NYU D4 fielding questions

[Mackchops]

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Hey y'all,

I'm a graduating fourth year up at NYU and I just thought I'd give everyone who's interested the chance to ask me anything about my experience in the big apple. I've been getting a bunch of PM's and thought this might be a better way to answer questions.

So... ask away!

 

[sbdento]

I have a couple of questions regarding nyu.

Nyu is crazy expensive and so is living in new york, I was wondering where you have lived while going to school there.

About how much debt do you think you will be in by the end of this year?

Assuming that you were accepted to other schools, do you regret your decision on nyu? and what factors made you chose nyu?

I have heard some rumors that they "like" to fail about 5 or so students out every year, is this rumor true? or do students just fail because they don't work hard enough? (just read your post about this, I guess this rumor should be squashed)

With such a large class did you feel that you got to know the faculty on a more personal level?

Thanks so much! 🙂

 

[somedayDDS]

Have many of your classmates that want to specialize been able to place into competitive residencies?

Do the specialty programs at NYU slightly favour their own students?

 

[Mackchops]

I have a couple of questions regarding nyu.

Nyu is crazy expensive and so is living in new york, I was wondering where you have lived while going to school there.

It's expensive. I've lived four different places the last four years -- Stuyvesant town, Peter cooper village, Jersey, and a walk-up on 2nd ave. I suggest getting a 1 or 2 br and converting it to a 2 or 3 br with a couple friends. Check out waterside, kips bay, and look on urbansherpa.com. My opinion, if you're going to be in New York you might as well live in New York -- avoid the boroughs or jersey and get your money's worth for the "big apple experience".

About how much debt do you think you will be in by the end of this year?

Just from D-school I'm around 340k.

Assuming that you were accepted to other schools, do you regret your decision on nyu? and what factors made you chose nyu?

After my NYU acceptance I withdrew from everywhere else I had applied except for UF (rejected) Columbia (rejected) and UConn (rejected). I'm happy with my decision and glad I didn't go somewhere like Case or Nova. For schools within this price range NYU is hard to beat in terms of opportunities available and clinical education. Had it been available to me though, I probably would have jumped on the cheaper option.

I have heard some rumors that they "like" to fail about 5 or so students out every year, is this rumor true? or do students just fail because they don't work hard enough? (just read your post about this, I guess this rumor should be squashed)

False

With such a large class did you feel that you got to know the faculty on a more personal level?

I was worried about this coming in, but I've gotten to know everyone very well. Granted, I was on class council which helped me make connections, but even in clinic I've become close with my faculty. In clinic we're split up into groups of about 40 (20 D3s and 20 D4s) and with the same faculty members each week you start to develop relationships. The nice thing about a school this large is you aren't forced to work with someone you don't like -- there are a ton of other options. Also, you can do 10 crowns with 10 different faculty and learn 10 different tips, tricks, and techniques. Don't underestimate the value of varying opinions!

Thanks so much! 🙂

GL
Mack

 

[Mackchops]

Have many of your classmates that want to specialize been able to place into competitive residencies?

Do the specialty programs at NYU slightly favour their own students?

We have a bunch of people going into OS, ortho, Pros, Peds, endo, and ton of GPRs/AEGDs. NYU pros, perio, and peds takes a LOT of NYU grads. At least one of the 6-yr OMFS residents for next year, and the 4-yr resident (and a bunch from the past) are in my class. Someone in my class is doing NYU endo next year. Nobody is going to NYU ortho but we matched to VCU, Rochester, UMDNJ, Montefiore, and some others.

At my GPR interview the program director was impressed by some of the things I've gotten to work on. Past graduates have said how much better trained they are than their colleagues from other schools. We have a good reputation among program directors and students do a good job on match day. I'm comfortable with my education here.

 

[sbdento]

You said 340k for just dental school, is that including housing/living expenses?

 

[Mackchops]

You said 340k for just dental school, is that including housing/living expenses?

Yeah, that's everything I've taken out during D-school -- including a residency/relocation loan this year to cover things like my boards, NERB, and moving to where I'll be doing my GPR.

