USC or Case or NYU

[wlee009]

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Hi all,
I was fortunate enough to be accepted to three schools and I need to make a decision now. I have researched about the schools seriously and evaluated their pros and cons, but I still can't make my decision. Anyways, here's what I got:

USC
Pros: Location (I live close to LA and going to USC will enable me to receive support from family and friends), name tag (reputation), weather, good network
Cons: PBL (I learn a lot when I'm in a study group, but I learn a lot from lectures as well. 100% PBL curriculum doesn't seem good for me), cost (>350k 😱)

Case
Pros: Cost (~280k; cheap compared to NYU and USC), PBL+Lecture hybrid
Cons: Cleveland, no support from family and friends, weather

NYU (don't know much about this school)
Pros: Get to live in NYC
Cons: Cost (~330k), no support

Can you guys give me more info and advice about these 3 schools so I can make up my mind? Thanks in advance

 

[TeethVader]

I would definitely go to Case, the hybrid pbl+lecture curriculum is excellent. When I visited there, their sim labs where very nice and the people there where very happy about their choice of going there. I would strongly recommend Case (hehehe ironic that this is coming from a USC student)

 

[Denticized]

Almost in the same boat:
NYU and Case

but I am leaning toward NYU not because of the city but rather because it simply seems like a better choice than all of them.

I visited USC and they were all jerks there. They have that rich boy college attitude. Between NYU and Case it is a tougher decision.

There are a few things I have considered: 1) plastinated anatomy at NYU saves a lot of time to study 2) NYU ranks fifth in NIH rankings 3) Half off Fridays give additional time to study 4) the library cannot even be described.

But as far as the cost I doubt if the difference between 280 and 330 makes a difference. However, Case does have advantages over NYU such as being able to rent an apartment near campus which is invaluable.

If you want we can talk more since I am also dubious
[email protected]

 

[abzirian]

When i asked about the daily schedules at both Case and NYU, Case had a lot more free time due to the hybrid pbl curriculum (I don't have the exact sample schedule as I'm in Tokyo and didn't bring my notes)

Almost in the same boat:
NYU and Case

but I am leaning toward NYU not because of the city but rather because it simply seems like a better choice than all of them.

I visited USC and they were all jerks there. They have that rich boy college attitude. Between NYU and Case it is a tougher decision.

There are a few things I have considered: 1) plastinated anatomy at NYU saves a lot of time to study 2) NYU ranks fifth in NIH rankings 3) Half off Fridays give additional time to study 4) the library cannot even be described.

But as far as the cost I doubt if the difference between 280 and 330 makes a difference. However, Case does have advantages over NYU such as being able to rent an apartment near campus which is invaluable.

If you want we can talk more since I am also dubious
[email protected]

 

[DATRAT]

Usc>case>nyu

 

[Blitzdt]

Usc>case>nyu

From my opinion it's Case>NYU>USC
You got to go to Case to believe it. NYU is pretty nice as well, but too costly.

 

[moistener]

Usc>case>nyu

Care to expand on your insightful ranking?

 

[DDSY]

PBL= waste of time+unfair. First off, someone in the group is bound to dominate--there are always selfish people who are hungry for attention and can't care less about anyone else as long as they receive the highest grade. If you are the shy type or if you are not fully prepared for the PBL session, prepared to be unprepared--meaning that you are going to get nothing from the PBL session and you will also appear stupid (material is already technical the way it is). Each group is also small and you might end up with a pathetic group--people who can't care less about doing their share of the work and thus your learning suffers. Furthermore, PBL doesn't cover the amount of information that a typical lecture covers. Those who end up in bad groups will suffer when exam time comes.

I would definitely go to Case, the hybrid pbl+lecture curriculum is excellent. When I visited there, their sim labs where very nice and the people there where very happy about their choice of going there. I would strongly recommend Case (hehehe ironic that this is coming from a USC student)

 

[DDSY]

but I am leaning toward NYU . . . 4) the library cannot even be described.

The NYU library, especially the Bobst library further downtown (easily accessed through the NYU bus that comes to the dental center multiple times per hour) is a haven for those who want to do serious studying. I've never seen a library that comes close. It is ginormous--twelve floors + two sublevels and tons of rooms to study in if you want to study by yourself--You can easily hide yourself from the entire world. The bottom two floors are open 24 hours. Plenty of fast food places and restaurants that are open 24/7. There are also lockers that you can rent for reasonable rates. You can also borrow laptops and there are plenty of computers you can use for research.

In addition to the library, there are tons of study rooms and lounges dispersed throughout NYU.

 

[Blitzdt]

I took 1 whole month to sort it out...weighing out of pros/cons. I ended up with Case. Just thought I want to share my ultimate decision. You can search old threads for pros/cons. By the way, I have the two options as well. However, either way I think you're going to receive a really good education. I totally loved NYU when I was there, but I chose Case at the end. It was, indeed, a hard decision.

