Uconn vs. Upenn

[json896]

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Which one would you choose.. Other posts i read have drifted into side debates.

 

[Svart Aske]

I regret not applying to UConn. Specializing chances are probably just as good as Penn's, and it's affordable. Penn's costs make me want to weep.

 

[judiciousjim]

UPenn...quicker and more exposure to clinicals, Ivy league, more diversity, Philly vs. Farmington.

 

[Predent68]

It is really a difficult decision to make, both have many great things to offer. Their pros and cons could be reversed at any times based on your personal preference.

Both programs would prepare you well as a dentist and for specialty

UConn: small class size, medical school curriculum, suburban setting, only school in the area = larger patient pool, good board exam passing rate, pass/no pass system, high specialty rate, low tuition cost (public school), not on the main campus

Penn: larger class size, dental student tailored curriculum, urban setting, temple is nearby = more patient competition, also good board exam passing rate, letter grade system, also high specialty rate, tuition cost is high, ivy league status, dentsim seems cool, lots of research opportunity, faculty member seems top-notched and caring, on main campus, rich with history, off-campus = lots of things to do

In my opinion, I would prefer Penn. But it's really up to you.

 

[sajjy]

P/F with higher chances of specialization- UConn

 

[json896]

thanks for your responses. Any opinion on the posts from previous years regarding "emotional bankruptcy" that occurs at the school and the disrespect toward students? I havnt found any new posts on the topics. all from about 2005-2006. Has the school changed or was it just a bunch of disgruntled students?

 

[json896]

in regards to UCONN for previous post

 

[Svart Aske]

thanks for your responses. Any opinion on the posts from previous years regarding "emotional bankruptcy" that occurs at the school and the disrespect toward students? I havnt found any new posts on the topics. all from about 2005-2006. Has the school changed or was it just a bunch of disgruntled students?

I've read those too. But all the hoopla and discontent seem to be from only a few students. I would get in touch with current students or recent graduates and ask them.
BTW, did you not apply to UW?

 

[json896]

I've read those too. But all the hoopla and discontent seem to be from only a few students. I would get in touch with current students or recent graduates and ask them.
BTW, did you not apply to UW?

Yes i did, however i did my undergrad there, worked in the dental school, and have lived in seattle for 22 years. Really just want to move away and experience something new. and east coast sounds nice and i liked uconn and Upenn. UW a good school though i just really want to get out of seattle

I wrote a couple students and am waiting on replies.

 

[Zubnaya Feya]

Yes i did, however i did my undergrad there, worked in the dental school, and have lived in seattle for 22 years. Really just want to move away and experience something new. and east coast sounds nice and i liked uconn and Upenn. UW a good school though i just really want to get out of seattle

I wrote a couple students and am waiting on replies.

I also went to UW for undergrad and as of now I am choosing Penn. Join us😀

 

[Contach]

P/F with higher chances of specialization- UConn

Sajjy's a Harvard student. He's all about the P/F and the opportunity to specialize.. That is what he values.

Penn: larger class size, dental student tailored curriculum, urban setting, temple is nearby = more patient competition, also good board exam passing rate, letter grade system, also high specialty rate, tuition cost is high, ivy league status, dentsim seems cool, lots of research opportunity, faculty member seems top-notched and caring, on main campus, rich with history, off-campus = lots of things to do

I go to UPenn dent..
1. patient competition - I've never heard of anything like that? I'm pretty sure the school finds your patients, so that is not a problem for students to worry about. Besides, Penn is like a 25 minute drive from Temple.. So they are pretty far and drawing on different areas of Philly.
2. I've never heard of a published number for Penn's board passing rate, but I would assume it would be pretty strong.
3. Letter grade system? We get percentages for everything. Like one may receive an 89 and a 91 and an 89 on each of the biochem exams. Said student may end up with an 89.877 (i didn't bother doing the calculations), and said student, unless he/she challenges a question on an exam, will end up with a B+ (85.00-89.999). That sort of sucks in my opinion... But I guess you are right, at the end of the year we receive letter grades on our transcript. Like I may have a nice A for Biochem on my transcript and no1 sees that it is only a 90.05%. Personally, I'd probably prefer a pass/fail system though.
4. Some people don't like dentsim.🙁 Some enjoy it a lot.
5. Yes lots of history. And yes there is enough to do in the area, but you may not have time to do it.
6. I enjoy penn's faculty for the most part. Generally, they like their discipline and many of them enjoy working with students. Questions that I ask often get answered and are appreciated. But like any other faculty, if you challenge them about this one mark or that one question on a MCQ test, their persona may change - understandably so in my opinion.
7. The school isn't without flaws. The basement is really cold or really hot!! It's so weird. and noone can do anything about it.

 

[billythekid]

go to uconn if you are a resident or from another one of the new england states that doesn't have a dental school, so you can get in state tuition.

 

[sajjy]

Sajjy's a Harvard student. He's all about the P/F and the opportunity to specialize.. That is what he values.



I go to UPenn dent..
1. patient competition - I've never heard of anything like that? I'm pretty sure the school finds your patients, so that is not a problem for students to worry about. Besides, Penn is like a 25 minute drive from Temple.. So they are pretty far and drawing on different areas of Philly.
2. I've never heard of a published number for Penn's board passing rate, but I would assume it would be pretty strong.
3. Letter grade system? We get percentages for everything. Like one may receive an 89 and a 91 and an 89 on each of the biochem exams. Said student may end up with an 89.877 (i didn't bother doing the calculations), and said student, unless he/she challenges a question on an exam, will end up with a B+ (85.00-89.999). That sort of sucks in my opinion... But I guess you are right, at the end of the year we receive letter grades on our transcript. Like I may have a nice A for Biochem on my transcript and no1 sees that it is only a 90.05%. Personally, I'd probably prefer a pass/fail system though.
4. Some people don't like dentsim.🙁 Some enjoy it a lot.
5. Yes lots of history. And yes there is enough to do in the area, but you may not have time to do it.
6. I enjoy penn's faculty for the most part. Generally, they like their discipline and many of them enjoy working with students. Questions that I ask often get answered and are appreciated. But like any other faculty, if you challenge them about this one mark or that one question on a MCQ test, their persona may change - understandably so in my opinion.
7. The school isn't without flaws. The basement is really cold or really hot!! It's so weird. and noone can do anything about it.