I've lived pretty comfortably too. I could have played the miser but I figured how many times will I get the chance to be in my 20's living in New York City? Live it up a little.

 

[sbdento]

Sounds good! Thanks a lot for your insight 🙂

Yeah, that's everything I've taken out during D-school -- including a residency/relocation loan this year to cover things like my boards, NERB, and moving to where I'll be doing my GPR.

I've lived pretty comfortably too. I could have played the miser but I figured how many times will I get the chance to be in my 20's living in New York City? Live it up a little.

 

[xjh915]

Thanks for the info. I just got accepted to NYU and I was wondering how's relationship with alumni? Is it easy to find job after you graduate? do they provide a good network among dentist?

 

[doc toothache]

How many of your original classmates are still left standing?

 

[Mackchops]

Thanks for the info. I just got accepted to NYU and I was wondering how's relationship with alumni? Is it easy to find job after you graduate? do they provide a good network among dentist?

I don't really know... We have a strong alumni network and the school is actively trying to improve relations, but there isn't too much back-and-forth between alumni and students.

 

[Mackchops]

How many of your original classmates are still left standing?

Standing? Not many. Personally, I'm crawling to the finish line 😛

I think only one or two people actually failed out of school. One was dismissed for cheating. A handful were kept back a year. I'd guess that I could count on two hands the number of people I started with who won't be graduating with me. Maybe a few more? Considering we started with around 230, that's not bad.

If you fail a class you're typically given the opportunity to remediate. Assuming you pass this remediation you continue on unfazed. If you fail remediation, you are forced to repeat the year. If you've failed multiple classes or remediations then you might be dismissed.

 

[476515678234896]

Which year was the most difficult?

How much did you work the first two and second two years?

How is the market looking for new dentists in NYC?

What was the best part of dental school?

What was the worst part of dental school?

Would you do anything differently (academically) between undergrad and now?

What didn't you expect about the process to get your DMD/DDS when going into dental school that you know now?

 

[Mackchops]

Which year was the most difficult?

Personally I had the hardest time with 3rd year. Maintaining a solid class schedule, studying for the boards, and transitioning into seeing patients was a lot to handle and gave me quite a few gray hairs.

How much did you work the first two and second two years?

I studied hard but not obscenely. A few hours a day, weekends before exams, and that was about it. I made a point of understanding the material instead of just memorizing it as I was going along and studying for tests was easier -- more of a review. Which was important because we had so many exams close together.

How is the market looking for new dentists in NYC?

I have no idea because I'm not going to practice here. But my impression is that it's pretty saturated -- just like most urban centers. The jobs (and the money) are suburban/rural.

What was the best part of dental school?

My classmates. Maybe that sounds cheesy but I know the admissions people put a lot of thought into choosing a GROUP of people who would get along and they did a great job! I love my class. We definitely work well together and all help each other when needed. Not true for some other schools.

What was the worst part of dental school?

The "cariology" department. Run by people who are great dentists but horrible educators. Learned a lot but it was so unnecessarily stressful and confusing -- expectations were so vague. Except for Dr. Bucklan (he's amazing).

Would you do anything differently (academically) between undergrad and now?

I would have taken biochem. We had a very quick course and I had to teach myself for the boards.

What didn't you expect about the process to get your DMD/DDS when going into dental school that you know now?

How important the clinical experience is. When I was applying I spent a lot of time looking into the didactic portion of school because that was closest to what I was doing at the time and would be what I was going to do first once I got in. But don't underestimate the importance of a well-run clinic with a lot of patients -- we have a ton.

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[Timpson]

I am entering NYU for the class of 2015, and I am glad to hear so many postive things about the school from recent students. It seems like only expensive schools are interested in me (and my wallet) so its good to know that at NYU I will get close to my money's worth.

1. Is it difficult to get chairs in clinic?

2. How well does the school's curriculum train you for the boards, or do you have to study additional material to score well?

3. How competitive are the students? Do the international students make the atmosphere more competitive?

4. Any ways you have found to save money in the most expensive city in the USA?

5. Any advice on how to make the most out of my experience at NYU?

Thanks in advance for your responses and for taking the time out of your busy D4 schedule.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Got a couple of questions:

1) Is the fee schedule at NYU reasonable, hence are patients able to afford treatment such as crowns and FPDs?

