UMDNJ vs Temple. Lets do this.

[yankeefan86]

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Ok guys I was accepted to UMDNJ on December 1st and already sent my $1,500 deposit down. I am a New Jersey resident so UMDNJ will be cheaper. However I recently was accepted into Temple today. Temple was my number one choice from the get go because of their clinical experience. However hopefully price will not matter for either school I attend because I am trying to get the army scholarship. So my question is which is a better school? Which school provides a better chance of specializing? Which school provides the best clinical experience? Which school provides a better social life to go out places? Also I know both schools are in bad areas. But hey, to get the best clinical experience, you need to be in an impoverished area, unless you go to NYU.

Side note. I also have an NYU interview tomorrow so maybe that could even be an option..

 

[dentalprodigy]

Crap!...I guess the second wave of decisions rolled around today...if price isn't the issue id go to temple....it had a slightly better reputation...which could possibly be beneficial if you choose to specialize

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[Silencio]

Go to UMDNJ unless you plan on practicing in the Philly area. At least people across the country can tell in which state UMDNJ is located; can't say the same about Temple.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

IF you're going with the hpsp regardless, give NYU a shot. if you get into NYU...

i'd choose NYU because the facilities are amazing..and a lot better than UMDNJ's and temple's. you certainly see where all of that money goes with NYU. only issue is, if you're not a fan of big class sizes, then NYU may not be good for you

in terms of umdnj vs. temple, that is really a toss up. the OOS price for temple is really negligible when compared to umdnj. all depends on which school you like better

edit: if you're planning on taking the hpsp solely from a financial standpoint, going to umdnj or temple doesn't make sense (to me at least), unless you're taking loans out for everything

do you plan on staying in the military for the long haul?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

temple grads are all over the place btw

 

[SoulPower]

Outside of practicing dentists and would-be dentists; no common person even knows which schools have dental schools.

 

[veggieheadgeek]

You know, I don't really understand where this whole "OMG TEMPLE HAS AN AWESOME CLINICAL EXPERIENCE" thing came from. At all but one of schools where I interviewed, the students responded enthusiastically when asked about their clinical experience and eagerly recounted stories of their coolest cases. I didn't interview at Temple so I can't speak for them, but at UMDNJ you get to - really, are required to - work on a TON of all types of cases. You graduate with a lot of surgeries under your belt, and being in Newark, the patient pool is awesome. One of the students told me about an insane trauma case he got to work and it sounded like the coolest thing ever.

 

[Silencio]

You know, I don't really understand where this whole "OMG TEMPLE HAS AN AWESOME CLINICAL EXPERIENCE" thing came from. At all but one of schools where I interviewed, the students responded enthusiastically when asked about their clinical experience and eagerly recounted stories of their coolest cases. I didn't interview at Temple so I can't speak for them, but at UMDNJ you get to - really, are required to - work on a TON of all types of cases. You graduate with a lot of surgeries under your belt, and being in Newark, the patient pool is awesome. One of the students told me about an insane trauma case he got to work and it sounded like the coolest thing ever.

Temple's clinical is overrated. They boast about the quantity of procedures but fail to talk about the quality or breadth of procedures. I mean a Temple student will perform 100+ extractions, but c'mon after 50 extractions, do you think another 50 is going to make you that much better at extractions? I would rather use that time on experiencing other procedures which Temple doesn't train you in. For example, while every student at NYU will become Invisalign certified and have clinical experiences in CEREC 3D, Zoom Whitening, veneers, just to name a few, at Temple it's zero. None of that.

So if you want to use old equipment and old technology and old methods on basic procedures, then Temple is the way to go. But if you want to become well-rounded in clinical while using the latest technology and methods which you'll probably implement in private practice someday, then you may want to choose another clinical program.

