UMinn or Tufts or Temple?

[kidsInCollege]

---

Members do not see this ad.

This is for my "kid." resident state is Colorado. All three are good schools (overall) with some negatives - weather, cost of living, bad neighborhood, respy)..

Which one is better and any adverse comments on any of these. if you had the option of these three which one you might be inclined to pick?

P.S. Sorry, I posted it earlier under the wrong group by mistake...

 

[AKGopher]

Minnesota is in a great neighborhood, its on the main campus and I live 2 minutes from it (as well as 95% of undergrads/dental students/med students)

 

[hifive]

Temple- cheaper cost to attend overall, stronger clinical, area might not be good but its not like you anyone from the school lives there. Tufts is good school but it is very expensive, Minnesota is just plain expensive for nonres.

 

[kidsInCollege]

Looking at the "cost" sheets of the three Dental schools, the difference for an out of stater is 2,000 to 5,000/ year. The way the schools present it appear that Temple is cheaper - but the living expenses are the costliest - yes, even costlier than Boston. In essence, the costs equal out (as a % of total 4 yr cost, it is negligible).

Now which one is better?

 

[bing12]

Looking at the "cost" sheets of the three Dental schools, the difference for an out of stater is 2,000 to 5,000/ year. The way the schools present it appear that Temple is cheaper - but the living expenses are the costliest - yes, even costlier than Boston. In essence, the costs equal out (as a % of total 4 yr cost, it is negligible).

Now which one is better?

Temple living costs are higher than Boston's?...not a chance.

Both Temple and Tufts are great schools, go where you feel more comfortable and see yourself doing well at.

 

[kidsInCollege]

Both schools are located in a 5 mile area with a lot of professional schools. Although the Temple site quotes an average living expense in Philly ($26k/yr) much greater than that of Boston, I agree in reality Philly is only slightly costlier. I went by the quotation from the schools.

So are Temple and Tufts clearly better than Minnesota?

 

[bing12]

Both schools are located in a 5 mile area with a lot of professional schools. Although the Temple site quotes an average living expense in Philly ($26k/yr) much greater than that of Boston, I agree in reality Philly is only slightly costlier. I went by the quotation from the schools.

So are Temple and Tufts clearly better than Minnesota?

Students range from paying $400-750 / month on average for rent(per person) and utilities(suburbs). If you live in the city, that price might go up to $1000(per person), obviously the city prices can go up significantly more.

 

[sacapuntas]

Both schools are located in a 5 mile area with a lot of professional schools. Although the Temple site quotes an average living expense in Philly ($26k/yr) much greater than that of Boston, I agree in reality Philly is only slightly costlier. I went by the quotation from the schools.

So are Temple and Tufts clearly better than Minnesota?

No. Don't get so caught up in trying to rank schools. Peeked at some of your other posts and you seem to have a distinct set of 'tiers' for schools...its not like that. Schools are better for individuals for personal reasons. If someone has options of schools to attend, they should decide based on their own personal criteria. The choice should be made based on what is important to each particular applicant.

Edit: Sorry if my post seemed rude, I know you just want what is best for your kid.

 

[coolbeans123]

Why don't you let your "kid" choose?

 

[dantemac]

How are Philly living costs more than Boston? I HIGHLY doubt that.

 

[kidsInCollege]

No. Don't get so caught up in trying to rank schools. Peeked at some of your other posts and you seem to have a distinct set of 'tiers' for schools...its not like that. Schools are better for individuals for personal reasons. If someone has options of schools to attend, they should decide based on their own personal criteria. The choice should be made based on what is important to each particular applicant.

Edit: Sorry if my post seemed rude, I know you just want what is best for your kid.

ranking in dental schools is mute as there is no clear criterion and no clear reports. But, certainly grouping a set of schools makes sense - especially, when all of them cost pretty much the same (except in-state). Agree that one should pick based one one's criteria. To do that, one needs to know as much as possible about the school - the pluses/minuses from all sources, including SDN. Hence, this thread.

P.S.: my "kid" will decide and I go along - whatever the decision is. I only give all the (additional) info that I can, and btw, I don't have a preference for any of the three in particular.

