NYU vs. VCU

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SpringDDS

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Hi everyone,

I consider myself extremely fortunate in that I got into both NYU and VCU. I interviewed at a bunch of other schools and still have UPenn and UNC's interview coming up.

But I'm having a hard time deciding between NYU and VCU. I know I would have more of a friendship support circle in NY, but the cost is so so so much higher. But given my back story (you can find old posts if you're interested), having some friends nearby is important to me. I'm concerned about the testing structure at VCU, but I'm in state so it's dramatically cheaper. VCU is also closer to my family (a 3 hour drive versus a 1.5 hour flight).

What do you all think of the options?

Sorry for not including this earlier, here's my rough pro/con list:

NYU:
- big class sizes (bad for me)
- very expensive, high cost of living
- great city
- great friends, I used to live there
- I perceive I'll have more research opportunities

VCU:
- smaller classes
- very cheap (I'm in state, and Richmond is cheap)
- no friends nearby, but close to family
- seems like heavy emphasis on testing, students looked pretty miserable

I get the feeling that the clinical education at both schools is fairly similar. I've had people who I trust vouch for either school, so that's not been helpful either.
 
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Hi everyone,

I consider myself extremely fortunate in that I got into both NYU and VCU. I interviewed at a bunch of other schools and still have UPenn and UNC's interview coming up.

But I'm having a hard time deciding between NYU and VCU. I know I would have more of a friendship support circle in NY, but the cost is so so so much higher. But given my back story (you can find old posts if you're interested), having some friends nearby is important to me. I'm concerned about the testing structure at VCU, but I'm in state so it's dramatically cheaper. VCU is also closer to my family (a 3 hour drive versus a 1.5 hour flight).

What do you all think of the options?

Sorry for not including this earlier, here's my rough pro/con list:

NYU:
- big class sizes (bad for me)
- very expensive, high cost of living
- great city
- great friends, I used to live there
- I perceive I'll have more research opportunities

VCU:
- smaller classes
- very cheap (I'm in state, and Richmond is cheap)
- no friends nearby, but close to family
- seems like heavy emphasis on testing, students looked pretty miserable

I get the feeling that the clinical education at both schools is fairly similar. I've had people who I trust vouch for either school, so that's not been helpful either.

You'll make friends at the VCU dental school 🙂 besides that see all other points of yours that I highlighted. While friends are important you should also remember that there wont be a lot of free time to hang out and go drinking. And when that does happen it will most likely occur with your classmates.

GL in your decision.
 
250 K vs. 400 K? Unless there is another reason besides just having friends around, vcu sounds like a much better option
 
Thanks for the replies. I have a few reasons that I would prefer NYU, but having a big friends circle is very important to me given my past history.

But thanks for these two responses. I really appreciate ite.
 
OMG I'm having the same exact situation...sooooo hard to decide!
 
NYU:
- big class sizes (bad for me)
- very expensive, high cost of living
- great city
- great friends, I used to live there
- I perceive I'll have more research opportunities

VCU:
- smaller classes
- very cheap (I'm in state, and Richmond is cheap)
- no friends nearby, but close to family
- seems like heavy emphasis on testing, students looked pretty miserable

I get the feeling that the clinical education at both schools is fairly similar. I've had people who I trust vouch for either school, so that's not been helpful either.

I'd say VCU is the other way around. They have a big emphasis on clinical skill/hand skill. Hence, they don't even teach you biochem like most dental schools. You'd have to learn it on your own for boards. Also, everyone at that school had the board pass rate on lockdown. They don't teach to the boards at all.

However, having a cheaper in-state option and family nearby would be very important, I think. Also, the class size is better for you. It sounds like you're familiar with both cities, I'd go with VCU.
 
I'd say VCU is the other way around. They have a big emphasis on clinical skill/hand skill. Hence, they don't even teach you biochem like most dental schools. You'd have to learn it on your own for boards. Also, everyone at that school had the board pass rate on lockdown. They don't teach to the boards at all.

However, having a cheaper in-state option and family nearby would be very important, I think. Also, the class size is better for you. It sounds like you're familiar with both cities, I'd go with VCU.

Sorry, when I said "heavy emphasis on testing" I meant that they test their students much more frequently than NYU or other schools do. Some of the students I met during the interview said they have tests every day (!) during 3rd and 4th years. That's insane!

I know my strengths and weaknesses, and dealing with constant testing is probably not my strength.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have a few reasons that I would prefer NYU, but having a big friends circle is very important to me given my past history.

I know my strengths and weaknesses, and dealing with constant testing is probably not my strength.

Sounds like you answered your own question then. Sure $$ is a big factor, but so is being happy & enjoying where you are. To me it sounds like NYU is the choice for you 👍
 
Sounds like you answered your own question then. Sure $$ is a big factor, but so is being happy & enjoying where you are. To me it sounds like NYU is the choice for you 👍

zzzzzzz... big loans = more misery then 4 years of happiness. 😛
 
VCU. You make it sound like you're not going to make friends in dental school....
 
i didnt interview at vcu, but from my experience at NYU i liked it alot, and even though the class was big people seemed to get along. i worked with several doctor from NYU and they all loved it. gluck. money sometimes isnt everything.....no matter what money can never buy happiness. go where you think you will be happy. i know people who graduated from NYU and said you can pay the loan back in 4 years.
 
I have to vote VCU. You're in state...you are blessed to have a school as good as VCU in state. Sure, it has some drawbacks, but it's at the right price and location.
 
. i know people who graduated from NYU and said you can pay the loan back in 4 years.

They told us the same thing at my NYU interview, but remember that's the average time that their graduates are debt free. So don't expect to go in with a 400K loan and pay it off in 4 years when you're only making 100K per year pre-taxes. You do have to pay to live too, as well as pay back the interest.
And remember, that's the average time until the grads are debt free. Those numbers are not only based on past years when tuition was cheaper, but it includes students who had their tuition paid at least in part by their family or the military.
I fell like they are really misleading when they make that statement about having loans paid off in 4-5years.
 
i didnt interview at vcu, but from my experience at NYU i liked it alot, and even though the class was big people seemed to get along. i worked with several doctor from NYU and they all loved it. gluck. money sometimes isnt everything.....no matter what money can never buy happiness. go where you think you will be happy. i know people who graduated from NYU and said you can pay the loan back in 4 years.

just because they told you something doesnt mean its completely true or accurate 🙂 take everything with a salt of grain. NYU is a good school, but I find it impossible to believe that you can pay back 400K in 4 years. After the GPR, your first job should be 100 to 120K max. Even after 5 years, you're not gonna make 200K.

So assume it will take you 10 years to be safe.
 
just because they told you something doesnt mean its completely true or accurate 🙂 take everything with a salt of grain. NYU is a good school, but I find it impossible to believe that you can pay back 400K in 4 years. After the GPR, your first job should be 100 to 120K max. Even after 5 years, you're not gonna make 200K.

So assume it will take you 10 years to be safe.

lulz GP, perio, and ortho all from NYU. Been out for 12+ years

perio still has 180k debt
ortho still has 80k debt

Of course this is just one particular instance... others may differ.
 
lulz GP, perio, and ortho all from NYU. Been out for 12+ years

perio still has 180k debt
ortho still has 80k debt

Of course this is just one particular instance... others may differ.

True. I would er on the side of having more debt vs. less. Therefore cheaper school = best option in most cases.
 
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