Hey y'all - is anyone else in this predictiment? I just want to know other people's thoughts. I was accepted to both programs and I'm not instate for Maryland.
Just looking for opinions from students or people who are also looking into both of these programs!
Everyone always talks money about NYU, but I just wanna know about the experience you come out with (someone is prob gunna say you come out with the same experience ). I just was leaning toward NYU, the class size doesn't scare me because they break it down into smaller families, and my visit to UMB wasn't the most pleasant, kind of dry.
Let me know what you think!
Lol.
The way they break down the class is good. You have classmates that are on a different schedule, so you may not get to know them as well as you would everyone else. But your smaller group you get to know quite well. In fact, it's actually a pretty cool "small class" feeling because it's ~30 of you so you get to know each other well and really take care of one another.
Also, a benefit of the class size is that they have classes set at different times. So if (when) there's a scenario that you have to miss a class or a lab, you contact the professor in advance and ask if you can attend at a different time; they know that sometimes things come up. This way, you don't have any missed lectures or labs. It's not like they offer it only 1 time and that's it. There are classes that are mandatory, for the entire class occasionally that are a 1 shot deal.
Clinically, I think it is good. They prepare you well IMO, but it also comes down to what you want to get out of it. If you want to just do the work, get the credit and move on, then you will be a mediocre clinician regardless of school. But I think NYU does a very good job of preparing you for clinical work. The resources are there. I've spoken to students at other schools and I am way ahead clinically. Maybe they are getting a better education didactically, and that's fine. I didn't decide to go to dental school to be a scientist, I went to become a good dentist. And the didactics are just fine. I've noticed there are lots of VERY smart students there. VERY smart.
If you want to specialize, it's definitely possible. It may not have the Ivy League specialization rate, but could you imagine about 250 people going onto a specialty residency per class, lol? That would be funny. But if you do want to, do well in school, express your interests, and take advantage of the resources available. There are OMS Clubs and Perio clubs, pedo clubs....etc. plus there are Honors courses available for a number of specialties where you are basically integrated into the PG program (more or less). You can learn ALOT about the specialty, but ultimately they are for the residents. It looks great on your Postgraduate applications though!
To be honest, NYU was not the only school I interviewed at. I went to see cheaper, state schools. Honestly, I REALLY enjoyed my interview at NYU more than the cheaper places. I don't feel like they put on a dog and pony show just to lure students in. The warm feeling I got when I interviewed is the same feeling I got while there.
Yes, NYU is expensive. But if you look at their higher tuition vs the tuition plus lots and lots of fees at other schools, they are comparable. And cost of living is, well you're in NYC. But people get a roommate and split an apartment right outside the school. They really arent paying as much as you think. One thing is, you won't need a car, so you will not have the expense of payments, gas, insurance, repairs, etc.
The school has a stigma for being just a greedy money machine that churns out students like a factory. Well, think about it this way: they have money. That means they have great resources available and great faculty for the most part. They don't want to do anything that would give them a reputation for being a bad school.
These are just my opinions, and someone else may disagree. Personally, I don't know you so it does not benefit me in any way if you choose NYU or UMB. So I'm not just blowing smoke up your butt. If I hated it, I would say so, and I would tell you to stay away.
I hope that gives you some helpful info. It would be nice if someone from UMB would talk about their experiences, I'm very interested to hear as well.
Best of luck in your decision. I'm sure wherever you go, as long as you work hard and make the most of your time there you will come out an excellent dentist.
