UMDNJ vs TUFTS

[Andy1211241]

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Hello everybody~
I have been recently accepted to both schools. Just before deciding which school to attend I thought that hearing other people's opinion might help in making my decision. I am kind of leaning towards Tufts in that I have been living in the Boston area for the past 8 years (more comfortable environment), however the housing expenses seem to be very high. What do you guys think? Both schools seem to be great (clinics, faculty, academic...etc.), but is there something specific about the schools that you think positively/negatively about? Also, if you are planning on attending (or already attend) either of the two schools where will (do) you live?

 

[blankguy]

How much does NJ cost?

 

[akarobie]

How much does NJ cost?

I started this thread and I think LIER2010 wrote very good information about UMDNJ. Good Luck w/ your decision!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=494513

 

[callmejimmy]

Tufts All The Way. I Am From New Jersey. But I Am Going Tufts Because It Is Is Boston. The Area, Newark For 4 Years......... No Way Dude. Anyway Best Luck Wiith Your Decision.

 

[blankguy]

Tufts All The Way. I Am From New Jersey. But I Am Going Tufts Because It Is Is Boston. The Area, Newark For 4 Years......... No Way Dude. Anyway Best Luck Wiith Your Decision.

I beg to differ. NJ because it is cheaper. It's about going to dental school not a nice place to hang out. Unless going to Newark is going to give you convulsions go the NJ. But I respect your decision.

 

[kING701]

tufts in a second.

 

[NilamPatel]

how much down time do you think you will really have in dental school? let's be honest you are going to be studying, possibly eating and maybe sleeping. and if 4 years in NJ really that bad of an idea? to be practical here living and going to tufts is going to cost significantly more than living and going to UMDNJ...i don't know the exact number but i think anything more than 10K is a alot of money in my eyes...i think people give umdnj a hard time because of it's location..give jersey some LOVE!

 

[phantasmagoriun]

how much down time do you think you will really have in dental school? let's be honest you are going to be studying, possibly eating and maybe sleeping. and if 4 years in NJ really that bad of an idea? to be practical here living and going to tufts is going to cost significantly more than living and going to UMDNJ...i don't know the exact number but i think anything more than 10K is a alot of money in my eyes...i think people give umdnj a hard time because of it's location..give jersey some LOVE!

Damn right! UMDNJ is an awesome school, who cares where it is. And Newark really isn't that bad. It's got plenty of great food and tons of bars (which I think will be the more important thing, hehe), and it's close to NYC. I really don't see why location is such a big deal to people when you're not gonna have anytime to enjoy it anyway.

 

[ernest1284]

i don't have a state school since i'm from Rhode island but if i did i would rather go to a state school to save the extra $$$ when i shadowed a dentist that had gone to upenn he told me if he would have done it again he would have gone to a state school to save money

 

[porschex911x]

screw tufts go to umdnj. tufts is all hype. i got accepted by tufts. people go just for the name. both schools are equally good. look at your bottom line tufts 300k umdnj out state 240k instate 150k. if your are out of state and thinking the difference is only 60k. think of how much interest your paying on 60k over the time period of the loan. i am a finance junkie go to umdnj. so when something is about equal pay the lower price.

 

[akarobie]

You can get in-state tuition starting from first year if you want. That's what everyone told me.

 

[LIer2010]

You can get in-state tuition starting from first year if you want. That's what everyone told me.

This is true. If you change your car registration and license to NJ, you get in-state tuition from day one.

 

[DentistDiva1983]

Porsche - how come you aren't going to Tufts? Did you do the joint program?

screw tufts go to umdnj. tufts is all hype. i got accepted by tufts. people go just for the name. both schools are equally good. look at your bottom line tufts 300k umdnj out state 240k instate 150k. if your are out of state and thinking the difference is only 60k. think of how much interest your paying on 60k over the time period of the loan. i am a finance junkie go to umdnj. so when something is about equal pay the lower price.

 

[phantasmagoriun]

This is true. If you change your car registration and license to NJ, you get in-state tuition from day one.

Not completely true. You can only qualify for in-state tuition after 1 whole year of living there. So if out of state, first year you pay full price but can apply for reduced tuition the second and so on.

 

[akarobie]

Not completely true. You can only qualify for in-state tuition after 1 whole year of living there. So if out of state, first year you pay full price but can apply for reduced tuition the second and so on.