 

[wlee009]

I would definitely go to Case, the hybrid pbl+lecture curriculum is excellent. When I visited there, their sim labs where very nice and the people there where very happy about their choice of going there. I would strongly recommend Case (hehehe ironic that this is coming from a USC student)

Were you accepted to both Case and USC? If you were, what made you to pick USC over Case? Also, what do you like and dislike about USC? Do you think PBL teaches you enough to do well in classes? I have asked this question to students during my interview, but they avoided to answer my question by saying things like, "oh, you'll get used to it" so I don't know whether they really like PBL or not...

 

[TeethVader]

Were you accepted to both Case and USC? If you were, what made you to pick USC over Case? Also, what do you like and dislike about USC? Do you think PBL teaches you enough to do well in classes? I have asked this question to students during my interview, but they avoided to answer my question by saying things like, "oh, you'll get used to it" so I don't know whether they really like PBL or not...

1) Sadly I did not get accepted to Case
2) I got accepted to BU, NYU, Marquette; however, I am married and my wife is in Medical School around this area (Cali), so my option was Cali.
3) What I like about SC is their constant abuse on producing strongly-oriented hand-skill dentists. What do I dislike about SC? Everything else; 100% PBL sucks, everything is subjective here gradewise. You have a facilitator during a PBL Session and is up to her/him to subjectively grade you. Some of these "facilitators" are senior students and/or people who sometimes have no clue on the case in question (they're no experts) and hence, cannot give a clear guidance throughout the clinical case. That totally sucks!!
Furthermore, they expect you to learn Pedo, Perio, Local, Endo, and Operative through PBL cases and not actual in-depth lectures...that totally sucks for me. It is very frustrating since they expect you to know the theorical material in the clinic floor.
4) Absolutely not! PBL does not teach you everything; it merely gives a picture of the material you are responsble of (i.e. Anatomy of Lung, Pato of lung etcetc). 100% PBL totally sucks. USC stronghold is in the handskill arena, they work your arse like crazy in preclinical and in the clinic.

If you really have the desire to attend SC be aware that you must come with an aggresive motivation to study on your own. If not, try other schools that will push you to do so. In my case, I really wanted to attent BU since they're program is very rigorous and intensive; but oh well, I had to be close to the wife. Hope this helps

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

From my opinion it's Case>NYU>USC

i concur.

 

[DATRAT]

I got accepted to the above, I admit case was nice and it appeared to be a great school, I am however from the west side and couldn't see myself living in cleveland. I've talked to a lot of my friends going to school over there and they too hated living there and said it was worth the money to go to USC. I attend USC, i am a first year and though at first i was really nervous about the PBL, I love it! It has definitly grown on me and i couldn't see myself anywhere else. I love the location (not necessarily of USC, but i don't find it as bad as everyone else makes of it) i live in south pasadena, it's awesome. Honestly the fact that i had friends going to USC, the location, it's USC, it's fun and the first semester we only went monday wed and friday. The students are chill, for the most part and I've had plenty of time to play and study. It's a great life right now and i havn't found anything negative about the program except for one jerk prof./facilitator. I love it and don't regret not going to case at all... People will say this and that about every school, you just have to decide where you want to be cause really, in the long run, it doesn't really matter. Go where you want to go, cause you're there for 4+ years...

 

[GiveMeDMD]

I got accepted to the above, I admit case was nice and it appeared to be a great school, I am however from the west side and couldn't see myself living in cleveland. I've talked to a lot of my friends going to school over there and they too hated living there and said it was worth the money to go to USC. I attend USC, i am a first year and though at first i was really nervous about the PBL, I love it! It has definitly grown on me and i couldn't see myself anywhere else. I love the location (not necessarily of USC, but i don't find it as bad as everyone else makes of it) i live in south pasadena, it's awesome. Honestly the fact that i had friends going to USC, the location, it's USC, it's fun and the first semester we only went monday wed and friday. The students are chill, for the most part and I've had plenty of time to play and study. It's a great life right now and i havn't found anything negative about the program except for one jerk prof./facilitator. I love it and don't regret not going to case at all... People will say this and that about every school, you just have to decide where you want to be cause really, in the long run, it doesn't really matter. Go where you want to go, cause you're there for 4+ years...

I live in orange county, and I would NOT choose to pay 380K+ just to live in california. From your stated "pros" on USC, your reasons for going seem to be entirely superficial, much like californians are so you probably can't help it lol. Hopefully only going to class 3 days a week will pay off on the boards for you...good luck .

To the OP, I would choose Case over USC/NYU....if u like the locations so much just take the Western or Eastern regional boards and move there in 4 years....with significantly less debt.

 

[Speeddater]

I live in orange county, and I would NOT choose to pay 380K+ just to live in california. From your stated "pros" on USC, your reasons for going seem to be entirely superficial, much like californians are so you probably can't help it lol. Hopefully only going to class 3 days a week will pay off on the boards for you...good luck .

