Loma Linda vs. MWU-AZ

[narulyn]

School 1: Loma Linda (IS)
Pros:

• Closer to home than AZ (I live in the Bay Area)
• More established
• Might be more comfortable with other students who might mostly come from CA also
• Might also be more comfortable with students as I come from religious background, although my family rarely goes to church now
• My interviewer was extremely welcoming and made me feel comfortable, which gave me a great impression

Cons:

• I don't mind going to church once a week or so, but it might be a hindrance if we are required to take many religious classes that may interfere with studies as I am sort of a hardcore studier
• Clinic is older than Midwestern's but it's not much of a problem
• CA isn't a great place to start practicing

School 2: Midwestern-AZ
Pros:

• I only hear good things about MWU, such as the faculty, education, and clinical aspects
• The interview panel was really friendly even though I was so nervous and they made me feel confident throughout my interview
• Newer clinic
• Arizona seems much more chill than CA, might give me a more refreshing and calm experience in a new state
• Better state to start practice than CA

Cons:

• Even though Arizona seems like a beautiful state, I get homesick often and so I value a school that is a bit closer to home (even a shorter plane ride is more enjoyable for me)
• More outside of my comfort zone and I get really nervous when going off to new places

Summary: I'm currently leaning towards Loma Linda as it seems like a school I would really fit into. I think I'd feel more comfortable with people who share the same background as me and my parents are glad I got into a CA school. However, everyone who goes to MWU gushes about how great the school is so I'm having doubts about LLU. I would like to be more committed to my religious background, but if anyone can let me know how much time we would need to spend in religious activities at LLU that would be incredibly helpful. I'm not sure if I will want to specialize, but my doors are open so I'll learn more about the specialties in dental school before deciding. I'm also not sure where I should practice after graduating but CA is definitely a hard place to start as a dentist. AZ is a much better state to start but I feel attached to CA.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! And if anyone can let me know more about religious requirements and activities at LLU that would be really helpful, thank you!

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[Dr.Deadpool97]

Well I personally would go with loma linda. The only problem of the school for me is that its a religious school and Im not a big fan of any religion. If you are ok with that then there is no reason to choose mw over it. Mw gonna cost you 640k loma linda 550k. Both are expensive but 90k difference itself is a lot. Mw only worths to go if you dont get in any other schools( some people even say the price doesn't worth it at all).yes your networking gonna be better in az if you go to mw but again that huge difference in tuition doesn't worth it at all.

 

[wengerout]

I personally couldn't deal with a religious school, and would go to Midwestern. Up to you on what you can deal with though

 

[bracketbuster68]

Loma Linda would be an excellent choice.

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Isn’t LLU way cheaper?

 

[narulyn]

Isn’t LLU way cheaper?

I believe it is a cheaper school by about 90k just as Dr.Deadpool97 said, but if that money is worth the education and opportunities in Arizona, I'm thinking Midwestern wouldn't be a bad option.

 

[narulyn]

Loma Linda would be an excellent choice.

Thanks for your input! Do you have any particular reason as to why LLU would be the better choice?

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

I believe it is a cheaper school by about 90k just as Dr.Deadpool97 said, but if that money is worth the education and opportunities in Arizona, I'm thinking Midwestern wouldn't be a bad option.

The education at every dental school is virtually the same. You’d be wasting 90k imo

 

[bracketbuster68]

Thanks for your input! Do you have any particular reason as to why LLU would be the better choice?

Cheaper, closer to home, opportunity to network with CA people if you want to stay there, and of course a unique opportunity for personal growth.

 

[PerioDont]

Well I personally would go with loma linda. The only problem of the school for me is that its a religious school and Im not a big fan of any religion. If you are ok with that then there is no reason to choose mw over it. Mw gonna cost you 640k loma linda 550k. Both are expensive but 90k difference itself is a lot. Mw only worths to go if you dont get in any other schools( some people even say the price doesn't worth it at all).yes your networking gonna be better in az if you go to mw but again that huge difference in tuition doesn't worth it at all.

My personal opinion is that 'networking' is not super important in dentistry unless you are a specialist.

As in you don't have to go to dental school in the area you want to practice. If you are looking for an associateship or practice purchase, find all the existing dentists in your area and send them a postcard in the mail stating what you are looking for. Or even better just show up one day and ask them. That's about the extent of networking that's needed in dentistry imo.

I also agree MWU-AZ is not worth it in the vast majority of cases. Even Loma Linda at 550k I do not personally believe is either.

 

[REACHOn]

D2 at Loma Linda here I'm not religious and knew about the religious aspect of Loma Linda. It really isn't too bad and if this is a plus for you, we have not done anything religious since COVID. (nothing religious all D2 yr) Prior to COVID we did attend chapel once a week and many of us took it as study time. Good school, just tuition is painful.

 

[narulyn]

D2 at Loma Linda here I'm not religious and knew about the religious aspect of Loma Linda. It really isn't too bad and if this is a plus for you, we have not done anything religious since COVID. (nothing religious all D2 yr) Prior to COVID we did attend chapel once a week and many of us took it as study time. Good school, just tuition is painful.

Thank you for the info! It's a relief to know it won't be very time consuming