Well, I am not from Utah so its close to home. I have no real "home" so I can live anywhere. I really liked the academic program that they have set up, ASDOH was very similar to Roseman in that regard as well. I really like the whole aspect of unity and teamwork. I like having a Pass/No Pass grading system and especially the Block Curriculum. I feel that I can really learn and excel if I have to only focus on one subject at a time. The idea of having 10-15 finals on finals week does not sit well with me. Some schools have great programs but their facility look run down and "dungeon" like. I have to admit, I do enjoy the "bells and whistles" from time to time. It is true you do not know for sure how the clinic is going to turn out but I am not worried about them getting patients. There are a lot of people in Salt Lake County and Utah County that do not have any insurance and will be going to the school for treatment. People talk about Utah being saturated with dentists, well it is and it isn't. they are just crowed close together in certain locations.
I am a strong believe in you get what you put in. If you want to be strong clinically, than no matter what school you go to you will work your butt off to work on improving your technique and your speed. In most schools, 3 & 4 years on average on see 2 patients a day. Doesn't matter if they have been around a long time or not. Some schools are an exception, I admit. I plan on working hard to try to see more patients but we will have to wait and see. Every school you go to will make you a dentist, one way or another. I do not plan on specializing so I don't worry about school reputation or scores. I want to be the best dentist that I can be and plan to work hard. Most dental students now-a-days are allying to GPR and AEGD to get additional clinical experience because not too many dental students feel like they are ready.
I am choosing the schools by many different factors but in the end of the day it has to be a school that I felt comfortable in, because i will be there for 4 very long years, and in a place that I will enjoy living for 4 years. I am married so I want to live somewhere I want my family to feel comfortable and safe. For that reason Case Western (cleveland), Howard (DC), and Temple (N. Phil) are low on my list.
So there really is a lot of things that I am considering when making a decision of which school I will go to. Which ever feels right in the end, I suppose. Also, cost of living and how much the school gives for living allowance is also a huge part to consider. My top schools right now, though, is Roseman, ASDOH, Louisville, and maybe VCU.