2) Do you get experience with placement of dental implants, not just restoring them? Posterior and Anterior?

3) Does NYU utilize CAD/CAM technology and do you get to actually utilize this on a normal basis while in clinic or is everything sent out to lab.

 

[dctim211]

Got a couple of questions:

1) Is the fee schedule at NYU reasonable, hence are patients able to afford treatment such as crowns and FPDs?

2) Do you get experience with placement of dental implants, not just restoring them? Posterior and Anterior?

3) Does NYU utilize CAD/CAM technology and do you get to actually utilize this on a normal basis while in clinic or is everything sent out to lab.

+1 👍

 

[714guy]

I am a D3 at NYU and will help Mackchops out as he's probably taking the boards right now.. Good luck..

I am entering NYU for the class of 2015, and I am glad to hear so many postive things about the school from recent students. It seems like only expensive schools are interested in me (and my wallet) so its good to know that at NYU I will get close to my money's worth.

1. Is it difficult to get chairs in clinic?

sometimes.. most important thing to do is schedule your patient early at least a or two week in advance, and make sure your patient show up on time. In my group practice we don't have chairs for the all the students but you'll usually end up getting one, b/c patients just dont show up. So a phone call to remind your patients is very helpful.


2. How well does the school's curriculum train you for the boards, or do you have to study additional material to score well?

Our Class (2012) has a 100% passing rate for the boards part 1. We scored about 6% higher then the national average. If you paid attention in class the curriculum during the D1 and D2 is like an outline of the kaplan NBDE book. VERY HELPFUL!!!

3. How competitive are the students? Do the international students make the atmosphere more competitive?

My class isn't that competitive. I really enjoy the entire class including the international students. We all try to help each other out. I think the multiple social gatherings we have and the difficulties of D school unites the class.

4. Any ways you have found to save money in the most expensive city in the USA?

I think the best way to save money is on food. I pack my own lunch and cook most of my meals. Eat out only a few times a week and you'll save a lot of money. Its so easy to order out everyday since the delivery system in NYC is so efficient. There's also a costco in manhattan so you can get stuff in bulk.


5. Any advice on how to make the most out of my experience at NYU?

There are tons of opportunities, you just have to work at it. I work with many different faculties, and everyday i always learn something new. When i don't have patients I am usually walking about the clinic floor ease dropping on what the faculty is saying to the student. You can also assist in all the post grad clinics. A few weeks ago I saw crown lengthening done with a laser. It's really up to you, some of my classmates just want to get by and you can do that also.

Thanks in advance for your responses and for taking the time out of your busy D4 schedule.

 

[714guy]

Got a couple of questions:

1) Is the fee schedule at NYU reasonable, hence are patients able to afford treatment such as crowns and FPDs?

I have no idea what the fees are at a regular office in NYC. But RPDs and CDs are about 620 per arch, Mandibular CDs include 2 implants for over-dentures. Crowns are 620 also. Undergrad implant crowns are about 1300. Most of the patients we see at NYU are medicaid so many of the procedures of covered.

2) Do you get experience with placement of dental implants, not just restoring them? Posterior and Anterior?

During your 3rd year you can apply to an honors programs where in your 4th year you can place implants. We can restore posterior implants only for the undergrad program.

3) Does NYU utilize CAD/CAM technology and do you get to actually utilize this on a normal basis while in clinic or is everything sent out to lab.


There is an aesthetic floor where you can schedule patients to CAD/CAM inlays and onlays and the restoration is milled chairside while the patient waits.

hope i answered all of your questions.

 

[ccm5166]

Honestly, Is it possible to Work during Dental school? I am about to re-take DAT and will be applying again to NYU for next cycle. My concern is that I am planning to work during weekends!! Would it be possible?

 

[714guy]

Honestly, Is it possible to Work during Dental school? I am about to re-take DAT and will be applying again to NYU for next cycle. My concern is that I am planning to work during weekends!! Would it be possible?

