How run down is UPenn?

[helpfuldoc2b]

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I bumped into a friend back in undergrad on the weekend, he was visiting. I guess he is in dental school now at UPenn. Very bright guy, was pre-med to begin with, but i guess he is in dentistry now. When i asked him how he liked dental school, he had this grin on his face like he wasnt the happiest cat, when i reassured him a lot pf those who enter dental school find it the most difficult to adjust to the first year or so, he just said, I wish I didnt go to UPenn and instead went to Marquette Dental. Then he added, the facilities are crap and run down! He just kept saying how he should of went to Marquette (one of the many dental schools he was accepted to). My question is, how run down is UPenn, and is it that bad?

 

[r0entgen]

uhhh...your friend makes penn sound like a third world country. the facilities aren't brand new. but i wouldn't call them "run down" either...it's sufficient. and it's not going to hinder your education. it's pretty unwise to wish to have had gone to marquette instead just cuz penn's facilities are "run down," when it's not really.

besides, they're building a brand new clinic (i think this summer) anyway.

 

[BigRedDentist]

uhhh...your friend makes penn sound like a third world country. the facilities aren't brand new. but i wouldn't call them "run down" either...it's sufficient. and it's not going to hinder your education. it's pretty unwise to wish to have had gone to marquette instead just cuz penn's facilities are "run down," when it's not really.

besides, they're building a brand new clinic (i think this summer) anyway.

Second that...come visit if you think we are working out of garbage bags.

 

[in her drawer]

Second that...come visit if you think we are working out of garbage bags.

Maybe not garbage bags, but the basement is close enough.

 

[Zanderale6]

Maybe not garbage bags, but the basement is close enough.

I take it you've opted to turn down your Penn acceptance?

 

[r0entgen]

Maybe not garbage bags, but the basement is close enough.

honestly, i don't find the classrooms in the basement to be such a problem. i don't really even notice i'm in a basement. the only thing crappy about the basement is the grd lab.

 

[Sprgrover]

honestly, i don't find the classrooms in the basement to be such a problem. i don't really even notice i'm in a basement. the only thing crappy about the basement is the grd lab.

I agree. The GRD lab (aka the preclinical space) is a bit dated. After spending the last year in it I can say that when you first look at it is somewhat of an eye sore. I remember looking at it in my interview and despite all of the other areas of the school and main campus that I saw I couldn't shake it out of my head. I almost didn't attend Penn based on appearances alone - and now I can't imagine going anywhere else.

While dental school can be very tough at times many of my instructors are simply amazing - I often visit my preclinical group leader in her practice so she can evaluate my work outside of class (something that is very helpful, especially the day before a practical), and I frequently visit past instructors just to chat. Dental school, like life, is what you make it: you can either myopically focus on what you find negative and let that define your experience or you can embrace a broader view and seek to promote the positive during your tenure at your school. If you feel another school would be a better fit for you than Penn then by all means go there. If you are confused or are sitting on the fence get several opinions from students so as to make a more informed decision. For me, the education I'm receiving from Penn will stick with me a lot longer and further than any drywall or tile ever will. Best of luck!

 

[Calident562]

I heard that PENN is undergoing construction on their main clinics. During this time I am assuming that there will be major distruptions to the clinical spaces.. Do you think this will affect students that are entering PENn is coming ffall?

 

[Zanderale6]

I heard that PENN is undergoing construction on their main clinics. During this time I am assuming that there will be major distruptions to the clinical spaces.. Do you think this will affect students that are entering PENn is coming ffall?

I would also be very interested in knowing the answer to this question ...

 

[BigRedDentist]

Its supposed to be done in a year...so not really...hopefully...