Howard or Tufts?

[Blueberrymufn]

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So I received acceptances from both Howard and Tufts. I liked both schools at the interview. I'm OOS for both schools btw. Tuition is much higher for Tufts and I'll probably end up with 360k of debt. Howards is about 100k cheaper, but is it worth it to consider going there? Any advice is greatly appreciated 🙂

 

[DentalGunner]

So I received acceptances from both Howard and Tufts. I liked both schools at the interview. I'm OOS for both schools btw. Tuition is much higher for Tufts and I'll probably end up with 360k of debt. Howards is about 100k cheaper, but is it worth it to consider going there? Any advice is greatly appreciated 🙂

A beat-up pinto will always get you from point A to point B; a nice mercedes benz, while more expensive, will get you there in style, and no one will judge you.

If paying off your pinto 3-4 years earlier than your Mercedes is worth it to you in the long run, then go for it. Just remember you'll be driving that junk for the rest of your life.

 

[Baker2010]

So I received acceptances from both Howard and Tufts. I liked both schools at the interview. I'm OOS for both schools btw. Tuition is much higher for Tufts and I'll probably end up with 360k of debt. Howards is about 100k cheaper, but is it worth it to consider going there? Any advice is greatly appreciated 🙂

I am not familiar with Howard dental school. Although, I am very familiar with Tufts.
I can tell you that at Tufts, you will receive a great clinical education, the students are very happy, the class is diverse, its located in downtown boston (lots of things going on), patient pool is never a problem, may possibly have the best facilities I have seen (there's still doing a lot of construction so expect even more good facilities to come),lots of good public trans, and you should come out being a very good general dentist.
If your looking for good life style when you have the little free time you get, clinically strong school, community outreach opportunities, and a little bit of research go Tufts.

Goodluck

 

[Babyblue57]

Go where you see yourself doing your best work. Personally, of the two I'd pick Tufts.

 

[Kobe08]

The sad thing is, if this were a Columbia/Penn/Harvard vs. Howard thread, we would have a handful of posters come in screaming that the ivy league tuition difference is outrageous and to go to the cheaper school by any means necessary (nevermind that Tufts is more expensive than the ivies). Since it is Tufts, its student body (class characteristics change every year) and clinical exposure (something that can be easily made up in one year in the outside world) justify its expenses. The only person I agree with on these expense threads on a consistent basis is Dental Gunner. With that mind, I would say pick Tufts.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

The sad thing is, if this were a Columbia/Penn/Harvard vs. Howard thread, we would have a handful of posters come in screaming that the ivy league tuition difference is outrageous and to go to the cheaper school by any means necessary (nevermind that Tufts is more expensive than the ivies). Since it is Tufts, its student body (class characteristics change every year) and clinical exposure (something that can be easily made up in one year in the outside world) justify its expenses. The only person I agree with on these expense threads on a consistent basis is Dental Gunner. With that mind, I would say pick Tufts.

I suppose I'm one of those people who always recommends the cheaper school. No one would recommend Howard/Meharry over any of those schools for any price because they're different. Have you ever seen anyone on here recommend them if they had a choice anywhere else?

Go Tufts, this is an easy choice.

 

[Blueberrymufn]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Tufts is a great school and I know I would be happy there. I was just just asking since there isn't that much info on Howard and I didn't expect another acceptance 😀

 

[Dante60]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Tufts is a great school and I know I would be happy there. I was just just asking since there isn't that much info on Howard and I didn't expect another acceptance 😀

Tufts Grad here - Go where it's cheapest. It's not worth the extra 100k or stress of paying it back after you finish. Trust me. Anyone here who's advising you to go to a 'better' school (more expensive school) has no idea what they are talking about.

Use the money you save to buy a practice afterwards. Or use it to specialize if that's what you want.

 

[Dante60]

A beat-up pinto will always get you from point A to point B; a nice mercedes benz, while more expensive, will get you there in style, and no one will judge you.

If paying off your pinto 3-4 years earlier than your Mercedes is worth it to you in the long run, then go for it. Just remember you'll be driving that junk for the rest of your life.

This is the biggest bag of bull**** I've read on these boards in a long time. A dentist is a dentist. If you think what school you go to makes ANY difference on how you practice or your philosophy then you deserve to spend the extra money. I have classmates who don't know which end of a bur to cut with and I have some classmates who are great now. But guess what.. it's the same at every school.

It's not a benz vs. a pinto. It's expensive pinto vs. cheaper pinto. You start REALLY learning and becoming a dentist AFTER you graduate. Dental school is only there to teach you how to learn and to get you a license. That's it.

Good luck on your decision and PM me if you have any questions. I try to answer them quickly.

 

[rodneymoss]

Howard.. 100k extra is just not worth it.. youll graduate a dentist from both institutes..

Simple😎

 

[dantemac]

What you are experiencing is the "Availability Coefficient" - This sociological trend states that when a person sees more volume of something, they will stand behind it (in a good or bad way) more.

