how do i make a decision!

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monifa

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I need some major advice. I have been accpeted to UPENN, Tufts, and Maryland Dental Schools, and I dont know where to go! I live in Maryland so I will be getting in-state tuition there but Ive also lived in Maryland my whole life, even for undergrad. All three schools seem so good and theres no list out there telling me which school is of higher ranking. Do any of you know which school is most respected among the dental community and when I want to apply for residency programs, which will have the best name? I am defiently favoring UPENN and Maryland over Tufts but all 3 are still possible choices for me. I'm going to visit both schools again but I have to decide in 2 weeks. I am also interested in getting a masters in public health and I want to specialize. What else do I need to consider before making a decision and WHERE SHOULD I GO?!?
 
hello,


All of the schools you listed are great schools. However, because Maryland Dental is a state school which mean you will get to pay 1/2 the price compared to the others you mentioned. Tuition and housing/board are very important if money is an issue (even if its not). That way you can save a ton and use it later to buy yourself a nice car or house instead of paying it back to your lender.
In terms of specializing after DS, no matter where you go if you want it bad enough you will go anywhere. Just stay positive and motived.

Best of luck in your decision.

DS
 
Hi,
I totally understand how you feel. I've live in Maryland and I was definitely looking for a change in scenery, but I applied to Maryland, got in and after my 4 yrs there, I can go live in Wyoming for all I care. Unless money is no object to you, I would advise you to go with the cheapest (MD) which also has one of the best clinical programs and with all that money you'll be making as a DDS, you can live in 90210 if you so desire. :idea:
 
Like I said before, Go TO MARYLAND
 
If money was not an issue at all, would you guys still say maryland??? and why??
 
The problem is, at least for most students, money IS an issue. Therefore, let me reiterate what my fellow doctor has said. GO TO MARYLAND.
 
Originally posted by monifa
If money was not an issue at all, would you guys still say maryland??? and why??

Is money not an issue!!?? There is no need to be hypothetical here, as it does no-one, including yourself, any good.

The fact is, for most of us, money IS an issue.

For me it was a HUGE issue. Dental school is an investment of not only your time but also your money. Go where you will get a good education and not have to pay an arm and a leg for it. If you wanna specialize, then just hold your own with your fellow classmates and you should be fine. Ranking #1 from ANY dental school in the US is gonna be impressive regardless of where you go.

Unless you have a full ride, I would choose the least expensive program. I am from Texas so I know nothing of the schools you mentioned. Plus we are lucky to have 3 excellent state schools. But instate tuition will save you a lot of money, and from what others say, Maryland is a good school

Seems like a no brainer to me 😕

Good luck
 
Contrary to what everyone else says, I think you should go to Maryland! :-D Great school, pretty nice city, plenty to do, half the cost, new dental building I think.
 
Go to UMB. Great school, economical, great investment.
 
I was in a similar position in deciding between Penn and MD last year. I really liked MD's program a lot. The faculty seemed friendly, the students seemed happy....which can tell a lot about a program. Other than that however, with the new facilities opening next year and the area being rejuvenated, it's a pretty good deal. I hear the students get free Orioles tickets too....not a bad way to skip some classes. I would take MD if i was in your position, especially if you plan to practice in the area in the future.

Whether or not you specialize, it's pretty nice to have a large alumni network when you start looking for work, which is something you wouldn't have as much of if you were trying to return home to MD from Penn.

On the other hand, I am not a MD resident, so i ultimately decided on Penn. I don't really know where i'd like to eventually settle, so for my purposes i felt that Penn would allow me a more national alumni network.

Also, how do you think a dual degree will greatly impact your future plans as a specialist? It's great to set your goals high, but i would analyze exactly how it would help if it was going to be a large part of my decision.
 
Stir up a mixture of fresh killed chicken blood and toad slime. Round up three flat white stones which are about the size of your palm. Using the blood/slime mixture write UPENN on one stone, Tufts on the second, and UMD on the third. Go to a graveyard alone a midnight and pick out a gravemarker that seems to attract your psychic inner self. Touch the marker, step back twenty paces and then toss each of your flat imprinted stones towards the marker. The stone which comes to rest closest to the marker without touching the marker holds the name of the school which you should attend.
 
Monifa was asking a serious question and not the recipe for Witches' Brew
 
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