***University at Buffalo class of 2010 thread!!***

[Toothinator]

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If your parents make over 100k a year I wouldn't bother putting it. If they make about half that then you might get some extra assitance.

 

[dentalguy6596]

I heard other people mentioned in the other threads that they have to collect teeth for dental school. Any of you know if UB requires or asks for them?

Thanks

 

[fightingspirit]

...

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Im going to still be in school mid march, i go to union college in schenectady NY, which is near albany. If you end up coming down to NYC during the summer drop me a pm.

Im not going to start looking for places to live until the summer. I just dont have the time to get over to buffalo and look around. If you go let me know where the hot spots are to live!

I didnt submit fafsa yet but i want to by the end of next week. I have a question tho...did you put your parents info on it? Is it necessary?

I was confused about this also, since my father is a dentist but will not be assisting me at all for dental school. I called UB's financial aid office, and you only need to list it for two parts: 1. If you want to apply for the Health Professional Loan and 2. If you want to apply for some tuition reduction program through the state of NY (I didn't inquire further since I'm a Mass resident). So I didn't list his info for the FAFSA, but included it just in the section about the Health Prof. Loan.

Also, remember that priority filing date is March 1, so you prolly want to get it in before that, if possible!

And yay for everyone who wants to meet up this summer!! For the ones close to Buffalo, perhaps we can meet for dinner or drinks when I come to look at apartments (April?), and then I'm actually moving at the beginning of July. THEN, we can get the whole class together and show up already involved in all sorts of complicated, intertwined social circles. (oh god, just kidding. Yay for mature, supportive doctoral students!!! *sigh* 😀)

 

[asd]

I was confused about this also, since my father is a dentist but will not be assisting me at all for dental school. I called UB's financial aid office, and you only need to list it for two parts: 1. If you want to apply for the Health Professional Loan and 2. If you want to apply for some tuition reduction program through the state of NY (I didn't inquire further since I'm a Mass resident). So I didn't list his info for the FAFSA, but included it just in the section about the Health Prof. Loan.

Also, remember that priority filing date is March 1, so you prolly want to get it in before that, if possible!

And yay for everyone who wants to meet up this summer!! For the ones close to Buffalo, perhaps we can meet for dinner or drinks when I come to look at apartments (April?), and then I'm actually moving at the beginning of July. THEN, we can get the whole class together and show up already involved in all sorts of complicated, intertwined social circles. (oh god, just kidding. Yay for mature, supportive doctoral students!!! *sigh* 😀)

Yeah I just submitted the fafsa form. I didnt write any of my parents info. If i did i wouldnt be eligable or the first priority to recieve any of the loans that its required for. Anyways good luck house hunting.

 

[superchris147]

I was confused about this also, since my father is a dentist but will not be assisting me at all for dental school. I called UB's financial aid office, and you only need to list it for two parts: 1. If you want to apply for the Health Professional Loan and 2. If you want to apply for some tuition reduction program through the state of NY (I didn't inquire further since I'm a Mass resident). So I didn't list his info for the FAFSA, but included it just in the section about the Health Prof. Loan.

Also, remember that priority filing date is March 1, so you prolly want to get it in before that, if possible!

And yay for everyone who wants to meet up this summer!! For the ones close to Buffalo, perhaps we can meet for dinner or drinks when I come to look at apartments (April?), and then I'm actually moving at the beginning of July. THEN, we can get the whole class together and show up already involved in all sorts of complicated, intertwined social circles. (oh god, just kidding. Yay for mature, supportive doctoral students!!! *sigh* 😀)

its my understanding that as a graduate student you automatically qualify for financial aid (aka the full amount, however if you are out of state the full amount wont cover total costs of school). Therefore, the only reason why you would fill out your parents info is for the health professions loan (as someone mentioned) or other scholarships that i have no idea about. But i don't think that filling out your parents info will hurt you any way. please correct me if i'm wrong but i think that's how it is

 

[gryffindor]

its my understanding that as a graduate student you automatically qualify for financial aid (aka the full amount, however if you are out of state the full amount wont cover total costs of school). Therefore, the only reason why you would fill out your parents info is for the health professions loan (as someone mentioned) or other scholarships that i have no idea about. But i don't think that filling out your parents info will hurt you any way. please correct me if i'm wrong but i think that's how it is

It won't hurt you to fill it out for the Health Professions Loan. I know my family is not poor, but I have no idea what my parent's tax paperwork looks like yet I qualified for the HPL at UB. I had friends who did not qualify though, so who knows. The HPL is a good loan to get too - no interest while you are in school. I may have qualified for TAP as well, but it was a measly amount - I think the max for grad school was like $300. But there was some stipulation that if you got TAP for undergrad then you couldn't get it for grad, not sure, but in the end NY state didn't give it to me.

