Pitt VS USC

[YoonS]

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I thought it will be easy to choose one over the other, but when I got a packet from USC, it really became a tough decision.

any comments on both schools? which one would you choose?

P.S. I have been living in LA for 8 years and my family lives in LA.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Pitt and don't look back. What's your reasoning for USC besides stating in LA?

 

[Double Bonded]

I thought it will be easy to choose one over the other, but when I got a packet from USC, it really became a tough decision.

any comments on both schools? which one would you choose?

P.S. I have been living in LA for 8 years and my family lives in LA.[/QUOTE

I can see why USC would be appealing. If family matters that much to you, I'd stay in LA.

 

[ginaych]

I thought it will be easy to choose one over the other, but when I got a packet from USC, it really became a tough decision.

any comments on both schools? which one would you choose?

P.S. I have been living in LA for 8 years and my family lives in LA.

I live in so cal as well and it is extremely hard for me to make a decision to go out of california although there's some pretty good selections for me out there as well, so I completely understand how you'd want to stay here.

Here's my take on this. if you have some sort of financial support from your family, USC will be a good choice for you because you get to stay where you feel comfortable (which is important), and if you ultimately want to practice in so cal USC gives you a good alumni network that allows you to find jobs or patients more easily. Many USC alumni stay in so cal area and prefer going to a USC dentist. The colleagues/friends/faculty members you meet at USC will be a valuable source of reference and network in the future. so basically the additional money you pay will be invested further into the future when you go out and practice, and of course the nice weather that makes you feel comfortable is an added bonus.

Pittsburgh is a good school. The faculty there is extremely friendly and helpful, but if you want to come back to so cal to practice that might be a problem. The so cal market is already over saturated, so finding a job here without some sort of connection is a pain alone, and you will lose the patients you see at Pittsburgh, the colleagues and faulty members are too far away from you to be helpful. The weather in Pittsburgh can be very brutal also. however, the cost is considerably less. If you have no other source of financial support but yourself, cost is something you have to seriously think about, especially you're looking to specialize in the future (because that's an additional 200-300K).

I would ask myself what's important to me. how important is weather to me, am I comfortable being away from my family and friends, is it going to affect my performance, can I see myself practicing outside so cal, am I willing to carry more debt in exchange for staying in CA, etc. it's a tough task. good luck.

 

[Timpson]

Pitt and don't look back. What's your reasoning for USC besides stating in LA?

So what great dental institution are you attending?



FYI: there are things called scholarships that can reduce the cost of pricy schools like USC considerably. I am a white middle class male and I received one so it's possible.


-I would choose Pitt though if you can get state residency. In this case, don't look back. You won't even care about the weather because you will be trapped in lab all day anyway.

 

[dantemac]

PITT due to price alone. What else is there to consider really without outside help paying for it?

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

So what great dental institution are you attending?



FYI: there are things called scholarships that can reduce the cost of pricy schools like USC considerably. I am a white middle class male and I received one so it's possible.


-I would choose Pitt though if you can get state residency. In this case, don't look back. You won't even care about the weather because you will be trapped in lab all day anyway.

Does it matter where I'm going to dental school? This isn't about me.

Unless OP gets a scholarship/plans on living at home and cannot bear the thought of leaving California, there's no reason to choose USC over Pitt.

 

[Timpson]

Does it matter where I'm going to dental school? This isn't about me.

Unless OP gets a scholarship/plans on living at home and cannot bear the thought of leaving California, there's no reason to choose USC over Pitt.

Why does USC matter so much to you? Don't you have more important things to do then constantly attack a school you have never attended? I think the students on SDN can read USC's admission packet for themselves and are looking for advice from people who know what they are talking about.

I am sure there are students here at USC that hate the school and they are free to chime in, but taking advice from somebody who has no idea what they are talking about and won't even reveal which school he/she is attending is counterproductive. Or maybe you are just trying to get off the waitlist??? I mean, you only started posting in December, right around the time of acceptances. I don't know, constantly criticizing USC, recent member of SDN posing as a dental student, won't reveal where they go to school; sounds like someone trying to get off the waitlist!

