Hi all,
I am an atypical applicant (several years out of undergraduate) and I am trying to decide between two schools to which I have been accepted. Both seem to have high quality clinical programs with ample patient populations.
Temple:
Pros:
-Located in Philadelphia, seems like a nice/fun place to live
-Established, has a strong reputation
-I don't have friends in Philly, but would be closer to friends in Boston/NYC/DC
Cons:
-Seems to have an old-school "dental school was awful for me so I'm going to make it rough for you" attitude
-Faculty/leadership I saw at admitted students day seemed to openly resent the students; doesn't seem like they would support students who are struggling
-Specialty programs may take the more complex cases away?
-I get seasonal depression living on the east coast, so winters will be rough
MWU-AZ:
Pros:
-Campus culture seems friendly and supportive
-Faculty seemed to actually care about/listen to the students
-No specialties, sounds like dental students get complex cases
-Maybe a good enough clinical program that an AEGD/GPR wouldn't be needed?
Cons:
-Glendale seems completely soulless. When I went to visit it was basically an endless stripmall as far as the eye can see; very depressing
-Summers sound like they will be hot and miserable
-I don't know anyone there
-Newer school, reputation might not carry weight
Summary: Essentially, I prefer MWU-AZ over Temple but the location seems terrible. Both would provide a high quality education. My concern is that I have been out of school for a long time, and if I am struggling I don't know if there would be any help (or even basic compassion) at Temple.
I am out of state for Temple and the cost of living is much higher in Philly than Glendale, so the cost would not differ much between the two, even though MWU has a higher tuition.
I will happily take any advice or feedback. Would love to hear from anyone who went to MWU-AZ about what the area is like and if it is as 'suburban nightmare' as it seems.
I am an atypical applicant (several years out of undergraduate) and I am trying to decide between two schools to which I have been accepted. Both seem to have high quality clinical programs with ample patient populations.
Temple:
Pros:
-Located in Philadelphia, seems like a nice/fun place to live
-Established, has a strong reputation
-I don't have friends in Philly, but would be closer to friends in Boston/NYC/DC
Cons:
-Seems to have an old-school "dental school was awful for me so I'm going to make it rough for you" attitude
-Faculty/leadership I saw at admitted students day seemed to openly resent the students; doesn't seem like they would support students who are struggling
-Specialty programs may take the more complex cases away?
-I get seasonal depression living on the east coast, so winters will be rough
MWU-AZ:
Pros:
-Campus culture seems friendly and supportive
-Faculty seemed to actually care about/listen to the students
-No specialties, sounds like dental students get complex cases
-Maybe a good enough clinical program that an AEGD/GPR wouldn't be needed?
Cons:
-Glendale seems completely soulless. When I went to visit it was basically an endless stripmall as far as the eye can see; very depressing
-Summers sound like they will be hot and miserable
-I don't know anyone there
-Newer school, reputation might not carry weight
Summary: Essentially, I prefer MWU-AZ over Temple but the location seems terrible. Both would provide a high quality education. My concern is that I have been out of school for a long time, and if I am struggling I don't know if there would be any help (or even basic compassion) at Temple.
I am out of state for Temple and the cost of living is much higher in Philly than Glendale, so the cost would not differ much between the two, even though MWU has a higher tuition.
I will happily take any advice or feedback. Would love to hear from anyone who went to MWU-AZ about what the area is like and if it is as 'suburban nightmare' as it seems.
