Maryland or VCU?

[wondergirls]

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Having a difficult time making this decision. I'm instate for VCU but I have set my mind on getting the air force hpsp so...which is better not considering the money?

To clarify, I'm leaning towards Maryland mostly because of their tech-savvy facilities. I've lived in Maryland before so I could adjust to the state even though I live in Virginia right now.

I know VCU like the back of my hand, since I've visited several times and did a dental internship there. So another one of the reasons I like Maryland is because it's a new place for me. I'm adventurous so I'm worried I'll get tired of the familiar setting of VCU once I get there...

Baltimore is also a much bigger city than Richmond and I was looking forward to some city attractions, since I will be living there for four years...

Any suggestions, ideas?

 

[ufhopeful]

ditto... maryland is so nice, i just don't know if ill be able to pay the unreal oos tuition... then again state schools are so safe, yet potentially boring... time for a new scenery, you know? and with talks on sdn about unbelievable loan strains, i'm just as lost as u

 

[wondergirls]

exactly what I mean. The thing I like about Maryland is its close to home but its a change of scenery...a fresh start. Not to mention its drool-worthy building and facilities...

 

[pinetar321]

the facilities ARE pretty epic

 

[Roto Picante]

Do you already have the AF scholarship in hand? From what I hear it is pretty hard to get this year and if you haven't already been informed that you will be recieving the scholarship then your chances are pretty much 0. If that is the case then VCU might be the better choice.

 

[Maka]

I'm a D1 at Maryland, and several of us are trying to get 3 year Air Force HPSP scholarships, we're supposed to hear any day now. Getting a 4 year scholarship will be very difficult, I've heard there are 5 4-year USAF HPSP scholarships for the entire country, and this year about 40 3 year scholarships (with around 100 applicants). There are 0 Navy scholarships available, however the Army is supposed to have lots of space. If you've gotten a Dec 01 acceptance, I'm going to assume you're grades and DAT are pretty good, however that isn't an automatic HPSP selection anymore. Now they are saying they want people that are going to be officers that are also dentists, not dentists that just happen to be officers. Having letters of rec from military officers is supposed to be helpful. With that said, we're all loving the school, the technology is great, and the general feeling is that UMD really has all their ducks in the row. I don't know the pacing of other dental schools, but by the end of semester 1, we've waxed several teeth, drilled preps, placed amalgams, and have excavated "sim caries." I honestly feel like I've learned more in 1 semester of dental school than like 2 years of undergrad. PM me for any other questions.

 

[lazybummy]

Go to UMBC, it's an awesome location in Baltimore right along the river. It's a small, nice, and clean facility. You can make new experiences. IMO, I think UMBC is the better choice for you. However, if money does become an issue, which probably will, GO TO VCU! Hands down, a cheaper tuition is worth suffering through a ghetto and possibly boring city.

By the way, which school did you go to for undergrad?

FYI, Maryland dental school is NOT where UMBC is..

 

[Stacker]

FYI, Maryland dental school is NOT where UMBC is..

I'm pretty sure it is maybe you should double check that for us.

 

[lazybummy]

I'm pretty sure it is maybe you should double check that for us.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1000 ...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

^ UMBC, "by the river"
In case the link is wack, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-...ocal_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQnwIwAA

^ Maryland dental school.
650 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD‎ 21201

👍 Kthanks

 

[efitzger]

Maryland dental is in downtown Baltimore; a stone's throw from the inner harbor.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1000 ...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

^ UMBC, "by the river"
In case the link is wack, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-...ocal_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQnwIwAA

^ Maryland dental school.
650 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD‎ 21201

👍 Kthanks

 

[wasvsdal]

I live right next to the Maryland schools, and unless money is an issue...youve gotta come here to bmore. School is amazing, and the city is even greater.

 

[wondergirls]

Thanks for all the great insights. I'll be going to VCU!! 😀

People have contacted me about the dental internship I did at VCU, and I decided to post the website here if anyone is interested. It was called the VCU RAMp'S Program and lasted for about a month during the summer.

http://www.dhsd.vcu.edu/programs/college/ramps.html

Good luck everybody!

 

[Livingadream91]

Thanks for all the great insights. I'll be going to VCU!! 😀

People have contacted me about the dental internship I did at VCU, and I decided to post the website here if anyone is interested. It was called the VCU RAMp'S Program and lasted for about a month during the summer.

http://www.dhsd.vcu.edu/programs/college/ramps.html

Good luck everybody!

Question, do you think the RAMpS program help with your application to the schools that you applied too??