Transferring during 3rd year-clinical rotation

[zpere003]

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I am a first year student at NJDS, but I'm from Miami and really want to come back. There is a possibility I could transfer to NOVA on 3rd year. However, I'm staring to doubt if is a wise decision since I've heard that NJDS has stronger clinical experience. Any advice?

 

[jakey]

I've heard about a lot of issues with Nova and the number of clinic chairs they have. I don't know if that has changed in the last few years, but from what I read it can be a huge pain getting chairs for appointments. Also, if you think UMDNJ would make you a more competent clinician, I'd definitely stay there. It's hard to evaluate the clinical experience at 2 different schools, but UMDNJ seems to be pretty good.

Also, a lot of schools won't let you just transfer straight into clinic. I contemplated transferring, and some schools I looked at wouldn't let you just transfer into their clinic at 3rd year, you'd have to repeat 2nd year. I'd call Nova to see what their policy on it is, may or may not be worth it.

 

[zpere003]

I've heard about a lot of issues with Nova and the number of clinic chairs they have. I don't know if that has changed in the last few years, but from what I read it can be a huge pain getting chairs for appointments. Also, if you think UMDNJ would make you a more competent clinician, I'd definitely stay there. It's hard to evaluate the clinical experience at 2 different schools, but UMDNJ seems to be pretty good.

Also, a lot of schools won't let you just transfer straight into clinic. I contemplated transferring, and some schools I looked at wouldn't let you just transfer into their clinic at 3rd year, you'd have to repeat 2nd year. I'd call Nova to see what their policy on it is, may or may not be worth it.

Thanks sooo much for your input. I've been calling NOVA and sending messages and for some reason they don't get back to me which I found pretty rude.

 

[mike3kgt]

Thanks sooo much for your input. I've been calling NOVA and sending messages and for some reason they don't get back to me which I found pretty rude.

In my years there I do recall one student who transferred from one of the CA schools as a rising 3rd year to Nova. He had extenuating circumstances to why it was allowed and from your perspective simply "I prefer Miami" is not an acceptable reason... especially considering the city is 20-30 min away. He also had a really really tough time transitioning, was extremely far behind and had to remediate extensively. He did well, however, graduating late because of the late start and is doing well now as a dentist.

If you want to transfer, do it ASAP (if they will allow it). I do believe it would be significantly easier to convince them to allow you to transfer as a rising 2nd year instead of a rising 3rd year.

If you can't make it happen, take life's decisions as they are and follow-through with your current school.

Good luck.

 

[zpere003]

In my years there I do recall one student who transferred from one of the CA schools as a rising 3rd year to Nova. He had extenuating circumstances to why it was allowed and from your perspective simply "I prefer Miami" is not an acceptable reason... especially considering the city is 20-30 min away. He also had a really really tough time transitioning, was extremely far behind and had to remediate extensively. He did well, however, graduating late because of the late start and is doing well now as a dentist.

If you want to transfer, do it ASAP (if they will allow it). I do believe it would be significantly easier to convince them to allow you to transfer as a rising 2nd year instead of a rising 3rd year.

If you can't make it happen, take life's decisions as they are and follow-through with your current school.

Good luck.

My reason is not only that I prefer Miami but also I'm getting married over the summer and my future husband has not found a job in NJ. As things are right now it would be not wise at all to leave his secure job back in Miami, and after all I plan on coming back after graduation.
As I said before, they are not answering my attempts to contact the admission department. I've been trying to contact them in the last 2 months ensuring I do everything ahead of time. All I have left is going in person when I come back to Miami in the summer.
Thanks for your comment!

 

[Doc Smile]

My reason is not only that I prefer Miami but also I'm getting married over the summer and my future husband has not found a job in NJ. As things are right now it would be not wise at all to leave his secure job back in Miami, and after all I plan on coming back after graduation.
As I said before, they are not answering my attempts to contact the admission department. I've been trying to contact them in the last 2 months ensuring I do everything ahead of time. All I have left is going in person when I come back to Miami in the summer.
Thanks for your comment!

Would it be worse to have your husband looking for a job for a little while or for you to forsake time and energy better devoted to studying to figure out how and if you can transfer then having a huge chance of having to either retake second year at Nova or stay for a 5th year bc of clinics?

Dental school sucks no matter what, just get it over with right? Its only 4 years.

 

[zpere003]

Would it be worse to have your husband looking for a job for a little while or for you to forsake time and energy better devoted to studying to figure out how and if you can transfer then having a huge chance of having to either retake second year at Nova or stay for a 5th year bc of clinics?

Dental school sucks no matter what, just get it over with right? Its only 4 years.

I am very fixed about not retaking a year or adding an extra one to my education. I am just looking for info to see if is even possible. If it gets too complicated or requires too much from me I wouldn't compromise my good standing position right now.

Thanks for giving some input!

 

[mike3kgt]

My reason is not only that I prefer Miami but also I'm getting married over the summer and my future husband has not found a job in NJ. As things are right now it would be not wise at all to leave his secure job back in Miami, and after all I plan on coming back after graduation.
As I said before, they are not answering my attempts to contact the admission department. I've been trying to contact them in the last 2 months ensuring I do everything ahead of time. All I have left is going in person when I come back to Miami in the summer.
Thanks for your comment!

I can assure you that your reasons to transfer to Nova during school will most likely not be compelling enough for the adcoms to bend over backwards for you.

Don't you think that is the most likely reason why they are not answering your calls so readily? They also have a significant amount of international students who are willing to take any available spots available after first year students don't continue. These students are easier to get out of the gates starting from 2nd year rather than a transfer student.

You are facing an uphill battle. I'm not saying don't try, I'm saying appreciate that you have a spot in a dental school these days... it's tough to get to your point. I've often found that things happen for a reason.

 

[omaralt]

I can assure you that your reasons to transfer to Nova during school will most likely not be compelling enough for the adcoms to bend over backwards for you.

Don't you think that is the most likely reason why they are not answering your calls so readily? They also have a significant amount of international students who are willing to take any available spots available after first year students don't continue. These students are easier to get out of the gates starting from 2nd year rather than a transfer student.

You are facing an uphill battle. I'm not saying don't try, I'm saying appreciate that you have a spot in a dental school these days... it's tough to get to your point. I've often found that things happen for a reason.

i dont think they really care why; at the end of the day its all about $$. if they have an open spot they'll offer it to you. we had somebody transfer to our class (nova class of 2009 btw) between 2nd and 3rd yr from UF. i do believe he lost a year however. the key is going to be whether they have an available spot or not

 

[zpere003]

i dont think they really care why; at the end of the day its all about $$. if they have an open spot they'll offer it to you. we had somebody transfer to our class (nova class of 2009 btw) between 2nd and 3rd yr from UF. i do believe he lost a year however. the key is going to be whether they have an available spot or not

Thats what I thought, that if there's a spot and I'm willing to pay them, it shouldn't be a problem at all. After all Nova is really expensive and not everyone would pick them having another spot in a cheaper university. I'm not willing to loose a year, however.

 

[SmilingHokie]

More than likely, if you transfer, you will lose a year. Dental schools curriculums are very different and the only way to ensure you are on the same page as the existing class is to repeat a year. Happend to a classmate of mine the transfered from NOVA 2nd year