👍

go to uconn if you are a resident or from another one of the new england states that doesn't have a dental school, so you can get in state tuition.

Anyone can get instate residency from second year.

 

[json896]

I go to UPenn dent..
1. patient competition - I've never heard of anything like that? I'm pretty sure the school finds your patients, so that is not a problem for students to worry about. Besides, Penn is like a 25 minute drive from Temple.. So they are pretty far and drawing on different areas of Philly.
2. I've never heard of a published number for Penn's board passing rate, but I would assume it would be pretty strong.
3. Letter grade system? We get percentages for everything. Like one may receive an 89 and a 91 and an 89 on each of the biochem exams. Said student may end up with an 89.877 (i didn't bother doing the calculations), and said student, unless he/she challenges a question on an exam, will end up with a B+ (85.00-89.999). That sort of sucks in my opinion... But I guess you are right, at the end of the year we receive letter grades on our transcript. Like I may have a nice A for Biochem on my transcript and no1 sees that it is only a 90.05%. Personally, I'd probably prefer a pass/fail system though.
4. Some people don't like dentsim.🙁 Some enjoy it a lot.
5. Yes lots of history. And yes there is enough to do in the area, but you may not have time to do it.
6. I enjoy penn's faculty for the most part. Generally, they like their discipline and many of them enjoy working with students. Questions that I ask often get answered and are appreciated. But like any other faculty, if you challenge them about this one mark or that one question on a MCQ test, their persona may change - understandably so in my opinion.
7. The school isn't without flaws. The basement is really cold or really hot!! It's so weird. and noone can do anything about it.[/QUOTE]

So I take your choice between teh two if given the chance again would be PENN? THanks for your response

 

[zazu537]

I had to make the same decision between UPenn & UConn. I chose UConn and have never once questioned my decision. I'm originally from CT so I have instate residency, but after the first year you can get instate tuition (which will save you A LOT especially compared to Upenn). UConn is extremely demanding, Dr. T is not exaggerating at all. I can't say I have ever studied so hard in my entire life. This being said I value the education I am getting and know that I will come out of dental school being extremely prepared (and rock the boards!).

The faculty are welcoming, available for independent review sessions, and very receptive to student opinions. There are review sessions almost every Friday and they ask the students which professors they'd like to have there. Our professors also sit in other lectures to know what we are learning so they can be consistent.

The students are great. Because we are a pass/fail school people help you out with anything you need. If you miss class because you were sick, you can ask anyone and they'll send you that days class notes. If someone made an awesome study guide, they pass it around. We also have a mentor program set up with second years so they can help you with anything you need: anything from study tips to providing books (and saving you tons of money!). The social scene is decent once we aren't studying. We are definitely a study hard, play hard school. You get to know your class very very well (which I find to be a good thing), and come to be a close family. You're with the med students as well if you're worried about 40 being too small of a class size. The med and dental class do keep some what separate, but if you come here you'll understand (there are definitely personality differences between the two classes).

The area definitely isn't Philly, but if UPenn is anything like UConn, you don't have the time to do a lot of extra things. West Hartford has recently been developed and offers tons of unique restaurants and bars.

If you have any additional questions, let me know. Hope it helps!
PS. Just know that whichever school you choose you will be fine, they're both great schools!

 

[json896]

I had to make the same decision between UPenn & UConn. I chose UConn and have never once questioned my decision. I'm originally from CT so I have instate residency, but after the first year you can get instate tuition (which will save you A LOT especially compared to Upenn). UConn is extremely demanding, Dr. T is not exaggerating at all. I can't say I have ever studied so hard in my entire life. This being said I value the education I am getting and know that I will come out of dental school being extremely prepared (and rock the boards!).

The faculty are welcoming, available for independent review sessions, and very receptive to student opinions. There are review sessions almost every Friday and they ask the students which professors they'd like to have there. Our professors also sit in other lectures to know what we are learning so they can be consistent.

The students are great. Because we are a pass/fail school people help you out with anything you need. If you miss class because you were sick, you can ask anyone and they'll send you that days class notes. If someone made an awesome study guide, they pass it around. We also have a mentor program set up with second years so they can help you with anything you need: anything from study tips to providing books (and saving you tons of money!). The social scene is decent once we aren't studying. We are definitely a study hard, play hard school. You get to know your class very very well (which I find to be a good thing), and come to be a close family. You're with the med students as well if you're worried about 40 being too small of a class size. The med and dental class do keep some what separate, but if you come here you'll understand (there are definitely personality differences between the two classes).

The area definitely isn't Philly, but if UPenn is anything like UConn, you don't have the time to do a lot of extra things. West Hartford has recently been developed and offers tons of unique restaurants and bars.

If you have any additional questions, let me know. Hope it helps!
PS. Just know that whichever school you choose you will be fine, they're both great schools!

Thanks alot for your opinion, i think i have decided on uconn and have sent my deposit this evening. Be seeing you around the school!

 

[sajjy]

Thanks alot for your opinion, i think i have decided on uconn and have sent my deposit this evening. Be seeing you around the school!

👍🙂