 

[ta11geese3]

So what great dental institution are you attending?



FYI: there are things called scholarships that can reduce the cost of pricy schools like USC considerably. I am a white middle class male and I received one so it's possible.


-I would choose Pitt though if you can get state residency. In this case, don't look back. You won't even care about the weather because you will be trapped in lab all day anyway.

Isn't state residency for pitt only like... 6k a year cheaper?

Anyways, I lived in socal all my life and went to undergrad in socal, so I'm going to go to pitt for dental school. Gotta get away from home

Kind of weird, since I really wanted to stay in california when i was applying.

Also, I can't really see networking as being too helpful for dentistry, but I could be totally wrong.

 

[Timpson]

Isn't state residency for pitt only like... 6k a year cheaper?

Anyways, I lived in socal all my life and went to undergrad in socal, so I'm going to go to pitt for dental school. Gotta get away from home

Kind of weird, since I really wanted to stay in california when i was applying.

Also, I can't really see networking as being too helpful for dentistry, but I could be totally wrong.

I wasn't sure about this. Lots of schools like Maryland or UCLA will charge private school prices for out of staters. If this is the case it is a no-brainer. Pitt is the obvious choice. The amount you save is well worth it.

 

[ginaych]

Isn't state residency for pitt only like... 6k a year cheaper?

Anyways, I lived in socal all my life and went to undergrad in socal, so I'm going to go to pitt for dental school. Gotta get away from home

Kind of weird, since I really wanted to stay in california when i was applying.

Also, I can't really see networking as being too helpful for dentistry, but I could be totally wrong.

There are definitely some places owned by USC graduates in so cal that only hire USC dentists.

 

[amanda9717]

Pitt! Even if you're OOS, it's still ~$80,000 dollars cheaper than USC.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Why does USC matter so much to you? Don't you have more important things to do then constantly attack a school you have never attended? I think the students on SDN can read USC's admission packet for themselves and are looking for advice from people who know what they are talking about.

OP asked a question. I was merely answering it. I mean, it's pretty obvious from all the responses so far. Pitt > USC. Didn't really bash USC or anything in this thread so I really don't know what you're talking about. If someone made a thread asking about BU vs Pitt or LECOM vs Pitt, I would give them the same answer.

Or maybe you are just trying to get off the waitlist??? I mean, you only started posting in December, right around the time of acceptances. I don't know, constantly criticizing USC, recent member of SDN posing as a dental student, won't reveal where they go to school; sounds like someone trying to get off the waitlist!

Right......I want to get off the wait list and go to USC? Now you're just pulling crazy ideas out of thin air. I've been posting for a long time, ask anyone on here. Took a break in the fall because this little class called gross anatomy ate up a ton of time. But now things are calming down a bit so I thought I would help the next generation. The SDN mobile app is also quite addicting. 😉

 

[Timpson]

OP asked a question. I was merely answering it. I mean, it's pretty obvious from all the responses so far. Pitt > USC. Didn't really bash USC or anything in this thread so I really don't know what you're talking about. If someone made a thread asking about BU vs Pitt or LECOM vs Pitt, I would give them the same answer.





Right......I want to get off the wait list and go to USC? Now you're just pulling crazy ideas out of thin air. I've been posting for a long time, ask anyone on here. Took a break in the fall because this little class called gross anatomy ate up a ton of time. But now things are calming down a bit so I thought I would help the next generation. The SDN mobile app is also quite addicting. 😉

You are not helping. You are not the anointed expert of dental schools on SDN. You bash schools like USC and BU all the time with no idea how things are at these schools. These schools might be horrible institutions, but what do you know? That is like me saying Costa Rica is a garbage country because I visited for a day when the cruise ship I was on stopped there. The only school you are an expert on is your own. Why don't you talk about that school to the predents? If people hate their schools, they will come on here and comment about them. I mean just run a search about BU or USC to find all of the disgruntled students. Bash on the price or the location or whatever but you have no idea about how this school works.