PS1: Philly is indeed costlier as the 5-mile radius around the University City is surrounded by bad neighborhood thus increasing the demand on the limited housing.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

P.S.: my "kid" will decide and I go along - whatever the decision is. I only give all the (additional) info that I can, and btw, I don't have a preference for any of the three in particular.

Ummm your kid is a 21 year old adult and can make their own decisions. Im all for parental activism but don't you feel like this is a tad excessive? He or she is going to dental school and should be doing their own research.

 

[kidsInCollege]

Ummm your kid is a 21 year old adult and can make their own decisions. Im all for parental activism but don't you feel like this is a tad excessive? He or she is going to dental school and should be doing their own research.

please read what I said closely. Where did I say I decide for the kid? Besides, is it wrong to give all the info to your kid or wrong for you to ask your dad for info? I bet you asked people around you - your dentist, professors, friends, dad/friend - for information or advice before picking your school. Why can't this info be useful for me, you or other readers? In short, forgetting about the kid for a moment, what are the relative pros and cons for these 3 schools, something I have not heard much so far?

 

[longhornpride]

please read what I said closely. Where did I say I decide for the kid? Besides, is it wrong to give all the info to your kid or wrong for you to ask your dad for info? I bet you asked people around you - your dentist, professors, friends, dad/friend - for information or advice before picking your school. Why can't this info be useful for me, you or other readers? In short, forgetting about the kid for a moment, what are the relative pros and cons for these 3 schools, something I have not heard much so far?

It's hard to answer because I doubt very many people have interviewed at all 3. People from each school can only tell you about their school and they'll all say their school is great.

Your son/daughter should have an idea of where he or she felt most comfortable. All 3 are very good schools and since cost comes out to the same for all 3, it's going to come down to where you want to spend the next 4 years of your life.

 

[Baker2010]

I interviewed at both Tufts and Temple.
Between those two, I would definitely choose Tufts. It is located in the downtown boston (lots of things to do), boston has a ton of universities so being your son's age, he will be surrounded by other college students which I think is pretty cool.
Also, the students at Tufts are some of the most happy students I met while interviewing at different schools.
The area is pretty safe too, I have lived near Tufts for almost 2 years and have never had any problem walking at night (still be careful though, because it still is a big city).
Also, if reputation matters to you, Tufts provides that too.
Boston has a great public transportation system so you can pick and choose where you want to live and have some flexibility with living costs while still being about to commute to and from the dental school quickly.
The downside is that, Tufts is ridiculously expensive. Although, with Tufts, unlike Minnesota, I believe that you do get what you pay for. The schools clinics are the nicest I have seen ( I interviewed at 8 schools) and they are constantly remodeling and trying to provide students with the best resources for learning.
I will mention again, that the students at Tufts are very happy, this is maybe one the most important things to consider because dental school is going to be ridiculously hard wherever you go, and being happy will make things much better and probably positively affect academic performance for those 4 years.

If you have any further questions regarding Tufts, feel free to PM me.

Goodluck

 

[kidsInCollege]

I interviewed at both Tufts and Temple.
Between those two, I would definitely choose Tufts.
I will mention again, that the students at Tufts are very happy, this is maybe one the most important things to consider because dental school is going to be ridiculously hard wherever you go, and being happy will make things much better and probably positively affect academic performance for those 4 years.

If you have any further questions regarding Tufts, feel free to PM me.

Goodluck

That is a great point - perhaps, most important point with all 3 schools at par on most counts. Like "Longhornride" said not many interviewed at all 3. Have seen some good points about Minnesota in other threads. Also, there are quite a few schools nearby, and potentially, will provide a better atmosphere. On cost matters, I printed out the "cost sheets" of all 3 schools and going by their numbers the difference is not substantial.

On Minnesota, the city has no other schools and there are community clinics - Minnesota being one of the most liberal states in the country - and the Dental students area active in all these clinics and nearby towns. Hence, their patient population is very large, and they are getting a new train line right through the university next to the medical/dental school. Also, they are building a new children's hospital with a major segment dedicated to Pediatric dentistry, with emphasis on research. With no other major city nearby (Chicago 300 miles away), Minneopolis/Minnesota is fast becoming a major important medical center. Also, Minnesota - in its quest for diversity - admits nearly 40% non minnesotans.

