USC v. LECOM

[letsdoitbama]

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Two schools I got into, initially thought USC because I would rather stay on the west coast and my girlfriend lives in LA. However, after some financial crunching it basically amounts to $100,000 more total over time, about $900 extra a month for ten years versus LECOM.

Hard to say how good LECOM will be clinically as it doesn't exist yet, and everybody basically worships anything USC on the west coast. Girlfriend does NOT want to move to florida, and I can't say I really do either, it couldn't be further from our home state washington.

I feel like I would be happier at USC, but man LECOM is so much cheaper. Please somebody give me advice if I would just be committing financial suicide or not, my mind's too jumbled to even think about it anymore.

 

[teddyllama]

I'm not a practicing dentist, so my advice is limited. As an older candidate for school, I would definitely consider cost. You heard their financial aid lecture, that is difficult to pay back, but depends on your circumstances. As with anything this large financially, it is always better to limit your debt. Calculate what interest alone is, it's astonishing. That said, you have to weigh if USC's program is a good fit for you as well. I know nothing about LECOM, but if you would feel comfortable with either program, my advice would be go cheaper... You can do anything for four years.

Best of luck with your decision. I have been weighing things out as well since the first and am no where closer. I feel your pain.

 

[bing12]

u planning on marrying this girl? Do you like PBL?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

since USC is established-->USC

 

[little Buddy]

I might be bias here but what would your chances at specializing be if you went to LECOM? I would expect those odds to be better at USC. If I had to choose I would pick LECOM just because of finances and knowing I want to be a GP, but it sounds like you are trying to find reasons not to pick USC...

 

[Babyblue57]

Usc

 

[LaFleur]

since USC is established-->USC

This is my exact thought process.

I guess it depends, but I'm a pessimist so I'm wary of any program that doesn't exist yet/hasn't graduated a class yet. I don't like the unknown where my education is concerned. I wonder if there's any real way to compare them since LECOM doesn't really exist yet.

I'd still say better the devil you know than the devil you don't, though.

 

[TalkingTom]

USC. from the people that I have talked to that interviewed at LECOM, that place sounds like a scary gamble. At least with USC you know what you are getting into, + girlfriend + USC network. easy choice

 

[letsdoitbama]

Well thanks so much for the responses, definitely great advice. I agree that such an established program does certainly hold weight, as does not being miserable for four very stressful years. Now I just have to decide if the benefits of USC are worth $100,000. Eh, pocket change right...😕

 

[Vigilante]

Well thanks so much for the responses, definitely great advice. I agree that such an established program does certainly hold weight, as does not being miserable for four very stressful years. Now I just have to decide if the benefits of USC are worth $100,000. Eh, pocket change right...😕

Ok, $100K isn't pocket change, but it's also not the end of the world. Assuming you get a really good clinical education, you'll be making that when you graduate, with the potential to make a lot more in the years that follow. On the other hand, if you get a bad clinical experience, you'll probably lack confidence and might want to do a GPR making $30K per year...You've just lost $70K of potential earnings right there. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed and this is totally a hypothetical argument, but my point is, look at the big picture.

Plus, that girlfriend of yours isn't going to stick around long if you move her to Btown 😉

 

[DesertSonata]

Lets be a bit more realistic here. How many new dental schools have failed in their dental program in the past?

I would choose LECOM if it means saving $100K.

 

[flourish09]

I wouldn't factor in where your girlfriend lives because 1. you need to choose the school that's best for your future whether that means saving 100K now or choosing USC because you feel more confident in their established curriculum. do it for you and 2. on a more personal note, if you two really love each other you will make it work long distance. i've been with my boyfriend for the past 8 years the majority of which, due to different school locations, has been long distance and we are happier/better off than any of the other relationships i know. if anything i think it makes a relationship stronger. it is hard, but it's worth it when you get to be together again. especially if you'll be a practicing dentist then 🙂 good luck with your decision !

 

[wired202808]

Lets be a bit more realistic here. How many new dental schools have failed in their dental program in the past?

I would choose LECOM if it means saving $100K.

i bet its less than 1%.

but the better question is how many students felt they got the best education possible from a new school? I bet that % is really low as well. It sucks to be a 400K guinea pig. Theres no need to think about this.

Its plain and simple. USC.

 

[letsdoitbama]

Once again, great advice guys. I'm definitely back leaning towards USC, for basically all the reasons mentioned. I've talked to a couple older dentists who were very impressed with USC, and didn't even acknowledge I got into some LECOM (side note: LECOM do you really have to be called LECOM? I don't even know what a LECOM is).

Anyways, I'll be happier at SC and in the words of my dentist, who is the age of someone I'll potentially become an associate of for a couple years, USC will "help open other doors further down the line". Will that necessarily knock off $100000 difference? Not quite, but all there is to do at this point is give it a shot. Thanks again for the thoughts!

 

[timwatley]

At USC you'll have professors that have been there for 30-40 years...that know how to teach. There are also specialty programs which could expose you to different skills. Tuition sucks, I'm really sorry about your situation. Get the best bang for your buck though - get the USC name, network with great alumni, enjoy your gf, enjoy the nice facilities. Lecom will be learning how to be a dental school whereas USC knows how to be one..and that's important.

 

[ta11geese3]

LECOM's name is a joke, but they made their program sound pretty good at the interview with the huge amount of clinical hours they have planned in the curriculum.

No idea how good USC's program is now but it had some bad rap before... but still, patients like the name.

*shrugs*

Did you like bradenton though? I couldn't stand how you couldn't make a left turn from a side street, and that instead you had to drive down and then make a u turn lol

 

[little Buddy]

Did you like bradenton though? I couldn't stand how you couldn't make a left turn from a side street, and that instead you had to drive down and then make a u turn lol

lol, I thought this was a bit odd as well...But I come from a town of 2,800 people so I'm not use to larger roads lol.

 

[letsdoitbama]

haha yeah I got sick of u-turns too. It's just crazy how spread out everything is there, but hey at least it's not ghetto. I didn't mind bradenton too much, although it is a little boring. It just unfortunately happens to be in the wrong corner of the country for me. Now if only my state school would give me a call...haha oh well can't win 'em all.

 

[NguyenDDS]

Whichever decision you make, just wanted to say congratulations!! 🙂

 

[OCDFlosser]

Two schools I got into, initially thought USC because I would rather stay on the west coast and my girlfriend lives in LA. However, after some financial crunching it basically amounts to $100,000 more total over time, about $900 extra a month for ten years versus LECOM.

Hard to say how good LECOM will be clinically as it doesn't exist yet, and everybody basically worships anything USC on the west coast. Girlfriend does NOT want to move to florida, and I can't say I really do either, it couldn't be further from our home state washington.

I feel like I would be happier at USC, but man LECOM is so much cheaper. Please somebody give me advice if I would just be committing financial suicide or not, my mind's too jumbled to even think about it anymore.

If I were you, despite the cost difference, I would go with USC.

My reasoning is simple: 1) Lecom is a new program 2) I'm from Bradenton, so I know how "uninteresting" the area can be (you would miss your gf even more!)

Lecom would only get my vote if someone had no other options...even though I love PBL.