UOP or Colorado??

[Barry20]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Ok, someone else posted a thread similar to this with hopes of getting others' opinions on which of the two schools to attend and I hope to get the same great thoughts. I paid my UoP deposit (1K) and got a call this morning from CO saying I got in there also. Decisions, Decisions...

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks..

 

[vishal_k32801]

Barry,
Please consider following things:
Cost,
San Francisco or colorado (Denver?)
Quality of education,
Family,
Where you want to live & practice in future,
Which school is good for specialization,
Which school offers best clinical exposure,
Weather,
and then make decision...
All the best friend!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Barry, UOP is an excellent school, however I think you can save yourself a huge chunk of change by going to Colorado.

Colorado is extremely difficult to get into, so the mere fact that you did really says something about you!

Also, UOP has 120 (?) in their class, whereas Colorado has ~35. Also, Colorado is building a new building shortly, so you'd get to have some of that action.

 

[toothache]

colorado hands down

 

[Barry20]

Thanks for all your replies. Seems like the big thing is the cost issue, which will differ to a tune of about $100K (around $135K if you figure the extra interest for the extra cost). I am just grateful to be forced to decide between two great schools.

With these recent posts about student loan debt=practicing dentist's happiness, I tend to lean heavily towards the public school (CO). Anyone know the stats on specializing after attending Colorado? Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[UBTom]

I noticed that your UOP tagline says Class of 2007. Are you accepted to UOP's accelerated program that will graduate you in 3 years instead of 4? If that's the case and it's not a typo, you should go UOP if you feel you can take the academic strain and graduate a year early.

 

[agutier3]

Barry20-

Good luck with the decision....

 

[Barry20]

UBTom,

Thanks for the post. Yes, I have already been accepted to UOP. There is no accelerated program, well I guess there is. A better way of saying it is that there is not a slower (4year) program. It's 3 years or nothing at UOP.

I would expect for a soon-to-graduate student to advise me to go for the 3 years. I am sure that if I decide to do CO, I will be kicking myself in the butt in my 4th year. However, the same can be said when I am practicing and can't seem to make ends meet.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[RaiderNation]

DON' GO TO COLORADO!!!!! My good friend just got accused of sexually assaulting a girl up there near Denver. She came on to him, it wasn't his fault. But it was all consensual, and she has the nerve to accuse him of rape! He already publicly apoligized and everything and he has some awesome attorneys working for him day and night (he makes a few mil a year to say the least). Anyway, I hear Colorado is full of gold-diggers...so watch out bro!

 

[UBTom]

Barry,

Actually, I'm not only urging you to go to the 3 year program because I'm about to graduate.. 😀

I just want to also mention that maybe that extra year you get to practice right after graduation might be a factor. I don't know how big a factor since I don't know the costs for UoP or Colorado, so I'll leave it to you to calculate it.

 

[Barry20]

UBTom,

You are right about getting out and making money faster. This is extremely attractive to me because I am going to be almost 26 when I start D-school.

The one thing I keep going back to is the fact that although I am making money sooner, it doesn't relieve me of the heavier debt burden that the 3 years cost me. Make sense? Many have argued the same point you make and it makes total sense superficially. Deep down, however, there is still the heavy debt load whether I finish dschool at 29 or 30. I did some figuring and calculated that if I pay $1500 a month for loans, I can pay off Colorado debt in 10 years as opposed to a 25 year pay off with UOP debt (paying the same $1500/month). So, does getting out a year earlier make up for 15 extra years of paying off a loan? I could pay off the UOP debt in 10 years at $2900/month.

By the way, I am not at all arguing against your point. I am trying to bounce things off you because you are THERE, or atleast will be in a few months. Thanks for your insight!

 

[accidental]

Originally posted by RaiderNation
DON' GO TO COLORADO!!!!! My good friend just got accused of sexually assaulting a girl up there near Denver. She came on to him, it wasn't his fault. But it was all consensual, and she has the nerve to accuse him of rape! He already publicly apoligized and everything and he has some awesome attorneys working for him day and night (he makes a few mil a year to say the least). Anyway, I hear Colorado is full of gold-diggers...so watch out bro!