 

[asd]

hey, does anyone know what type of apple computer the school offers for us to buy? The new macbook is sick! I want to get that hopefully the school offers it instead of the ibook.

 

[tinman831]

hey, does anyone know what type of apple computer the school offers for us to buy? The new macbook is sick! I want to get that hopefully the school offers it instead of the ibook.

I believe the choices were an IBM thinkpad or Apple Macbook. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[Lephisto]

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[dentalguy6596]

The school offers powerbooks, not ibooks...and I'd highly recommend getting the apple over the Lenova (IBM thinkpad) when they send you the form in a couple months..The apples screen is bigger, the OS is more stable, comes with some pretty ridiculous software like imovie, igarageband, etc, comes with 200 dollars off the purchase of an ipod (so basically a free ipod), and with the new intel chips in the laptops it should be even better. Everyone who got a mac seems to be really happy with it, while everyone who got a IBM seems to be pretty dissatisfied...

Don't be worried about the learning curve on a mac if you've only used a pc before. honestly it took me like 15 minutes to get the hang of it and maybe 2 weeks to get a real firm grasp on it. And you'll have plenty of time in those first few weeks of orientation/beginning classes to play with your computer and drink copious amounts of beer.. The first month was by and far the best month of dental school..it gets steadily worse from then on out.

Can any current students help answer my questions?

1. Is the school FORCING us to buy either one of those two laptops? If I have a laptop already, can I use mine and just pay for the license for the DVD curriculum software and any other required software? Or, we have to buy one of those two and that's it, no other choice?

2. Also, how much are they charging for the Apple and the IBM? I can get a pretty good laptop out there in the range of $1000-$1200. Last time I heard, the school is charging a hefty amount for the laptop, in the range of $2500 and up.

3. Is the reason for buying the school-sanctioned laptop because they will provide free support during the 4 years? Or are those laptops have special configurations that we CANNOT get from outside?

4. What happen if you lose your laptop during your four years? You have to buy a new one from them or can you just use whatever laptop you have?

The laptop problem bothered me ever since my interview. Can some current students shed some lights? Thanks.

 

[Toothinator]

I'm 99% sure you HAVE to buy it from them. When I got my acceptance packet I had to sign off that I agreed to these terms of buying a laptop from them. I think their reasoning behind this is that it's much easier for them to provide support for their DVD curriculum if everyone has the same Mac or IBM laptop. It is annoying for computer literate people like us, but think about how many headaches they would have when the computer illiterate students bring in old p.o.s. laptops with 64mb ram.

 

[Toothdoc2b]

I'm 99% sure you HAVE to buy it from them. When I got my acceptance packet I had to sign off that I agreed to these terms of buying a laptop from them. I think their reasoning behind this is that it's much easier for them to provide support for their DVD curriculum if everyone has the same Mac or IBM laptop. It is annoying for computer literate people like us, but think about how many headaches they would have when the computer illiterate students bring in old p.o.s. laptops with 64mb ram.

This is all very true... I have been building computers for ten years now and have configured great laptops for family and friends. None cost over 2000. I know that they have a service that if your laptop crashes... they give u a loaner immediately until they repair yours with the software already loaded... a great deal if its a day or two before the test. Im just wondering if for 3500 dollars we get a 1500 dollar laptop or a 2500 dollar one.... since it will need to last four years... we will just have to wait and see...

 

[Lephisto]

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[dentalguy6596]

thank you all for your replies. i just have a followup question.

how difficult is it to read the data/text from the DVD curriculum as compare to the good old traditional text books? with text books, you can high-light texts, mark them, write notes on them...etc.... How can we do the same thing or something similar with DVD curriculum?

i've asked the current students during my interview and they said the school allow you to print out your DVD curriculum free-of-charge, should you feel the need to do so. is the free printing true? if yes, is there a limit on the number of printout you can print per semester? how much they will charge for each page once you reached ur limit? can we print color for free as well? for anatomy class, color pics help.

please take a little time and help clarify our curiosity. we need as much information as we can so we can better prepare ourself for the incoming school year. thanks in advance.

 

[Toothinator]

I think we get a printed type textbook for gross but the students said it's still handy to go back to the DVD to look up pics.

