UPenn vs. BU

[paddypaws]

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Hi!
Congratulations to all those who have already been accepted into the advanced standing program, and all the very best to those who are still waiting!
I guess quite a few of us are in a dilemma to choose between 2 or more schools, and with acceptance deadlines and deposits to pay, it is so much more important to decide quickly and decide properly.
I have been accepted at UPenn and BU, and though I have paid my deposit at BU, I am seriously considering UPenn as well.
I have seen a couple of posts on this from emsi, MariyaBG etc., but am wondering what the rest of you think- how do the two programs compare, other than for the fact that UPenn offers a whole extra year of clinical experience for almost no extra money and a few extra months?
Also, does anybody know if PASS students at UPenn get to choose selectives?
Please do post your opinions- whether you have already been accepted or have considered these two schools. Also, if anybody needs any information on interviews at these 2 schools, please feel free to ask.

 

[BlueToothHunter]

BU vs. UPenn

I've spoken to both international graduates from BU and UPenn.. One guy chose BU over UPenn because his USC wife was at Boston. He recalled the lab work as the killer sessions at BU... they make you do your entire denture lab work (processing, waxing etc..) from start to delivery, so he spent many a lonley night in the school lab. UPenn, is also as demanding as BU, but it appeared to me that they do allow students to send out the lab work after the first couple of cases. Choose the school close to the city where you want to live in. Do you like snow? Well, then you'd better stay up north!!! ;-)

 

[paddypaws]

BU vs. UPenn

I've spoken to both international graduates from BU and UPenn.. One guy chose BU over UPenn because his USC wife was at Boston. He recalled the lab work as the killer sessions at BU... they make you do your entire denture lab work (processing, waxing etc..) from start to delivery, so he spent many a lonley night in the school lab. UPenn, is also as demanding as BU, but it appeared to me that they do allow students to send out the lab work after the first couple of cases. Choose the school close to the city where you want to live in. Do you like snow? Well, then you'd better stay up north!!! ;-)

Thanks for your insight,BlueToothHunter!
When I was at BU for the tour and interview, I was told that they allow you to do the lab work if you want to, but most students send it out. That certainly is something to consider........
Did you hear of any difference in clinical confidence and/or experience between BU and UPenn graduates? I heard many BU graduates feel they need more clinical experience, and often go on to do a GPR or AEGD.
As far as living goes, I live in Boston already 🙂.....its a nice place and I'm open to continuing here or making a change- so that's not helping my decision much!!!
Thanks again for your response!

 

[international]

Upenn 👍 👍 👍

 

[paddypaws]

🙂 -may I ask why?

Upenn 👍 👍 👍

 

[Toothzone]

Hi, Paddy paws

Congrats on getting in at both the schools!!!..Kindly can you post your NDBE scores / toefl and your GPA ..do you have work experience in the US/have u done your masters ?/ MPH?
Have you also taken your part 2 NDB ?
Thanks
TZ 👍

 

[paddypaws]

Hi, Paddy paws

Congrats on getting in at both the schools!!!..Kindly can you post your NDBE scores / toefl and your GPA ..do you have work experience in the US/have u done your masters ?/ MPH?
Have you also taken your part 2 NDB ?
Thanks
TZ 👍

My scores:
NBDE Part I: 97
TOEFL: 293
GPA:3.96
I am yet to take the NBDE Part II, and have clinical observership experience of 3 months in the US.
Hope that helps.....

 

[international]

🙂 -may I ask why?

Hi,
I think i told UPENN cos, it is one of the famos school and takes less stdents than BU. Not too mch waste of time in pre clinicals, and i think it might have a better patient pool, which i am not sure. I heard there is little descrimination in BU, but i am not sure. And UPENN carries more points than BU, if u want to specialize.

 

[BlueToothHunter]

Thanks for your insight,BlueToothHunter!
When I was at BU for the tour and interview, I was told that they allow you to do the lab work if you want to, but most students send it out. That certainly is something to consider........
Did you hear of any difference in clinical confidence and/or experience between BU and UPenn graduates? I heard many BU graduates feel they need more clinical experience, and often go on to do a GPR or AEGD.
As far as living goes, I live in Boston already 🙂.....its a nice place and I'm open to continuing here or making a change- so that's not helping my decision much!!!
Thanks again for your response!

May I ask you where you did your basic dental training?
Where I am based now, there are both BU and UPenn graduates. To generalize each individual according to where they trained is highly subjective, you know I am sure. They are both confident dentists and good colleagues of mine. This is totally hearsay, however, I have overheard from some of the AEGD faculty that UPenn graduates tend to lack clinical skills. I don't know how BU graduates compare to that statement.

From what I've researched (once upon a time when I was applying to advanced standing programs), here are some of the outstanding things that were imprinted in my brain.

