if that makes sense. When you ask: "what should I be looking at?" you need to make a list of what's important to you. Somethings I valued were: an established US program (i'm Canadian), good location, top-notch facilities, and technology, a high specialization rate and during my interviews I paid attention to the culture of the students among other things. It appears that you have a very solid application and you may receive scholarships from certain schools, thus narrowing the cost. I would suggest that you submit your application in early June and I think by December 1st, you will be quite comfortable. GL!

Very hard to see the way students interact at interviews. Just out of curiosity what makes you qualified to determine whether one school is better (not for yourself but all of us) than any other school? I mean all we have is shadowing. Another question I have is, if you’re Canadian, don’t you always pay the OOS tuition? If so there’s not much difference in schools so its kinda hard to elaborate on whether you should save a lot of money going to a cheaper school. All you have to do is speak to any dentist and they will all say choose the cheapest school.

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

There are no safeties in dental school. When schools have 3% acceptance rates, nobody is safe fam. I know of people with insanely high stats that got rejected w/o interview from USC and Western.

 

[887194]

Very hard to see the way students interact at interviews. Just out of curiosity what makes you qualified to determine whether one school is better (not for yourself but all of us) than any other school? I mean all we have is shadowing. Another question I have is, if you’re Canadian, don’t you always pay the OOS tuition? If so there’s not much difference in schools so its kinda hard to elaborate on whether you should save a lot of money going to a cheaper school. All you have to do is speak to any dentist and they will all say choose the cheapest school.

You can PM me and we can chat.

 

[Greyangel6]

lol humble brag aside, you should go to the school that you feel that you feel comfortable attending. Otherwise you'd just be spending the next 4 years in misery on top of a tough curriculum.

 

[WolfsBane]

lol humble brag aside, you should go to the school that you feel that you feel comfortable attending. Otherwise you'd just be spending the next 4 years in misery on top of a tough curriculum.

Disagree. Most would rather 4 tough years then many more than 4 tough years.

 

[SmileswithKammy]

Im going to start by saying there is no such thing as a safety school. I know people that had stats like or better than yours and got turned down by all the schools including the “safety” schools. Additionally, and don’t take this the wrong way, but who gets to decide which school is or isn’t a safety school? Last I checked most schools have similar stats with the exception of a few. NEVER assume that you will automatically get an interview just because its a “safety” school because that may be the only place you get into.

That being said, you have what looks like a great application. I would apply to The schools listed and maybe add stonybrook and uconn. You look like a great applicant on paper, hopefully you are the same in person!!

Couldn't have said it better. I love how some people list schools as safety schools assuming that its just a no brainer "foot in the door". ITS STILL A DENTAL SCHOOL PEOPLE. Not a crab shack.

 

[SmileswithKammy]

There are no safeties in dental school. When schools have 3% acceptance rates, nobody is safe fam. I know of people with insanely high stats that got rejected w/o interview from USC and Western.

Aunty you're the best. BTW CONGRATS ON YOUR ACCEPTANCES! I've been following your posts for a long time, and i just want to give a round of applause to you.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I’d go with the most expensive school you get into. I mean, would they be able to really charge more if they weren’t superior? It’s kind of like with cars. Yes a Kia will get you around alright, but a Bentley will do so with a style and grace that will let the dregs of society know you are their better. And forget specializing out of a non-Ivy! That just doesn’t happen. Ever. Period. End of discussion.

Also, the reason the nation’s student loan debt keeps rocketing upwards has nothing to do with price gouging, but everything to do with how much fun they are to pay back. Everyone just wants more and more good times! Have you ever paid back student loans? It’s mad wicked fun! You definitely don’t want to miss out. Trust me.

Also, also make sure wherever you go to dental school you come back to “Cali.” The State needs all the taxpayers it can get to pay for the $100 billion, yes that’s 1/10th of a trillion dollars, high speed train from LA to SF.

Big Hoss

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

Aunty you're the best. BTW CONGRATS ON YOUR ACCEPTANCES! I've been following your posts for a long time, and i just want to give a round of applause to you.

My mannn thank you <3

 

[SmileswithKammy]

I’d go with the most expensive school you get into. I mean, would they be able to really charge more if they weren’t superior? It’s kind of like with cars. Yes a Kia will get you around alright, but a Bentley will do so with a style and grace that will let the dregs of society know you are their better. And forget specializing out of a non-Ivy! That just doesn’t happen. Ever. Period. End of discussion.

Also, the reason the nation’s student loan debt keeps rocketing upwards has nothing to do with price gouging, but everything to do with how much fun they are to pay back. Everyone just wants more and more good times! Have you ever paid back student loans? It’s mad wicked fun! You definitely don’t want to miss out. Trust me.

Also, also make sure wherever you go to dental school you come back to “Cali.” The State needs all the taxpayers it can get to pay for the $100 billion, yes that’s 1/10th of a trillion dollars, high speed train from LA to SF.

Big Hoss

BIG HOSS WITH THE MIC DROP.