Upenn vs UTHSCSA

[jayashree]

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I have this tough decision to make and am uncertain.. Can folks please post in the pros and cons of both the schools . Any help is appreciated . Thanx🙂

 

[eyrobinson]

Why I would choose UTHSCSA:
1. It is one of the cheapest dental schools around. The price alone would make me go. Resident and non-resident is cheap.
2. I love Texas! The people are so nice. It never really gets cold there (I hate the cold). San Antonio is a nice city with lots of things to do (Sea World and Six Flags). Although it would be an advantage to speak Spanish.
3. Just about everything in Texas is cheap (housing).

The only reason I would choose UPenn is the name.

Let us know which one you choose! 🙂

 

[litldime]

cost vs. big name

ps- san antonio IS well known also!
At the end of the day, your standard of living will be better in Texas and you will be less in debt- most importantly, you will receive a wonderful dental education. Can't beat that!

 

[jayashree]

any more opinions any one... How much wud a Ivy league tag be useful in a dental career?

 

[bodiddely]

How much wud a Ivy league tag be useful in a dental career?

From Dentaltown, Re: usefulness of Ivy League tag:

Yes, remind your family constantly, because they are the only people who will care.

Do a search for upenn at dentaltown, 99% of them will say to go to the cheapest place you get in. And San Antonio is A LOT cheaper. Plus the weather is much nicer and it really is a cool city.

 

[TexDent2008]

UTHSCSA IS a big name in the dental world. So I've been told at many a residency interview (and was granted offers from all I interviewed at, and was preceeded by other graduates from the school - almost a third of the last class went on to post-grad programs and our class is looking to be about the same). Looking at the Penn curriculum, it seems pretty similar to ours, with the exception of the 6 week hospital externship at Penn. We do 2 weeks in our affiliated hospital dentistry clinic, and seeing as the majority of procedures in hospitals are full mouth radiographic surveys and subsequent extractions prior to transplant surgeries (aka clearances) since most hospital clinics are not equipped for comprehensive dental care, I prefer the shorter rotation, but that is just me. And you shouldn't choose a 4-yr school based on 4 weeks anyhow. Just letting you know that SA does open doors in the dental world.

 

[TexDent2008]

And PS, my debt after attendind 4 years solely on financial aid will be under $160,000. Can pay off in 2-3 years if I wanted to!

 

[jayashree]

Guess it makes more sense financially and with family in TX and Ivy not being a major denominator for future work / academics to choose UTHSCSA.