Some advice deciding between Upenn and Stony Brook

[DeepNimbus]

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Hi! So I recently got accepted to Stony. I was planning on Upenn before, and now I'm in a bit of a funk deciding between the two.

Like lots of other predents, I want to specialize, and I was most attracted to ortho, which people have told me I have a better shot at Upenn.
However, in this economic climate adding to the fact that I didn't get Upenn's Dean scholarship, I feel like Stony would be a more practical choice. I am not a NY resident, but can probably get it as I went to undergrad in NY for four years.

Philly does seem nicer culturally and gastronomically than Stony, but I fear the "dungeons", larger class size (competition much?), and the
constant renovation of both the administration and buildings at Penn. Someone pointed out to me that the smaller class size at Stony (40ish) actually fosters a more competitive enviroment because there are so fewer spots for specializing and it's very obvious what the rankings are among the small class.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[slight365]

delete

 

[Streetwolf]

You know the OP is talking about the d-school..... right?

The competitiveness depends on your classmates. My friends aren't competitive at all and I would only label a couple people in our class as "gunners" (and they got a lot better this year). The rankings won't be as obvious as you'd think. They also only rank us for graduation purposes and for awards. #1 in the class gets 'with highest honors' and #2 gets 'with honors'. Residency programs do not get our class rank.

 

[slight365]

I may have misread- Thought the op was talking about undergrad pre-dental.

I'll delete my post.

However, the area still stands, being very nice, and expensive around SB. Food variety is good, and NYC is 2 hours by train away.

Also if you get an apt, be prepared to be ripped off, and also have problems. In that area, all, if not most, apartments are illegal. I had some run-ins related to that.

 

[theplge]

First off, congrats on being in a position to choose between such good schools. Personally, I'm going to Penn and don't see a problem with your potential issues with the school. That said, if you are confident you can get in-state to Stony Brook, I'd probably go that route - that's a huge savings over the four years. In terms of getting into ortho, you are going to have to get awesome grades and rock the boards at either school... I don't know if Penn would give you a significant advantage (or at least one worth that much cash) over SB.

 

[gryffindor]

I don't know if Penn would give you a significant advantage (or at least one worth that much cash) over SB.

No it won't give you a significant advantage. Save your money for the outrageous tuition you may end up having to pay for your ortho residency by going to Stony Brook and working hard there.

 

[DeepNimbus]

bump 🙂

 

[VladMikaev]

Both are good schools. From what I heard, UPenn has better options after graduation as it is more well known.