Just because there is a LOT more info about Tufts on SDN does not mean Howard is a bad school. It just means you should use other resources to learn about the education there. Don't misconstrue more SDN chatter to thinking it is a better school

 

[longhornpride]

Use the 100k plus interest you'll save to buy yourself a Benz. Problem solved.

In reality, Tufts will give you the patient base and surround you with resources to give you the opportunity to increase your speed and confidence. I don't know much about Howard. However, I'm sure they teach restorative, perio, endo, prostho, pedo, OS, just like every other school. However you might not have the same opportunity in the clinic, or you might... I really don't know. In the end, you'll refine much of your skill in your first year out in private practice or a residency. Going to Tufts might make that transition easier. Whether the extra 100k plus interest is worth it will be your own decision. Good luck.

 

[jayccee]

I prefer Washington DC much much more than Boston, putting costs and everything else important aside.

 

[tinman831]

You really can't compare the quality of education between the schools because no one here has attended dental school at BOTH programs. The best we can do is inform you about one school or the other and you can make your own inferences from that.

Yes they say most of your "learning" actually occurs during your first year of dental school, but some schools will prepare you better than others. I felt very confident working on my own right after graduating dental school. I definitely learned more in practice, but my education helped make my adjustment to real world dentistry somewhat easier. Example. I've read several posts in the dental section where students were asking how to do a workup on a patient who was medically compromised and what considerations they needed to take into account before beginning treatment. This I learned in dental school long before I touched a real patient, and I was surprised that someone actually had to ask this.

In the end, I would choose happiness over money. Sure you save 100k when all is said and done. But if you aren't happy with where you are, it negatively impacts your performance whether in the classroom or outside of the classroom. You're suffering enough with all the pressure dental school puts on you, but if the people around you and the environment you live in makes you miserable, it's going to be a horrible four years.

 

[vellnueve]

I'd pay 100K NOT to live in DC - I lived in that area for a long time.

 

[Baker2010]

You really can't compare the quality of education between the schools because no one here has attended dental school at BOTH programs. The best we can do is inform you about one school or the other and you can make your own inferences from that.

Yes they say most of your "learning" actually occurs during your first year of dental school, but some schools will prepare you better than others. I felt very confident working on my own right after graduating dental school. I definitely learned more in practice, but my education helped make my adjustment to real world dentistry somewhat easier. Example. I've read several posts in the dental section where students were asking how to do a workup on a patient who was medically compromised and what considerations they needed to take into account before beginning treatment. This I learned in dental school long before I touched a real patient, and I was surprised that someone actually had to ask this.

In the end, I would choose happiness over money. Sure you save 100k when all is said and done. But if you aren't happy with where you are, it negatively impacts your performance whether in the classroom or outside of the classroom. You're suffering enough with all the pressure dental school puts on you, but if the people around you and the environment you live in makes you miserable, it's going to be a horrible four years.

Words of wisdom right there👍

 

[acrotumbler]

I completely agree with tinman. I think your dental education is what you make of it. Choose the school you felt most comfortable at and connected with. I personally really liked Howard and will be attending in the fall. Good luck with your decision though!

 

[hifive]

I know some real trucker friends that hate where they go but they go to that school because it was cheaper than the rest. If your a cold hearted son of gun that can put a smile on despite livin in hell than go with the cheaper school. If you want all the good things in life for 4 years go to Tufts, but get ready to get hit with a 10 tonne brick made of debt that was formed in the fires of Tartarus and polished with juice squeezed from the souls of bankers.

 

[Wakaaa]

I'm a freshmen in undergrad but I'm pretty sure your future is what you make of it in grad school. Wherever YOU go and however you choose to make of it is the real thing you should probably think about. Personally, I know it's bad to think like this, but where ever I get accepted, I'm going to compare prices and whichever is cheapest or is reasonable, is where I'd go.

 

[BTown DDS]

I know some real trucker friends that hate where they go but they go to that school because it was cheaper than the rest. If your a cold hearted son of gun that can put a smile on despite livin in hell than go with the cheaper school. If you want all the good things in life for 4 years go to Tufts, but get ready to get hit with a 10 tonne brick made of debt that was formed in the fires of Tartarus and polished with juice squeezed from the souls of bankers.

Which schools are you talking about that your friends hate.

 

[hifive]

Which schools are you talking about that your friends hate.

check PM

 

[showmeurteeth]

I know some real trucker friends that hate where they go but they go to that school because it was cheaper than the rest. If your a cold hearted son of gun that can put a smile on despite livin in hell than go with the cheaper school. If you want all the good things in life for 4 years go to Tufts, but get ready to get hit with a 10 tonne brick made of debt that was formed in the fires of Tartarus and polished with juice squeezed from the souls of bankers.

Which schools were your friends not happy with? What were their reasons?

 

[vellnueve]

Go where you felt most at home. You will spend 80% of your life (note: your life, not just the waking hours) in that school and around those people over the next four years.

 

[Roy7]

I'm glad to see this post as my girlfriend is in a similar situation and really struggling.

