stonybrook and univ. buffalo

[wise146]

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I just wanted people's opinions on this:

If you had a choice of going to stonybrook or univ. of buffalo, which school would you pick and why?

Both schools are about the same price for in-state residents which I am.

Thanks.

 

[Reed1978]

im not sure about stonybrook, but UB has a few faculty members that are the best in the world (Dr. Ciancio, Dr. Jenco, Dr. Joynt). Their facilities are really nice (every student gets their own operatory during 3rd+4th year), they have also moved to DVD based curriculum (some don't like this, but most say that it really is better once you get used to it).

They have a lot of great opportunities for students. You can do you externships in Belize, and the DR if you want. The patient base in Buffalo is enormous, and unlike most other universities, UB actually has a campus and finding a parking spot is never a problem - and it's free! so if you are running late to class, you don't need to catch a bus to class. Buffalo (amherst) is one of the safest cities in the US, and they really have a lot going on there with all the pro sports team, all the different colleges, and a lot of cultural things as well. Toronto is a 90 min drive, and niagara falls is about a 15 min drive. UB students get free photocopies and printing as well which is useful - and their libraries are open 24 hours a day - most of the time.

The cost of UB is also very low - and the cost of living is even lower. An amazing 2 bedroom apt. will run about 500-600 bucks, but I have lived in a pretty good place for less than 200 bucks.

All in all - it's great.

 

[wise146]

Reed1978 are you a student at UB right now?

is there always enough space to study in the library because the study space looked kind of limited?

also, how are national board scores at buffalo compared to other schools?

any scholarships for first year students.

Thanks

 

[Balki]

I would choose Stony
BUff is just way too far, and it' s really cold there. Location is very important for me, and Stony is just about an hour and a half
away from NYC. I haven't visited Stony yet, but planing on doing so soon.

 

[Reed1978]

Studying in the library a problem? NO WAY!! there are seriously about 15 different libraries at UB and each one has a different feel to it. I'm a student at Buffalo - but not at the dental school. The Health Science Library often has a lot of people (Dent+Med students) there, but in all my years here, I have never had a problem walking in and getting my own seat, computer, parking space, or whatever.

Yes, Stonybrook is closer to NYC - which is precisely why I would never go there (although, the shawangunks are only 90mins away). Here in upstate/western NY (whathaveyou), we have niagara falls, letchworth state park, the adirondaks (5 hours north...but whatever), the ontario escarpment, and Toronto - which is essentially a cleaner, safter, more chill version of NYC anyway.

I can't quote any numbers, but I do believe that UB's board scores are really good. If you contact the school they should be able to tell you.

good luck!

 

[Reed1978]

Scholarships for 1st year students...mmm, not entirely sure. I have the Army backing me - so I honestly never pay attention at during the financial aid portion of the interviews - or worry about scholarships. But again, the people at the school should be able to tell you.

And for the record, Buffalo is NOT cold. Central New York is cold!!

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

!

Toronto - which is essentially a cleaner, safter, more chill version of NYC anyway.

Reed! Thanks for giving respect to Toronto! I love my city, and its gonna be hard to go away from it! Thats why I would love to goto Buffalo! Buffalo and Toronto are like brothers (except when it comes to hockey)!

Toronto is indeed the cleaner, much safer, NICER version of NYC so anyone going to Buffalo, this is indeed a big plus! When I lived in Europe, everyone who went to Toronto and NYC told me that "Toronto is essentially NYC run by the swiss"! Although, living my whole life in TOronto, I wouldnt mind living a short period of time in NYC (perhaps for dental school????), but never permanently!

IF anyone is planning to apply to Toronto's dental school, unless you have a 3.8-4.0, you dont have a prayer!

 

[Balki]

Originally posted by Reed1978
Scholarships for 1st year students...mmm, not entirely sure. I have the Army backing me - so I honestly never pay attention at during the financial aid portion of the interviews - or worry about scholarships. But again, the people at the school should be able to tell you.

And for the record, Buffalo is NOT cold. Central New York is cold!!