 

[hifive]

Temple's clinical is overrated. They boast about the quantity of procedures but fail to talk about the quality or breadth of procedures. I mean a Temple student will perform 100+ extractions, but c'mon after 50 extractions, do you think another 50 is going to make you that much better at extractions? I would rather use that time on experiencing other procedures which Temple doesn't train you in. For example, while every student at NYU will become Invisalign certified and have clinical experiences in CEREC 3D, Zoom Whitening, veneers, just to name a few, at Temple it's zero. None of that.

So if you want to use old equipment and old technology and old methods on basic procedures, then Temple is the way to go. But if you want to become well-rounded in clinical while using the latest technology and methods which you'll probably implement in private practice someday, then you may want to choose another clinical program.

I wouldnt say it is overrated, when you are D4 you will realize how important it is to perform every technique and procedure as many times as possible. What you want in the end is confidence, this is something you cant fake, especially when you are presented with a case and dont know the proper treatment. It's that same feeling you get when you go into in an organic chem lab and you never read the lab manual beforehand. Maybe some Temple students can enlighten us on the specifics of their school. Also things like invisalign are weekend long courses I dont consider that to be a pro.

 

[yankeefan86]

IF you're going with the hpsp regardless, give NYU a shot. if you get into NYU...

i'd choose NYU because the facilities are amazing..and a lot better than UMDNJ's and temple's. you certainly see where all of that money goes with NYU. only issue is, if you're not a fan of big class sizes, then NYU may not be good for you

in terms of umdnj vs. temple, that is really a toss up. the OOS price for temple is really negligible when compared to umdnj. all depends on which school you like better

edit: if you're planning on taking the hpsp solely from a financial standpoint, going to umdnj or temple doesn't make sense (to me at least), unless you're taking loans out for everything

do you plan on staying in the military for the long haul?

I am paying my own way for dental school. everything. I might be in the military maybe in the reserves after my term is up, but my real dream is to open my own practice one day. NYU's facilities were gorgeous, hands down the best looking facilities out of the dental schools I interviewed at.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I mean a Temple student will perform 100+ extractions, but c'mon after 50 extractions, do you think another 50 is going to make you that much better at extractions? I would rather use that time on experiencing other procedures which Temple doesn't train you in. For example, while every student at NYU will become Invisalign certified and have clinical experiences in CEREC 3D, Zoom Whitening, veneers, just to name a few, at Temple it's zero. None of that.

Yes, 50 more is going to make you better. Practice makes perfect. I'd take doing more extractions over Zoom Whitening especially at this stage in your dental career. You can save the fancy things for when you get out in the real world. When you're a D4, you NEED experience with the bread and butter procedures of dentistry.

Not bashing on NYU or Temple or UMDNJ because I don't know enough about those schools to comment. But I'm just saying clinical experience isn't that overrated.

 

[yankeefan86]

Yes, 50 more is going to make you better. Practice makes perfect. I'd take doing more extractions over Zoom Whitening especially at this stage in your dental career. You can save the fancy things for when you get out in the real world. When you're a D4, you NEED experience with the bread and butter procedures of dentistry.

Not bashing on NYU or Temple or UMDNJ because I don't know enough about those schools to comment. But I'm just saying clinical experience isn't that overrated.

Awesome teeth- What is your dental school of choice?

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Awesome teeth- What is your dental school of choice?

If cost is not an issue, whichever you felt fit you best at the interview. You really can't go wrong with either one.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Temple's clinical is overrated. They boast about the quantity of procedures but fail to talk about the quality or breadth of procedures. I mean a Temple student will perform 100+ extractions, but c'mon after 50 extractions, do you think another 50 is going to make you that much better at extractions? I would rather use that time on experiencing other procedures which Temple doesn't train you in. For example, while every student at NYU will become Invisalign certified and have clinical experiences in CEREC 3D, Zoom Whitening, veneers, just to name a few, at Temple it's zero. None of that.

