UNE vs UDM

[watchursmile]

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I have been accepted to both schools. These are my thoughts. UDM is a very reputable school with a great clinical foundation. Had a great interview and thought the school was really nice. However, they have specialties where UNE won’t have which seems like I would get more hands on experience with UNE. The class will be around 46 at UNE vs 144 at UDM. From my calculations UNE will be $30,000 cheaper. Should I have any concerns about a new dental school? I like the fact that the 4th year is all community based at UNE. Not sure what to do as UDM is known to be such a good school. Thoughts?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

you're comparing a really strong clinical school with a school that has yet to prove itself. this one should be a no brainer, imo. good luck.

 

[KittySquared]

you're comparing a really strong clinical school with a school that has yet to prove itself. This one should be a no brainer, imo. Good luck.

+1

 

[watchursmile]

Thanks!
I am just feeling very hesitant to move to Detroit, and would much rather live in Portland which is making me feel torn because UDM is such a great school in a really crappy location. Should I just suck it up?

 

[KittySquared]

Yes, you should suck it up. A lot of dental schools are in poopy areas in the city throughout the country. When I was around Temple I thought I was gonna get shot and die. Find a safe neighborhood to live in and drive to school. UDM's location ensures you have a big patient pool than you'd get in virtually anywhere in the US. And it's not nearly as expensive as NYU or Tufts. You'd be silly to not go to a school with that strong of a clinical experience while the rest of the country is facing patient pool deficits virtually everywhere. Fer shizzle

 

[Member902507]

I interviewed at UNE, and have not heard back from UDM, so with that in mind, I'd recommend you go to UNE. For the following reasons:

1) Saving $30k is saving $30k, and you cannot beat that.
2) You said you liked UNE's outreach program in the NE area for the 4th year, but UDM (I've heard from many people) is one of the strongest clinical schools out there.
3) Portland is a great area (though I don't think it's meant for me), but it's pretty, quiet and you will have a huge patient population over there given it is the only dental school in the NE area.
4) Yes, new school means nothing to compare it to, but I think there are a lot of benefits of a new school. You will help them form their curriculum and everything, and I thought that was pretty cool
5) Ridiculously brand new campus.

For me, my 2 main deciding factors are proximity to home and cost. Unfortunately, UNE was the farthest school possible from my own.

Best of luck to you in deciding between two great opportunities!

 

[aznboi89x]

I interviewed at UNE, and have not heard back from UDM, so with that in mind, I'd recommend you go to UNE. For the following reasons:

1) Saving $30k is saving $30k, and you cannot beat that.
2) You said you liked UNE's outreach program in the NE area for the 4th year, but UDM (I've heard from many people) is one of the strongest clinical schools out there.
3) Portland is a great area (though I don't think it's meant for me), but it's pretty, quiet and you will have a huge patient population over there given it is the only dental school in the NE area.
4) Yes, new school means nothing to compare it to, but I think there are a lot of benefits of a new school. You will help them form their curriculum and everything, and I thought that was pretty cool
5) Ridiculously brand new campus.

For me, my 2 main deciding factors are proximity to home and cost. Unfortunately, UNE was the farthest school possible from my own.

Best of luck to you in deciding between two great opportunities!

UNE's location up in the northeastern corner seems so isolated and the gloomy weather seems depressing. Small town is not for me since Im from Houston.

UNE has alot of potential to begin with and they might offer AEGD in a few years once everything is on track.

 

[watchursmile]

Although Detroit is a big city, sadly it is too sketchy to go into over half of it. lol

Thank You very much for your replies. Really appreciate it.

 

[Get Accepted]

You have the wrong impression of Detroit. Just like any other city in this country, there are certain areas where you should just not go. You don't need a brochure or a tour guide, you just know not to go there. Once you venture out of Detroit to Royal Oak or Troy or Rochester and see where 99.9% of us are from (Michigan Students) it really would change your first impressions of what most people think Detroit is. I have several friends that actually moved from beautiful areas to be in the city, and let me be the first to tell you that they are having the time of their lives beings DS1's. The only downside from the info you've given us is the class ratio comparison. 144 class members is hell, but you know what, the clinical experience will make up for that.

 

[Malva]

I also interviewed at both schools - I'm curious how you calculated the 30 K difference. While I was at UNE they said that they wouldn't have the numbers until the tuition and expenses were approved by the senate sometime in 2013, and from what they estimated I thought it would be the same. I also really liked both schools, but being the guinea pigs for their first matriculating year made me a bit uneasy with respect to UNE. If you plan on living in Portland after, I would say go to UNE, but I really don't think you're going to get the same experience as you would in Detroit. Also, not sure if you are aware, but the UDM class is divided into two semesters, so it is almost like you have a class of 72 instead of 144.