 

[euphaire]

You are not helping. You are not the anointed expert of dental schools on SDN. You bash schools like USC and BU all the time with no idea how things are at these schools. These schools might be horrible institutions, but what do you know? That is like me saying Costa Rica is a garbage country because I visited for a day when the cruise ship I was on stopped there. The only school you are an expert on is your own. Why don't you talk about that school to the predents? If people hate their schools, they will come on here and comment about them. I mean just run a search about BU or USC to find all of the disgruntled students. Bash on the price or the location or whatever but you have no idea about how this school works.

Agreed 👍.
I appreciate that you're trying to help, but not everyone appreciate you taking the stance of a 'dental school critic' (or sth similar to that) without personal experience to back up.

 

[TheSax]

I've interviewed at Pitt and people from my undergrad went on to Pitt, and what I got from my experience is that Pitt is such an amazing dental school in its own right, and relative other dental schools out there. Great faculty, great OOS price, great facilities, and great opportunities to specialize (if you considered this).

I have no positive/negative comments on USC. But Pitt has had nothing but positive comments in this thread and other threads regarding Pitt. I'm a socal resident and I'm most definitely attending Pitt this fall 🙂

Hope you choose Pitt.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

You are not helping. You are not the anointed expert of dental schools on SDN. You bash schools like USC and BU all the time with no idea how things are at these schools. These schools might be horrible institutions, but what do you know? That is like me saying Costa Rica is a garbage country because I visited for a day when the cruise ship I was on stopped there. The only school you are an expert on is your own. Why don't you talk about that school to the predents? If people hate their schools, they will come on here and comment about them. I mean just run a search about BU or USC to find all of the disgruntled students. Bash on the price or the location or whatever but you have no idea about how this school works.

I never said I was the expert of dental school's on SDN. People ask for opinions. I gave mine. Isn't that what we all do on here? I didn't realize I had to attend a school to have an opinion of it. OP asked what I would do in his situation. I told him. I'm not sure why the USC dental defenders have to come to the school's rescue on SDN every time someone says a negative comment on here. That TimWaitley guy had a terrible time at his USC interview and all of you are suddenly attacking him with the USC basher label.

Do you know how you can change everyone's perception about your school? Become a really successful dentist. Run for ASDA president or something. Prove us all wrong in the real world. Until then, sorry but people will hold to their opinions.

Agreed 👍.
I appreciate that you're trying to help, but not everyone appreciate you taking the stance of a 'dental school critic' (or sth similar to that) without personal experience to back up.

Well in that case, we should close every thread on SDN about picking schools because no one goes to multiple dental schools.

OP, pick Pitt, you won't regret it. But that's my opinion.

 

[UCSD6]

hold on are you implying that successful dentists don't come out of USC? I would eat those words, with one of the largest alumni populations, and the school is named after a graduate who gave some huge gift, think it was 40 million or something, largest donation to a dental school ever. It is overpriced, but unfortunately all of the california schools are overpriced, suck to be a CA resident, when u have texas residents paying 10000 year for dental school.

 

[wired202808]

Going to USC over Pitt = Major Fail.

Why would you overpay for a worse experience? 😕

 

[ugashaun]

Going to USC over Pitt = Major Fail.

Why would you overpay for a worse experience? 😕

Ya since you have been to both schools for dental school and know the ins and outs of each. Assuming money matters, which to some it doesn't. Maybe USC has its high price tag to keep the lower class out.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

hold on are you implying that successful dentists don't come out of USC? I would eat those words, with one of the largest alumni populations, and the school is named after a graduate who gave some huge gift, think it was 40 million or something, largest donation to a dental school ever. It is overpriced, but unfortunately all of the california schools are overpriced, suck to be a CA resident, when u have texas residents paying 10000 year for dental school.

No I'm not implying that. I just don't like USC dental and wouldn't recommend that school to anyone unless you have no other choice. That's my opinion and I'm not the only person with this mindset.