So if Barry20 goes to CO he will start accusing men of sexual assualt? I really don't think he'll become a gold digger either.

 

[vishal_k32801]

Barry,
Please please come to UOP..its a great school!

I 😍 UOP 😍

I 😍 UOP 😍

I 😍 UOP 😍

 

[predentchick]

If you have a family, I would say CO hands down. I think it is a more "family friendly" place. As far as specializing, the interviewer told us 25%. Good for you for getting in to both!

 

[Barry20]

Predentchick,

I am married with a 16 month old daughter. I agree with you about CO being more family friendly. Is 25% specializing good? I'm not sure how it compares statistically, but I know CO has a good rep for sending students to specialty school, atleast if they want to.

In all honesty, I have a hard time justifying the fact that I will pay double for the opportunity to graduate one year sooner, you know? Money is important to me, or should I say, debt is an important factor in my eyes. The schools are both pretty much equal as far as the quality of the practitioners they produce.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[RaiderNation]

Originally posted by accidental
So if Barry20 goes to CO he will start accusing men of sexual assualt? I really don't think he'll become a gold digger either.

Obviously someone doesn't watch the news

 

[accidental]

Obviously someone doesn't get the joke.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Barry20
Predentchick,

I am married with a 16 month old daughter. I agree with you about CO being more family friendly. Is 25% specializing good?

I shouldn't have to remind you, but these stats mean nothing.

What if I told you that 25% of the students went on to specialize, but only 26% of the students even WANTED to specialize? That would be an acceptance to PG programs of 96%, which is excellent.

All I'm saying is that those numbers can be very deceiving. LOTS of students don't care to specialize or pursue PG education.

If you want to then you can, that's the bottom line, regardless of where you attend.

 

[BigJake]

Barry,

I'd go to UOP, but I was wondering when you interviewed for CU?

Thanks,

BigJake

 

[totony]

When I interviewed at UOP, the associate dean told us that about 20% student specialize--and 20% students are involved in research. Similar to what GAvin said, that translates into almost 100% placement for those who WANTED to specialize.

 

[Barry20]

Big Jake,

I see you are from Denver and advise me to go to UOP. What is the reason?

Other two posters,

I agree with the numbers meaning nothing. If you WANT to specialize bad enough, you can make it happen anywhere.

Thanks everyone.

 

[munbue]

Hey,

Just checking to see when you interviewed with CU. When I interviewed at the begining of January they told us they wouldnt respond or make decisions until March.... I'm hoping to hear from them before this though.........🙄

 

[Barry20]

I interviewed on November 15th.

 

[munbue]

Cool, well congrats on both of your acceptances and good luck with your decision.

 

[KDBuff]

Munbue,

I was also at the interview in Jan., and they didn't say they wouldn't make a decision until March, but rather that our applications would be left open until then. This just means you could be accepted earlier, but they will wait until all interviews are finished to completely fill the class.

 

[Barry20]

KDBuff,

I notice your tag says UOP? Will you go to CU if accepted? If not, I find it interesting that more than a few CO residents have said to go elsewhere. What's the deal? Denver that bad?

 

[BigJake]

Barry,

Yes, I live in the Denver area and it is nice here and it would make sense to go to school here. But what you and everyone else that don?t live around here have to understand, Denver is a fairly large urban area, very similar to dozens of others across the US. Denver is a nice place with a lot of things going for it but is not a utopia. Go to the school that makes sense for you, not because Denver seems like a cool place to live.

I turned down CU for UOP. It was a tough decision, but UOP is a better school and I feel that I should be as discriminating as the school?s are of me.

Big Jake

 

[Barry20]

Big Jake,

Thanks for your thoughts. I can understand your point of view. I am from AZ and I'm not sure if I would go to AZ even if I got accepted there. There is something about new scenery that is appealing to everyone, especially if it's only 3 or 4 years. More than likely, we will end up going back to our states of residence and practicing for the rest of our lives. For this reason, I can see why you want to leave Denver and why I want to leave AZ.

In my opinion, the quality of EDUCATION at both schools is the same. UOP is a better school in terms of technology etc., but the exposure that each school provides to students in terms of clinical experience is outstanding. They both produce highly competent Drs.