NO.. you'll be so stressed out from the D school load and any free time you have you'll want to relax..

 

[angelnyc89]

Thank OP for a lot of insight about NYUCD!

I was wondering what is the take on aesthetics in dentistry at NYU? I was speaking to a Dental Hygienist recently and she said California dentistry is more focused on aesthetics and more productive. I was wondering your general take on this and if NYU is also productive in that sense?

How is the curriculum and the technology?

TIA

 

[714guy]

Thank OP for a lot of insight about NYUCD!

I was wondering what is the take on aesthetics in dentistry at NYU? I was speaking to a Dental Hygienist recently and she said California dentistry is more focused on aesthetics and more productive. I was wondering your general take on this and if NYU is also productive in that sense?

How is the curriculum and the technology?

TIA

Hey TIA

There is entire aesthetic department where you can bring patients up for consultations and you can work the case with them. There is also an aesthetic club where they bring well-known dentist from the city and they discuss their own cases they've worked on. We also have several aesthetics courses and preclinical labs for veneer preps and smile design.

NYU is pretty into aesthetics. You have a lot of opportunities do aesthetic cases if you want too. In your 3rd year you can apply to Honor Aesthetics for your 4th year. I've been helping out up there for the past few months and I've seen a lot of amazing cases. A few weeks ago I saw crown Lengthening done with a hard tissue laser, all 6 mx anterior teeth done in about 30 minutes.

As for technology, NYU is pretty good. All of our classes are video-podcasted so you can d/l them and re-listen/watch them. Everything else is thru blackboard. Rarely is anything handed out in class except for test or quizzes.

 

[davidae85]

Hi,


I applied to NYU in June, and I have literally heard back nothing.

DAT: AA 22, TS 23
Undergrad Overall GPA: 3.09/ Science GPA: 2.9
Post-Bacc Science GPA: 4.0


Do you think theres still a possibility for getting in this cycle?

 

[Mackchops]

Got a couple of questions:

1) Is the fee schedule at NYU reasonable, hence are patients able to afford treatment such as crowns and FPDs?

2) Do you get experience with placement of dental implants, not just restoring them? Posterior and Anterior?

3) Does NYU utilize CAD/CAM technology and do you get to actually utilize this on a normal basis while in clinic or is everything sent out to lab.

Thanks 714 for taking over for me. I was being a NERB this weekend...

These are awesome questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

1) For Manhattan, the fees are reasonable. $620/unit for fixed work and around the same for an arch of removable. The best deal, however, is around $1000 for implant AND restoration if the case qualifies. No anteriors, nothing serving as the most distal tooth, no FPDs, nothing requiring grafting, etc. But for ideal single unit posterior restorations you can't beat that fee. Actually, it makes it difficult to treatment plan the bridge requirement sometimes because a bridge will be more expensive than an implant! The only time you hear people complain about the fees is when they're coming from far outside of manhattan -- I have a patient who travels an hour and a half to see me and the discount he gets at the school isn't as significant. But finding patients has never been a problem for me.

2) I haven't placed. The only predocs who place are implant honors students. However, anyone can drill a hole and screw in a post once you've done a couple -- the tough part is planning it. We get a decent amount of experience/exposure to implant treatment planning (both fixed and for overdentures -- a graduation requirement) and can assist with as many implant placements as you want -- they're always being done in implants, perio, OS, esthetics, pros, endo, etc. Many different systems too. And, of course, all the augmentations you could want. I've assisted with ridge splits, various socket preservation techniques, lateral window sinus lift, osteotome osteotomy, etc. Plenty of implants happening at NYU.

3) We have an preclinical esthetics course where we play with the cerec scanners and software and a clinical esthetics department where you can CAD/CAM all the inlays and onlays you can treatment plan. They don't do full-coverage restorations up there though -- those all go to the lab. However, we can request more than just PFMs -- I've done captek and procera crowns as well as plenty of PFMs.

Good questions. Hope this helps.

 

[Mackchops]

Hi,


I applied to NYU in June, and I have literally heard back nothing.