HAHA, well I am NEW YORKER and that makes me closer to this city. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I have visited Toronto it's pretty nice, but by no means it is an any version of NYC. And yes Buffolo is much colder than NYC. I spend a week in buffalo, undergrad(visiting my friend there). I have nothing againts the school and I have heard many excellent things about it but Stony for me personally is way much more attractive. I did not even Apply to Buffalo, because i would never attend it. And those who don't like NYC I really don't know why you can ever form such an oppinion. It's the most diverse city in the world. Ok I should stop praising. Both of schools are great and dirt cheap about 15000 for in state which basically means twice cheaper than my undergrad and is definetely worth it. The class is very friendly at both places and there is probably much competition than in let's say Columbia.
I'll tell you more once I interview at Stony.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

And those who don't like NYC I really don't know why you can ever form such an oppinion. It's the most diverse city in the world.

Actually, Toronto is factually proven to be the most multi-cultural city in the world. We have the most Italians outside of Italy, the most Chinese outside of San Fran (and China of course), and everything else of course! We have at least one person out of every nation living in Toronto.

Of course Toronto doesnt have the history of NYC, but we have the 3rd largest theatre district in the world, our own Times Square (Dundas Square) just opened last year (its smaller of course, but its there), and if you like all that celebrity stuff, most movies are filmed in Toronto. Whenever a major city is depicted in a Hollywood movie, chances are, its filmed in Toronto.

Other than that, what else would NY have that Toronto doesnt? Except for twice the population, traffic and crime.

Sorry to be so arrogant, but not that many people know much about Toronto, and Im here to give the facts.

Trust me, if you have a wicked GPA, you should apply to Toronto's dental school. They accept the American DAT, and of course ITS SUPER CHEAP! But remember, less than 3.8, no chance!

 

[UBTom]

I'm a life-long New Yorker from Queens. I love NYC, glitter and wrinkles both. While I can't wait to get out of Buffalo and back to NYC where I belong because my family is there, I have to admit I had a good few years here in Buffalo.

The cost of living is CHEAP. Far cheaper than NYC or Long Island. Traffic jams are nonexistant in Buffalo-- I have never seen one single traffic jam on any of the highways in the area since I got here in 2000. On the other hand we all know how infamous the "parking lots" known as the LIE and GCP/Northern State are down there in NYC. Amherst NY, on whose borders UB dental school is located on, is the safest city in America. Not a single murder here last year. Reed1978 was right-- Places in Central New York like Syracuse and Utica are far colder in the winter. WNY has the moderating influence of Lake Erie (though the downside is the Lake Effect snow).

The school gives its students frustrations like any other dental school, but I think I've gotten a good education here. Stony might be more picky in their applicants because they take a smaller number of students, but when it comes down to the quality of education, both places are about the same-- Both are SUNY-funded and Dr. Robert King, the SUNY Chancellor, has not favored either school. They receive state funding proportional to the size of the student body. In addition, Buffalo has been re-accredited just this past September. The CODA people had to make only TWO recommendations on what the school should change (compared to THIRTY recommendations at NYU during their last reaccreditation cycle). NBDE Part I performance: The national average the year I took it was 86. Buffalo's average was 88. It was 8th in the nation (not as good as some previous classes that had ranked 6th).

About 1/3 of the students at Buffalo by the way are from downstate. So NYCers won't feel totally alone up here!

My advice to New York students:

1) If you are from NYC, go to Stony Brook if you want to stay close to home (if you got in there).

2) Quality of education at both schools are about the same. NOT a deciding factor. Both schools have similar situations when it comes to patient pools.

3) If you are from NYC and want a change in scenary-- If you want to get away from the NYC/Long Island traffic jams and high costs of living for a while and see how the rest of the state lives, Buffalo is the no-brainer choice.

4) Canadian schools are nice, but go to a New York school so you will have an easier time passing the NERBs. You will NOT be very well-prepared for the NERBs at any Canadian school, unfortunately.

5) It behooves the NYS student to apply to BOTH Buffalo and Stony-- It is difficult to get into Stony even with top-notch grades.

I'm looking forward to coming back to NYC next May. I've been away for too long.

 

[Comet208]

Tom,

what would you think the chances would be for a non-NY resident with 17-18 DAT to get an interview from Buffalo??

thx,

Comet

 

[UBTom]

Hi Comet,

If the out-of-state applicant has stellar GPA to go with that 17-18 DAT, chances are the application will be wait-listed.

Lots of accepted out-of-staters decline to attend UB if they also get accepted to schools of their top choice or schools closer to home (naturally), and that's when Buffalo goes to that wait list to round out that 20% of our student body from out-of-state.

HTH..