to students at Penn & Columbia

[dent_girl]

I heard from both schools in last two days
and I am still waiting on my state school but
I have a feeling that I will probably get in.
(need to be a little modest I guess, hehe)

so this is a dilemma. my goal is to become a good dentist,
might want to specialize after four years, that really
depends on how next four years go. it's still a thought.
seemed like students were happy at Penn, the tour guy
seemed like academic is not that stressful, really like the environment
because it's kind of similar to my undergrad, except cleaner and nicer.

Columbia was somewhat disappointing because it was not in the
city, facility didn't seem that great, some students we grabbed
at 1st year class were so disgruntled like their academic
is so stressful and being with med students kinda sucks.
(that when I realized, man, these people were in school
for only 3 months and NOT happy! ) I am not sure if I want that

I am still waiting on my state school. I guess It's closer, cheaper,
and not in a city so I will probably have my own apartment, car,
easier access to things, and will be able to study without getting
distracted. because I did whole "going out of town, exploring the new
place" thing in college so I am not REALLY looking to get new
experience. when I visited my state school, I really liked their facility,
and even the 1st yr student sees patients ( which is UNheard of
at any other schools) and that place will really nurture me to
become a good dentist dealing with clients.


so I thought about sticking with state school, but
now with acceptances from penn and columbia,
I just hate to give up IVY league schools... you know what I mean?
this might not even mean ANYTHING in four years but I guess...
well I just hate to give up.

any advice, similar situations? how are you guys at
penn and columbia? if there are anyone who gave up
ivy schools to goto state school, are you happy with that decision?

thanks!

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[SuperTrooper]

I just hate to give up IVY league schools... you know what I mean?

No. I don't.

Unless it's harvard...

 

[BigRedDentist]

I went through the same thing last year. My state schools are not in very desirable locations (Buffalo and Stony Brook) and I just did not like their mentality that much. I decided to go to Penn over Columbia because I felt that the environment at Penn fit much better with my personality. I am really glad that I have decided to come here for a number of reasons. First of all, being on the main campus is fun because all of the other grad students and undergrads are around and you have access to a lot more resources. Second, having a larger class size is fantastic because it is difficult to spend that much time with the same people and the more diversity the better. Lastly, DentSim is really fun and probably the only thing that keeps me sane these days. There are many other reasons, though, and if you would like to ask specific questions please feel free to PM me.

 

[Allstar99]

Hey! I was in the same situation as you a few days ago (just penn though). My state school is the University of Michigan and I picked it because in my opinion it is just as good of a school and it is 100,000 cheaper. At the end of the four years, you're a dentist no matter where you go. You can specialize anywhere you go, as long as you work hard. Also, keep in mind that if you are taking loans for dental school and specialize later, you'll just be taking even more loans. I'm not sure if your family still lives in that state, but it is nice to be close to home (atleast in my case). However, if you can justify paying the extra money, which is usually 100,000+, then do it! Afterall, the ivy league schools are def good schools. Those are a few of my thoughts. Hope this helps. Good luck and I'm sure you'll make the right decision .