School Conundrum -- Another USC vs. NYU

[dent007007]

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Hello Everyone,

I have searched this forum dating back several years to compare both schools USC and NYU. Unfortunately, some of them are dated in the information provided, and very few of them had candidates come back and post which school they finally chose.

I have been admitted to and love both USC and NYU. OOS for both. Here are Pros and Cons in my mind for both these schools, can someone please shed some light if they've had to pick from either of these? Constructive opinions are also welcome.

USC and NYU are similar in total cost of education

USC -
Pros

• I like PBL, the team work setting to me is a great way to learn.
• LOVE the weather, campus and Trojan spirit. I believe the alumni network may be more knit
• Work-life balance = being able to continue personal growth
• Mock board exams prior to the real board
• Variety of outdoor activities to choose from during spare time
• Exams given in blocks with time off for boards preparation

Cons-

• LA Traffic
• Safety just outside of the campus perimeter
• Talks in the past about graduating on time or finding patients
• Will the laid-back lifestyle affect getting a good dental education?
• Gets too hot in the summer (Anything over 90 is too hot for me 🙂 )
• Extremely saturated LA market after graduation = Very low pay in LA?

____________________________________________________________________
NYU -
Pros

• I really like New York and the diversity
• Research at Bluestone
• Large diverse patient pool = Exposure to variety of dental issues
• Looking forward to Global/Local Outreach programs in D3/D4
• Large class size = exposure to many different cultures
• I do like Lecture style as well
• High specialization rate
• 100% Board pass rate

Cons -

• Winter weather
• New Large Class size of ~360 = Chair problem?
• Exorbitant cost of living
• No White Coat ceremony
• If I want to practice in NYC, another year of residency is needed
• NYUCD came across as being a very rigorous curriculum with numerous quizzes leading to a very stressful lifestyle in a buzzing environment? (Everyone I came across seemed quite over worked)

I am willing to work very hard for the best dental education I can receive. However, I would love some perspective from D1's to D4's who may have been through this dilemma or any others who are educated about what both schools have to offer.
Any perspective on the 'brand name' of NYUCD and Ostrow in the Dental Community may help as well.

Thank you!

 

[Naphen]

I would go to USC.... no big reason. I just like them overall a lot more than NYU.

 

[LFA20]

If cost is similar, you don't mind PBL, I'd pick USC as well.

 

[kingenamel]

I would pick USC. If a PBL curriculum doesn't bother you I wouldn't even think about NYU. Both schools are pretty expensive but USC has a smaller class size, better weather, close to the beach, and the students there seem to be pretty happy.

 

[doc toothache]

If you were to look out a window, what would you rather see?

 

[omgroll]

I would choose NYU because overall impression I had at USC was that everyone was very unprofessional. I was really disappointed with the attitudes of the interviewers. I had pbl interview at another school and it was nothing like the one at USC. They made the one at USC feel like a highschool group meeting. I was really looking forward to looking around USC and was impressed by the campus but after the interview.. my mind was made up. However, that's just me. A lot of ppl seemed to enjoy the school. Pbl is another thing. You might enjoy pbl but it really is a very inefficient way to learn. Having Pbl for all your basic science courses might be more challenging than you think.

 

[Silent Cool]

Both are obscenely expensive, but I think that in LA you can cut living costs much more, especially near the school. I remember looking at some apartments nearby a few years back that were reasonably priced. You won't find that in NYC. I would go with USC also because there are no class rankings there, and they generally have a reputation for clinical excellence. Last, I think PBL is better b/c, let's be honest, you don't need the basic sciences for much in dentistry--they are a nuisance. The PBL classes at USC I believe are pretty chill, so you can focus more on the dentistry. If you want to specialize, this will also probably give you more time to conduct some research.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

Hello Everyone,

I have searched this forum dating back several years to compare both schools USC and NYU. Unfortunately, some of them are dated in the information provided, and very few of them had candidates come back and post which school they finally chose.

I have been admitted to and love both USC and NYU. OOS for both. Here are Pros and Cons in my mind for both these schools, can someone please shed some light if they've had to pick from either of these? Constructive opinions are also welcome.

USC and NYU are similar in total cost of education

USC -
Pros

• I like PBL, the team work setting to me is a great way to learn.
• LOVE the weather, campus and Trojan spirit. I believe the alumni network may be more knit
• Work-life balance = being able to continue personal growth
• Mock board exams prior to the real board
• Variety of outdoor activities to choose from during spare time
• Exams given in blocks with time off for boards preparation

Cons-

• LA Traffic
• Safety just outside of the campus perimeter
• Talks in the past about graduating on time or finding patients
• Will the laid-back lifestyle affect getting a good dental education?
• Gets too hot in the summer (Anything over 90 is too hot for me 🙂 )
• Extremely saturated LA market after graduation = Very low pay in LA?

____________________________________________________________________
NYU -
Pros

• I really like New York and the diversity
• Research at Bluestone
• Large diverse patient pool = Exposure to variety of dental issues
• Looking forward to Global/Local Outreach programs in D3/D4
• Large class size = exposure to many different cultures
• I do like Lecture style as well
• High specialization rate
• 100% Board pass rate

Cons -

• Winter weather
• New Large Class size of ~360 = Chair problem?---no. so it used to be d1-240 students, d2-d4--360 students. so the increased class size means nothing, really. there has never been a chair problem here. your group practice director is always there to help you out if such problems occur. the system is pretty organized. and if it's any consolation, they're making a new building with a new clinic i believe.
• Exorbitant cost of living
• No White Coat ceremony-this should not be a deterring factor. and btw, they moved it to 2nd year. so it's just later. you have to prove yourself for the white coat now.
• If I want to practice in NYC, another year of residency is needed-it's actually recommended by a lot of private practice dentists now.
• NYUCD came across as being a very rigorous curriculum with numerous quizzes leading to a very stressful lifestyle in a buzzing environment? (Everyone I came across seemed quite over worked)---yea, the workload is very rigorous, but it leads to a 100% board passing rate.

I am willing to work very hard for the best dental education I can receive. However, I would love some perspective from D1's to D4's who may have been through this dilemma or any others who are educated about what both schools have to offer.
Any perspective on the 'brand name' of NYUCD and Ostrow in the Dental Community may help as well.

Thank you!

 

[Illini0909]

I've heard that USC's curriculum is very disorganized and can be very frustrating for individuals sometime. Can someone attest or disprove this?

 

[jkang7]

what is PBL? and benefit?

 

[kingenamel]

Problem based learning. Focuses less on lectures and more on case-based learning.

 

[clseller50]

I am in the same boat. I have narrowed it down to these two. Thank you for listing the Pro's and Con's, it's a great list! I am leaning towards USC, I wonder why there are so many NYU votes though...

 

[znny19]

Just to clarify some of your cons for NYU (my dental school).

-We will have our white coat ceremony during the second year to signify our progression from didactic courses into the clinic. (Enter clinic at the end of second year)
-The class size has always been 360 its just we don't have advanced placement students anymore (international trained dentists)

The curriculum is very rigorous especially if you want to get a good GPA. However you can manage if you are dedicated. We go out a lot too and there are always events to attend in NYC. (Rooftop bars and such)

Also you will be trained very well clinically at nyu. We were doing class ones and two as well as composites restorations early during last semester and have moved on to more complex restorations this semester. I know some schools that have just started handing out hand-pieces... lol

 

[clseller50]

Thank you, everyone for your response. I am leaning towards NYU and have just another week left to decide.