Michigan (IS) vs. Penn

[futuredent122024]

Hi everyone, I am very fortunate to have been accepted to these two schools. Wanted to ask what you would recommend. Price difference is 60-80k after adjusting for tuition and living costs.

That being said, I was much more impressed by Penn in terms of their clinic, biomedical integrated curriculum, etc. With the new dean at Penn, I believe the clinic will continue to get better and train general dentists better. There's talk of even requiring students to place implants before they graduate and not too many schools offer that. I am currently between general and OMFS so if I opted to specialize, Penn would also help with its reputation and class rank (#1-10 and then #11).

I wasn't really impressed by Michigan but wanted to ask anyone on this thread if I am overlooking anything and if any of the pros for Penn are overstated. Thank you!

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[ToothJockey]

Cheaper

60-80k is a still lot imo, and its closer to 100k difference when you count in accrued interest


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[dentalms2024]

Honestly, I think you should choose Upenn. I talked to so many students from there and they seem to love the curriculum as well as the facility. Both are great schools and I think if you choose to specialize, both will get you where you need to be. But in the end I think you would enjoy your four years spent at Upenn a lot more. Also umich is great for academia and research but to get the most experience which you need for OMFS, I say Upenn!

 

[kiddodent2]

Hi everyone, I am very fortunate to have been accepted to these two schools. Wanted to ask what you would recommend. Price difference is 60-80k after adjusting for tuition and living costs.

That being said, I was much more impressed by Penn in terms of their clinic, biomedical integrated curriculum, etc. With the new dean at Penn, I believe the clinic will continue to get better and train general dentists better. There's talk of even requiring students to place implants before they graduate and not too many schools offer that. I am currently between general and OMFS so if I opted to specialize, Penn would also help with its reputation and class rank (#1-10 and then #11).

I wasn't really impressed by Michigan but wanted to ask anyone on this thread if I am overlooking anything and if any of the pros for Penn are overstated. Thank you!

what are your stats

 

[coolguy07]

can someone comment on which school provides a better clinical education

 

[laker2019]

can someone comment on which school provides a better clinical education

My bet would be UPenn, given that UMich focuses heavily on research. I didn't apply to UPenn so somebody might have better insight than me, but from what I hear, they have an excellent clinical program.

 

[axiumgod]

I was in your same boat and I chose to pay a deposit at Penn. UM seemed a little disorganized, there is major construction for the next few years, and the students didn’t seem very happy too me.

I loved Penn for the same reasons as you and the only downside I found was cost. Buttt I still wouldn’t let a 60k difference be your determining factor.

 

[axiumgod]

can someone comment on which school provides a better clinical education

Based on my interviews I would guess Michigan. They start clinic pretty early and spend a significant portion of D4 year rotating at community based clinics.

 

[dentalms2024]

Umich is known for academia and research. Upenn is for clinical!

 

[Whopper And Fries]

Umich is known for academia and research. Upenn is for clinical!

Sorry, but have you interviewed at both schools lol. Bc from both interviewing and speaking with current students at the two schools, it seems pretty obvious Michigan has the better clinical education. Penn has never been known for clinical, although they’re trying to improve now, but they’ve been starting pretty late and have a lower reqs for clinic to graduate.

 

[dentalms2024]

Sorry, but have you interviewed at both schools lol. Bc from both interviewing and speaking with current students at the two schools, it seems pretty obvious Michigan has the better clinical education. Penn has never been known for clinical, although they’re trying to improve now, but they’ve been starting pretty late and have a lower reqs for clinic to graduate.

Yes I have, and my deposit is at Boston U so I am speaking as a neutral third party. Obviously Umich is great for clinical but Umich it is a leader in dental research. I am not saying that Penn is known for clinical worldwide but that between the two schools, Michigan is characterized more so by research and Penn by clinical. Umich is a good school but the patient cases are rather limited due to the location. As a result, the program has its students take part in community-based outreach programs. At all interviews, the admissions faculty manage to make their programs seem like the best. But I have talked to many people at Michigan and it seemed like it wasn't all that it was cracked out to be. My friend at Upenn seems to really have enjoyed her past two years there.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Penn fanboys out here trying HARD to justify their expensive choice lol. How’s it feel to know you can still specialize out of schools that cost 1/3 - 1/2 what Penn costs?

 

[axiumgod]

Penn fanboys out here trying HARD to justify their expensive choice lol. How’s it feel to know you can still specialize out of schools that cost 1/3 - 1/2 what Penn costs?

Dude congrats on figuring out that the Ivy League schools are expensive. Really good observation

 

[deleted903013]

Go Michigan, even if you like Penn better. We're essentially talking about a 100k cost difference at least, probably more. Do you have any idea how much money that is? The implications of this are years of extra payments if you pick Penn. All of the advice here is from pre dents, talk to an actual dentist and they'd tell you to go cheapest.

 

[ToothJockey]

This right here. Y'all gotta take into account the accrued interest when making such a decision. The difference is bigger than you think.

 

[PackCardinalDMD]

I would vote Michigan!
1. Michigan is cheaper
2. A lot of opportunities via alumni networking
3. Clinically, I've seen that Michigan dental students feel prepared to practice (if going general dentistry route) right after graduation.
4. If you want to go to OMS, just do well on the CBSE and maintain a good GPA.
5. There is no "easy" route to OMS. I'd rather have an oral surgeon that worked hard to get where he's at.
Again, I think you should decide to go where you will feel the happiest! Penn has a really great program as well and you will make the right decision wherever you end up at.

 

[ab117]

Yeah I was under the impression that Michigan is well known for clinical strength in addition to producing a decent number of specialists, they also have an extremely strong and renowned OMFS program that you can shadow and get letters from. Going out of state to go to Penn sounds completely insane to me here.

 

[futuredent122024]

Thanks everyone - please keep the opinions coming. And nah haha- I am very much in the middle. It's a serious question. Thinking Michigan more and more.

 

[super frank]

i currently go to penn. dm me if you have some questions.

 

[pookey123]

michigan is cheaper, but penn is also good