So if you want to use old equipment and old technology and old methods on basic procedures, then Temple is the way to go. But if you want to become well-rounded in clinical while using the latest technology and methods which you'll probably implement in private practice someday, then you may want to choose another clinical program.

Does any one know if umdnj has those things? cerec, invisaline etc)

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[yankeefan86]

Does any one know if umdnj has those things? cerec, invisaline etc)

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I can try and find out. My one friend goes to UMDNJ, I was planning to call him this weekend. So I will definitely find out.

 

[bing12]

Ok guys I was accepted to UMDNJ on December 1st and already sent my $1,500 deposit down. I am a New Jersey resident so UMDNJ will be cheaper. However I recently was accepted into Temple today. Temple was my number one choice from the get go because of their clinical experience. However hopefully price will not matter for either school I attend because I am trying to get the army scholarship. So my question is which is a better school? Which school provides a better chance of specializing? Which school provides the best clinical experience? Which school provides a better social life to go out places? Also I know both schools are in bad areas. But hey, to get the best clinical experience, you need to be in an impoverished area, unless you go to NYU.

Side note. I also have an NYU interview tomorrow so maybe that could even be an option..

both schools are great. Temple will likely provide you more TIME to yourself. Compare the curriculum and the student's experiences at each, you will find that temple students will likely be happier due to the more time they have for themselves. Compare yourself, see what you would prefer.

UMDNJ
http://dentalschool.umdnj.edu/curriculum/overview.htm

Temple:
http://www.temple.edu/dentistry/Admissions/academic_year.html

 

[dantemac]

Honestly, I would go to Temple. Philly is a better place to live (albeit the school is in a bad area), the clinical program is robust, and I have heard better word of mouth about it. In the end, you will take the NERB at both and be a dentist. You can't go wrong at either school.

 

[AndrewNJ]

in terms of umdnj vs. temple, that is really a toss up. the OOS price for temple is really negligible when compared to umdnj. all depends on which school you like better

He is in-state for UMDNJ and you cannot get In-state tuition at Temple unless you are already a resident there, so he'll pay OOS rates for all 4 years. As of this year, Temple OOS was about $20k more per year than UMDNJ in-state.

I got into both schools and chose UMDNJ. If the price had been comparable to Temple, I might have gone there, since I like Philadelphia, but I couldn't justify the price tag since both schools are excellent clinically. UMDNJ is also perfectly located between my family and fiance's family. I'm only an hour drive to all the people I see regularly. I've also found UMDNJ to be quite a pleasant school to attend. Most of the facilities are very nice and my classmates are great. Just don't expect Newark to be a city you can walk around in for fun. I wouldn't even walk more than a few blocks away from campus.

Is the OP too late to get the scholarship for next year though? So he'd be looking at a 3 year scholarship, but a 4 year commitment now?

I would recommend the HPSP scholarship to anyone though (as a Navy vet, myself). If you think you could at least tolerate the rigid atmosphere of the military and some traveling, you will probably get a lot of it and make some great friends for life. I don't regret my time at all. If you are doing it just to pay for school, your service years may be quite tough for you.

 

[yankeefan86]

He is in-state for UMDNJ and you cannot get In-state tuition at Temple unless you are already a resident there, so he'll pay OOS rates for all 4 years. As of this year, Temple OOS was about $20k more per year than UMDNJ in-state.

I got into both schools and chose UMDNJ. If the price had been comparable to Temple, I might have gone there, since I like Philadelphia, but I couldn't justify the price tag since both schools are excellent clinically. UMDNJ is also perfectly located between my family and fiance's family. I'm only an hour drive to all the people I see regularly. I've also found UMDNJ to be quite a pleasant school to attend. Most of the facilities are very nice and my classmates are great. Just don't expect Newark to be a city you can walk around in for fun. I wouldn't even walk more than a few blocks away from campus.

Is the OP too late to get the scholarship for next year though? So he'd be looking at a 3 year scholarship, but a 4 year commitment now?

