I've hit a major road block

[wuz]

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Hey guys so sorry to bring another "where should I go thread", but i don't know where else to turn.

My choices are Detroit Mercy, USC and Temple.

Here are the factors I'm considering, (the order isn't reflective of importance)


alumni and name/reputation (how important is this when getting jobs, opening clinics etc?)
cost (day-to-day/housing/tuition)
clinical exposure/patient pool
need for a car (I'd really rather not)
city (This is the rest of my twenties I'm talking about and want to get the most out of these years)
I'm not sure whether I want to do general or specialize, but I would like to have the option if i do (I'm not sure if any particular school is any better than others in for this)
research opportunities
likelihood of needing to do an AEGD afterwards
also something to note is that Im canadian and if i went to UDM i would be able to live in Canada.. i'm not sure if that makes a big difference in terms of cost and simplicity but its something I'm also thinking about.

I've done my own pro's and cons list and each seems to have their own pros and cons whereby they all end up ranking equally but in completely different categories so i need some extra input!

ANything would help at this point as I'm totally stumped! THANKS!!

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey guys so sorry to bring another "where should I go thread", but i don't know where else to turn.

My choices are Detroit Mercy, USC and Temple.

Here are the factors I'm considering, (the order isn't reflective of importance)


alumni and name/reputation (how important is this when getting jobs, opening clinics etc?)
cost (day-to-day/housing/tuition)
clinical exposure/patient pool
need for a car (I'd really rather not)
city (This is the rest of my twenties I'm talking about and want to get the most out of these years)
I'm not sure whether I want to do general or specialize, but I would like to have the option if i do (I'm not sure if any particular school is any better than others in for this)
research opportunities
likelihood of needing to do an AEGD afterwards
also something to note is that Im canadian and if i went to UDM i would be able to live in Canada.. i'm not sure if that makes a big difference in terms of cost and simplicity but its something I'm also thinking about.

I've done my own pro's and cons list and each seems to have their own pros and cons whereby they all end up ranking equally but in completely different categories so i need some extra input!

ANything would help at this point as I'm totally stumped! THANKS!!

I can't say anything about USC, I know nothing about it...

I love both mercy and temple... Only reason I picked mercy is because I live 30 minutes away.

I don't think finding a dental job has much to do with what school you went you....Temple and Detroit mercy brag about how their new graduates have an easier time transitioning into a private practice because of their heavy clinical training....is it true? who knows

cost is going to be similar. I think temple's cost of living is higher than detroit's, and tuition wise, both are about the same.

Clinical training, "seemed" great at mercy and temple

Research opportunities, I am sure are available at any school, but its not the same as if you were going to Michigan

If you don't want a car, then mercy is out ESPECIALLY if you are planning to live in Canada and commute.

 

[spearmint]

If I were you, my choice would be UDM > Temple > USC

All the schools will give you the degree and let you practice GD or specialize if you so choose. With that said, I would take in the total cost of attending these schools.

The cost of living to attend UDM would be significantly cheaper especially if you want to go back and forth between Canada and Detroit. I think being close to family for moral support is also important when you're going through such a rigorous program. Even if you decide to live in Detroit to be closer to school, you can always drive back home on weekends.

USC is the farthest from your home, thus the cost to fly back home during breaks would be more expensive. If you live in L.A., you WILL need a car if you want to have a life outside the vicinity of USC. The public transportation system there sucks. Not to mention sitting in L.A. traffic is horrendous.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[wuz]

I can't say anything about USC, I know nothing about it...

I love both mercy and temple... Only reason I picked mercy is because I live 30 minutes away.

I don't think finding a dental job has much to do with what school you went you....Temple and Detroit mercy brag about how their new graduates have an easier time transitioning into a private practice because of their heavy clinical training....is it true? who knows

cost is going to be similar. I think temple's cost of living is higher than detroit's, and tuition wise, both are about the same.

Clinical training, "seemed" great at mercy and temple

Research opportunities, I am sure are available at any school, but its not the same as if you were going to Michigan

If you don't want a car, then mercy is out ESPECIALLY if you are planning to live in Canada and commute.

Thanks! Was there anything other than proximity to home that pulled you to UDM? I liked the school, just wasn't as "Swayed" as will the other two.

 

[wuz]

If I were you, my choice would be UDM > Temple > USC

All the schools will give you the degree and let you practice GD or specialize if you so choose. With that said, I would take in the total cost of attending these schools.

The cost of living to attend UDM would be significantly cheaper especially if you want to go back and forth between Canada and Detroit. I think being close to family for moral support is also important when you're going through such a rigorous program. Even if you decide to live in Detroit to be closer to school, you can always drive back home on weekends.

USC is the farthest from your home, thus the cost to fly back home during breaks would be more expensive. If you live in L.A., you WILL need a car if you want to have a life outside the vicinity of USC. The public transportation system there sucks. Not to mention sitting in L.A. traffic is horrendous.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for your imput! I am actually from Vancouver so USC would technically be closest to home. I just thought it might be nice to still live within Canada in terms of ease for day to day stuff( ie. health insurance, phone etc..) but i'm not sure if that should even be such a big factor in this.

 

[prospdent]

sorry but what do you mean living in canada for day to day stuff-- vancouver and Los angeles are VERY far away!

 

[UBDent19]

I'm sure they meant if they attend UDM they would live in Canada.

 

[wuz]

sorry but what do you mean living in canada for day to day stuff-- vancouver and Los angeles are VERY far away!

Yeah i meant "home" for me is Vancouver and LA is the closest school to that, (not close but closest). But UDM is right next to windsor ontario, (4000KM+ away from my actual home) but I could still reside within my 'home' country.

 

[spearmint]

Thanks for your imput! I am actually from Vancouver so USC would technically be closest to home. I just thought it might be nice to still live within Canada in terms of ease for day to day stuff( ie. health insurance, phone etc..) but i'm not sure if that should even be such a big factor in this.

I was surprised when you said USC would be closest to you as a Canadian. But after looking at a map I can see why.

Well, even though USC would technically be closest to you, it's not like you could easily commute back and forth. That would be over 20 hours of nonstop driving. I've driven 8 hours nonstop and it was a mind-numbing pain in the *****. Never again. In any case I think it would require you to fly back home if you choose to live in L.A. Unless going back home on a regular basis does not matter to you at all, then this would be a moot point.

Since you're a Canadian, I'm assuming you have "free" health care? This is something I might consider since most dental schools only offer their students bare bone coverage. If you already have health insurance then you can waive out of the school's health insurance coverage (which would save you ~$2,000/yr). It's not much, but still something to consider if you already have great comprehensive care back home.

Also, have you considered where you want to practice after graduating? If you plan on practicing in Canada, then staying close to it would be better. It would allow you to develop networks with Canadian dentists better. If you haven't already known, Southern California is one of the most saturated area. Even though I'm from CA, I'm reticent about staying here to practice and competing like mad just to survive.