USC or NOVA

[dentalstudent3]

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I got into USC and Nova dental. I want to practice in California, but the cost difference between USC and NOVA is significant. If I go to NOVA, would it be difficult in returning to California or getting a residency/job in CA? Any advice would be great.

 

[mr24]

What's the total price difference?

 

[dentalstudent3]

80k difference

 

[spearmint]

80K is a big difference once you factor in accrued interest, which would probably be more than $100K+ once it's all said and done . I don't think you should have much problem coming back to CA to practice if that is your goal. There are many students who go to schools in different states and have no problem coming back to CA to get their licenses. I actually know many graduates from CA schools leaving this state to practice elsewhere due to the lack of well paying positions. Either way, you would be fine. You'll just end up paying a lot more for one option.

 

[mr24]

👍

80K is a big difference once you factor in accrued interest, which would probably be more than $100K+ once it's all said and done . I don't think you should have much problem coming back to CA to practice if that is your goal. There are many students who go to schools in different states and have no problem coming back to CA to get their licenses. I actually know many graduates from CA schools leaving this state to practice elsewhere due to the lack of well paying positions. Either way, you would be fine. You'll just end up paying a lot more for one option.

 

[yamazaho]

There will be no issue for you to come back to CA to work after going to NOVA man, take the correct regional board exam and you will be fine.

 

[idagger]

There will be no issue for you to come back to CA to work after going to NOVA man, take the correct regional board exam and you will be fine.

He's right.

Both are excellent schools. However, I do agree the cost difference is significant. If your only qualm about attending NOVA is the ability/ease to practice in CA, then you should go to NOVA. If you take the Western Regional Board Exam, you will be fine, as yamazaho said. Also, keep in mind that after graduation you will most likely do a residency and will be able to select a location for that as well.

 

[mike3kgt]

I went to Nova. I have a CA license... far easier to get CA licensure through WREB than FL licensure. Think it as a way to save $$ and to get a FL license.

If it makes any difference, we had a transfer student from USC to Nova when I was at school there. I do hear it's better now though.

 

[Raluca]

I got into USC and Nova dental. I want to practice in California, but the cost difference between USC and NOVA is significant. If I go to NOVA, would it be difficult in returning to California or getting a residency/job in CA? Any advice would be great.

I don't think there is any difference in the end between Nova and USC because Nova is posting only tuition, but with cost of instruments, books, living, it is almost as much as USC, plus Nova is 3 years and USC is only 2 years, so I think that if you are interested in the costs, then USC is a better choice(only 2 years and you can practice one year earlier).
Read very well the costs of both schools and take in account that one is 2 years and the other one 3 years. If you graduate from USC you take directly the WREB and if you go to Nova, then you have to take the WREB at one of the California schools.
Good luck with whatever choice you will make!

 

[hammoudeh71]

I don't think there is any difference in the end between Nova and USC because Nova is posting only tuition, but with cost of instruments, books, living, it is almost as much as USC, plus Nova is 3 years and USC is only 2 years, so I think that if you are interested in the costs, then USC is a better choice(only 2 years and you can practice one year earlier).
Read very well the costs of both schools and take in account that one is 2 years and the other one 3 years. If you graduate from USC you take directly the WREB and if you go to Nova, then you have to take the WREB at one of the California schools.
Good luck with whatever choice you will make!

You are talkin about the international dentist programs (2 versus 3). If you noticed, this thread is for regular dds, it's not even listed in the international section!

 

[Raluca]

You are talkin about the international dentist programs (2 versus 3). If you noticed, this thread is for regular dds, it's not even listed in the international section!

Sorry, you are right. I was thinking about FTD programs