I would recommend the HPSP scholarship to anyone though (as a Navy vet, myself). If you think you could at least tolerate the rigid atmosphere of the military and some traveling, you will probably get a lot of it and make some great friends for life. I don't regret my time at all. If you are doing it just to pay for school, your service years may be quite tough for you.

thanks for your insight. I believe I am probably a longshot for the HPSP, so cost will NOW be a factor in the dental school I attend.

 

[yankeefan86]

both schools are great. Temple will likely provide you more TIME to yourself. Compare the curriculum and the student's experiences at each, you will find that temple students will likely be happier due to the more time they have for themselves. Compare yourself, see what you would prefer.

UMDNJ
http://dentalschool.umdnj.edu/curriculum/overview.htm

Temple:
http://www.temple.edu/dentistry/Admissions/academic_year.html

thanks bing! Do you know the approximate cost difference between UMDNJ and temple, since I am out of state?

 

[dentalprodigy]

I can try and find out. My one friend goes to UMDNJ, I was planning to call him this weekend. So I will definitely find out.

Thanks!! Id appreciate that

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[bing12]

thanks bing! Do you know the approximate cost difference between UMDNJ and temple, since I am out of state?

Not sure how much UMDNJ is, but if you are a jersey resident, it is deff cheaper at UMDNJ. but since you stated cost does not matter, then you should be fine. Temple is about 80K/year= tuition plus cost of living.

 

[dantemac]

If there is a price difference between these two, then go to the cheaper one ! I completely ignored that in my initial assessment.

 

[yankeefan86]

I figured out the cost difference, Temple will be at least 70k more for 4 years than UMDNJ. 🙁

 

[dantemac]

I think that is too substantial for two very similar schools.

 

[wired202808]

I figured out the cost difference, Temple will be at least 70k more for 4 years than UMDNJ. 🙁

I want to chime in on that. I ran the numbers between UMDNJ and Temple and have noticed about an 80K difference for attending Temple. While its an awesome school and would be great to attend, I wouldn't spend another 80K (pre interest) to attend. 80K will turn into 120K before you know it and while you might be happy at Temple, I would rather save that money for marriage, house, or investing into a practice.

 

[yankeefan86]

I want to chime in on that. I ran the numbers between UMDNJ and Temple and have noticed about an 80K difference for attending Temple. While its an awesome school and would be great to attend, I wouldn't spend another 80K (pre interest) to attend. 80K will turn into 120K before you know it and while you might be happy at Temple, I would rather save that money for marriage, house, or investing into a practice.

Very well put, Wired

 

[yankeefan86]

I think that is too substantial for two very similar schools.

very tru. Dante did you decide where your going yet?

 

[dentalprodigy]

Got accepted 2 temple yesterday, already had sent security deposit to umdnj. A lil 2x minded but after talking it out w/my family i've decided on umdnj (in state tuition)

Even though temple is 15 minutes from my house, it doesn't have a safe housing facility (has no housing actually)

OOS tuition is high and after interest very significant...i don't like overpaying 4 anything.

Maybe specialization chances at temple are better but imo don't warrant the significant disparity in cost.

My sister goes 2 umdnj, I've done gateway there, know alot about the school and can see myself fit in.

Sure temple students seemed happy/relaxed/whatever Burr again not significant when factoring in 70k extra for that piece of mind.

Temple gym facilities are included as part of your cost while at umdnj you have to pay extra every month for ymca style gym (30$/mnth)...but again in the end this extra expense at umdnj is trivial.

