UPenn vs UT San Antonio

[Piranha21]

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Hi everybody,
I am trying to decide between San Antonio and Penn and would just like people's opinions about both. I think I would be happier at Penn, but the price tag is just super high (I am in state for SA). Would it be that hard to pay off the difference in cost after dental school?
Any criticisms would help! Thanks!

 

[RedDevilDDS]

Both schools are very good so no brainer... UT San Antonio since you're in-state.

 

[BLTDENT]

That cost difference is huge. Tuition and fees, and cost of living at UPENN are way more. Factor in interest and I don't know why you would even consider UPENN. Just my opinion though. Plus I'll be at San Antonio so we can be classmates! 🙂

 

[RSimon]

If you choose UTHSC SA join our group http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_136382943081770&ap=1

 

[icedspice]

I was planning on going to UPenn until mid July when I heard from Houston. I was already settled at Penn (housing, furniture, sign up for loans, EVERYTHING!... even met a few cool 2nd years). The moment I heard I got into Houston, I dropped everything in Philly and ran back to Texas.
Although I had tried VERY VERY hard, the thought of 360,000+interest at Penn (compared to approx 160,000 at Texas schools) was too much to handle.

If I had the choice (which thankfully I did), I would pick the cheaper alternative.
Here are some +/-s of both schools.

Penn:
+Building is in the middle of a busy campus. LOT of interaction with neighboring schools. Very college-y feeling.
+ Nice building for the most part.
- But, from what I know, students are stuck in the basement for 2 years =\
- cold cold cold
- crime? i wasn't there for long, but I heard plenty about it.
+ AWESOME and extremely helpful admissions committee (Ms Cacas)
+ It seemed like the school worked along well with what the students wanted/needed. They would be flexible in changing the curriculum/schedules if needed.
+/- More students will be wanting to do specializations. So more competitive? However, if you want to specialize, I guess it would make you a competitive applicant by having the Penn stamp on your application? 🙂
+ Again, from what I saw during the summer and from FB updates/pics, the students seems very outgoing and have a life.
- Overall, rent is high. Public transportation add up. Convenient stores around campus are higher priced than the regular HEB.

UTHSCSA
+new facility
- I heard the campus was by itself? Not sure. So not as college-y as Penn.
- I have heard the students are COMPETITIVEEEEE... eeks.
+Warm weather
+/- NEAR HOME!!!
I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUUT IT!!! hence I can't say tooo much!

Ok so that being said, I realized that I wrote down a lot more about Penn than San Antonio. Haha, totally going against what I said earlier about choosing SA.
I guess thats because I have a comparison between Houston and San Antonio. I would prefer Houston because it is less competitive (and we will be getting a spanking new building in 1.5 years)

Although it is nice to have the Ivy degree on your wall, I would just ask myself... how many times do you GO to a dentist/doctor and LOOK at their wall or at their credentials? Most of the times I have picked a doctor, it is by recommendations by family/friends and website reviews. And you get that by just being a good dentist and a good person.

So. enjoy. I might have just confused you more.
PM me if you need more info/clarification/etc.

 

[binsbts]

Hi everybody,
I am trying to decide between San Antonio and Penn and would just like people's opinions about both. I think I would be happier at Penn, but the price tag is just super high (I am in state for SA). Would it be that hard to pay off the difference in cost after dental school?
Any criticisms would help! Thanks!

I think it really depends on your professional and family goals. Penn's great for specializing, being a part of the academic..getting involved in clinical research later in your life etc. Penn is on a grading system. Penn has honors programs in research, public health etc.

Philadelphia is very expensive to live. Penn emphasizes a greater deal on clinical programs compared to other ivy leagues from what i heard.

What are your goals? do you want to specialize? Practice in Texas or east coast? does your family have enough money to cover some of the tuition? How do you intend to use what you gain from Penn or San Antonio after graduation? where you want to practice and...what and how you want to practice could guide you to where you should go.

 

[DrDDSman]

state school for sure. The difference of $200,000 is MORE than the cost of attendance for SA. Think about what you can do with that savings when you're done school (invest in a practice, home, nicer car, savings, etc)

good luck

 

[321931]

state school for sure. The difference of $200,000 is MORE than the cost of attendance for SA. Think about what you can do with that savings when you're done school (invest in a practice, home, nicer car, savings, etc)

good luck

You become a dentist either way. Why anyone would turn down a texas school for an out of state private school is beyond me. I mean I guess theres a name... "prestige" factor... but in the end, its what you put into a program is what you'll get out of it. You'll become competant at any accredited school. Justifiying 200k extra costs just doesn't sound reasonable in my opinion. I think many of the older students that have worked and know the value of money will say stick with your state/cheaper school.

I admit, being a 22 year old, I don't know the reality of paying bills, owning a house, paying a car, having a family etc etc. I guess thats why 200k to me doesn't seem like "much." However, when you start paying the bills, raising a family, buying a house, settling down, paying taxes, you'll understand how fickle money is and why being in debt sucks.

That's why many of the older posters, or current dentists say: "pick a school that is cheaper." The real world of being 200k in debt sucks.

 

[CADentGal]

If you're from SA, the cold in PA will get to you more than you know... trust me! I'm in MA right now, and am sooo not used to needing to wear more than one pair of pants and leggings at a time. Btwn that and cost, it's not even close.

 

[Dentinmyarmor]

cold blows. Really. It physically and mentally drains me. I wish I was a texas resident or something. SA FOR SURE!

 

[Britty894]

Well, lets just say I had quite a few schools to choose from and one of my big ones was San Antonio vs. Penn. I advise you to go with your heart if you know what I mean.... And if you go instate, go to houston. Trust me. PM me if anyone has questions.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

This is the biggest no-brainer ever.

UTSA without question.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

state school for sure. The difference of $200,000 is MORE than the cost of attendance for SA. Think about what you can do with that savings when you're done school (invest in a practice, home, nicer car, savings, etc)

good luck

Yea. This is literally the only thing that matters.

 

[Britty894]

Actually its not the biggest no brainer ever.. you get what you pay for.. and its uthscsa.. not utsa.

 

[Maygyver]

Definitely San Antonio.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

Actually its not the biggest no brainer ever.. you get what you pay for.. and its uthscsa.. not utsa.

Oh my bad 🙄

re: "you get for what you pay for". This is implying that Penn is $200,000 better dental school than UTHSASJsdf which is highly, highly, highly, highly, highly, highly doubtful. Heck, no one even knows if it is better at all.

 

[Britty894]

Oh so youre in dental school? And you go to san antonio?

 

[Britty894]

Im not implying that Penn is worth 200,000 dollars more than this school but Im saying that the fact that it is so cheap comes along with a lot of problems. Especially when it comest to state funding and how this has rolled back on us with losing faculty and facing other economic problems that end up having negative effects on all of us.