PENN vs. NYU? Tough time choosing, please help!

[Docta X]

I am really torn between NYU and Penn for dental school. I attended undergraduate in the Philadelphia suburbs, but I now live in NYC (where I am originally from). I did not like Columbia (taking classes with med students, overall vibe, etc.), so that's out of the question, and I am still unsure as to whether or not I want to specialize (am I supposed to know that at this point?).

Either way, any feedback would be much appreciated.

I noticed how NYU was very high-tech, whereas Penn was much older and behind in technology. However, Penn's alumni connections seem very strong, and I feel that job opportunities may be easier to come by as a Penn grad.

Help, help, help...!

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[iwannabadentist]

i would like to correct a misunderstanding that you may have - although Penn has older facilities, it is not necessarily "technologically behind." they have one of the top dentsim labs with very advanced features (ergonomic controls for instance) and from what I hear, they are working to go all digital with x-rays and will also soon adopt an online patient scheduling format. no doubt, nyu is very technologically advanced, but Penn isn't necessarily "behind."

 

[reapply2007]

Usually it is difficult to figure out what the limitations of a school are without actually attending classes at that school- when it is too late to avoid the shortfalls. For this reason - choose wisely and expect some degree of frustration where ever you go.

 

[bigcavity]

I am really torn between NYU and Penn for dental school. I attended undergraduate in the Philadelphia suburbs, but I now live in NYC (where I am originally from). I did not like Columbia (taking classes with med students, overall vibe, etc.), so that's out of the question, and I am still unsure as to whether or not I want to specialize (am I supposed to know that at this point?).

Either way, any feedback would be much appreciated.

I noticed how NYU was very high-tech, whereas Penn was much older and behind in technology. However, Penn's alumni connections seem very strong, and I feel that job opportunities may be easier to come by as a Penn grad.

Help, help, help...!

PENN! NYU has a huuuuuge class size. Plus they add on additional international students 3rd year (maybe 2nd) so you will be competing with them for residencies. Not very conducive to learning/doing well in my opinion Gluck.

 

[phungy]

I have D3 friends at Penn and they dislike it, regret not choosing NYUCD. I chose NYU over Florida and I'm very happy here.

 

[hunterpostbacst]

PENN! NYU has a huuuuuge class size. Plus they add on additional international students 3rd year (maybe 2nd) so you will be competing with them for residencies. Not very conducive to learning/doing well in my opinion Gluck.

I heard that on my interview day. Is there anyone who is attending NYU to clarify if it's real and how much it is bothering?
Personally, I don't think it's fair because the foreign dentists have already learned everything we have to learn in the future. And, I didn't even think that over 100 foreign dentists would be the same classmate...It's too much number...

Any nyucd students can explain what it's going on now really?

 

[Kneecoal]

I heard that on my interview day. Is there anyone who is attending NYU to clarify if it's real and how much it is bothering?
Personally, I don't think it's fair because the foreign dentists have already learned everything we have to learn in the future. And, I didn't even think that over 100 foreign dentists would be the same classmate...It's too much number...

Any nyucd students can explain what it's going on now really?

from what i understand they get their own curve, their own grading system, etc. so technically you're not "competing" with them. but any other input from actual students would be helpful. i'm choosing between there and BU, but leaning towards NYU.

 

[hunterpostbacst]

from what i understand they get their own curve, their own grading system, etc. so technically you're not "competing" with them. but any other input from actual students would be helpful. i'm choosing between there and BU, but leaning towards NYU.

I was leaning towards nyu, either, but the complaints from sdn, I don't know they are from actual nyu dental students, hold my decision, now..I am b/w stonybrook, and nyu. I ruled out columbia b/c their classes w/ medical students and their location like ghetto...I have my wife and my baby, so I want them feel safe. I also ruled out buffalo. Wow, it's really really cold...

 

[Kneecoal]

I was leaning towards nyu, either, but the complaints from sdn, I don't know they are from actual nyu dental students, hold my decision, now..I am b/w stonybrook, and nyu. I ruled out columbia b/c their classes w/ medical students and their location like ghetto...I have my wife and my baby, so I want them feel safe. I also ruled out buffalo. Wow, it's really really cold...

well then you're definitely better off going to stonybrook, it's in a very nice suburban area and you'd be saving you and your wife and kid a TON of money. not to mention stony's program is supposed to be top-notch.

 

[browncrack]

what is it about the pen v nyu threads? apparently both schools admit the indecisive.

 

[HupHolland]

i would like to correct a misunderstanding that you may have - although Penn has older facilities, it is not necessarily "technologically behind." they have one of the top dentsim labs with very advanced features (ergonomic controls for instance) and from what I hear, they are working to go all digital with x-rays and will also soon adopt an online patient scheduling format. no doubt, nyu is very technologically advanced, but Penn isn't necessarily "behind."

Dentsim? Simulation, regardless of how "technological" it is, is crap compared to treating real, drooling patients. Schools rave to predents about their sim labs in an attempt to lure them in. When choosing a school, I would look more at the clinical instead of preclinical. Are you treating a patient comprehensively vs. blocks? Is there a problem getting patients and chairs? What are the graduation requirements? etc, etc..

Carry on now.

Hup

 

[AaBbZz]

I go to NYU. There are about 100 or so international students to come in the second year but I haven't found it as a hinderance at all. The ones that I know have been really helpful and it's been great sitting next to them because they show me how to do everything. The class size doesn't even really factor in because they split the lab into three sections. At times it can get a little crowded like right before practicals or if we have to do something in wet lab but overall there's always seats to practice in. The large class number doesn't even factor in with the basic science classes either because everything is video recorded and you can basically listen to lecture at home...it's my favorite feature. These are all my reasons why the large class size isn't even close to an issue for me. Hope that helps.