Surrounding Area and clinical education, patient base is nearly identical in my opinion and as a student you are given same opportunities to excel in whatever you put your mind to imo. Going 2 either school is not gonna greatly hinder your chance of becoming a great clinician or grab a specialty residency spot imo


Purpose of this post is to highlight my thinking process and mental checklist comparing the 2 schools (4 future interested or predental /accepted students)

Initially I was set on temple after exploring the navy scholarship but after meticulous research I don't want to invest soo much time, energy into a"military career"for the sole purpose of saving costs.
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[yankeefan86]

Got accepted 2 temple yesterday, already had sent security deposit to umdnj. A lil 2x minded but after talking it out w/my family i've decided on umdnj (in state tuition)

Even though temple is 15 minutes from my house, it doesn't have a safe housing facility (has no housing actually)

OOS tuition is high and after interest very significant...i don't like overpaying 4 anything.

Maybe specialization chances at temple are better but imo don't warrant the significant disparity in cost.

My sister goes 2 umdnj, I've done gateway there, know alot about the school and can see myself fit in.

Sure temple students seemed happy/relaxed/whatever Burr again not significant when factoring in 70k extra for that piece of mind.

Temple gym facilities are included as part of your cost while at umdnj you have to pay extra every month for ymca style gym (30$/mnth)...but again in the end this extra expense at umdnj is trivial.

Surrounding Area and clinical education, patient base is nearly identical in my opinion and as a student you are given same opportunities to excel in whatever you put your mind to imo. Going 2 either school is not gonna greatly hinder your chance of becoming a great clinician or grab a specialty residency spot imo


Purpose of this post is to highlight my thinking process and mental checklist comparing the 2 schools (4 future interested or predental /accepted students)

Initially I was set on temple after exploring the navy scholarship but after meticulous research I don't want to invest soo much time, energy into a"military career"for the sole purpose of saving costs.
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Congratulations. Very nice breakdown of the two schools. I was wondering if UMDNJ had a gym or not. I will gladly pay the 30 bucks. But it looks like I will see you later this summer at UMDNJ!

 

[dantemac]

very tru. Dante did you decide where your going yet?

I am set on Penn. I decided that after 4 years of undergrad at Pitt, my goal was to apply broadly (since I had the money saved up from hard work) and see better places. And in the end, I did see better places. I was really set on returning to Pitt and my support network, but in the end that would have just been a waste of my money and time to see other places. Also I feel like it wouldn't benefit my career as much.

However, I'm still waiting on UCLA, so we shall see. I'm broke like a joke so who even knows about that.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Yes it does! Not officially part of the school tuition. But its"inside the medical school building"(according 2 my interviewer, if I remember correctly). a current student said that new students get some period of the membership for free(probably 1st month, my guess) , after that they have 2 pay 30/mnth.


See you in late August!!

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[AndrewNJ]

The gym takes all of 2 minutes to walk to from the locker rooms in the Dental School, and its rarely crowded, which is good because its not huge. Actually its mostly my class that is in there, it seems. As far as dues, we did not get a free month or even a waived sign-up fee, iirc. I think the free stuff was a promotion when it opened the previous year.

 

[dentalprodigy]

I stand corrected, my bad.

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[Bis-GMA111]

if you're somewhat serious about weightlifting, the gym is kind of a let down. the free weights only go up to like 65 pounds...there are 3 smith machines and a limited amount of other machines (resistance, chest presses). a decent amount of treadmills though. definitely not worth the ~30 bucks a month

 

[iralex801]

if you're somewhat serious about weightlifting, the gym is kind of a let down. the free weights only go up to like 65 pounds...there are 3 smith machines and a limited amount of other machines (resistance, chest presses). a decent amount of treadmills though. definitely not worth the ~30 bucks a month

Smith machines should be abolished. Useless thing. lol

 

[Bis-GMA111]

not to mention, they put unnecessary stress on your knees at awkward angles..which is not good at all.

