Penn vs Tufts

[Piranha21]

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Hi all-
I have read all the past forums on the subject and am still going back and forth between these two schools. I was wondering if anyone got the feeling that the students are generally more happy at one or the other or if one is more cut throat than the other. I realize that tufts is known for its clinical work, but is it far superior to that of Penn?
The costs are roughly the same, so that really isn't the issue at hand for me.
I would love feedback from any current students!!
Thanks!!

 

[Piranha21]

anyone??

 

[dental wahoo]

Hi all-
I have read all the past forums on the subject and am still going back and forth between these two schools. I was wondering if anyone got the feeling that the students are generally more happy at one or the other or if one is more cut throat than the other. I realize that tufts is known for its clinical work, but is it far superior to that of Penn?
The costs are roughly the same, so that really isn't the issue at hand for me.
I would love feedback from any current students!!
Thanks!!

You might have more success posting in the Dental Forum. As matriculating predents, we really only know what we saw during interview day. With only having a 5-6 hour interview, most probably couldn't answer your questions with any confidence on this forum.

 

[prospdent]

I loved Tufts when I visited...great clinical school & they have a great reputation within the dental community so I would say Tufts. I don't know about Penn- didn't interview there but I know students there who are happy too, but generally the Tufts students are happier plus Boston is an amazing place to live and for more opportunities

 

[persenmi]

I had the same exact decision to make a few months ago. It is practically impossible to choose between Tufts and UPenn 😉. The truth is, you can't go wrong. It's a win/win situation 😀👍! However, I chose UPenn for two main reasons: 1) Smaller class size, 2) Prestigious reputation. Almost every other factor is the same at both schools.

I have a question for you though. Is there a difference in technology between the sim labs at Tufts and UPenn? I know Penn makes a big deal about how great their sim lab is, but is it any different than the one at Tufts? Anyway, good luck on your decision.

 

[DomzWRX]

At my interview at UPENN-my tour guide, another random student, and the students that talked to us during lunch, didn't seem the happiest. The tour guide complained almost the entire time about everything there. The students at lunch said that they disliked that the school didn't seem to want to take into consideration the wants of the students.

At Tufts, everyone was laughing and having a great time. I had a couple one on one sessions with students and they were happy at Tufts, especially the first years. Tufts also didn't have rooms in a basement with mops and tools everywhere...another interviewee almost tripped over a broom lying around. It looked like the back offices of an old warehouse down there, just clean..and it was hot and stuffy down there. I was kinda disappointed with UPENN. The curriculum and other things they are doing with the clinical training and all of that seemed very attractive, tho.

 

[yjdentist]

penn

i know a couple who graduated from penn. they do not regret their decision of going there. the schools is one of the best in the country, and you are given the opportunity to go there! 🙂

 

[LaFleur]

The students at lunch said that they disliked that the school didn't seem to want to take into consideration the wants of the students.

I don't know much about UPenn, but I do know a fair amount about Tufts dental school, and I can tell you that at Tufts this would not be an issue. They make a point about getting feedback from their students and changing the curriculum to fit with the feedback they're getting. Last time I was there, which was last spring, they were telling us about all the changes they were making to the curriculum and how a lot of them are based on student feedback, so if that's important to you, I'd say go for Tufts.

All the people I know who are in the Tufts dental program (and I know quite a few) are really happy and seem to be enjoying their experience. I mean, obviously it will be stressful wherever you go, but they seem to really be enjoying it overall, which is important.

Tufts actually has a lot of nice facilities, and they have a brand new lab that they made (I don't remember when), which is really nice. I don't know whether they took you there, but when I was at their Open House they allowed us to get our feet wet a little bit, and that was really nice.

I know that all the admissions committee members and professors that I've met at Tufts are all really nice, and willing to help you out as much as they can, just as long as you take the initiative to get to know them.

Then again, I can't say anything for UPenn, but I know that Tufts is an amazing school, and you wouldn't go wrong if you chose to go there.

 

[camshaft]

penn

i know a couple who graduated from penn. they do not regret their decision of going there. the schools is one of the best in the country, and you are given the opportunity to go there! 🙂

I went to Penn for undergrad and know several current dental students along with a couple who graduated and went into residencies. The students tend to be happy when they first get there, but of the two I know who graduated, one was a bit indifferent, and the other said he probably wouldn't go there again. Not that the school wasn't great, but just that they think it could have been better compared to what you'd expect. I loved Tufts when I interviewed there and didn't get the same feeling from the students. The facilities are also gorgeous, and make you want to be there. My interviewer had just matched to his top choice omfs residency and felt prepared by the school, even though he said there are naturally some minor things he'd improve on. I also interviewed at Columbia and I think that's the only school of the ones I applied to that I'd consider over Tufts.

Obviously though it comes down to which school you feel better with.