Ivy League Grad - HELP!

[Generosity]

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[UCLAzy]

there's 5 schools in CA i think. it looks to me like you've got a case of the ivy's =\

 

[476515678234896]

Hi Everyone,

First-time poster, long-time lurker here. I wanted to know if I could get some advice regarding my particular situation:

Undergraduate school: Dartmouth College
Major: Biology, 3.83 GPA
ECs: Shadowing, volunteer work, etc.

State Residence: CA

2010 Results:
UCSF - Interviewed (pre-dec) --> Under Review, STILL
UCLA - No news
Penn/Columbia - Accepted, put deposit at Columbia, but it's a lot of $$$ for someone exiting college already in debt.

While I truly feel that dentistry is the perfect fit for me (i.e. only 4 years, working with my hands, leading a dental 'team'...), one of the draws was that, hopefully, I could go to d-school instate. Apparently not.

However, medicine also has it's perks, especially since you're not just tied to one specialty. I also feel that med-school attracts younger folks, whereas there were lots of married post-bacs at every d-school interview I went on (I'm 20). Finally, there are also several times more med schools in CA (+USC, which I didn't apply to for d-school because of the heavy-handed PBL curriculum), so I'd be where I want for a fraction of the cost.

WHAT DO I DO!? Should I take a year-off and apply to med schools as a second resort, or do I suck it up and put up with another 4 years of snow and aggravation on the East Coast?

sounds like you're conflicted between medicine and dentistry. Did you by any chance apply late or have your LORs/personal statement/interview indicate that you aren't 100% committed to dentistry?

If I were you I wouldn't take a year off when you have been admitted already. don't apply to med and dent school, it will definitely show that you aren't committed and by taking the MCAT and DAT and applying to two different programs, you will not be viewed as a good applicant.
Go to Columbia/Penn while you still have the opportunity.

 

[Generosity]

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[AmpedUp]

You should've done some research on tuition/fees before you applied. What worries me most is that you are still unsure whether medical or dental is for you, but with acceptances in your hand it seems as if that isn't much of a question - you have some interest in dentistry. In my opinion, I think it's better to look forward - don't worry about costs; you'll be able to pay it in the future. Anyway, it's a great privilege and achievement to be accepted to top schools such as Columbia and UPenn. Be proud of yourself. Congrats!