Columbia is not more famous or that people know better.
Actually it can be the opposite, since based on the USA Today ranking Upenn is ranked higher than Columbia. But this cannot conclude that Upenn is more famous as well. Both Ivy school.... so people know that school anywayz...
About Columbia
-NYC
-Small class population (in other perspective... well u gotta add with the med student...)
-pass/fail (might be less productive to people who prefer grades as incentives) but less stress overall...all u need is pass...so study for it...
- my experience is lack of facilities (don't know about the tools, but just the feeling...old buidling)... only 3 floors...but this is New York gotta understand that...space!!!
- no sim lab...might not need one...but someone might prefer.
-high specialties... but not necessary much higher than Upenn... similar...
-high board exams....cuz focus on didactics... reasonable...
Upenn
-higher tution
-Philadelphia vs NYC
-bigger/new building
-sim lab (but its under the basement...gloomy) if u r a person who needs to practice hand skills and learn stuff by yourself... might be helpful...
-much more focus on clinical practice than Columbia
-high specialty rate...ex. pediatric dentistry 12/12 got in... if u r interested in pediatric...lol
-high board exam...
-grade system... A/B/C could be stressful but could force you to study hard...
it depends...
Overally, go to the one you feel better...becuz both schools are awesome and good!!! U can be a good dentist if u study hard in either one of those schools...so relax...
Good Luck in choosing...