Penn or Harvard?

[dentalmember123]

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Hi friends. I made this account to ask an important question. I have already looked at an old Penn v. Harvard Thread and some aspects of that thread apply to me, but not all. This is why I made my own thread.

I am pretty sure I want to specialize. I say pretty sure because at this point I don't know what I want to specialize in but I definitely see that as the route I will take. I got the Dean's scholarship to Penn so at this point it is cheaper than Harvard by about ~40k ish. Cost is a major factor I must consider, but I think 40k is not that much compared to the overall debt. When I went to each school I loved both. I loved the curriculam of each, especially the block schedule of Harvard but also the groups of upper and lower classmen at Penn that are kept throughout the whole time at the school (I forget what they called them but it might have been primary care unit?). I think it's awesome that Harvard has a P/F system (and how the students there emphasized the reduced stress because of this...and I definitely believe this) but I think I am letting this get to my head given that I have always had a GPA system (high school and undergrad). In regards to ranking, I don't understand why Penn only ranks the top 10? Are the other 110 students just random individuals? I don't get it. Penn students tell me there is little competion at Penn because there is no curve "so everyone can get an A." I have doubts about the validity of this. In regards to class size, I think it's nice having a small class (but in reality Harvard will be ~200 first 2 years with med students...but they do take dental specific tutorials that are small). I don't think having a larger class (120) will really affect my didactic learning since I went to a fairly large undergrad and I did fine (clinically I might have to worry a little). I have been to phili a lot and it's so much fun and I like the penn surrounding environment. I have a lot of friends there. I'm not too picky about location and I'm sure I would learn to love Boston. The transition might be easier at Penn though. Harvard's clinical reputation worries me. Their clinic was really small and I don't know much about their patient availability...but then I think that if I want to specilize this shouldn't be much of an issue? I really appreciate your help and thank you in advance!

 

[dentalwannabe]

The transition might be easier at Penn though. Harvard's clinical reputation worries me. Their clinic was really small and I don't know much about their patient availability...

I think this coupled with the dean's scholarship you got should make you more inclined to pick penn. 40k will be more 40k if you borrow and accumulate interest on it.

Both schools should set you up well to specialize. I know more about harvard than penn, but h dentists have a reputation for being great academics (or learners of the didactic portion of a dental education), not practitioners. but, if you want to specialize, this is not a strong deterrent from harvard.

Either way, these are both schools with very solid reputations, especially for producing dentists that move to specialty programs. I think you will get what you want out of either : ).

Good luck!

 

[NDPitch]

Harvard

 

[Volvoxy]

Penn

 

[qnzbabi91]

Harvard.

 

[ushaseos]

Harvard rejected me and I turned down Penn because even with scholarship, it would have been 75K+ more than UCLA...so I am about as objective a person as one can be.

Harvard is the place to go if you want to specialize. Yes their clinical reputation isn't solid, but if you're going to specialize you'll be fine. Also just because the school is clinically bad won't mean you would also. Try extra hard and you'll be as good as anyone! Harvard's clinic may be small but Penn's is pretty old and not quite state of the art. This is one of the main reasons I thought the high price tag for Penn + bad facilities = not a good deal!

Totally with you on Boston V. Philly. Philly is more fun imo.

Academically P/F >>>>>>> Grades. In grad school you want to learn so you can actually do what you need to in your job. **** the rat-race of "I need A's to specialize". Granted the students at Penn may not all be gunners etc. the grading system is not optimal.

Lastly as for cost, 40 K with interest and all will be around 50-55K tops. Penn is an Ivy and a DAMN good school, but Harvard is Harvard.

 

[b0110]

If you want to specialize or go into academia, I would choose Harvard. If you want to be a general dentist after you graduate, then Penn may be the better option considering it is cheaper.

 

[member987654]

HARVARD my friend!!!

 

[drill-and-fill]

If you're almost certain that you want to specialize, then it's no brainer: Harvard.

 

[dentalmember123]

If you're almost certain that you want to specialize, then it's no brainer: Harvard.

But doesn't penn also have a very good specialization rate? Obviously not as high as Harvard's but then again penn also has a much larger class and thus a greater number of people specializing.

 

[pjscholar]

Harvard....pass/fail will make your life so much less stressful. I hear harvard is relatively easy, the only hard part is getting in.

 

[member987654]

look at the specialization %s and compare them...they gave them out at the harvard interview and maybe you got them at penn? harvard's are impressive

 

[brandmew]

Hi friends. I made this account to ask an important question. I have already looked at an old Penn v. Harvard Thread and some aspects of that thread apply to me, but not all. This is why I made my own thread.

I am pretty sure I want to specialize. I say pretty sure because at this point I don't know what I want to specialize in but I definitely see that as the route I will take. I got the Dean's scholarship to Penn so at this point it is cheaper than Harvard by about ~40k ish. Cost is a major factor I must consider, but I think 40k is not that much compared to the overall debt. When I went to each school I loved both. I loved the curriculam of each, especially the block schedule of Harvard but also the groups of upper and lower classmen at Penn that are kept throughout the whole time at the school (I forget what they called them but it might have been primary care unit?). I think it's awesome that Harvard has a P/F system (and how the students there emphasized the reduced stress because of this...and I definitely believe this) but I think I am letting this get to my head given that I have always had a GPA system (high school and undergrad). In regards to ranking, I don't understand why Penn only ranks the top 10? Are the other 110 students just random individuals? I don't get it. Penn students tell me there is little competion at Penn because there is no curve "so everyone can get an A." I have doubts about the validity of this. In regards to class size, I think it's nice having a small class (but in reality Harvard will be ~200 first 2 years with med students...but they do take dental specific tutorials that are small). I don't think having a larger class (120) will really affect my didactic learning since I went to a fairly large undergrad and I did fine (clinically I might have to worry a little). I have been to phili a lot and it's so much fun and I like the penn surrounding environment. I have a lot of friends there. I'm not too picky about location and I'm sure I would learn to love Boston. The transition might be easier at Penn though. Harvard's clinical reputation worries me. Their clinic was really small and I don't know much about their patient availability...but then I think that if I want to specilize this shouldn't be much of an issue? I really appreciate your help and thank you in advance!