Ya since you have been to both schools for dental school and know the ins and outs of each. Assuming money matters, which to some it doesn't. Maybe USC has its high price tag to keep the lower class out.

Considering that almost all dental students pay for their tuition with loans, I don't think the "keep the lower class out" mentality applies.

 

[wired202808]

Ya since you have been to both schools for dental school and know the ins and outs of each. Assuming money matters, which to some it doesn't. Maybe USC has its high price tag to keep the lower class out.

👍 very mature and useless statement 😛

Overpaying for the same service is a sign of foolishness.

 

[ugashaun]

👍

Overpaying for the same service is a sign of foolishness.

and if education was a service then you'd be correct. The degree allows one to provide a service. Bottom line, OP go where you will do the best socially and academically.

 

[wired202808]

and if education was a service then you'd be correct. The degree allows one to provide a service. Bottom line, OP go where you will do the best socially and academically.

yup and Pitt would be a much better choice than USC. I've read your other threads, you dont need to justify your choice to go to USC by having other people overpay for the same level of education.

last time I checked education was a service.

 

[Double Bonded]

and if education was a service then you'd be correct.

It is a service. The school provides the service of teaching you how to become a dentist and in exchange you pay tuition.

 

[wired202808]

It is a service. The school provides the service of teaching you how to become a dentist and in exchange you pay tuition.

👍 i like shaun but i think he needs to justify his choice of attending USC, which is kind of immature.

 

[dantemac]

👍 very mature and useless statement 😛

Overpaying for the same service is a sign of foolishness.

The school doesn't do you a service. It does business with you. And most people in their right minds do business with the school that incurs the least amount of debt.

 

[wired202808]

The school doesn't do you a service. It does business with you. And most people in their right minds do business with the school that incurs the least amount of debt.

schools are considered educational services. They teach you the basics, ensure you meet the correct moral and ethical standards required in a professional setting and award you a degree for completing the necessary requirements.

They dont really do business with you, its not a negotiation or something that both parties have complete control over. As a student you have no control over most of the schools policies and required course work. Ultimately they are provide you an educational service that grants you the ability to perform the function that was taught i.e. dentistry, podiatry, etc.

See http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs034.htm for more definitions on this.

 

[Timpson]

As a USC student, I will tell you, go to Pitt. I didn't realize how much cheaper the school was for out of staters. I am just trying to defend USC from the point that, yes, things have been horrible at this school in the past, but the new administration has made changes that are making USC the great clinical university it once was.

I do think USC can hold its own with the other expensive, private schools in the US. I think the quality of clinical instruction can compete with that at Penn, Columbia, NYU, Temple, Case, UOP, Nova, UDM, Creighton, Tufts, and BU. Yes, PBL is not run very effectively here, but let me tell you, nobody seems to care that the majority of med schools use PBL, or that Case and Harvard have PBL in their curriculums. I mean, come on, the boards are P/F now, and USC students do not have trouble passing the boards. If you want to do OS or ortho, you can study for those specialty tests on your own time, which PBL gives you plenty. I personally would rather spend my time at school in the SIM lab or clinic and study about biochemistry on my own. We still have plenty of lectures on dentistry related material.

The price at USC is ridiculous but comparable to the schools mentioned above except for in state residents at Temple (and maybe Harvard or Columbia because they have great aid). We do get a small break on tuition our last year while most schools spread it out evenly over all 4 years. Nobody seems to get angry at UOP for charging close to the same amount as USC and giving you almost a year less of education.

 

[wired202808]

As a USC student, I will tell you, go to Pitt. I didn't realize how much cheaper the school was for out of staters. I am just trying to defend USC from the point that, yes, things have been horrible at this school in the past, but the new administration has made changes that are making USC the great clinical university it once was.

