UDM vs UPenn

[portisehead]

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Been offered at both. I was more impressed at the Penn interview but I know there is more to a school than what is seen on the interview day. I am interested and specializing and thus am leaning towards Penn. I'm international, so costs are high either way (even though Penn is significantly higher). I get the whole "school reputation doesn't mean much in this field", but I can hep but to to think that it has to play some role in applying for residences and what not. I am not one to go to a school sheerly b/c of 'Ivy League' status, but at the same time, if that status provides some benefits down the road i would feel foolish for not taking advantage of them. UDM, on the other hand, is a great school with a solid clinical program and up-to-date facilities. Not sure what to do here even though I'm leaning 60:40 in Penn's favor right now.

Any advice and/or comments on my train of thought from current students/fellow applicants are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[seahawks2012]

Penn definitely.

 

[periopocket]

Penn for sure...and the schools name will make a difference when specializing contrary to many people's beliefs!

 

[littletimmy44]

I will try not to be biased, I attend UDM and my sister graduated from Penn. I personally think UDM is a great school, overall I dont feel like I am lacking in any aspect of my education, Im sure you have read that it is a good clinical school... it is. If you do want to specialize the number one thing that all program directors will look at is class ranking. If you are ranked 1st in your class at UDM vs being ranked 1st at Penn which would put you in a better spot? You would think being at the Ivy would be better but if you actually think about it students that have a high class ranking will pretty much be guaranteed to match somewhere, it might not be be at your top location but you will get matched somewhere. Going to UDM not only will you be coming out with less debt but as well as a competent dentist.

 

[b0110]

Is UDM roughly the same price as Penn? (I think it is, I remember UDM and Penn both being pretty expensive) If that is the case, then go to Penn. Its a more highly regarded dental school.

 

[UCSFx2017]

This totally depends on you. Are you more likely to regret not going to UPenn or regret owing more money?
Name only matters if you're applying to a residency program that discriminately accepts applicants from Ivy schools. Even then people from less known schools get in. You can still land a residency elsewhere.

If the residency program does discriminately accept Ivy over state, I wouldn't want to go to that school.

 

[xbite]

I will try not to be biased, I attend UDM and my sister graduated from Penn. I personally think UDM is a great school, overall I dont feel like I am lacking in any aspect of my education, Im sure you have read that it is a good clinical school... it is. If you do want to specialize the number one thing that all program directors will look at is class ranking. If you are ranked 1st in your class at UDM vs being ranked 1st at Penn which would put you in a better spot? You would think being at the Ivy would be better but if you actually think about it students that have a high class ranking will pretty much be guaranteed to match somewhere, it might not be be at your top location but you will get matched somewhere. Going to UDM not only will you be coming out with less debt but as well as a competent dentist.

Both are great schools. If specializing is your top priority, then I would look into the match rates of both schools. Within those match rates, look at how many of them are within the top % of their class. I know at Penn, 17/17 matched into ortho last year, and only 1 of whom was in the top 10. I think this years' match rates were pretty similar. But if you're a top student at either school, you'll have no problem getting where you need to go.