USC vs. Tufts. Help Please!

[DentalCavity]

I gained an early acceptance to Tufts and USC and need help determining where to go...I have lived in SoCal my whole life and Los Angeles for the past 4 years. I enjoy LA and have built a strong connection of friends and family in this area. Thus, USC is extremely appealing.

I recently talked to a couple third year students at USC and learned the following:

• Both students told me that PBL is a joke and does not prepare you for the NBDE 1. However, the school gives you an adequate amount of time (3-4 weeks) to study independently and both students I talked to passed part 1.

• USC excels at preparing students clinically
• The school is making changes in their curriculum. For instance, these students were required to participate in PBL 3X a week. However, students now only have to participate 2X a week.
• Students are friendly/nice environment

I have also talked to a 1st year and graduate student at Tufts. They both told me that the school is wonderful. In fact, I have heard nothing bad about Tufts. However, I am worried about moving into a completely new environment, the weather, lack of support....etc

I feel like I would more likely thrive in a familiar environment close to home, family...etc but should I go to the better school....guhhh i have a headache

USC: ~$390000
Tufts: ~$358000
Difference in price not that bad...

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[Bis-GMA111]

i've never heard anything negative anything about tufts either...i'd say tufts over usc any day of the week. sometimes, it is good to step outside of your comfort zone.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

USC: ~$390000
Tufts: ~$358000
Difference in price not that bad...

Tufts for sure. I would never go to USC just because their PBL curriculum is such a terrible way for you to learn. USC's reputation on here is also pretty bad. It may be a clinic school, but the worst dentist I ever saw went to USC. Maybe that made me a bit bias. Tufts is a great school and Boston is an amazing city. It might be different from what you're used to, but its nice to experience different places when you still can.

Also, the price isn't bad. But 30K difference almost doubles when you factor in interest over 10-20 years. So Tufts has a better curriculum, better price, and better reputation. I don't see anything not to like.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

Sergio, the financial aid officer at USC, told our group that the 4-year price is almost 450K. Where are you getting your figure from? I'd double check that.

Hopefully I just made your decision really easy for you lol.

 

[katwoman1688]

Tufts is an amazing school and Boston is a great city - it's also great because its not a huge city. It's safe (for the most part), transportation around the city is easy, and aside from the snowy winters the summers are beautiful. I haven't heard anything negative about Tufts - I have heard that their clinical program is excellent (notoriously known - my dad is an OMFS that screens residents for his program), students feel very supported by both their faculty and classmates (I went to Tufts undergrad - so slightly biased), and I think if you're worried about being home sick or being so far - you'll be so busy in dental school that you may not even notice!

 

[DentalCavity]

You know.....

Tufts offers a great location at a cheaper price with a better reputation. I think im just scared of the change that is to come. I need to man up and embrace a new culture/lifestyle. Im choosing Tufts over USC.....now to wait for UCLA/UOP interviews/possible acceptances.

 

[Predent1771]

Tufts.

 

[Vigilante]

I am at USC and my brother went to Tufts, so I think I've got a pretty good perspective on both schools, but that's just my opinion. I honestly think USC gives a better clinical experience. Boston is a much smaller (albeit, way cooler) city, and shares a neighboring dental school with a huge class, therefore, USC gets more patients in general. My bro is 1 year out, making bank, and very confident in the skill set that he learned at Tufts, but he's still pretty impressed with the type of work I've done in clinic in only my third year, and said he never had those experiences in school. On the other hand, he did way better on his NBDEs (and we're pretty comparable in school smarts). I still passed without a problem, but Tufts definitely prepares you way better and it takes a lot more independent study/motivation at USC to get past the PBL crutch. On a positive note, USC is cutting back on PBL and I know the first years now are getting more traditional lectures than I ever got my first year. Finally, d-school reps are regional...in New England, the Tufts name is a big seller and in Cali, the same goes for USC. Despite the seemingly bad rep USC has on SDN, overall people in California think it is an amazing school and you are a genius for going there, so if you plan on eventually settling down in the west coast, SC gives you an advantage. They are both great schools and I think you'll do well if you choose either, but that's my perspective. Good luck!

 

[DentalCavity]

Thanks so much for that post Vigilante

 

[peckingorder]

I was recently given the projected tuition, including everything USC is going to run the Class of 2016 about $420k. If you take loans consider the accrued interest to be about $70k more.
Talk about a wake up call!!

 

[cmcner]

I am at USC and my brother went to Tufts, so I think I've got a pretty good perspective on both schools, but that's just my opinion. I honestly think USC gives a better clinical experience. Boston is a much smaller (albeit, way cooler) city, and shares a neighboring dental school with a huge class, therefore, USC gets more patients in general. My bro is 1 year out, making bank, and very confident in the skill set that he learned at Tufts, but he's still pretty impressed with the type of work I've done in clinic in only my third year, and said he never had those experiences in school. On the other hand, he did way better on his NBDEs (and we're pretty comparable in school smarts). I still passed without a problem, but Tufts definitely prepares you way better and it takes a lot more independent study/motivation at USC to get past the PBL crutch. On a positive note, USC is cutting back on PBL and I know the first years now are getting more traditional lectures than I ever got my first year. Finally, d-school reps are regional...in New England, the Tufts name is a big seller and in Cali, the same goes for USC. Despite the seemingly bad rep USC has on SDN, overall people in California think it is an amazing school and you are a genius for going there, so if you plan on eventually settling down in the west coast, SC gives you an advantage. They are both great schools and I think you'll do well if you choose either, but that's my perspective. Good luck!

Plus boards are pass fail now so nothing but passing matters

 

[SeattleRDH]

If you plan on practicing in SoCal go to USC. The market is competitive down there so the more networking and connections you have the better.

 

[wired202808]

outside of cali, USC offers zero advantages but boasts a bigger price tag.

Tufts without a doubt. Also ask yourself if you want to learn using PBL, I sure as hell dont want to try to figure out my coursework based on my classmates. While I trust most people, it only takes a few gunners to ruin your grades or education prospects.

 

[dantemac]

I would go to Tufts if for no other reason than lower price and to experience something new!

 

[Vigilante]

outside of cali, USC offers zero advantages but boasts a bigger price tag.

Tufts without a doubt. Also ask yourself if you want to learn using PBL, I sure as hell dont want to try to figure out my coursework based on my classmates. While I trust most people, it only takes a few gunners to ruin your grades or education prospects.

I've honestly never experienced this. Most people at SC work together and are really helpful. There have been, however, plenty of times when someone misunderstands their topic and explains it incorrectly to the group, leading everyone astray. PBL is less than ideal, no doubt.