 

[superchris147]

thank you all for your replies. i just have a followup question.

how difficult is it to read the data/text from the DVD curriculum as compare to the good old traditional text books? with text books, you can high-light texts, mark them, write notes on them...etc.... How can we do the same thing or something similar with DVD curriculum?

i've asked the current students during my interview and they said the school allow you to print out your DVD curriculum free-of-charge, should you feel the need to do so. is the free printing true? if yes, is there a limit on the number of printout you can print per semester? how much they will charge for each page once you reached ur limit? can we print color for free as well? for anatomy class, color pics help.

please take a little time and help clarify our curiosity. we need as much information as we can so we can better prepare ourself for the incoming school year. thanks in advance.

It is not difficult at all to read off of your computer screen. I was slightly worried about that because the IBM has a smaller screen than my computer but I soon realized that it makes zero difference. I actually ended up preferring reading off of the computer than a text book. If you spend any time at all on a computer (and i'm assuming you do) its seriously not bad.

In terms of highlighting things on a computer, that's simply what you do. You click on a highlighter icon which is a certain color and then you highlight the text. The color stays behind. Then you can right-click it and add notes to the highlighted section.

As for the printing question, I have no idea. I know you can print for free in the health sciences library. I don't know how many pages other than its a lot. I seriously have no idea why you want to do this though because you end up studying mostly off of power point slides and then using the textbooks on your computer as a reference. Since they are on the computer you can use multiple books at the same time and search for key words which makes it way faster than looking through a million pages of notes.

Some classes still give out course readers, such as gross anatomy, biochemistry etc. However, some of these classes have their course readers on the cirriculum DVD.

Basically what it boils down to is, if you are freaking out about the computer then you really shouldn't. The only negative that I see with it, is that you only have 2 options and I think the computers are a little overpriced. Other than that they are great. I have the IBM and I like mine. I have another laptop and my IBM weighs like 1/3 of what my other laptop weighs. So like lephisto said all you have is your laptop in your backpack so you're not lugging around heavy books which is nice.

 

[gryffindor]

I know this seems like it really sucks..and it does...but I gotta admit, it makes things easier. if everyone knew enough about computers, they woudln't have to do it..but theres so many people in our class who just can't do a thing with them without someone holding their hand...

Haha, some things haven't changed. At the end of 4 years, they still gave these people their diplomas. I wonder how they survive in private practice - still computer illiterate and without anyone to hold their hands anymore.

Do you still have those classmates who whine about having to check their e-mail for a class announcement?

 

[Lephisto]

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[dentalguy6596]

the Orientation page for class of 2010 is up. please check it out.

 

[TucsonDDS]

I have the mac and so far I am pretty pleased. Don't worry about the DVD, other than the cost it is a pretty good thing to have. You will have a lot of information that you can easily search through. Also very few people actually do all (if any) of the "required" reading anyways. Also when you order your computer online you must pick the printer that you want. Some of my classmates had luck printing out the order form and not selecting a printer and then mailing it back to the school. The school didn't make them pick one and they saved themselves a couple of hundred dollars. The computers really aren't all that overpriced compared to what the MSRP is. I actually only paid $1799 for the Mac (I just dug it out of a pile of receipts so I can write it off of my taxes.) What they get you in is all of the other accessories and the 4 year warentee that they make you buy.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Not sure if someone already asked or answered this, but exactly which models for the Mac and IBM do you have to choose from?

Also, can anyone at UB or from the area recommend a good bank? I have to switch to a NY bank as part of the process of becoming a New York resident, so I thought I'd ask personal opinion instead of calling 30 banks and asking various rates and all that. I prefer smaller ones to huge chains, but any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!! 😀

Getting VERY excited, and getting bored with my job (I graduated in December). Is it July yet?! Gah!

Just got my diploma last week though.....woooo! 👍

 

[rambo2006]

I was told that we can choose between mac and pc. So every1 how about we have a civilized brawl on which is better and why. I will throw the first punch......

Even if Macs dont get hit with viruses, they crash all the time.......at least the desktops at my school always do...

 

[Lephisto]

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[rambo2006]

[/QUOTE]If I didn't hear so many people complain about the IBMs, I wouldn't be so adament about this issue...[/QUOTE]

I know a lot of ppl who do heavy picture editing, use macs. Do you think that the reason they complain less is because mac users are normally pretty computer-savy to start with?

I also heard that with mac, they are harder to service, you have to send them out to mac themselves, is that true? If you want to switch some components, is it as easy and affordable as a pc? By the way I heard that macs arent good for heavy gaming, is that true?

 

[rambo2006]

Bump...

 

[Toothdoc2b]

Also, can anyone at UB or from the area recommend a good bank? I

I have friends that use various banks including Citibank and Washington Mutual and always have some kind of problems with them.

I have Bank of America and they are excellent. I looked up the locations and there are five within three miles of the school.

