Minnesota or OHSU??

[bdog13]

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God has presented me with a very good dilema that most people unfortunately don't have. I have been accepted to both the University of Minnesota and OHSU, and I can't decide where I should go. Does anyone have any information that can help me make my decision?
Thank you!!

 

[dentalWorks]

God has presented me with a very good dilema that most people unfortunately don't have. I have been accepted to both the University of Minnesota and OHSU, and I can't decide where I should go. Does anyone have any information that can help me make my decision?
Thank you!!

Whats tuition like at either school?

 

[bdog13]

Whats tuition like at either school?

Both tuitions are about the same. Just one of the many reasons this is a difficult decision

 

[UFRalo]

Do you see yourself enjoying Portland or Minneapolis more? They have their own unique vibe. Also, do you prefer windy and cold or rainy and cold?🙂

 

[Assimilation]

Try to spend some time thinking about what you want to get out of dental school (outside of just becoming a dentist). I was accepted to a few schools and ultimately decided to attend the University of Minnesota. Here are some things I liked about it:

1. Cost (I'm regional - will pay somewhere between in/out of state tuition)
2. Facilities are reasonably up to date, UMN has an awesome simlab
3. Outreach opportunities - UMN is affiliated with 7 fairly different and distinct outreach clinics which are visited in year four
4. Exchange Program - opportunity to study abroad in a dental school in either Denmark, Germany, Norway or The Netherlands in your fourth year (I am very excited about this and hopeful to participate)
5. Research - UMN has impressive research credentials and many opportunities to participate as a student
6. Speciatlies - I am open to the possibility of specialization and UMN not only offers specialty programs, but also resources and faculty that will be beneficial if this path comes to call for me

I hope this helps

 

[travisdotn]

I live in Portland. It is a nice city. As far as big cities goes, I think it is really affordable and livable. I'm not sure where you are from. The rain here does get old.

What I know/hear about OHSU:

The dental school is very old. I heard it is the oldest building of all dental schools (they are planning a new school to be open 2014 I think).

From what I have heard from students that have attended OHSU, the school requires more lab work(like waxing a lot of crowns and that sort of stuff) than a lot of other schools. Lab work that is very time consuming. From what I understand, most students feel really overworked compared to some other schools, but after it is all done, they are glad for the extra work/experience they have put in and feel confident when graduating.

Just, curious, have you made a decision yet?

 

[kdentg]

God has presented me with a very good dilema that most people unfortunately don't have. I have been accepted to both the University of Minnesota and OHSU, and I can't decide where I should go. Does anyone have any information that can help me make my decision?
Thank you!!

I was in between UNLV, OHSU, and Michigan. It was very difficult to decide between OHSU and MICH and UNLV was pretty much out of the picture. OHSU is an incredible school and I think they are one of the best to prepare you in the clinical aspect. I know the biggest complaint is the students have to do their own lab work which they feel is completely unnecessary. However, one of my interviewers said that they plan to cut back on the required lab work.

You also have to buy your own equipment. This could be good and bad. You learn to take care of your own stuff instead of sharing everything. However, if your handpiece breaks you have to take the valuable time you have and spend a day taking your handpiece to the "shop" and having to foot the bill for it, too.

They did just switch to paperless everything...as in records and radiology.

The school also said to plan on getting between a 10-20% increase in tuition each year. They were going for more OOS applicants this year in an effort to get more money to fight the budget issues.

Also, sometimes the D4's have trouble completing all of their requirements and will have to pay for their patient's procedure so they can graduate. This doesn't occur for the majority, though, but it can happen. Just depends upon your patient pool.

When I was choosing between OHSU and Michigan I knew I had two right decisions and no wrong ones (UNLV was an ok decision). OHSU is a phenomenal school and I'm sure you'd be happy there. I just listed the negatives I had for when I was deciding. I don't know anything about Minnesota so I can't elaborate on that.

 

[johnnyt09]

Go Gophers! I know its completely different but for undergrad the U is an awesome school, and i'm not just talking academics, but you just can't beat the university vibe there. There is nothing better than outdoor game on a Friday night at TCF Bank Stadium or a basketball game at Williams Arena. Also, I don't know where you plan to stay but using the U's bus system is very easy and is really convenient. Congrats on your acceptances and good luck!