Just for general info.

 

[AKGopher]

I go to undergrad at MN and you couldn't ask for a better city (IMO). Rent is relatively cheap for as large as the Twin Cities area is, the school is great (both undergrad and the dental school, I have a ton of friends who go there). I think for the reasons you listed alone there's enough reason to go there. Ultimately, I think its more a decision of whether he/she wants to live on the East Coast or Midwest, and then if he/she decides East Coast choose the school.

 

[hifive]

That is a great point - perhaps, most important point with all 3 schools at par on most counts. Like "Longhornride" said not many interviewed at all 3. Have seen some good points about Minnesota in other threads. Also, there are quite a few schools nearby, and potentially, will provide a better atmosphere. On cost matters, I printed out the "cost sheets" of all 3 schools and going by their numbers the difference is not substantial.

On Minnesota, the city has no other schools and there are community clinics - Minnesota being one of the most liberal states in the country - and the Dental students area active in all these clinics and nearby towns. Hence, their patient population is very large, and they are getting a new train line right through the university next to the medical/dental school. Also, they are building a new children's hospital with a major segment dedicated to Pediatric dentistry, with emphasis on research. With no other major city nearby (Chicago 300 miles away), Minneopolis/Minnesota is fast becoming a major important medical center. Also, Minnesota - in its quest for diversity - admits nearly 40% non minnesotans.

Just for general info.

That is great and all, but I would like to give your son/daughter some advice..... what you want to to look at in a dental school is 1. Cost 2. Clinical experience. You want the best bang for your buck, if you talk to any 4th year dental student anywhere in the country (and hopefully they dont come as superficial and promoting their school) they will discuss one of either two things right away 1. the massive amounts of debt that they will have to pay off for the next 100 yrs 2. whether they are confident and experienced enough to enter the real world. Dental school is hell no matter where you go and a brand new pediatric building or student lounge or whatever is not going to make that any better (maybe a close by pub might), but my main point is that for all the crap that a dental student is put through you dont want the stress of debt on your mind and you want to be the very best dentist ever (so you dont get sued). Every school schedule is pretty much the same 8-5 class 5-6 eat 6-11 study so no matter where you go the surroundings is really not going to make it that much better. At the end of the day what will ease your mind is that you have a relatively low debt, and you are confident enough that you can ace any horror case given to you, a third factor is probably the faculty/staff/classmates of the school (which is slightly unpredictable). A lot of the time predents are always looking at how cool a building is or what the specialization rates or something, but once you enter dental school you will see that your opinion on everything will change and you will only have two things on your mind when it comes time to graduate.....


It is just that simple- cost/clinical

Based on my experience and readings I would go to Temple. I dont see how philly is more expensive then boston.

 

[kaDa]

Don't worry about cost (they're approx the same as you said). For clinical, see what style your son preferred out of all 3. None of them have a problem finding patients - the experience your son gets will therefore be primarily up to his own initiative. See what kind of volunteer/community involvement he would want to do the most. How important is research to him. Is living in a bigger/smaller newer/older well known/remote city the most important to him. What do most recent graduates end up doing? It is all about what he knows will put him in the healthiest frame of mind to maximize his abilities as a dentist. What school will he sleep the best at night knowing he is doing everything he wants to do to improve himself. It is good you are trying to help him out by asking on these forums, but these are serious life choices that he should answer for himself.

Worst case - he's on track to join a baller profession 😛.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Worst case - he's on track to join a baller profession 😛.

You're not a "baller" if you're 400k in debt at 7% interest when you leave dental school...

 

[goffdent]

you're not a 'baller" if youre 400k at 7%.interest when you leave dental school...

zing......!!

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

Also, Minnesota - in its quest for diversity - admits nearly 40% non minnesotans.

If that's the case, they should lower the non-resident tuition. It's out of control.

I'm probably just bitter because I had to turn down their offer due to the high cost. 😛

 

[dantemac]

If that's the case, they should lower the non-resident tuition. It's out of control.

I'm probably just bitter because I had to turn down their offer due to the high cost. 😛

It's smart thinking. I will maintain that higher education is going to hit a bubble and even white coat professions will have trouble with their loan payments. Cheaper schools should win out.