They usually have somebody to meet and greet you and are always very helpful.

Another benefit is quick access to your funds. I have previously deposited 5000 dollars at the atm and the money was instantly available when I know that other banks usually give you 100 until the checks clear.

 

[syn_apse]

i use Bank of America for my checking account and link it to an ING Direct savings account (4.75% APY) 👍

 

[dentalguy6596]

Does anyone know what shots we are required to have for UB and/or physical checkup?

 

[Lephisto]

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[BrotherofAbe]

I must know where I can find the best wings. I've been to Duff's and they were good, but a woman on my flight back to Phx told me that there were better places. Also, does Bacci's have the best pizza? I've been told that Buffalo has great food...I'm excited. I need to know about the wings. Anybody?? 😀

 

[superchris147]

I must know where I can find the best wings. I've been to Duff's and they were good, but a woman on my flight back to Phx told me that there were better places. Also, does Bacci's have the best pizza? I've been told that Buffalo has great food...I'm excited. I need to know about the wings. Anybody?? 😀

All you need to know is "La Nova"s. If anyone tells you differently then they havn't had La Novas. I'm from california and didn't even know that there was a difference between buffalo wings. But La Novas makes you a true believer. I think duffs is more popular amongst dental students cuz its cheaper and you can sit down whereas La Novas is mainly take out.

As for my bank, I use bank of america and think that its perfectly fine. HSBC has an ATM on campus though which is nice.

 

[BrotherofAbe]

All you need to know is "La Nova"s. If anyone tells you differently then they havn't had La Novas. I'm from california and didn't even know that there was a difference between buffalo wings. But La Novas makes you a true believer. I think duffs is more popular amongst dental students cuz its cheaper and you can sit down whereas La Novas is mainly take out.

As for my bank, I use bank of america and think that its perfectly fine. HSBC has an ATM on campus though which is nice.

Thanks Mister Super!! I'll check out La Nova's.

 

[gryffindor]

The first question..about the bank...I'd go with HSBC. Its main branch is actually in buffalo and you honestly can't go anywhere in the place without finding one of its banks or atms..Theres even an HSBC atm right at the school.

I used to visit that HSBC atm in Harriman many times. Very convenient to get cash to pay for the tater tot lunch.

For wings, you should visit the Anchor Bar (home of the "original" chicken wing) at least once during your time there.

 

[chachasimpson]

i think bank of america is putting a branch right across main street from the school, next to tim hortons, or at least they are putting an atm there... i think they can hook you up with a no fee or a low fee student account too (i have one and pay no fees...)

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Future "in the Buff" classmates 😉 :

1. If you haven't already, check out the message board for the class on the orientation page: www.sdm.buffalo.edu/orientation There are some non-SDNers there, so we can get to know more of our class

2. You can get your financial aid award info through the telephone through UB! The number to call is on the message board, but I called and it's true! It's important to find out when your award date is because you have to confirm within two weeks of that. (Them: "Do you want money so that you can actually go to dental school? If so, press 1. It's okay if you don't want to go after years of working your ass off and interviewing and doing everything you can to get this far....I mean, we understand. But if you want money, press 1." Me: "111111!!!!!")

3. Thanks to everyone for the bank info! I was thinking of choosing the same bank for my own checking account as well as the private loan I'll need to take out for the rest of the money. Do you think this makes any difference (getting to know the people more, etc. etc.) or should I just go for ATM convenience?

4. Looks like I'm heading over June 1!!! 2 months and a bit to go! 😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[oldboy]

How many of you buffalo 2010'ers are crazy about fishing?

 

[bigsilvo]

All you need to know is "La Nova"s. If anyone tells you differently then they havn't had La Novas. I'm from california and didn't even know that there was a difference between buffalo wings. But La Novas makes you a true believer. I think duffs is more popular amongst dental students cuz its cheaper and you can sit down whereas La Novas is mainly take out.

As for my bank, I use bank of america and think that its perfectly fine. HSBC has an ATM on campus though which is nice.

Bella Pizza has awesome wings, they're located on South Park Ave. in Lackawanna. La Nova definitely rocks, we're family friends with the Todaro's who own the place.

 

[BrotherofAbe]

How many of you buffalo 2010'ers are crazy about fishing?

I'm not a huge bait casting guy, but I love to fly fish. Believe it or not the fishing in Northern Arizona isn't too shabby. Mostly smaller (18-24") rainbow and browns, but Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River has nice 30" and above. I'm not the best, but it brings me peace so it's always worth the trip. Do you fly fish at all?

