OHSU (OOS) vs WesternU

[EeteeWeetee]

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Title: OHSU (OOS) vs. WesternU

School 1: OHSU (OOS)

Pros:

• Small class size (~75)
• Current students seem to feel well supported by faculty
• Strong clinical education despite residencies
• Well-established school with a decent reputation
• Rec center on campus
• Decent public transport

Cons:

• High cost of living area (I've heard rent is on average ~1500 to 2000/month, but please correct me if I'm wrong and students have found places for cheaper)
• Residents could take more complicated cases from dental students
• Gloomy weather

School 2: WesternU

Pros:

• Small class size (~75)
• Lower cost of living area than Portland in areas surrounding Pomona like Claremont and Chino Hills (I believe you can find a place for ~1000/month)
• Growing reputation for their clinical education and no residencies
• Block style curriculum
• Better weather than Portland
• Continually improving/changing education, school claims alumni are very well taken care of

Cons:

• Newer school
• I've heard that while possible, it is relatively harder to specialize out of WesternU (not set on specializing, but having more options is always nice)
• Probably need a car in SoCal (more expenses)
• Not sure if this is a con, but I've heard that all clinical dentistry education is not given via lecture, but instead through an online learning platform (some like, some don't, hoping to hear if someone has experienced this and has strong feelings for/against it, and if it is even true)

Summary: Both schools send students to externship sites during D3/D4. I care about receiving a strong clinical background for general dentistry, and am open to the idea of specializing, but not dead set on it. Both are about a 1 hour plane ride from home (I am a CA resident, not dead set on needing to work in CA after graduating). OHSU Tuition and Fees ~389899, WesternU Tuition and Fees ~397287. With living expenses, assuming the only difference is rent (1000/month and increasing every year vs 1500/month and increasing every year), OHSU Total COA ~517133 and WesternU Total COA ~498661. I am honestly torn and am hoping to hear from students at these schools or people who know students at these schools. Is there something unique that makes you really like/dislike either of these schools? It also seems like with living very carefully during school to minimize expenses, the COA can be very similar.

 

[macsak]

ohsu is pass/fail, what about western?
portland is probably safer than pomona
$20k difference is minimal...

Title: OHSU (OOS) vs. WesternU

School 1: OHSU (OOS)

Pros:

• Small class size (~75)
• Current students seem to feel well supported by faculty
• Strong clinical education despite residencies
• Well-established school with a decent reputation
• Rec center on campus
• Decent public transport

Cons:

• High cost of living area (I've heard rent is on average ~1500 to 2000/month, but please correct me if I'm wrong and students have found places for cheaper)
• Residents could take more complicated cases from dental students
• Gloomy weather

School 2: WesternU

Pros:

• Small class size (~75)
• Lower cost of living area than Portland in areas surrounding Pomona like Claremont and Chino Hills (I believe you can find a place for ~1000/month)
• Growing reputation for their clinical education and no residencies
• Block style curriculum
• Better weather than Portland
• Continually improving/changing education, school claims alumni are very well taken care of

Cons:

• Newer school
• I've heard that while possible, it is relatively harder to specialize out of WesternU (not set on specializing, but having more options is always nice)
• Probably need a car in SoCal (more expenses)
• Not sure if this is a con, but I've heard that all clinical dentistry education is not given via lecture, but instead through an online learning platform (some like, some don't, hoping to hear if someone has experienced this and has strong feelings for/against it, and if it is even true)

Summary: Both schools send students to externship sites during D3/D4. I care about receiving a strong clinical background for general dentistry, and am open to the idea of specializing, but not dead set on it. Both are about a 1 hour plane ride from home (I am a CA resident, not dead set on needing to work in CA after graduating). OHSU Tuition and Fees ~389899, WesternU Tuition and Fees ~397287. With living expenses, assuming the only difference is rent (1000/month and increasing every year vs 1500/month and increasing every year), OHSU Total COA ~517133 and WesternU Total COA ~498661. I am honestly torn and am hoping to hear from students at these schools or people who know students at these schools. Is there something unique that makes you really like/dislike either of these schools? It also seems like with living very carefully during school to minimize expenses, the COA can be very similar.

 

[EeteeWeetee]

ohsu is pass/fail, what about western?
portland is probably safer than pomona
$20k difference is minimal...

I don't think western is pass/fail. But I don't have strong feelings towards P/F or grading bc I feel regardless my effort level will be the same. Also I think most students at western do not live in Pomona, instead in surrounding areas. Are you saying OHSU is the slightly better option?

 

[macsak]

I don't think western is pass/fail. But I don't have strong feelings towards P/F or grading bc I feel regardless my effort level will be the same. Also I think most students at western do not live in Pomona, instead in surrounding areas. Are you saying OHSU is the slightly better option?

it's not about effort level, it's about stress level
i'm not saying either is a better option at this point, just that $20k is not as significant a difference in my opinion
are your family and friends in socal or norcal?

 

[EeteeWeetee]

it's not about effort level, it's about stress level
i'm not saying either is a better option at this point, just that $20k is not as significant a difference in my opinion
are your family and friends in socal or norcal?

I see, thanks for your help. Friends and family are in norcal.

 

[macsak]

2019 data says
western $445,550
ohsu $440,951

 

[Dental_Dude120]

2019 data says
western $445,550
ohsu $440,951

OHSU has 4 quarters, but the CIA fee is only charged for 3 quarters. So 25x4=100k for 1 year. 100-3=97k for one year (subtracted 3k since CIA fee is only charged for 3 terms.) so 97x4=388k. Then add +/- 120k for dental equipment, loupes, loan fees and living expenses. So total cost of attendance is ~508k. OP is around the ball park on COA depending on how or where they live for the next 4 years.

 

[EeteeWeetee]

2019 data says
western $445,550
ohsu $440,951

Sorry, what are you trying to get at?

 

[macsak]

Sorry, what are you trying to get at?

just giving you hard numbers rather than your own estimates of living costs
you will have to search for similar current numbers
it's always best to go by the stated figures because there are federal standards for these because cost of attendance is directly related to your student loans/aid...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Check Zillow or other websites about your rent estimates. Portland OR is about 20% less expensive than the Los Angeles area with respect to cost of living.