 

[predent18]

God has presented me with a very good dilema that most people unfortunately don't have. I have been accepted to both the University of Minnesota and OHSU, and I can't decide where I should go. Does anyone have any information that can help me make my decision?
Thank you!!

Where are you from? I am from the NW and am going to d-school in the midwest.. people have been saying that it is cold in oregon...yeah right! They dont know cold unless they have lived in the midwest, I mean I had no idea that weather could get this cold, it is brutal. Also if you are use to NW living (portland) be ready for a pretty different environment, I dont know if I will ever get use to living here. I have have friends that go to OHSU and everything is true about the lab work and I have been told that the teaching/school enviroment isnt great and you are second rate to the medical students around the campus. Haven't really heard much about minnesota, except for the fact that they are promoting those dental therapists! I would say that the schools are basically equal in everything, except for where you are going to live.
Do you have any other choices???

 

[In2Infinity]

Where are you from? I am from the NW and am going to d-school in the midwest.. people have been saying that it is cold in oregon...yeah right! They dont know cold unless they have lived in the midwest, I mean I had no idea that weather could get this cold, it is brutal. Also if you are use to NW living (portland) be ready for a pretty different environment, I dont know if I will ever get use to living here. I have have friends that go to OHSU and everything is true about the lab work and I have been told that the teaching/school enviroment isnt great and you are second rate to the medical students around the campus. Haven't really heard much about minnesota, except for the fact that they are promoting those dental therapists! I would say that the schools are basically equal in everything, except for where you are going to live.
Do you have any other choices???

I live only 6 hours north of Minneapolis, and can guarantee you those people don't know what true cold is...freezing winds coming off lake superior all day in the winter! hah

One of my good friends attends Uni of Minnesota, for his business undergrad, but he says he really enjoys the univeristy, and tells me all the time how its a great, but huge, place to be

 

[tcn79]

I too am a Portland local and have spent countless hours at the OHSU Microbiology lab so I'm pretty familiar with faculty/students around that area. What the others said about OHSU is pretty accurate. The new dental school should be really nice and I do know they are trying to make some changes to address some of the main complaints already listed. It sounds like you have a tough decision on your hands. However, I vote for you to attend Michigan so it frees up a seat at OHSU for those of us waiting to get in. 😉 J/k. Good luck! Keep us all posted when you make your decision.

 

[DrReo]

I was in between UNLV, OHSU, and Michigan. It was very difficult to decide between OHSU and MICH and UNLV was pretty much out of the picture. OHSU is an incredible school and I think they are one of the best to prepare you in the clinical aspect. I know the biggest complaint is the students have to do their own lab work which they feel is completely unnecessary. However, one of my interviewers said that they plan to cut back on the required lab work.

You also have to buy your own equipment. This could be good and bad. You learn to take care of your own stuff instead of sharing everything. However, if your handpiece breaks you have to take the valuable time you have and spend a day taking your handpiece to the "shop" and having to foot the bill for it, too.

They did just switch to paperless everything...as in records and radiology.

The school also said to plan on getting between a 10-20% increase in tuition each year. They were going for more OOS applicants this year in an effort to get more money to fight the budget issues.

Also, sometimes the D4's have trouble completing all of their requirements and will have to pay for their patient's procedure so they can graduate. This doesn't occur for the majority, though, but it can happen. Just depends upon your patient pool.

When I was choosing between OHSU and Michigan I knew I had two right decisions and no wrong ones (UNLV was an ok decision). OHSU is a phenomenal school and I'm sure you'd be happy there. I just listed the negatives I had for when I was deciding. I don't know anything about Minnesota so I can't elaborate on that.

I'd rather buy my own instruments. Certain schools will charge you instrument usage fees that will surpass the cost of purchasing from the get-go!

 

[DrReo]

Go Gophers! I know its completely different but for undergrad the U is an awesome school, and i'm not just talking academics, but you just can't beat the university vibe there. There is nothing better than outdoor game on a Friday night at TCF Bank Stadium or a basketball game at Williams Arena. Also, I don't know where you plan to stay but using the U's bus system is very easy and is really convenient. Congrats on your acceptances and good luck!

I have heard that they are installing a light rail through campus soon. So, transportation will be difficult. http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/121782119.html