Rutgers (IS) vs Temple (OOS)

[njfuturedds]

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I'm very thankful to have been accepted to both Rutgers and Temple, and I have post-dec interviews with Maryland and Columbia in December. First, not sure if I should withdraw from my interview with Maryland. Location is important to me, but I'm a stranger to the Baltimore area. It doesn't have the benefit of proximity to my SO, and is more expensive than Rutgers I want to specialize and would love to go to Columbia if I get accepted. Anyways, I'd love some feedback between Rutgers vs Temple, mainly with regards to the location aspect as well as match rates.

Rutgers (IS)
Pros:

• Cheaper (about 300k including living costs)
• Close to friends and family. Best friend will be starting med school there the year I matriculate.
• Good, reputable school with solid clinical experience and high match rates
• Good outreach opportunities

Cons

• Location was more than underwhelming. I've always wanted to go to school in a large city, and although Newark is close to NYC, Newark itself was a huge turn off to me. I've also lived in NJ all my life, went to college there, so I kind of want to get out?
• Wasn't impressed by the school, my interviewer, or the facilities during my interview.
• Farther from my SO

Temple (OOS)
Pros:

• Location. Again, always wanted to live in a large, urban city, and I love Philly. Not too exposed to the North Philly area, but I spend a lot of time in west Philly and center city because my girlfriend goes to school there
• Close to SO, friends, family. SO will likely be working in the area and is sub-matriculating into a masters program at her school in Philly after 2 years.
• Good outreach opportunities

Cons:

• Honestly don't know much about the school in general. If anyone could chime in on how the school is for specializing, I would appreciate it
• Adding to above, clinical strength and patient pool seem to point to the school being fantastic for GPs. Not sure how that would affect someone wanting to specialize, whether it be the class environment or anything else.
• More expensive (about 400k including living costs)
• Doesn't offer IS tuition after 1 year

To summarize, I'm weighing the location aspect really heavily. I can see myself being really happy just being in the Philly area, and its great that I'm super super close to my SO and would be in the same city as her for the next 4 years. Cost of living will be slightly more expensive than what the school lists in both cases, as I will likely be living by myself (parents moved away, need "permanent" residence for the next 4 years and don't want to go through the hassle of moving every year or so. I also may be overestimating living costs) My parents will help pay for living expenses, maybe 50k-80k total over 4 years.

I mainly don't know if it's really worth it to go to Temple for the location, even though I can definitely see myself being happier there. I'd also appreciate more info on both programs, as well as how Temple's match rates are.

Thanks for the input in advance!

 

[deleted903013]

Rutgers. It's 100k+ cheaper. You'll thank yourself in 4 years when you graduate with substantially less debt.

 

[deleted923283]

I want to specialize and would love to go to Columbia

Whether you specialize or not depends on YOU, not Columbia.

Location was more than underwhelming. I've always wanted to go to school in a large city, and although Newark is close to NYC, Newark itself was a huge turn off to me. I've also lived in NJ all my life, went to college there, so I kind of want to get out?

Newark is fine. You're right, it's nothing to celebrate. But realize you are going to be a dental student. 95% of your time here is going to be in school studying and working your butt off. Students are always going to Jersey City and Hoboken (large city vibes) to have fun. It's an easy drive across the river.

We all want to get out, but it's your cheapest option, so just hang around 4 more years and then you can go anywhere in the country.

• Wasn't impressed by the school, my interviewer, or the facilities during my interview.

Dental school isn't glamorous, you're right. But it's solid and cheap. Same with facilities - they work just fine, actually our clinics are pretty new.

They have some really great and some really questionable faculty doing the interviewers. Sounds like you had one of the underwhelming ones. I wouldn't judge the whole school by one person you met.

as I will likely be living by myself

Why? This is an unnecessary expense. Live in the dorm or split a flat with students.

Cost of living will be slightly more expensive than what the school lists in both cases

I find this hard to believe for Newark. It's pretty cheap COL here.

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You are wildly overvaluing location. It's not worth 100k+ of debt. Everyone is going to tell you the same thing.

 

[Jakehalpern]

Agreed sounds like Rutgers is the better option. Easy enough to commute btwn Rutgers and Philly if you wanted to...

 

[njfuturedds]

Why? This is an unnecessary expense. Live in the dorm or split a flat with students.

Thanks in general for the feedback. I appreciate the reality check. I assume you are/were a Rutgers student, can I ask what your favorite thing about the school was?

Also, my primary concern is that my parents moved far away and that moving around from place to place (if I can't get someone good to split a place with) would be unbearably annoying. I'm looking for basically a permanent place of residence as I may not even visit my parents during some holidays. Maybe I'm overthinking this as well, is it easy to find people to live with for all 4 years? I was thinking of studios/1BR apartments, but I see there are also some townhomes in the area for rent.

I find this hard to believe for Newark. It's pretty cheap COL here.

Agreed after taking a quick look online. Are there any neighborhoods you'd avoid or places you'd recommend? (again, assuming you are/were a Rutgers student)

Thanks!

 

[wengerout]

Rutgers just live in JC (unless Temple is significantly closer to your SO)

 

[deleted923283]

what your favorite thing about the school was?

The cost.

You could live in the dorms for 4 straight years. You could also live in society hill for 4 years. If you select the dorms, they will find roommates for you; you don’t even have to do the work yourself.

 

[the5]

I chose Temple mainly because of the Location and Pre-Clinc Facilities over Rutgers.

When I did my COA it was around 20k Difference.