NOVA or TUFTS??

[jes1ca]

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I would appreciate everyone's input. I am trying to make the best decision and I respect the opinions of all of you.

I cannot decide whether I want to go to Nova or Tufts. I have narrrowed my choice down to these two schools and I would really like to hear everyone's opinion about where they think I should go.

Both seem to be good clinical programs. There are a lot of other differences between the two. I am from Kansas City, Missouri so either Boston or Fort Lauderdale would be a big change in location. (which I like) I like both Boston and Fort Lauderdale and could see myself being happy in either city.

I got a small merit scholarship from Tufts (4K) for the first year. Otherwise, I am financing my education with loans.

I'm not sure if I want to specialize or not. I do have a lot of research experience, but I would like to become a clinical dentist.

Let me know what you think.

Jessica

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

You know what each school has to offer and only you can really make this decision.

The problem with asking on here is that this is an anonymous forum and people HAVE a tendency to give biased views. Both are good schools and when you graduate both you will be a dentist.

Look where you REALLY could imagine yourself for the next four years. Look at city, the campus...etc

Where did you like the faculty more? Which school had a greater impression on you? Look at the negatives of each school and see which ones you will be able to tolerate. Ask yourself some of these questions

I know I wasn't much help, but this decision is solely up to you.

 

[dprice121]

NOVA!!! I was accepted to both schools as well although I probably won't go to either (still hoping for my state school). But between the two I would choose Nova--in fact I DID choose Nova (they have my deposit and Tufts doesn't). It's cheaper, the weather is nicer, and the facilities are AMAZING!!! Not to mention the students seemed sincerely happy there. It just seemed like a really good learning environment. My overall experience there was really positive and I just felt more comfortable there (a big factor for me).


Of course, those are all personal preferences for me. I really liked Tufts as well and Boston seems like a great city, but the cost of living is outrageous and the tuition & fees are more expensive than at Nova (as I recall).

 

[Bickle]

Its not fair for me to say that Tufts is better than Nova, since I have never visited. However, I do know the weather is better down in Florida than New England.

 

[Reed1978]

I can't say anything one way or another about Nova - but I always assumed that Tufts was THEE premier dental school on the east coast.

Many people will comment about the weather being better in Florida - but that's completely relative. Personally, I would be lost without the NE winters. Additionally, I feel that NE has a lot more to offer than florida does (for my lifestyle anyway). I can't ski or rock climb in Florida...and studying when it's really hot outside and perpetual summer would also make it difficult for me as well.

Tufts tuition is high - but I'm on a full scholarship so I could care less about the price tag. I thought all the students there were really happy, I thought the facillities were hype, and everything fit.

In the end...the choice is really up to you.

 

[flat4]

Sit down, grab a piece of paper and pencil write out a list with one side for Tufts and one for Nova. Then under each school, make a column for pro's and con's. Write the most important pro's and con's (ex. tuition cost, reputation, location, cost of living, etc.) on the top and the lesser items (bars, sororities, male to female ratio, etc.) on the bottom. Once your done with your list, you can start evaluating. I know "evaluating" sounds a little vague right now but once you get a list in front of you it should be a little easier. If you're still confused, then try to visit each school again and try and get a good feel for which school you would be happier at. If you're still confused, then it means that you'll probably be happy at either school so flip a coin and be happy with your decision . Good luck.

 

[drPheta]

That's an excellent idea.

Just to let you know, I like Tufts a lot. However, it would be trite for me to say why I do, so I'll just lay down what I wish would change.

1. The student lounge for the dental students is LAME.
2. The preclin could use some better desk lamps for when we need to practice operative. (NOTE: the preclin is not the same as our simlab. The simlab is phenomenal).
3. Some of the profs need to learn how to speak and lecture. Many are good, many are...not so good.
4. You gotta take the elevator to all floors. Stairway access is for emergencies only. It's annoying when you're standing there with 50 other classmates to go up 1 floor.
5. Our bookstore tries to rip us off, but it's ok. You can go buy books at the Harvard COOP or at BU. They're about 10-15% cheaper on average at those places.
6. Boston roads suck fat nut. If it weren't for the roadways being so crappy, potholed, contructioned (yeah making up words) I would consider practicing here. But these roadways and drivers suck big fat nut.

Notice how I did not mention admin or class size. I came from a HUGE university were the average classroom lecture held 200-300 students. Also, the admin would notoriously fall short when you needed them (as said by the majority of the student body)...hence the term RU Screw. A lot of fighting with the admin to get things done at my previous school. And that is why admin and class size are not a problem for me at Tufts.

If you really need to know why I like Tufts, you can either (a) do a search for posts by my username and look at all the Tufts posts I've replied to, or (b) PM me and I'll do the search and copy and paste the info I mentioned in (a). 😀

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Reed1978
I can't say anything one way or another about Nova - but I always assumed that Tufts was THEE premier dental school on the east coast.

Excellent school, but not THE premier school on the east coast (either way you cut it, from weather, to facilities, to tuition, to education, to board scores).

 

[ItsGavinC]

To the OP: Nova.

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by drPheta
But these roadways and drivers suck big fat nut.

Very true. Thats the main reason I'm going car-less when I go to boston. T-pass, here I come!

 

[politicallyRite]

If you lived in the south or sunny california, how could you stand the weather there in Boston?