 

[yankeefan86]

if you're somewhat serious about weightlifting, the gym is kind of a let down. the free weights only go up to like 65 pounds...there are 3 smith machines and a limited amount of other machines (resistance, chest presses). a decent amount of treadmills though. definitely not worth the ~30 bucks a month

I usually go to the gym 5-6 times a week. ugh this is disappointing news

 

[Bis-GMA111]

idk if this means anything to you, but it is a YMCA. not exactly known for weight training

 

[veggieheadgeek]

I usually go to the gym 5-6 times a week. ugh this is disappointing news

Are you also in class from 8-5 every weekday currently? Realistically, I don't see how anyone can keep up with their workout schedule in dental school. At one of my interviews at a school where gym access is included I asked how often students actually go and everyone just laughed. They said that it's mostly nursing and PT students, and that the only dental students are D1s during the first few weeks of school and D4s. The presence or lack thereof of workout facilities seems like a pretty crappy reason to spend an extra $70k when you could probably join some name-brand gym nearby.

Here is all the info about the UMDNJ YMCA if you're interested.

 

[SoulPower]

Are you also in class from 8-5 every weekday currently? Realistically, I don't see how anyone can keep up with their workout schedule in dental school. At one of my interviews at a school where gym access is included I asked how often students actually go and everyone just laughed. They said that it's mostly nursing and PT students, and that the only dental students are D1s during the first few weeks of school and D4s. The presence or lack thereof of workout facilities seems like a pretty crappy reason to spend an extra $70k when you could probably join some name-brand gym nearby.

Here is all the info about the UMDNJ YMCA if you're interested.

I think it depends on what kind of person you are. If weight training is important to you you will find a way to do it. (mornings/lunch break/after school). At temple I usually see about 1/2 of the 10-30 people (depending on if there's basketball going) are dental students at the facility. There's just not that many people who weight train/workout/play intramurals in pro schools.

 

[yankeefan86]

I graduated college already, right now I am just working 40 hour weeks. So I have plenty of down time to go to the gym at least 5-6 times a week. And trust me, even in dental school I will still hit the gym. One hour a day of physical exercise won't kill my studying regiment. Its also a good way to release stress and get my mind of school for a little bit.

 

[yankeefan86]

Are you also in class from 8-5 every weekday currently? Realistically, I don't see how anyone can keep up with their workout schedule in dental school. At one of my interviews at a school where gym access is included I asked how often students actually go and everyone just laughed. They said that it's mostly nursing and PT students, and that the only dental students are D1s during the first few weeks of school and D4s. The presence or lack thereof of workout facilities seems like a pretty crappy reason to spend an extra $70k when you could probably join some name-brand gym nearby.

Here is all the info about the UMDNJ YMCA if you're interested.

thanks for the link

 

[iralex801]

I think it depends on what kind of person you are. If weight training is important to you you will find a way to do it. (mornings/lunch break/after school). At temple I usually see about 1/2 of the 10-30 people (depending on if there's basketball going) are dental students at the facility. There's just not that many people who weight train/workout/play intramurals in pro schools.

Absolutely agree. There is always an extra hour somewhere in your day. The difference between those who to the gym and those who don't is the gym goers decide to pass on the hour of facebook, napping, SDN, etc.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Damn....that sux..I guess ill start the search for a suitable nearby gym...any recommendations?

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[AndrewNJ]

Unless you live off campus in a building that has a gym or you need a specialty place (like a rock climbing wall), I wouldn't waste the money joining an outside gym. You would either be going late at night or during traffic hours, which I think you will quickly tire of and just not go. If you live outside of newark in a more residential area, than it probably wouldn't be bad. The YMCA membership on campus also gets you access to a larger facility in downtown, Newark, but I personally wouldn't go. The area is not great, and it would probably take 30 minutes to get there and park.

The schedule at UMDNJ is not bad and if you are efficient with your time, you can easily get a workout in every day if you want. The people who spend all their time studying on weeknights and weekends are often not at the top of the class. There are many people in my class who study maybe 10-15 hours per week and have nearly all As.

Hobbies are a good thing in Dental School, so don't believe the people who tell you they have no time to work out, watch tv, cook themselves healthy meals, etc... Their reality doesn't have to be yours.