Need Help SDN: Columbia vs Pacific?

[770975]

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Hi SDN:

I didn't think I'd ever have to post a thread here, but I've realized I can't seem to make this decision on my own.

Im quite torn between these two schools, I liked both of them a ton. My friends and family are from all over CA, but I also have some close friends on the East Coast. While I have a little family contribution to help with cost, I'll still be taking out most of tuition, etc in loans. Not sure if I want to specialize yet...suppose I'll see in dental school what interests me!

Thank you, future dentists!

 

[2th_fairy2016]

Columbia!!!!!!!!! Lol The tuition is only around $68,000 right?
When I went to my interview at UoP they said tuition is around $107,000 and it increases each year. But then again its one year less. Cost of living is almost the same.
I didnt get into columbia, but I chose UPenn over UoP.

 

[nonociceptors]

When you compare the overall tuition, fees, cost of living, etc for both schools they're very close in price. Then add the fact that UoP is one year less, so they're basically the same. Tough choice OP. I'd probably pick UoP because I'd rather live in SF and the 3 years is appealing if I don't want to specialize.

 

[armorshell]

I had this same decision. Basically identical costs. For me it was Pacific Heights > Washington Heights but UoP is downtown now and SF real estate has gone nuts so costs might not be as close as they used to be. Great school though.

Tough choice OP. I'd probably pick UoP because I'd rather live in SF and the 3 years is appealing if I don't want to specialize.

Come on, haven't we established this is nonsense by now?

 

[nonociceptors]

I had this same decision. Basically identical costs. For me it was Pacific Heights > Washington Heights but UoP is downtown now and SF real estate has gone nuts so costs might not be as close as they used to be. Great school though.



Come on, haven't we established this is nonsense by now?

Misunderstanding. I simply meant if I know I'm not going to specialize, I'd rather spend 3 years at UoP than 4 years at an equally expensive school. I wasn't suggesting it's harder to specialize at UoP. Since you went to UoP you probably projected a little onto my post bc a lot of people wrongly claim it's impossible to specialize with the helix system they have, but trust me, I'm just as annoyed by that claim.

 

[BYU4you]

Not that Columbia will make it any easier to specialize than UoP, which I don't think is the case. My interview at Columbia did make it seem like they definitely push specializing and have less focus on producing general dentist. However, every school will make competent dentists.
I do feel that UoP had more emphasis on clinical skills as well. Something to consider, again not that going to one gives you a leg up but the emphasis is there.

When considering know that Columbia does take classes with med students, and is pass/fail.

UoP is a lot of work with little breaks.

UoP facilities are much much nicer than Columbia. UoP is also in a nicer area.

Both appealed to me and I got in and they were my number 2 and 3 choices pretty much tied. Luckily I also got into Loma Linda and so I didn't have to choose between the two.

I want to head for OMFS and so going to a school that takes classes with med students was more appealing and I felt like 3 years was too fast paced for me to put in effort for OMFS (on top of being married and wanting to have kids).


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[yungspleen]

What were your stats out of curiosity? And if it were me, I'd choose UoP.