 

[DrRob]

I would look at cost and where you want to practice. No matter where you go you will become a dentist. Different clinical board exams are offered at different schools. If you want to practice on the east coast - then it would be beneficial to go to a school that offers the NERBS.

If I were to do it again - being from Canada and practicing in Canada I would probably have gone to Nova or at least done a GPR in Florida!

 

[Ecks]

If I were you, I'd go to Tufts. Their clinical rep is amazing. Both schools have similar expenses, so I dont think cost is much of an issue. Take it from me, I turned down harvard and columbia. Tufts beats them both in terms of clinical dentistry anyday. And reed you are right, I too believe tufts is the premire d-school not only on the east coast, but the nation.

 

[jes1ca]

Thanks for all the advice. I am still torn. I have visited both schools, made lists, spent time in both Fort Lauderdale and Boston, analyzed cost. I still cannot decide.

I tend to lean towards Nova for the location. I think I would be a happier person if I went to Nova because I love warm weather and the sunshine.

I tend to lean towards Tufts for the academic reputation. I think I would probably get a better education here. (not really sure though)

I still have about a week to make up my mind and it will be a struggle for me.

Jessica

 

[jes1ca]

Also, I went to Grinnell College for undergraduate and Tufts reminds me in a lot of ways of the small, friendly atmosphere of Grinnell.

But I feel like I cannot pass up an opportunity to live in south Florida. I spent a semester abroad in Australia studying marine biology and I love the warm environment.

 

[Yah-E]

Jessica:

Here are some old thread that you can read up on about Nova:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86743

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74720

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98913

Now, your PM question about the clinical exposure received here at Nova, that I can not fully share with you due to my lack of full clinical exposure. I am only in my 2nd semester of my second year here at Nova, and as we all know, 2nd year is A LOT of lab work and not clinical exposure (besides Oral Medicine and Perio).

This I can tell you:

Thus far, I've done plenty of Prophylaxis/ Scale & Root Planing in Periodontics (we started this our 1st year and so far the most clinical exposure we've had at this point of my dental education). I know all my scalers, curettes and universals. I feel confident and semi-efficient in doing cleanings (still need 2 hours or so).

Nova, we don't go into FULL clinic (meaning doing all the fun dentistry stuff by ourselves) until this upcoming summer (June between our 2nd and 3rd year of dental school). To my understanding, we do all the lab work as well as scheduling our own patients. Again, since I'm not there yet, I'm not able to share much with you at this time.

As far as will you feel confident to do dentistry when you graduate from Nova, that is really up to your learning capability and you as a student. I do know that all of our graduates do VERY WELL in all licensure (just reference the threads listed above) and written board examinations. To me, that means we do train competent and confident dentists! Nova has everything you need to succeed in whatever direction you choose to go, but it's up to you to decide what school you want to attend and what you want to get out of it.

Nova is new => less recognition => more applicant doubts => normal

There are dental schools out there like Tufts that may suit you better, but students that do pick to attend Nova, we are happy, we have fun and we learn. Good luck in your decision and keep all of us updated.

[DISCLAIMER: I am not pushing Nova nor am I saying Nova is better than any other dental schools. Nova dental fits me perfectly, but Nova may not suit you at all!]

 

[Rezdawg]

Jess, here is what would be the deciding factor for me....

Sun and beach OR Snow and Ice.

Being from Houston, I take the sun, beach, and bikini's any day of the week.

 

[Ecks]

Originally posted by Rezdawg
Jess, here is what would be the deciding factor for me....

Sun and beach OR Snow and Ice.

Being from Houston, I take the sun, beach, and bikini's any day of the week.

Good point. But there's just something about Boston and student life that cant be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Boston is the best city by far in regards to student life.

You guys are portraying boston as a winter wonderland 12 months of the year. Trust me, its not! The winters are not all that bad, and the summer, spring, and fall are BEAUTIFUL.

Autum in New England WILL be among the most gorgeous scenery you will EVER see. This I promise you.

 

[larryt]

Originally posted by Ecks


Autum in New England WILL be among the most gorgeous scenery you will EVER see. This I promise you.

I'm agree with you 100%. Autumn up north is so beautiful.

 

[drPheta]

Originally posted by larryt
I'm agree with you 100%. Autumn up north is so beautiful.

I double agree. Besides, this is a long winter, and it'll end towards middle/late March. I highly doubt we'll get much snowfall during the end of March. Last year was a fluke for the NorthEast, as we normally don't get snow in April.

 

[blankguy]

Originally posted by Ecks
Good point. But there's just something about Boston and student life that cant be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Boston is the best city by far in regards to student life.

You guys are portraying boston as a winter wonderland 12 months of the year. Trust me, its not! The winters are not all that bad, and the summer, spring, and fall are BEAUTIFUL.

Autum in New England WILL be among the most gorgeous scenery you will EVER see. This I promise you.

Yup! Especially in NH and VT which is only a couple of hours drive from Boston. Also can you go skiing in florida? Also NY is close enough so that you can go there for a weekend to meet up with friends you may have there.

 

[Bickle]

I agree with Ecks.

You know that Boston will be full of students your age, but wouldnt you think FL will be full of old people??

 

[jes1ca]

I think I'm going to Nova. But that could change tomorrow.