Think about it this way --- say you were practicing in the speciality of your choice (which you most likely will be doing from either of those schools / given your academic qualifications) - would you pay 50K+ to change your degree form Penn to Harvard. Being a finance major - I'm thinking about the time value of money. I think most dental professionals would advise you to go with the cheaper option, especially since the cheaper option in another top tier school with great specialization rates. I think both these school provide great opportunities for their students. Most Penn and Harvard graduates would most likely agree that it it what you do at the school and not the name that gets you the speciality. If your end goal is to attain the speciality of your choice -- I think doing it without the additional debt would be ideal. I'm assuming that you will be taking loans to finance your education...if you were independently wealthy you may not mind paying extra for the name. I would suggest that you consult dental professionals and put aside the name when making your choice. I interviewed at both schools and found both to be great. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

Best of luck!

 

[CMistry]

I wouldn't take a $40k difference lightly, but I would choose Harvard over Penn. Harvard just does not fail to match people into competitive specialties. Did you not get into a cheaper/state school? If you're smart enough to get into Harvard I'm sure you can specialize from a state school and hopefully save some funds along the way!

 

[b0110]

I wouldn't take a $40k difference lightly, but I would choose Harvard over Penn. Harvard just does not fail to match people into competitive specialties. Did you not get into a cheaper/state school? If you're smart enough to get into Harvard I'm sure you can specialize from a state school and hopefully save some funds along the way!

Thats a good point. Did you apply to your state school? It could be way cheaper. Even so, you should probably just go to Harvard, that would be a hard opportunity to pass up.

 

[dantemac]

I honestly think Penn has the best Ivy curriculum. We have highly tailored and dedicated clinical faculty and specific research. Every professor giving lectures will be relevant in their field.

I mean, yeah, Harvard probably carries the more prominent research and speciality name but I doubt (for the discount) Penn is lagging much behind. Our match is impressive. Our military scholars just got into OMFS, our ortho people just matched really well, and I'm sure in the coming months most will get the specialties they want.

I think if you come here you will not be dissapointed. The biggest thing I like about our class is the people. You will grow as a person with 120 other people to make friends from, everyone very diverse and successful. Ditto for meeting all of the staff and upper years. I was really worried to turn down my state school for the aura/mystique of the Ivy League and I feel right at home, and yet know the Ivy name will carry me from this great school.

 

[dichloromethane]

Harvard.


Name, legacy for your kids, specialization rate, CHEAPER, boston>philly, etc. etc.

 

[Dentalkid434]

Harvard, no questions asked.

 

[Raphael1]

Harvard.

 

[dentalmember123]

I wouldn't take a $40k difference lightly, but I would choose Harvard over Penn. Harvard just does not fail to match people into competitive specialties. Did you not get into a cheaper/state school? If you're smart enough to get into Harvard I'm sure you can specialize from a state school and hopefully save some funds along the way!

You do bring up a good point. Yes I did. I got into stony brook. I want a change though. I went there for undergraduate. However, the whole cost of Stony Brook is not much cheaper than Penn's (with the scholarship) taking into account living expenses. I forgot the exact figure but I think its less than 20k.

 

[dentalmember123]

I honestly think Penn has the best Ivy curriculum. We have highly tailored and dedicated clinical faculty and specific research. Every professor giving lectures will be relevant in their field.

I mean, yeah, Harvard probably carries the more prominent research and speciality name but I doubt (for the discount) Penn is lagging much behind. Our match is impressive. Our military scholars just got into OMFS, our ortho people just matched really well, and I'm sure in the coming months most will get the specialties they want.

I think if you come here you will not be dissapointed. The biggest thing I like about our class is the people. You will grow as a person with 120 other people to make friends from, everyone very diverse and successful. Ditto for meeting all of the staff and upper years. I was really worried to turn down my state school for the aura/mystique of the Ivy League and I feel right at home, and yet know the Ivy name will carry me from this great school.

Hey dantemac, do you know the percentage of students that get into specialty at penn? no including AEGD nor GPR

 

[dantemac]

I'm sure the rates are phenomenal without having them in front of me. Even last year when 17 applied to ortho 16 got their match. This year match just happened so I don't know the rates.

Penn will open the door to just about anything. We also have any dual degree you can want (law, education, public health), three honors programs if you want to excel in something, etc.

A word about the lack of pass fail: It may stress you out a little bit to get honors grades or an A (B's and C's...hah, passing is extremely easy. Face it you want the A), but you will find yourself not accepting mediocrity. That seems to be the belief in the system

 

[Svande8952]

Harvard, it's the most impressive to lay people (customers oops I mean patients)

 

[KittySquared]

There's nothing that Penn can offer by charging more that you can't get from Harvard. And Harvard's reputation is world class. Penn simply cannot compare. Go to Harvard, my friend 🙂