To the OP, I would choose Case over USC/NYU....if u like the locations so much just take the Western or Eastern regional boards and move there in 4 years....with significantly less debt.

heh

 

[DDSY]

Just note that the difference in total cost (including living expense) among Case, USC and NYU for all four years is $30-60K (Adea official guide), which is a fraction of a dentist's yearly income. Cost, in my opinion, is insignificant in this case (heh), unless you plan to attend a state institution.

Go with your gut instinct, where you will feel most comfortable and where you will do the best. In the long run, doing well in d-school is all that matters.

 

[abzirian]

But the Adea guide posts slightly different total costs then the spreadsheets each of those schools provided. Case was something like 280K and NYU was like 330K. And i hear USC was even more so the smallest difference between the cheapest school (Case) and the next has to be 50k, which is still a rather big loan that needs years of repayment..

Just note that the difference in total cost (including living expense) among Case, USC and NYU for all four years is $30-60K (Adea official guide), which is a fraction of a dentist's yearly income. Cost, in my opinion, is insignificant in this case (heh), unless you plan to attend a state institution.

Go with your gut instinct, where you will feel most comfortable and where you will do the best. In the long run, doing well in d-school is all that matters.

 

[cbc32]

This is a no brainer. Case would definately be the better choice. Not only does it cost way less than USC but it has less numbers and newer facilities. I don't know about NYU but it sounds like they are a dentist factory. I could be wrong about NYU but Case over USC definately.

 

[DDSY]

Paying off in--small--installments require years, of course. But in actuality, the difference is less than half a year's worth of income + the interest. Compare this to the time period you will be working as a dentist. As a doctor told me, "it won't even feel like you're paying off the loan".

But the Adea guide posts slightly different total costs then the spreadsheets each of those schools provided. Case was something like 280K and NYU was like 330K. And i hear USC was even more so the smallest difference between the cheapest school (Case) and the next has to be 50k, which is still a rather big loan that needs years of repayment..

 

[Dr. juju]

I vote for case
case>NYU>USC if you don't like the pbl
case>USC>NYU if you like the pbl and you are an independent person! (you know you will be paying 68K tuition a year to teach yourself 😛 )

 

[abzirian]

I understand your point. But in my opinion, half a year's worth of income is still a significant factor to choose between schools - afterall, 50k is worth a nice car.

I do agree that Case is still relatively expensive and thus closer to the expenses of NYU and USC. There's nowhere else i'd rather be in the US than in Manhattan, but the smaller class sizes and the new hybrid pbl curriculum is whats drawing me in, plus 50k.

Paying off in--small--installments require years, of course. But in actuality, the difference is less than half a year's worth of income + the interest. Compare this to the time period you will be working as a dentist. As a doctor told me, "it won't even feel like you're paying off the loan".

 

[DDSY]

I understand your point. But in my opinion, half a year's worth of income is still a significant factor to choose between schools - afterall, 50k is worth a nice car.

I do agree that Case is still relatively expensive and thus closer to the expenses of NYU and USC. There's nowhere else i'd rather be in the US than in Manhattan, but the smaller class sizes and the new hybrid pbl curriculum is whats drawing me in, plus 50k.

Good point. $50K is still a lot of dough for many people, although not significant for me (personal opinion) in the grand scheme of things.

Just note that a hybrid pbl curriculum is nothing new in lower tier medical schools. In fact, some medical schools have tried to implement a full pbl curriculum but the only place that it works well is Harvard medical school, because the students there are really intelligent leading to more efficient learning. A formerly respectable school like MCP Hahnemann (now known as Drexel) incorporated the full pbl curriculum but a large number (I mean really large) failed the boards and the school was put on probation. In fact, they also offered the traditional method (lecture) of teaching and the students who take this option have no problem with the boards. It's a good thing Case didn't implement the full PBL curriculum--that would be pretty risky.

 

[shamrock2006]

I really liked NYU, and barring being taken off the waitlist at other schools, or getting into my state school...NYU it is (Plus i got the air force scholarship which will help). Library was amazing, technologically superior in my opinion, awesome opportunity to live in NYC (at least somewhere). And now that I just read they have a bus that takes you to the other library...i wonder if that works for the gym as well? thats one thing that got me, that you have to go the undergrad campus (15 new york blocks away) to get to the gym.

 

[DDSY]

I'm not really sure if the dental school has their own gym (I think they probably do). But the bus (there are different types of bus routes too) takes you anywhere (multiple stops), including the many gym locations throughout NYU.

I really liked NYU, and barring being taken off the waitlist at other schools, or getting into my state school...NYU it is (Plus i got the air force scholarship which will help). Library was amazing, technologically superior in my opinion, awesome opportunity to live in NYC (at least somewhere). And now that I just read they have a bus that takes you to the other library...i wonder if that works for the gym as well? thats one thing that got me, that you have to go the undergrad campus (15 new york blocks away) to get to the gym.