While she understands that she cannot yet make a "choice" on what type of dentist she wants to be, she's interested in cosmetic dentistry, and would like to pursue a GPR or another 1-year residency after dental school

The issue in her mind is the difference in the quality of training, the number of available patients, and the impact of the name for a residency spot. After her dental training she would like to practice in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

The price difference for us would be closer to 250-300k, mainly because she is from Washington DC and would have some decreased rent/travel there, and increased familial support.

We are completely torn between the two because we hear drastically different things from different people, any advice would very much appreciated. PM's are great as are responses here.

Any suggestions on our/her situation?

Thanks again.

 

[planisphere]

Tufts Grad here - Go where it's cheapest. It's not worth the extra 100k or stress of paying it back after you finish. Trust me. Anyone here who's advising you to go to a 'better' school (more expensive school) has no idea what they are talking about.

Use the money you save to buy a practice afterwards. Or use it to specialize if that's what you want.

Words of widsom. Apparently there is someone who is logical enough to give a proper advice...

 

[vellnueve]

I'd pick Tufts. Admittedly I'm biased, but from what I've seen a Tufts degree is among the most highly respected in dentistry.

 

[Pistorius]

I am facing the same predicament here and have decided to go with Howard (after getting advice from some successful Howard students as well as from Tufts students). I just did not think i could afford to drop 350 grand on my education, especially knowing i might specialize after dental school (you'll need to pay for that too!!!!). As things stand at the moment, I'll owe about 150 grand if i go to Howard (worse case scenario) and well below 100 grand if things go as planned. The general consensus from dentists is to go to the cheapest school (which will still competently train you) you get into to limit debt. It is some pre-dents and dental students who are name stricken and would choose a more expensive school over a cheaper one just because of the name. From what I've heard, most residency programs don't care where you went to school provided you meet their requirements. It is true that your patients might be impressed by the name of your school, but at the end of the day, all they want from you the dentist is quality care, and not how prestigious your dental school is.....and i believe Howard will make me a competent clinician, and at a lower cost.

 

[Roy7]

Bumping for other responses. Thanks again.
It seems to be split down the middle with both fronts.

 

[dantemac]

OP, did you decide on a school?

 

[hardline]

I'd personally go with the cheaper one in this situation. One hundred thousand dollars plus interest on that sounds like an unnecessary hassle.

 

[Blueberrymufn]

I actually decided to go to Tufts. I know 100k is a lot but I felt I would be happier and comfortable there.

 

[omnipoDent]

I actually decided to go to Tufts. I know 100k is a lot but I felt I would be happier and comfortable there.

Congratulations! See you in the fall.

 

[dantemac]

Wow, congrats 🙂

 

[vellnueve]

I actually decided to go to Tufts. I know 100k is a lot but I felt I would be happier and comfortable there.

Great decision - a lot of people with no actual real-life perspective try to make it a numbers game but when you're going to spend over half your waking life for the next four years at a school, it's important that you feel comfortable and at home.

 

[wired202808]

Great decision - a lot of people with no actual real-life perspective try to make it a numbers game but when you're going to spend over half your waking life for the next four years at a school, it's important that you feel comfortable and at home.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13580_3-9849949-39.html

I think that's all it really is... perceived notion of happiness w/o a true understanding of it. No wonder a lot of dentaltown members wish they went to cheaper schools. You can only understand the true value of an institution once you've graduated from it.

 

[omnipoDent]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13580_3-9849949-39.html

I think that's all it really is... perceived notion of happiness w/o a true understanding of it. No wonder a lot of dentaltown members wish they went to cheaper schools. You can only understand the true value of an institution once you've graduated from it.

Thanks, yoda. 🙄

 

[wired202808]

Thanks, yoda. 🙄

I think we should all go to Tufts no matter what! even if it cost 5 Million dollars

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Great decision - a lot of people with no actual real-life perspective try to make it a numbers game but when you're going to spend over half your waking life for the next four years at a school, it's important that you feel comfortable and at home.

Well put 👍 🙂

 

[Roy7]

We went with Tufts. Her reasoning was more based on students we spoke to and how happy they were at each institution - Tufts super happy, Howard, not so much.

That being said we'll let you know how it pans out once we have to put off having kids or getting married because we've got a home mortgage hanging over our head.

Moreover - I just finished residency (medical) and was thinking of all the nice things to buy with my attending salary - scratch that, we're paying tuition.

And on a more positive notice, I am really excited about the move and looking forward to the change. Plus like my dad says, happy wife - happy life.

 

[omnipoDent]

We went with Tufts. Her reasoning was more based on students we spoke to and how happy they were at each institution - Tufts super happy, Howard, not so much.

That being said we'll let you know how it pans out once we have to put off having kids or getting married because we've got a home mortgage hanging over our head.

Moreover - I just finished residency (medical) and was thinking of all the nice things to buy with my attending salary - scratch that, we're paying tuition.

Congratulations! She's going to love Tufts. Also, according to everyone I have spoken with up there, Boston is an amazing place to live.