UIC vs UMich

[FightingIllini1]

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Hey Guys,

I am really 50-50 between UMich and UIC. I hear that UMich has a good reputation and is a good decision if I want to specialize (which I ideally would like to) while UIC has very good clinical experience and a brand new (I just read they won an award for it) PBL/lecture mixed curriculum. Sadly, UIC (instate) is only 4-6k cheaper per year than UMich (out of state) so tuition isn't the biggest factor.

Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[duckdds]

UMich is An amazing school to be honest with you. And don't doubt the clinical exposure there. Their Syudents go on rotations and get an unbelievable amount of it (remember that presentation they gave to us about it?) not to
mention their facilities are better and technology is so cool! (iTunes integration, mich app, electronic files). Their academic program is way better IMO and the d1s seem to love the new changes and faculty are 100% backing it up.
Uic is fine but in the case tuition is about the same so go to the better school with better rep, you will be better placed for specializing and/or gpr if you're interested.

 

[smile1323]

I am in the same situation...placed my depostit at Michigan and was accepted to UIC yesterday. I really liked Michigan with the pathways and the 10 week rotation your senior year. I also liked how in the SIM lab you were paired up with a D2 and were sitting next to them to answer any questions. I am fairly confident I am staying with Michigan but have to re-look at UIC. I thought when I looked at prices Michigan out of state actually came out a little cheaper versus in state at UIC (I will definitely have to look at this again). One thing that really turns me off at UIC is it seems like every time I called it was impossible to reach someone and they don't seem that helpful, but at UIC I feel you would definitely get more diverse exposure in the clinic. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DMDWANNABEE]

Does that 6K difference include the coming price hike at UofM (for their new curriculum)? Also, is that six grand total or per year? At 6K per year, + 3-5%, + interest, + 4% initiation fee, it's a slight factor. Just not a huge factor.

They're both good schools. Although if you have a family/friend support network in-state, I wouldn't underestimate the value of it. Umich has the name and the research, but is clinically weak with no patient base (the 10 week program may compensate for this, or may not). UIC has a decent rep as well, and is clinically stronger. As far as specializing, you can do quite well from either.

If you are comfortable with the idea that you might need a year of additional training after d-school, know you are going to specialize, or don't care about leaving you family situation behind, I say Umich all the way.

 

[thewobblytooth]

probably the only bad thing about UMich is the weather. I hear it gets bad during winter. It's also sporadic, so it could have rain, snow, and clear skys all in a day!

But besides that, I think UMich has really amped up their curriculum and is making very good changes for the incoming class.

 

[duckdds]

Does that 6K difference include the coming price hike at UofM (for their new curriculum)? Also, is that six grand total or per year? At 6K per year, + 3-5%, + interest, + 4% initiation fee, it's a slight factor. Just not a huge factor.

They're both good schools. Although if you have a family/friend support network in-state, I wouldn't underestimate the value of it. Umich has the name and the research, but is clinically weak with no patient base (the 10 week program may compensate for this, or may not). UIC has a decent rep as well, and is clinically stronger. As far as specializing, you can do quite well from either.

If you are comfortable with the idea that you might need a year of additional training after d-school, know you are going to specialize, or don't care about leaving you family situation behind, I say Umich all the way.

This statement is totally false. I've talked to the D3s and D4s there and they say they have plenty of patients to work with and get lots of exposure to different cases. They've made changes to their program to make sure that their students are exposed to a variety of cases, and early too.

As for tuition, the figures were mentioned in the presentation and should include whatever price hike you are referring to and the difference in tuition is very marginal (4-6k like OP mentioned). Not to mention that UIC's tuition is increasing every year as well, and living costs in Chicago are higher than Ann Arbor (and surrounding cities).

 

[DMDWANNABEE]

This statement is totally false. I've talked to the D3s and D4s there and they say they have plenty of patients to work with and get lots of exposure to different cases. They've made changes to their program to make sure that their students are exposed to a variety of cases, and early too.

As for tuition, the figures were mentioned in the presentation and should include whatever price hike you are referring to and the difference in tuition is very marginal (4-6k like OP mentioned). Not to mention that UIC's tuition is increasing every year as well, and living costs in Chicago are higher than Ann Arbor (and surrounding cities).

Ok, I take it you are going to Umich. Maybe I misspoke. There is no such thing as a clinically weak dental school. Each school will therefore have anecdotal evidence of clinical excellence.

That being said, I don't think the 10 week rotation will make up for the diff in patient base between Ann Arbor and Chicago. (Not to mention you actually have to go on a 10 week rotation...)

OP, the cost of Living really might be less in AA though. I mean not directly near the dental school, its like $1500 a month there, but maybe in one of the little group houses they rent nearby, or an apartment off campus. It's a small-town atmosphere, so I'll bet there are deals to be found rent-wise.

 

[hifive]

Ok, I take it you are going to Umich. Maybe I misspoke. There is no such thing as a clinically weak dental school. Each school will therefore have anecdotal evidence of clinical excellence.

That being said, I don't think the 10 week rotation will make up for the diff in patient base between Ann Arbor and Chicago. (Not to mention you actually have to go on a 10 week rotation...)

OP, the cost of Living really might be less in AA though. I mean not directly near the dental school, its like $1500 a month there, but maybe in one of the little group houses they rent nearby, or an apartment off campus. It's a small-town atmosphere, so I'll bet there are deals to be found rent-wise.

There can be such a thing as a clinically weak dental school.