DAT: AA 22, TS 23
Undergrad Overall GPA: 3.09/ Science GPA: 2.9
Post-Bacc Science GPA: 4.0


Do you think theres still a possibility for getting in this cycle?

Why don't you give them a call and ask directly? It's getting pretty late I would think...

 

[Mackchops]

Thank OP for a lot of insight about NYUCD!

I was wondering what is the take on aesthetics in dentistry at NYU? I was speaking to a Dental Hygienist recently and she said California dentistry is more focused on aesthetics and more productive. I was wondering your general take on this and if NYU is also productive in that sense?

How is the curriculum and the technology?

TIA

I don't really know why anyone would think that. This IS New York City. Pretty uptight and snobby. Upscale New York dentists are VERY esthetically focused because their patients demand it. Wings at our school are named for dentists like Tarnow, Rosenthal, Linhart -- all very well-known cosmetic dentists practicing in the big apple. Personally, I have no interest in practicing in New York just as I have no interest in practicing in Cali -- both are saturated with dentists.

As far as the school goes, I've done plenty in my couple of years here to make me happy. Cool stuff. Big stuff. I'm working on a full-mouth case right now. I've done veneers. An all-ceramic maryland bridge. The only thing I haven't had the opportunity to really play with yet is gingival recontouring -- we have lasers here though and I know some people who've gotten to play with them. Sigh... someday...

 

[angelnyc89]

Hey TIA

There is entire aesthetic department where you can bring patients up for consultations and you can work the case with them. There is also an aesthetic club where they bring well-known dentist from the city and they discuss their own cases they've worked on. We also have several aesthetics courses and preclinical labs for veneer preps and smile design.

NYU is pretty into aesthetics. You have a lot of opportunities do aesthetic cases if you want too. In your 3rd year you can apply to Honor Aesthetics for your 4th year. I've been helping out up there for the past few months and I've seen a lot of amazing cases. A few weeks ago I saw crown Lengthening done with a hard tissue laser, all 6 mx anterior teeth done in about 30 minutes.

As for technology, NYU is pretty good. All of our classes are video-podcasted so you can d/l them and re-listen/watch them. Everything else is thru blackboard. Rarely is anything handed out in class except for test or quizzes.

Thank you! Thats nuts! BTW, my name isnt "TIA" it means Thanks in advance 😉

I don't really know why anyone would think that. This IS New York City. Pretty uptight and snobby. Upscale New York dentists are VERY esthetically focused because their patients demand it. Wings at our school are named for dentists like Tarnow, Rosenthal, Linhart -- all very well-known cosmetic dentists practicing in the big apple. Personally, I have no interest in practicing in New York just as I have no interest in practicing in Cali -- both are saturated with dentists.

As far as the school goes, I've done plenty in my couple of years here to make me happy. Cool stuff. Big stuff. I'm working on a full-mouth case right now. I've done veneers. An all-ceramic maryland bridge. The only thing I haven't had the opportunity to really play with yet is gingival recontouring -- we have lasers here though and I know some people who've gotten to play with them. Sigh... someday...

I know! Thats what was going through my mind! I am born and raised in NYC so we prefer things to be perfect and beautiful. How did your veneers come out? Can you mess up, like damage the teeth or shorten the teeth?

 

[Mackchops]

I know! Thats what was going through my mind! I am born and raised in NYC so we prefer things to be perfect and beautiful. How did your veneers come out? Can you mess up, like damage the teeth or shorten the teeth?

Certainly you can mess up. With veneers or anything else. You can also deliver the most perfect, beautiful, bioesthetically pleasing set you've ever seen and the patient ends up being unsatisfied. With esthetic dentistry always remember that communication is key. Wax up the case and show your patient. Do a mock-up in the mouth with temps, onlay, flowable -- anything -- and give the patient a mirror. Make sure the patient knows exactly what everything looks like and do a wet try-in before cementing. Not only will this extra work improve the outcome for both you and the patient but your faculty will see the effort you're putting in and will be more willing to work with you on more advanced cases. Nobody wants to teach a slacker.