Not really. I asked Dr.Linfante and he told me we don't have to live one year in NJ. As LIer2010 said, we just need to change our d-license and registration and voter registration.

 

[phantasmagoriun]

Not really. I asked Dr.Linfante and he told me we don't have to live one year in NJ. As LIer2010 said, we just need to change our d-license and registration and voter registration.

Really? That packet they sent with the acceptance about qualification said you need proof that you've resided in NJ for 12 months. I called the admission office about it asking questions and she said the same thing. I think I'll be giving them another call tomorrow...

 

[phantasmagoriun]

Nevermind. Read though the packet again and it looks like you can get residency as long as you have proof of a 1 year lease somewhere and a NJ license/registration. So you can be re-evaluated once you get to school and your tuition will be adjusted. I realize now that the woman in admissions didn't know what she was talking about 😳.

 

[NilamPatel]

NJ residency is REALLY easy to get compared to other states so people are lucky..you have change a few things and obviously live there! umdnj is also more clinical than other schools which is good if you like learning hands on...


"`cause nothing matters in this whole wide world, When you're in love with a jersey girl" - GOTTA LOVE BRUCE!

 

[zap4001]

I am stuck between three schools: UMDNJ, Tufts, and Columbia. There is a high chance that I want to specialize and I'm confused on which school to chose. Columbia is known for specializing, UMDNJ is the cheapest school because I will be in-state, and Tufts I really loved...

Any suggestions?


I also have two questions... what is it about Columbia that everyone says if you want to specialize, go to columbia...?
And is price a really huge factor? NJ will cost me about 120,000 less total.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

 

[wired202808]

I am stuck between three schools: UMDNJ, Tufts, and Columbia. There is a high chance that I want to specialize and I'm confused on which school to chose. Columbia is known for specializing, UMDNJ is the cheapest school because I will be in-state, and Tufts I really loved...

Any suggestions?


I also have two questions... what is it about Columbia that everyone says if you want to specialize, go to columbia...?
And is price a really huge factor? NJ will cost me about 120,000 less total.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

A higher percentage of Columbia grads specialize so therefore theoretically your chances of specializing are higher. BUT I wouldn't look at it that way, you're not in d-school yet and your thoughts might or might not change. Its kinda risky to pick a school based on an imaginary speciality that you've secured. I would go to UMDNJ and bust my butt to try to specialize while saving a ton of money 120K before interest will equal to 180K CASH after 10 years. Also Tufts doesnt even belong in this picture, its just as expensive as Columbia and isn't much higher for specialization. I would personally go with UMDNJ and save yourself the $$$ because thats real and guaranteed, unlike any specialty even at Columbia.

 

[thyagar3]

And is price a really huge factor? NJ will cost me about 120,000 less total.

Thanks for all your responses and help![/QUOTE]

120k is a huge amount of money, I would def go to the cheaper school. From what I hear, the real learning starts after school.

 

[the toothfairy]

Hi

I am a UMDNJ graduate.

I just want you to be aware that one of the biggest factors you should use in considering a dental school is how many patients you will have as an undergrad to work on.
I have a friend who is a faculty at Columbia U and he told me that there are no patients for the undergrad. They give the post grads most of the patients that come in so you will not be getting to much experience. That is one of the most important factors when you are in dental school. If you don't work on patients then you will gain no experience and that is critical for your future.
I know from experience that there are no problems in getting patients because Newark is full of people who cant afford dentistry so they come to the school to get discount rates.

If you have any other questions that I can answer just let me know.

Regards and good luck.

 

[omnipoDent]

I am stuck between three schools: UMDNJ, Tufts, and Columbia. There is a high chance that I want to specialize and I'm confused on which school to chose. Columbia is known for specializing, UMDNJ is the cheapest school because I will be in-state, and Tufts I really loved...

Any suggestions?


I also have two questions... what is it about Columbia that everyone says if you want to specialize, go to columbia...?
And is price a really huge factor? NJ will cost me about 120,000 less total.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

I am all for outlining the strong points of Tufts, as I love Tufts as well. I believe $120,000 is too much of a difference. In this instance, I suggest attending UMDNJ. The people on SDN are just giving their opinions, though, and ultimately it's your decision. Congratulations on all your acceptances. Best of luck.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Go to UMDNJ...try as hard as you can...if U succeed, you will get a specialty.

Going to school "x"(big name, ivy league, private school) doesn't mean they will hand U a specialty spot

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