The Texas schools are some of the cheapest in the country, without question. I believe this year comes out to right around $11,200 for tuition, and right around $15,000 for additional educational expenses. Even for out-of-state students, it is very cheap.
The OP is a FTD. So these numbers don't apply in his case. The right cost of education (without roam and board) for
two years is:
Texas resident: 105K
Non-resident: 125K
UPenn PASS: 150K
I see the $ difference is still considerable.
I can't help you picking a school, because I didn't apply/interview in UTHSCSA. All that I can tell is why I declined UPenn offer, although I have been dreaming of UPenn since I got my foreign DDS in 2001! And the fact that I have a brother in Philly.
1- Scary labs. I used to say "who cares about labs, we are gonna be D3
🙄". Well in Upenn, D3's spend a lot of time underground.
2- It's a hassel to get a chair in D3. I know the requirements are not that difficult to attain, but it still is a source of more stress. When I asked them about chairs, they said "don't worry, you will be busy doing other things... like labwork or..." humm that made me feel better
😴
3- Have you seen the "Main Clinic" ...It's like a noisy beach!!! No patient privacy, the students fill out the charts on their knees.
So I didnt like either the lab or the clinic, and I believe their clinical components are not better than other schools'. Spacially with number 2 above.
4- The Ivy League reputation is worthless if you wanna work right after your degree...Worthless if you wanna specialize, because you will be competing with half of your class.
5- Their didactic/basic science components are great. Yes but who cares! You are already done with your Part I, and probably Part II.
6- I liked Boston better
😀
UPenn has been on the top of my
personal preference up to the interview day, when It moved to the 3rd place after Tufts and UMN.
My advice is: money is important. Both programs are accredited and excellent. look where you would like to live for these two years, and where you would like to live for the rest of your life. FTD's tend to stay where they do thier degree, as they may develop some ties and connections during these two years.
Edit: I mentioned UMN coz we both interviewed there.