I always say pick the cheaper school, but when the school is brand spanking new, I would pick the established school. Good luck choosing!

 

[watchursmile]

It actually will be a $20,000 difference. I called both schools and got the most accurate numbers I could. I agree with you though you can't beat that clinical experience. Thanks for your comments.

 

[sparky450r]

It actually will be a $20,000 difference. I called both schools and got the most accurate numbers I could. I agree with you though you can't beat that clinical experience. Thanks for your comments.

UDM tuition=56,000

Approximate UNE tuition=57,000

I am confused. How will you save 20,000 at UNE?

 

[watchursmile]

Tuition is now 60,090 at Detroit, and instrument and fees at Detroit come to roughly 7,000 versus estimated 4-5,000 at UNE, hence roughly a 5,000 difference per year. It is not all about tuition. Just a factor. I am feeling more confident with Detroit.

 

[KittySquared]

If it's a 45k+ difference, I'd probably consider sticking to UNE, but the difference in price overall isn't nearly as big as you'd mentioned. I wouldn't undermine the clinical experience at UDM at all. It's totally worth it.

 

[sparky450r]

I completely understand your concern. I also got into UNE, but there is a good chance I will be attending Tufts. Tufts tuition = 62,000 UNE "estimated" tuition = 57,000.

To me, this is a no-brainer. I know UNE could potentially save me 20-30 grand but you will have no opportunity to specialize at UNE (if you decide to). At Tufts, I will be attending a school that was established in the 1800's versus 2013 (UNE), and Tufts has a very strong clinical program.

I don't know much about UDM, but if this school also has these qualities I would choose UDM over UNE.

With that said, I was impressed by UNE. I think it will be a well respected school years down the road but I do not want to be the guinea pig for their first years class.

It also makes me very nervous that the tuition for UNE is not set in stone. One could put down the deposit only to find out that tuition is going to be 90 grand.

 

[yappy]

UDM ALL THE WAY!

If it were me... I would hedge and go to the established school.

It's like me selling you a car and I give you two choices. One you've looked up the consumer reviews, tested it out for yourself, and read about the history of the company and how they've delivered in the past. Then I describe another car to you that you have no knowledge of. Which do you pick?

 

[b0110]

The city of Detroit is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Also, where you would be living is nice and has a lot of things to do for people in their 20's. Granted I'm not going to be living in Detroit or going to UDM, but I thought I should clear that rather large misconception up.

 

[UCSFx2017]

UDM ALL THE WAY!

If it were me... I would hedge and go to the established school.

It's like me selling you a car and I give you two choices. One you've looked up the consumer reviews, tested it out for yourself, and read about the history of the company and how they've delivered in the past. Then I describe another car to you that you have no knowledge of. Which do you pick?

Of course the man from Detroit comes up with a car analogy to sell the school. 🙂

 

[watchursmile]

Loving the car analogy. lol

Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it.

 

[DENTAL DEAN]

UDM is a great dental school, with a nationally recognized clinical education program. Our graduates treat the underserved of the City of Detroit and outstate Michigan with Community rotations, Yes- class size of 144, but divided into two cohorts, so the effective class size experience is 72. Our primary focus is on pre-doctoral education for the DDS program. We have hired 29 new full time faculty from around the US in the past 4 1/2 years and focus on clinical education and experiences.

The dental campus is located adjacent to the Midtown area of Detroit. This is an area of highest economic investment. There is a new "Whole Foods" market opening up within a half mile of the campus, and sales in "loft" style housing continues to outpace anything in the city. Restaurants and baseball, and NFL stadium are all within a 1 mile radius.

As of 5:00 PM January 4, 2013, UDM has received 104 deposits for the class entering August 2013. This means we now have 76% of the class filled, based on a total class size of 144.

We will continue to interview and expect that we will probably have another 75 positions to offer based on turnover. So, if you are interested in UDM, make sure you accept the interview offers...

The average GPA remains at 3.7, both science and overall.
The average DAT scores remain at 21 in every area of the DAT exam.

While we expect some turnover, these numbers represent record numbers in a many areas. This is the largest percentage in the history of the school that we have had confirmed deposits for our entering class on the first day of the AADSAS recruiting season.

These numerics only represent part of the story. We are also attracting high quality people, and based on interview comments, this next year's entering class will continue to represent the type of caring, empathetic people reflective of the School's Mission and Identity. These are people that we will be proud to have as our colleagues.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Although Detroit is a big city, sadly it is too sketchy to go into over half of it. lol

Sorry, but your comment reminded me of this video. However, despite what the video says, i think you would be very foolish to choose UNE over UDM. UDM is widely respected across the country and has a long standing reputation of churning out quality clinicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

 

[voager]

UDM ..com'on you went to interview can't deny the awesomeness (Po) of that school..and their state of the art clinical facility.

 

[Menthol]

Udm !!