UNC (OOS w/ scholarship) vs. UMSOD - Maryland (IS w/ scholarship)

[Babypearls7]

Interested in specializing in pedo. I will be applying for the NHSC scholarship, but it is highly competitive. I'd also like to buy a practice as soon as possible, after a couple years of associateship. Thanks for your advice!

School 1: University of Maryland School of Dentistry (In-State + Scholarship)

Pros:

• Strong network: Know some dental students & dentists in the area, including one who is faculty at a nearby peds dental residency program
• Strong support system: Friends, family, & partner live nearby
• Respected dental program
• ~$15k cheaper tuition than UNC (in-state plus recruitment scholarship) but higher cost of living
• Love Baltimore city and the community

Cons:

• Went to Maryland for undergrad, would like to try a different area
• Graded
• Larger class size of 132

School 2: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Out-of-State + Scholarship)

Pros:

• P/F
• Highly supportive faculty and students
• Big name in dentistry, i.e. #2 in Shanghai World Rankings
• Great peds/public health department
• Lots of community service involvement, including student-run dental clinics
• Small class size of 82

Cons:

• Location: 5-6 hours away from family, friends, & partner, less bustling than Baltimore
• P/F with no ranking: Is it harder to match into a top peds program?
• ~$15k more tuition than UMSOD (in-state after D1 plus recruitment scholarship) but lower cost of living
• First cohort to experience the new ACT curriculum for all 4 years -- might experience a lot of trial and error

Summary:
I want to specialize in pedo and am looking for the best school that will set me up for long-term success. I easily feel at home at UMSOD, but UNC really wowed me during the admissions process. The cost is about the same between both schools after factoring cost of living.

I would also appreciate opinions that include P/F vs. graded when thinking about residency. However, I know that I'll be able to specialize no matter where I go as long as I work hard. Thanks so much!

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[Rick Harrison]

UNC

 

[Boat on the Chesapeake]

Maryland - tuition and nearby support system / comfort level seems like a no-brainer. Comparably good schools and both will feel like a grind once you’re in there.

 

[Gustavo dos Santos]

Pass fail is very nice. Removes basically all stress and allows you to focus on what you want

 

[mcuban00]

Maryland - tuition and nearby support system / comfort level seems like a no-brainer. Comparably good schools and both will feel like a grind once you’re in there.

i actually feel UNC is the no brainer here. if you're set on peds and really want to boost your chances of getting into a residency, then choose the school that will make that path easy for you (P/F and unranked!). to me, $40k difference is so worth it for the peace of mind of P/F, unranked, residency placement. personally, yes UNC might be a bit farther from your family/support system, but i'd want to get out of my comfort zone and what not

 

[Babypearls7]

Thanks everyone for your advice, very thoughtful. I just received a scholarship to UNC, so the cost is comparable now.