I was planning on going to NYU (after giving up Tufts) and had been accepted to the summer research program when I found out yesterday that I got into UMDNJ (in state tutition). I know that everyone will flock to the tuition part and tell me that no matter where I go I will be a dentist, but I want to know program wise, what is best. I feel that NYU is quite often underestimated when their academic program is reivewed (even with the larger class size), but I also believe that UMDNJ is a very solid school too. I would like an honest opinion as to which program offers the best options as I am very confused. Thanks!
Urgent: NYU vs. UMDNJ
- Thread starter BBear008
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Since you are in state UMDNJ without a second glance. Use the extra money that you save to participate in externships and mission trips around the world to make yourself a better dentist. NYU is a great school but you just can't pass up UMDNJ's comparative costs.
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From my experience in clinic and what I constantly hear from practicing dentists is that you actually learn dentistry after you graduate. What I mean is, you will perform more procedures in the first 4 months of general practice than you did all 4 years of DS. DS is to make you just good enough not to permanently maim or kill a patient.
So if you subscribe to this notion, your decision will become very clear. 1 year after graduation there will be absolutely no inherent difference in your ability to perform dentistry, regardless of the school you went to. The real difference is how much $$ you send off every month to pay back your loans.
This may not be what you want to hear, but don't ask predents. Predents are consumed by school rep, avg entry scores, board pass rates, ivy/non-ivy, etc...
Ask practicing dentists to get a good answer.
If you want a dental student answer? UMDNJ hands down, no second thought, no brainer. Just my opinion.
So if you subscribe to this notion, your decision will become very clear. 1 year after graduation there will be absolutely no inherent difference in your ability to perform dentistry, regardless of the school you went to. The real difference is how much $$ you send off every month to pay back your loans.
This may not be what you want to hear, but don't ask predents. Predents are consumed by school rep, avg entry scores, board pass rates, ivy/non-ivy, etc...
Ask practicing dentists to get a good answer.
If you want a dental student answer? UMDNJ hands down, no second thought, no brainer. Just my opinion.
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You just answered your own question. Both are comparable schools but one has a higher price tag. Go figure.
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I interviewed at UMDNJ last year, and was very impressed with both the students and faculty. Additionally, an old family friend practicing general dentistry in South Jersey spoke very highly of the clinical skills he saw from UMNDJ students on a daily basis (as an adjunct faculty member-- the students would travel down from Newark to work in his clinics). His nephew recently graduated from NYU dental with over $250k in loans.
I think the choice is practically a no-brainer. As far as living in Newark goes-- that's optional. The on-campus housing at UMDNJ is actually pretty decent, but you know that already. And plenty of their students live out in Hoboken, or even down the shore. Apparently the train ride is a great study opportunity. Congrats on having such a horrible problem to sort through!
I think the choice is practically a no-brainer. As far as living in Newark goes-- that's optional. The on-campus housing at UMDNJ is actually pretty decent, but you know that already. And plenty of their students live out in Hoboken, or even down the shore. Apparently the train ride is a great study opportunity. Congrats on having such a horrible problem to sort through!
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One biased opinion coming right up!
One thing to consider is that if you're from NJ, you might be practicing in NJ afterwards. It would be to your advantage to be involved with NJ dentists and the NJDA to build connections and rapport with the dentists you'll be working with. If many dentists in NJ are from UMDNJ, they'll be more apt to hire UMDNJ grads.
As for the living situation, we have first years living in Jersey City and towns all over. The first two years it is advantageous to live close, but for years 3 and 4 it's totally different, you can go anywhere.
You marked this Urgent, so you may have made your decision already. What did you choose?
One thing to consider is that if you're from NJ, you might be practicing in NJ afterwards. It would be to your advantage to be involved with NJ dentists and the NJDA to build connections and rapport with the dentists you'll be working with. If many dentists in NJ are from UMDNJ, they'll be more apt to hire UMDNJ grads.
As for the living situation, we have first years living in Jersey City and towns all over. The first two years it is advantageous to live close, but for years 3 and 4 it's totally different, you can go anywhere.
You marked this Urgent, so you may have made your decision already. What did you choose?
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Bump. I'm interested in what decision the OP made as well. BTW which school has a better clinical reputation?
Hey guys,
It was actually quite a difficult decision, but I ended up choosing NYU. I know everyone is going to harp on me about the tuition and what not, but to each their own. I personally liked NYU's clincial program even though it has a larger class size (which was a large concern of mine) and higher tuition. I withdrew my acceptance from UMDNJ yesterday so there will a spot opening up. Good Luck to those on the waitlist!
It was actually quite a difficult decision, but I ended up choosing NYU. I know everyone is going to harp on me about the tuition and what not, but to each their own. I personally liked NYU's clincial program even though it has a larger class size (which was a large concern of mine) and higher tuition. I withdrew my acceptance from UMDNJ yesterday so there will a spot opening up. Good Luck to those on the waitlist!