 

[Mackchops]

Honestly, Is it possible to Work during Dental school? I am about to re-take DAT and will be applying again to NYU for next cycle. My concern is that I am planning to work during weekends!! Would it be possible?

You don't work during school. What's the point? You'll make chump change on the weekends stressing yourself out over all the work you need to do to stay afloat in your multiple-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars PROFESSIONAL education. You're not going to pay your way through and while going gray on the weekends to pay for beer money that you'll never have time to use you could do poorly/fail out and lose out on tons of dough and hard work. Commit to school 100% or don't even bother...

 

[PhoebeAZ]

I'll be starting NYU this fall, do you have any advice for finding housing/roomates? I'm moving from Arizona, so I'm pretty unfamiliar with NYC.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Thanks 714 for taking over for me. I was being a NERB this weekend...

These are awesome questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

1) For Manhattan, the fees are reasonable. $620/unit for fixed work and around the same for an arch of removable. The best deal, however, is around $1000 for implant AND restoration if the case qualifies. No anteriors, nothing serving as the most distal tooth, no FPDs, nothing requiring grafting, etc. But for ideal single unit posterior restorations you can't beat that fee. Actually, it makes it difficult to treatment plan the bridge requirement sometimes because a bridge will be more expensive than an implant! The only time you hear people complain about the fees is when they're coming from far outside of manhattan -- I have a patient who travels an hour and a half to see me and the discount he gets at the school isn't as significant. But finding patients has never been a problem for me.

2) I haven't placed. The only predocs who place are implant honors students. However, anyone can drill a hole and screw in a post once you've done a couple -- the tough part is planning it. We get a decent amount of experience/exposure to implant treatment planning (both fixed and for overdentures -- a graduation requirement) and can assist with as many implant placements as you want -- they're always being done in implants, perio, OS, esthetics, pros, endo, etc. Many different systems too. And, of course, all the augmentations you could want. I've assisted with ridge splits, various socket preservation techniques, lateral window sinus lift, osteotome osteotomy, etc. Plenty of implants happening at NYU.

3) We have an preclinical esthetics course where we play with the cerec scanners and software and a clinical esthetics department where you can CAD/CAM all the inlays and onlays you can treatment plan. They don't do full-coverage restorations up there though -- those all go to the lab. However, we can request more than just PFMs -- I've done captek and procera crowns as well as plenty of PFMs.

Good questions. Hope this helps.

very nice, great responses. There seems to be a lot of great opportunities to learn at NYU. A lot of schools do not have all these chances. 👍

 

[Mackchops]

I'll be starting NYU this fall, do you have any advice for finding housing/roomates? I'm moving from Arizona, so I'm pretty unfamiliar with NYC.

Check out Waterside http://www.watersideplaza.com/. Close to school and last I heard they don't need a guarantor (new york rent is expensive enough but getting approved for a lease can be ridiculous). Another good one is Kips Bay http://www.kipsbaycourt.com/ -- my friend pays for a year's rent at once and gets a month free. Or you could fly out here and spend a couple days looking around -- the market moves fast so don't come to look, come to sign! There's always online too -- I'm sure you could connect with classmates through facebook and there's always the random option through craigslist. The last option would be to jump in on the dorms -- that's what I did for the first year and, as someone coming from out of town (I moved here from Florida) it was nice to have a stable place to stay and a chance to learn a bit about the city and potential classmate/roommates before venturing out and signing my life away to a huge lease.

GL

 

[dentallover]

Hello Mackchops:

I'm also from Florida deciding b/w NYU and UIC (Chicago). Both are almost the same price b/c I'm OOS. I have a friend at NYU in D3 and I don't know anybody at UIC but the assistant of admissions has been very nice with me. By any chance can you tell me anything about UIC? BTW thank you for all your previous responses.

 

[Mackchops]

Hello Mackchops:

I'm also from Florida deciding b/w NYU and UIC (Chicago). Both are almost the same price b/c I'm OOS. I have a friend at NYU in D3 and I don't know anybody at UIC but the assistant of admissions has been very nice with me. By any chance can you tell me anything about UIC? BTW thank you for all your previous responses.

Good luck with your decision, but I don't know a thing about UIC...