Temple vs LECOM (I am OOS for both)

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Temple vs LECOM

  • Temple

    Votes: 5 83.3%
  • LECOM

    Votes: 1 16.7%

  • Total voters
    6
  • Poll closed .

John_Deer

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I have been blessed to have been accepted to not one, but two dental schools. I will be forever grateful for this, but now I must make one of the most stressful decisions of my entire life, Temple vs LECOM.

I just got accepted to both Temple dental and LECOM dental very recently, now I must choose the one I want to attend. How do I search up the rates at which dentists specialize in the two schools? I would likely want to specialize but not sure how to get those stats? I think Temple would have higher specialization rates because it's existed for longer?
Can someone please link the specialization rates for both schools?

Pros of LECOM:
>Lower tuition, 57k
>Warm Florida weather, near beach
>The area has FAR less crime compared to Temple, safe

Neutrals of LECOM:
I'm neutral towards PBL I guess?

Cons of LECOM:
>relatively new
>has had some mess-ups in the past, I think
>not as much clinical experience as Temple?

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple Pros:

>Has existed for years, has a solid reputation that has stood the test of time
>get tons of clinical work, perhaps more than LECOM?
>I suspect that they would have higher specialization rates, but I'm not sure how to find this data?
>fun snow weather

Temple Cons:
>more expensive at 71k per year
>The Philadelphia area has a ton of violent crime; I don't want to die, and my parents are VERY concerned for my safety.

I would appreciate advice from anyone in this forum, if you are a Temple or LECOM dentist or dental student, I would love to hear your experience! Please send specialization rates for both schools?

I have about 10 days from now to make my choice.
 

My dentist that I shadowed graduated from Temple. According to them, they said that the area around Temple and where they stayed is very safe. They also really really really love Temple, and gives a lot of credit to the school's quality of education. This is only one opinion though. They also felt nervous about the location, but it turned out alright for them at the end, and they felt very safe around and on campus. Honestly, any big city will have higher crime rates, but as long as you look after yourself and not be unlucky, then you'll be fine.

As for Lecom, I applied there this cycle and got rejected, so I cannot speak much for the school. I think Temple 100% is better for specialties. See if they have a focus on rotations. Please make sure that you can tolerate PBL. A lot of students I've talked to from Lecom says that it is a lot of self studying. At the end though, everyone takes the same board and becomes a dentist, but make sure your journey (aka the school with the better teaching style for you to learn) is right for you.

edit: Also remember that D4 of Lecom, you may have to move from FL to Pennsylvania, which is where Temple is. Don't know why they have you moving up there lol
 
“I don't want to die”
Hah! Made me chuckle.
Honestly based on location alone I would pick LECOM. Nice weather, beaches, and You won’t have to worry about patients canceling during the winter time! Which happens a lot with Mid-west schools…

And then when you consider the price difference it is a no-brainer. You will likely save $100,000 in tuition and cost of living expenses.

Just my two cents
 
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