I do think USC can hold its own with the other expensive, private schools in the US. I think the quality of clinical instruction can compete with that at Penn, Columbia, NYU, Temple, Case, UOP, Nova, UDM, Creighton, Tufts, and BU. Yes, PBL is not run very effectively here, but let me tell you, nobody seems to care that the majority of med schools use PBL, or that Case and Harvard have PBL in their curriculums. I mean, come on, the boards are P/F now, and USC students do not have trouble passing the boards. If you want to do OS or ortho, you can study for those specialty tests on your own time, which PBL gives you plenty. I personally would rather spend my time at school in the SIM lab or clinic and study about biochemistry on my own. We still have plenty of lectures on dentistry related material.

The price at USC is ridiculous but comparable to the schools mentioned above except for in state residents at Temple (and maybe Harvard or Columbia because they have great aid). We do get a small break on tuition our last year while most schools spread it out evenly over all 4 years. Nobody seems to get angry at UOP for charging close to the same amount as USC and giving you almost a year less of education.

But you're neglecting to mention that you graduate a year earlier at UOP and can earn $$$ earlier.

 

[UCSD6]

UOP charges more than USC lets get that straight!

 

[UCSD6]

To all of you pre-dents out there, go to the cheapest school. It really is that simple. When your in dental school you will realize that all schools will teach you the same material, and you will be required to pass the same boards as other dental schools. It really is a simple as going to the cheapest school. If your worried about location, don't because your days will be spent in simlab anyways. If you are one of those lucky people where money isn't an issue, then ur lucky. I REPEAT GO TO THE CHEAPEST SCHOOL!!!!

 

[timwatley]

As a USC student, I will tell you, go to Pitt. I didn't realize how much cheaper the school was for out of staters. I am just trying to defend USC from the point that, yes, things have been horrible at this school in the past, but the new administration has made changes that are making USC the great clinical university it once was.

I do think USC can hold its own with the other expensive, private schools in the US. I think the quality of clinical instruction can compete with that at Penn, Columbia, NYU, Temple, Case, UOP, Nova, UDM, Creighton, Tufts, and BU. Yes, PBL is not run very effectively here, but let me tell you, nobody seems to care that the majority of med schools use PBL, or that Case and Harvard have PBL in their curriculums. I mean, come on, the boards are P/F now, and USC students do not have trouble passing the boards. If you want to do OS or ortho, you can study for those specialty tests on your own time, which PBL gives you plenty. I personally would rather spend my time at school in the SIM lab or clinic and study about biochemistry on my own. We still have plenty of lectures on dentistry related material.

The price at USC is ridiculous but comparable to the schools mentioned above except for in state residents at Temple (and maybe Harvard or Columbia because they have great aid). We do get a small break on tuition our last year while most schools spread it out evenly over all 4 years. Nobody seems to get angry at UOP for charging close to the same amount as USC and giving you almost a year less of education.

The Clinical program at USC doesn't hold a candle light to
Creighton. Unless USC turns away patients because they have too many. Or let's their students do plenty of perio surgeries, impacted 3rd molars, implants, other advanced procedures. I didn't hear about any of that when I interviewed there. I'm sure it lacks compared to some of those other schools you listed too - although I wouldn't know first hand.

 

[euphaire]

Guys, just go to wherever you want to go (no one really cares). If anyone here starts bashing against certain dental schools, then of course the students affiliated with these dental schools will feel offended. Why do you want to offend people? Please be more sensible and stop bashing certain dental schools, especially the ones you're not attending.

 

[Sunspear]

UOP charges more than USC lets get that straight!

No, I'm almost positive that's not true...

 

[cmcner]

Tuition + School fees:
UOP $305,311
USC $301,773

Cost of attendance w/ room and board: $383,575 UOP - $401,403 USC

So both of you could be right depending on what you were thinking.

 

[Floralia]

If you plan on staying with your family if you attend USC, you will save some money on living expense, which you can use to pay for that extra tuition that USC is charging more than Pitt. Maybe that would equal out the cost of attendance for both schools? I'm not sure about the exact cost, but that should help tremendously if you consider USC.
LA weather is amazing, just saying.