1. UPENN Charges you lots! You have to add extra for the 3 months of simulated lab as well.
2. UPENN has a famous endo department (a la Dr Syngcuk Kim) if you want to specialize in endo later on...
3. UPENN has been running this program for over 20 years. Plenty of PASS alumni. Also, it's very well structured with dedicated staff (at least for the admissions process).
4. UPENN gives you a chance to do overseas externship at various locations. I recall a surgical rotation in Graz, Austria. How lovely!
5. BU (I haven't visited it physically, or virtually) runs APEX program. According to some, this is a waste of time. You pay expensive tuition to go and work as someone's office assistant. Some would disagree, I am sure.
6. BU shares patient pool with Harvard and Tufts.
7. BU is located in Boston. It's got some cool historical stuff littered around the town.


I'm totally exhausted from typing all that cr*p.

Good luck.

 

[UABDentist]

May I ask you where you did your basic dental training?
Where I am based now, there are both BU and UPenn graduates. To generalize each individual according to where they trained is highly subjective, you know I am sure. They are both confident dentists and good colleagues of mine. This is totally hearsay, however, I have overheard from some of the AEGD faculty that UPenn graduates tend to lack clinical skills. I don't know how BU graduates compare to that statement.

From what I've researched (once upon a time when I was applying to advanced standing programs), here are some of the outstanding things that were imprinted in my brain.

1. UPENN Charges you lots! You have to add extra for the 3 months of simulated lab as well.
2. UPENN has a famous endo department (a la Dr Syngcuk Kim) if you want to specialize in endo later on...
3. UPENN has been running this program for over 20 years. Plenty of PASS alumni. Also, it's very well structured with dedicated staff (at least for the admissions process).
4. UPENN gives you a chance to do overseas externship at various locations. I recall a surgical rotation in Graz, Austria. How lovely!
5. BU (I haven't visited it physically, or virtually) runs APEX program. According to some, this is a waste of time. You pay expensive tuition to go and work as someone's office assistant. Some would disagree, I am sure.
6. BU shares patient pool with Harvard and Tufts.
7. BU is located in Boston. It's got some cool historical stuff littered around the town.


I'm totally exhausted from typing all that cr*p.

Good luck.

BluetoothHunter
That's one fab Review of both univs... And your thoughts echo in my mind too... Digging a hole simple makes it deeper... Its a choice one has to make for oneself...
I havent seen Upenn as yet.. but will decide about it after I see it myself...
Good Job HUNTER 👍 👍 👍

 

[ToTaLLy_TaSha]

GO PENN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why? Cos I'm a PASS Student 😛 Honestly, let me tell you this, I loved BU, and whoever thinks that picking BU over Penn is settling for an inferior school is dead wrong. Both schools have its pros and cons, BU offers an excellent program and my friends who graduate from there (with no prior clinical experience after their old school, I might add) are confident and possess good skills. I honestly was in two minds about which school to pick, and in the end the whole ivy league deal won. Reality: Ivy League- no big deal.

However, since this is a debate, let me speak about the pros of Penn. Nice old school, rigorous training, great patient pool, wonderful instructors, leans towards gearing students for specialization, although they do stress that general dentists are the true heroes of dentistry, good reputation... I'm sure you have heard all of this before... and in many ways I suppose BU can compete with a few of these points as well. However, this is what I consider to be a huge pro in Penn's favor... We have a great deal of moral, psychological and mental support from the ladies at the international office, Dr. Lopez and Cindy and Cathy are just like family. We feel at home at Penn because of that, and they go totally out on a limb for us. Also a huge bonus: We are totally integrated with the regular class. BU is compartmentalized into AS and DMD, but at Penn, after the summer program, you're one big happy family. We also join university commitees, fraternities, and enjoy the benefits of the whole university atmosphere we have on campus. Most people wouldn't think of these things as being important, but I do and I think that really helps in removing pre-conceived notions from both sides, and I have learned a GREAT deal about the culture of this land, and how to integrate successfully in American society. After all, isn't that a part of your education too? 🙂

 

[BlueToothHunter]

As far as living goes, I live in Boston already 🙂.....its a nice place and I'm open to continuing here or making a change-

Paddy, if you are already living in Boston, then I would consider BU. Moving to PA and setting up again would cause you more tactical problem. It's always good to goto dental school where you have your family and friends. You may never know when your second best friend's neighbour has that Class 2 lesion or denture needs. Your contacts will be your source of patient referrals and also spiritual/emotional support. If I were you, I would stay and goto BU... only simply because you are already in Boston. It's a great place to be! Go for it!! 👍

 

[DMAT]

hey paddy n others...great job.
paddy i am in exactly same position as ur's....
n i am planning to go to penn as well.
lets c what finally comes out.
take care

 

[emsi]

Reality: Ivy League- no big deal.

i could not agree more.