I gather that you have been accepted to UOP, but not CU yet? Is that correct? If it is, I was in your position a week ago and was ready to go to UOP. It's hard when you get another option. The discriminating becomes fair at that point, atleast it was so for me.

 

[BigJake]

Barry20,

It seems we see eye to eye on this after all.

I guess I should not talk so tough. As you guessed I have been accepted to UOP and not yet been accepted to CU. And I must admit I expected to hear on Tuesday as you did. Oh well, wait wait wait. You said that you interviewed on Nov. 15TH? I interviewed on Jan. 10TH. Do you know if it took more than one committee meeting for your acceptance to go through? Lastly, have you made your decision?


BigJake

 

[KDBuff]

Barry, I'll PM you when I get some time

 

[Barry20]

BigJake,

Don't be hard on yourself about talking tough. For me, prior to getting the CU offer, it was soothing to tell myself that UOP was the best place for me hands down, only this was superficial. Deep down I feel like CU is right for me and it doesn't boil down ENTIRELY (I used this term lightly because it does matter a great deal) to the mere fact of saving tons of money. As we have discussed, the highlights of both schools' ability to produce great clinicians cancels each other out. So, is it 3 years or less debt? Denver or San Fran? Those two questions, if answered honestly, will give me, you, and whoever the answer I suppose.

As far as the interview vs. acceptance time frame is concerned - I was in your boat also. I thought I would hear on Dec 1st because my interview went very well. I think it took 2 committee meetings so hang in there my friend.

I must note that this thread has done a lot of good for me to express and discuss my own doubts, fears, likes and dislikes about each place. So I thank all those who have read and posted.

KDBuff,

I look forward to your PM.

 

[RaiderNation]

Oye Barry, o sea, mariconcito. Por favor, no inventes. Vos sos una persona bien ignorante, y hablas demasiado. Te voy a dar un consejo, callate. Te ves muy dundo cuando me respondes y no me entiendes.

As you can see Barry, your ignorant "Yo hablo espanol" comment makes you look bad. Speaking Spanish is a very important part of dentistry in the US, and your ignorance will put you at a major disadvantage to all of us who have struggled to learn the language. Think about it, especially in California, how much more useful would you be if you spoke spanish? No to mention Texas, Arizona, Florida, and the rest of the states.

 

[Barry20]

Vos sos de Argentina? Quien es el ignorante? Creo que lo eres tu, amigo. Que ventaja tienes que no tengo yo? Lo que no sabias, imbecil, es que tambien hablo espanol. Asi que TU callete la boca. Deja con tus pinches comentarios en espanol y vete de mi comentario. Lo van a cerrar porque lo entraste con tu estupidez!

Que te vaya bien, sin verguenza!

 

[Barry20]

This has been a very positive thread for me thus far and I have enjoyed the PM's and thoughts of all those who've participated.

Unfortunately, there is a chance that, thanks to Raider Nation and his trashy comments in spanish, this thread might get closed. (That's two now Raider, good job).

Anyway, I would be grateful for any future thoughts via PM. That is, ones regarding this thread.

Thanks again.

 

[RaiderNation]

Te felicito por haber aprendido la lengua. Primero, esta conversacion comenzo por tu estupidez. No te acordas vos? Te metiste en la conversacion q' yo tenia con ese maldito captaintripps. El unico consejo q' te puedo dar es no te metas conmigo chavalito. El unico imbecil aqui sos vos. Yo te turqueo cochon. El ventaja q' no tenes vos, y q' tengo yo, es el hecho que soy educado y no me meto donde no me debo meter. Vos sos mal educado. Asi que por lo menos tengo eso.

Thanks for your comments Barry. Now do us all a foavor and quit getting into conversations that don't concern you.

 

[Barry20]

Dude,

You are making me ill bro. If I recall correctly, you were the one that hashed into the UCONN classmates of 2008 thread and said "UCONN sucks." Then you said that captaintripps mom eats SH%$#! And I'm the mal criado? You've gotta be kidding me. I only stepped in because I may have been the only one that understood tus pinches palabras. Stop acting like the good guy my friend. It's over.. Ya me callo.

 

[RaiderNation]

OK, obviously we misunderstand eachother. Let's just leave it. Peace!