 

[Timpson]

The Clinical program at USC doesn't hold a candle light to
Creighton. Unless USC turns away patients because they have too many. Or let's their students do plenty of perio surgeries, impacted 3rd molars, implants, other advanced procedures. I didn't hear about any of that when I interviewed there. I'm sure it lacks compared to some of those other schools you listed too - although I wouldn't know first hand.

I think Creighton is a great school but I stand by what I have said. There are so many opportunites here to get involved in whatever procedure you want except for ortho. Yes, you might have to jump through a lot of hoops and BS to get there but the opportunities are there. A lot of advanced procedures you shouldn't be getting involved with anyways as a predoctoral student. That is why people specialize.

Edit: USC requires implant training for all undergrad students but unfortunately I do not know the details yet. Heard this from the dean himself. I know plenty of students doing OS cases that they have told me were very complex. OS is tricky though with a lot of complications so I think schools should be cautious about letting their students do advanced cases. Oral surgeons receive 4-6 years of intense training, which is more then any other specialty. There is a reason for this.

 

[Timpson]

But you're neglecting to mention that you graduate a year earlier at UOP and can earn $$$ earlier.

I also think UOP is a great school but I value that extra year in education. Some other students might value getting out of school earlier. Dentists spend a fortune on CE courses these days to learn what they didn't get taught in school. At USC you can get trained in IV sedation, implants and other procedures as a predoctoral student. I also like the slower pace of education so I can enjoy my life a bit more. I don't think I would have much fun at UOP. I have to work very hard to keep up with the curve and I probably wouldn't be able to enjoy the one time experience of living in a great city like SF

 

[wired202808]

If you plan on staying with your family if you attend USC, you will save some money on living expense, which you can use to pay for that extra tuition that USC is charging more than Pitt. Maybe that would equal out the cost of attendance for both schools? I'm not sure about the exact cost, but that should help tremendously if you consider USC.
LA weather is amazing, just saying.

yes we should all pick a school based on the weather. not based on the fact that it might cost another 100k to go there. 🙂

 

[Kentuckylover]

Creighton dental school? Seriously? lol Getting accepted without interview? lol nice try.

 

[timwatley]

Creighton dental school? Seriously? lol Getting accepted without interview? lol nice try.

A couple people with amazing stats. The rest interview and Out of state they accept 150 out of 3,000 applicants. But that has nothing to do with the clinical program so I don't understand your post.

 

[dantemac]

A couple people with amazing stats. The rest interview and Out of state they accept 150 out of 3,000 applicants. But that has nothing to do with the clinical program so I don't understand your post.

SDN: where the topic on hand comes to die

 

[timwatley]

Very true.

 

[agentghost]

As a USC student, I will tell you, go to Pitt. I didn't realize how much cheaper the school was for out of staters. I am just trying to defend USC from the point that, yes, things have been horrible at this school in the past, but the new administration has made changes that are making USC the great clinical university it once was.

I do think USC can hold its own with the other expensive, private schools in the US. I think the quality of clinical instruction can compete with that at Penn, Columbia, NYU, Temple, Case, UOP, Nova, UDM, Creighton, Tufts, and BU. Yes, PBL is not run very effectively here, but let me tell you, nobody seems to care that the majority of med schools use PBL, or that Case and Harvard have PBL in their curriculums. I mean, come on, the boards are P/F now, and USC students do not have trouble passing the boards. If you want to do OS or ortho, you can study for those specialty tests on your own time, which PBL gives you plenty. I personally would rather spend my time at school in the SIM lab or clinic and study about biochemistry on my own. We still have plenty of lectures on dentistry related material.

The price at USC is ridiculous but comparable to the schools mentioned above except for in state residents at Temple (and maybe Harvard or Columbia because they have great aid). We do get a small break on tuition our last year while most schools spread it out evenly over all 4 years. Nobody seems to get angry at UOP for charging close to the same amount as USC and giving you almost a year less of education.

you forget to mention that at USC leave you to find your own patients and some have to pay money for patients in order to treat them since it is very hard to find patients in LA...unless you are telling me this too has also changed?