 

[BrotherofAbe]

Future "in the Buff" classmates 😉 :

1. If you haven't already, check out the message board for the class on the orientation page: www.sdm.buffalo.edu/orientation There are some non-SDNers there, so we can get to know more of our class

2. You can get your financial aid award info through the telephone through UB! The number to call is on the message board, but I called and it's true! It's important to find out when your award date is because you have to confirm within two weeks of that. (Them: "Do you want money so that you can actually go to dental school? If so, press 1. It's okay if you don't want to go after years of working your ass off and interviewing and doing everything you can to get this far....I mean, we understand. But if you want money, press 1." Me: "111111!!!!!")

3. Thanks to everyone for the bank info! I was thinking of choosing the same bank for my own checking account as well as the private loan I'll need to take out for the rest of the money. Do you think this makes any difference (getting to know the people more, etc. etc.) or should I just go for ATM convenience?

4. Looks like I'm heading over June 1!!! 2 months and a bit to go! 😀 😀 😀 😀

Holy Hannah, can't believe I may need to take out a private loan the first year. I swore I wouldn't stoop to those high interest folks 🙁 Oh well. Thanks for the info on BIRD. I'm surprised that not very many people have tuned in to the orientation website. Hopefully more will subscribe. We'll see.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Holy Hannah, can't believe I may need to take out a private loan the first year. I swore I wouldn't stoop to those high interest folks 🙁

I know! I was shocked! I was pleased with my decision to go to a public school partly so that I could get most (I thought all) of the money through the government. I maxed out all they could give and was still around 17K under. At least I'll be a NY resident after year 1!! eesh. And Buffalo gave 5 recommendations for private loans who have special associations with UB....some even have special loans for dental students with deferment during residencies and 12 months to start paying it back...that sort of thing.

 

[BrotherofAbe]

I know! I was shocked! I was pleased with my decision to go to a public school partly so that I could get most (I thought all) of the money through the government. I maxed out all they could give and was still around 17K under. At least I'll be a NY resident after year 1!! eesh. And Buffalo gave 5 recommendations for private loans who have special associations with UB....some even have special loans for dental students with deferment during residencies and 12 months to start paying it back...that sort of thing.

Good luck! I'm in the same boat. I didn't even check the terms...it's good to hear that they're offering a good deferment. I'll check it out tomorrow. See you in a few months.

 

[oldboy]

I'm not a huge bait casting guy, but I love to fly fish. Believe it or not the fishing in Northern Arizona isn't too shabby. Mostly smaller (18-24") rainbow and browns, but Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River has nice 30" and above. I'm not the best, but it brings me peace so it's always worth the trip. Do you fly fish at all?

I'm in northern Colorado and the fishing here is decent. From what I have read and heard from Western New Yorkers is that the fishing around Buffalo is really good. Lots of different species, i.e. musky, northerns, trout, salmon, big ol steelheads (26inch+), walleye, and pretty much every other major freshwater specie.

 

[stdgage]

BrotherofAbe and Oldboy:
I am originally from Buffalo and have fished virtually all types of the water we have. And we virtually have it all. Some of the best smallmouth and walleye fishing in the country. Salmon, Steelhead and Browns coming into Cattaragus Creek, 18 Mile, and Oak Orchard. Landed a 42" Coho in 2003. Fly fishing for trout is my game and we have great streams in the southtowns and a little to the east by rochester. While I was hesitant to come back to Buffalo for dschool after trying so hard to leave, I justify it with the amount of fishing I will be doing. In fact I will be in the Adirondacks all summer doing precisely that. Get in touch with me if you want to know more. See you at orientation.

 

[oldboy]

How many of you Buffalo 2010'ers have kids? I have a baby girl.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Does anyone know if there is a certain standard of professionalism in our dress when we're not wearing scrubs or lab coats? I know UB is a tad more formal than a lot of schools...do they care if you wear tank tops to lecture? C'mon, how else am I supposed to seduce my way through dental school??? 😱

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Who will be around this summer and wants to meet up before school starts???

 

[superchris147]

Does anyone know if there is a certain standard of professionalism in our dress when we're not wearing scrubs or lab coats? I know UB is a tad more formal than a lot of schools...do they care if you wear tank tops to lecture? C'mon, how else am I supposed to seduce my way through dental school??? 😱

there's no professional attire unless you're in clinic (or gross anatomy) so yes tank tops are fine for lecture/classes

 

[I'mFillingFine]

excellent...good to know.


So no one's going to be around this summer....? 😴

And man, are cable and landline phone expensive! I have to go with Vonage VoIP just so I can call Canada and since I have family in Alaska....otherwise it's around $65/month for everything with normal AT+T (Foregoing cable altogether)


Less than two weeks to go!!! 😀 😀 👍