UPenn Dental vs. Boston University Dental

[BearyGames12]

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Title: UPenn Dental School vs. Boston University Dental School
*also accepted to other schools, but have narrowed it down to these based on location and education*

(For context, I will have assistance in terms of finances to minimize loans)

School 1: UPenn
Pros:

• Higher specialty match rates
• Modern Clinics, Sim Lab, and Technology
• Area around the school is nice and relatively safe
• Medical-Based Education (Not with med students, but similar classes from what I'm told)
• Large research funding (trying to get involved with research at some point)
• Loved the interview process and faculty I've met so far
• Networking + Alumni
• Travel time back home is very similar to Boston
• Cheaper cost of living (almost by half)
• Students are not ranked past the top 10
• All specialties in-house
• Selective courses to tailor towards students' interests (starts D2, I believe)

Cons:

• For my situation, about 75k more than Boston for the cost of attendance
• Larger class size (I'm not sure if 160-ish students is too many or not)

School 2: Boston University

Pros:

• One sibling lives near Boston (support system)
• Smaller class size than UPenn (~115 compared to ~160)
• Modern Clinics, Sim Lab, and Technology
• Felt like a close-knit environment during my visits + interview
• Cheaper than UPenn cost of attendance, by about 75k (was offered a scholarship to Boston)
  ^ Tuition and fees are about 95k cheaper
• All specialities in-house
• Travel time back home is very similar to UPenn
• Can take elective courses during D4 year

Cons:

• Area is slightly worse than UPenn, but by no means a bad area in my opinion
• Cost of living is more expensive
• Students are ranked in a normal fashion

Summary:

I am leaning towards UPenn since my own personal debt would not be very much more, and I feel like it may be a better overall experience. People who attended UPenn have had positive experiences, while Boston has been mixed, based on the dentists I know. However, I am more familiar with the Boston area and the subway system. In terms of career goals, I am trying to keep an open mind to specializing since I have not even performed a simple filling yet (lol). I would be happy being a general dentist, but I've enjoyed shadowing/assisting in oral surgery and endodontics. I know this decision is mine to make, but asking for more input never hurt.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums, and congratulations.

Aside from costs, which you should consider carefully, I am interested in what you mean by a "better experience" and whether that is worth the cost differential. Philly has a subway system too.

If you're going into GP, ranking doesn't matter (as far as I know). Which dental school clinic seems to be more efficient in getting patients to students and appointments? Are you assigned a space or cubicle? What about any specific procedure requirements?

 

[fh2027]

Try reaching out to Penn regarding scholarships. I sent an email after I was accepted in late December a couple years ago discussing how UPenn was a dream school and how a scholarship could help make that a reality. I received a scholarship few weeks later.

 

[BearyGames12]

Try reaching out to Penn regarding scholarships. I sent an email after I was accepted in late December a couple years ago discussing how UPenn was a dream school and how a scholarship could help make that a reality. I received a scholarship few weeks later.

During my interview, they told us the school was going to stop giving out scholarships on decision day, and you will have to fill out a separate application to apply for one sometime after committing to the school.