In-state vs. out-of-state

[Shane41]

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Ok, dont get offended by this but is it fair for in-state residents with poor stats, poor dat, poor gpa's to get into dental school over well qualified candidates?

I have seen numerous people get in, with what I believe sub-par stats, to numerous dental schools because they are a resident.

To me, this doesnt make sense. I understand the taxes and the money spent in the state with being a resident. But it seems as though schools would want the best quality applicants to represent their university and state.

Many good applicants will get denied this cycle and many others not because their stats are not good, but because schools took less qualified applicants...

This just bothers me...

People who work hard and get good results should have better oppurtunity

 

[aggie-master]

In Texas, the state government pays a decent percentage of the costs so that the schools can train people to be dentists in Texas. If you are applying from California you most likely have no plans to practice in Texas when you get out. If you were born in Texas and have resided there for most of your life it is probably very likely that you will also practice dentistry there.

As long as it is a state run school, I have no problem with them favoring state residents because it is more in line with the purpose of the dental school (training dentists that will practice in that state).

 

[pranney]

Ok, dont get offended by this but is it fair for in-state residents with poor stats, poor dat, poor gpa's to get into dental school over well qualified candidates?

It's not always about fair. I'm sure that most every school (particularly state schools) are funded by state tax dollars, and those schools are mandated by law to accept a certain number of students from within the borders of that state.

 

[Shane41]

How does the school know that you wont practice in texas? What if you end up loving the state that you go to dental school at?

It just seems to me that the best applicants should get accepted because this is a healthcare profession and you are dealing with people...

My 2 cents

 

[REDSOX08]

i see both sides of this discussion, i am from a state with no dental school so it makes getting in to any state school realy hard, and not only that i have to apply to expensive private schools cuz they dont care about where i am from. this sucks but its the way it is, i might just move to a state that has a school and try my luck that way after getting residency. just the way it is.
i even did my undergrad in texas and that did not help gaining acceptance there.

 

[Shane41]

I know that's the way it is but the purpose of this thread is to illustrate how I dont think it is fair. Plain and simple. But I know that it is true, it just kind of sucks you know?

 

[wizziefiend]

I think it's fair (I don't have a state school by the way) because the money comes from the state taxpayers and they should benefit by training "their own" who are likely to work within the state once done.

However...is it ethical to admit students who are of lesser caliber? (multiple ways of evaluation also...GPA, DAT, EC, life experiences, blah blah blah)Nope. Not when patient's are at risk. I do have faith in licensure exams and dental schools and such that any individual who graduates is competent enough. So in the end I don't really care.

Also, my state's medical school is opening up seats for out of staters now for 2 reasons. Bring in more cash flow by charging more money for tuition and to HOPEFULLY increase the competition for in state students due to the out of state folks fighting for spots. So being an instate only institution isn't always the best for the state.

 

[dr.rex]

who ever said life is going to be fair no sense in complaining about it because that is how it is just do your best and dont worry about anyone else....people get so worked up about what everyone else is doing just worry about yourself

 

[DrBowtie]

Absolutely. It's about the only thing that I support my tax dollars going towards.

PS. The world isn't a meritocracy, get used to it. 🙂

 

[johntara04]

I think state schools can and should take in-state people, even if they are less qualified. If my tax dollars are going to a dental school, med school, etc, then I want those people I paid to go to school to stay and help me someday.