USC vs. Tufts

[tlynguyen]

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Hey guys. I'm deciding between the two schools and would really appreciate insight from current students at USC or Tufts. I was born and raised in LA, but later moved so I would love to return to the beautiful weather. Plus a lot of my extended family lives there! But again, I've already been there and done that so it would be nice to experience a different city. I'm torn!

 

[somethinpositiv]

Cost: Attending USC is significantly more expensive than Tufts, though if you go to USC and live with your family than it may be similar or even cheaper to attend USC.

Didactics: In my opinion, the traditional lecture style of Tufts is more effective than the PBL of USC.

Clinical: Tufts is well known for the quality of it's clinical education. Not saying that USC doesn't offer a great clinical education, but it's not known for it.

City: Plenty to do in Boston, especially if you're young and adventurous. I wouldn't know about living in LA, though I'd imagine you'd need a car and a decent amount of money to enjoy yourself there (maybe I'm wrong).

Facilities: Tufts has a brand new Sim Lab that is amazing! Not sure if USC offers the same?

Reputation: One of these schools has a better reputation than the other among dental professionals. However, to the average patient, they would either not care where you went to school, or be impressed by both.

I go to Tufts though, so I'm obviously very biased.. I'd say pick Tufts 😉

Looks like family may be the deciding factor for you. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Daurang]

Boston is one of the most expensive cities in to live in (with rents still rising this year) so I'm not certain Tufts would be cheaper. You do not need a car at Tufts and Chinatown has all these pho, banh mi, hot pot places right across the street. I used to roommate with a few Tufts students and wasn't impressed with their clinical skills so don't be swayed by their often bogus superiority claim. I've seen probably 20,000 patients and no one ever asked what school I graduated from so, again, don't pick a school because you think it has a better reputation. The winter in Boston is miserable so pick Tufts only if you save at least $40K total over USC.

 

[tlynguyen]

..The winter in Boston is miserable so pick Tufts only if you save at least $40K total over USC.

..That's my fear of Boston actually. How BAD are the winters in Boston?

 

[Daurang]

This year has been pretty mild, with three MASSIVE incapacitating winter storms missing us completely and stucked in DC, NYC, Maine instead. I have stepped outside when wind chill was negative 15F. You learn to accept and live with it if you have to. Money should be the defining factor, not weather. But if two are the same, why take the crappy weather here if you don't have to?

 

[tlynguyen]

This year has been pretty mild, with three MASSIVE incapacitating winter storms missing us completely and stucked in DC, NYC, Maine instead. I have stepped outside when wind chill was negative 15F. You learn to accept and live with it if you have to. Money should be the defining factor, not weather. But if two are the same, why take the crappy weather here if you don't have to?

According to the cost of attendance (including living costs) on their websites, Tufts is about $36K cheaper after 4 years.. Hmmm. 😕

 

[Daurang]

If you have no love or family obligation, then I'd go to Tufts in your case. Like I said, you get used to it and four years will just fly by.

 

[Hysteria24]

Clinical: Tufts is well known for the quality of it's clinical education. Not saying that USC doesn't offer a great clinical education, but it's not known for it.

That's actually USC's reputation as well.

City: Plenty to do in Boston, especially if you're young and adventurous. I wouldn't know about living in LA, thoughI'd imagine you'd need a car and a decent amount of money to enjoy yourself there (maybe I'm wrong).

Plenty to do in LA as well. The beach is 10 min away, and if you want snow, drive 2 hours in the opposite direction. Not to mention everything the diverse city has to offer. Yes a car is very, very helpful.

Facilities: Tufts has a brand new Sim Lab that is amazing! Not sure if USC offers the same?

Sim lab is around 7-8 years old and on the most recently upgraded floor of the building. However, our actual clinic will be upgraded in April with all new chairs/operatories.

Reputation: One of these schools has a better reputation than the other among dental professionals. However, to the average patient, they would either not care where you went to school, or be impressed by both.

I might agree that USC may not currently have the strongest reputation in the dental world (due to our rebellious PBL curriculum), but patients in CA definitely know USC and hold it in high regard.

 

[Oracle DMD]

i consider these schools a wash on clinical rep and cost. if i were you i would pick based on where you want to practice. tufts will prepare you for the nerb, usc will prepare you for the wreb. i believe usc has pascal magne, one of the the most highly regarded clinicians in the country/world. the guy is stone cold with esthetics...i'm a big fan so i'd pick usc for the faculty and because i wanna practice in cali.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602509

do yourself a favor! get in that 10-13 person team. i'd rather get in that team than get offered a free pass to specialize; but i'm biased because a fan.

 

[DrReo]

I still wish I went to Tufts if money wasn't a factor. I love Boston though 🙁

 

[Sauce]

i'd rather get in that team than get offered a free pass to specialize; but i'm biased because a fan.

What does this mean?

 

[tlynguyen]

@Hysteria24: How are you liking your time at USC? I also heard that a lot of USC students have a hard time finishing up their requirements to graduate. Is that true?

Thanks!

 

[Oracle DMD]

What does this mean?

check out the forum link. magne invites like 10-15 student to do an advanced course while at USC. you're very lucky to be at USC especially if you get that invite.

 

[lphiewok]

check out the forum link. magne invites like 10-15 student to do an advanced course while at USC. you're very lucky to be at USC especially if you get that invite.

hmm thx for the info!

oracle, how do you have so much time to be on SDN and know all these things lol

 

[reapply2007]

I just saw this on UFC cage match. I think USC won.

 

[Oracle DMD]

hmm thx for the info!

oracle, how do you have so much time to be on SDN and know all these things lol

i provide answers so that i can be the great facilitator. that's what an Oracle does!

 

[Tommy43087]

I chose USC over Tufts, at first I thought Tufts was a better school. But I came to realize that it really isn't, ESPECIALLY with the changes that are planned for SC. I'm really excited to start in August and although where you go to school doesnt matter patient-wise, it will be 'the school you graduated from' for the rest of your life so choose wisely.

 

[Hysteria24]

I chose USC over Tufts, at first I thought Tufts was a better school. But I came to realize that it really isn't, ESPECIALLY with the changes that are planned for SC. I'm really excited to start in August and although where you go to school doesnt matter patient-wise, it will be 'the school you graduated from' for the rest of your life so choose wisely.

Case only 2 days a week (instead of 3 like it has been for years). Lucky!!!

 

[Hysteria24]

@Hysteria24: How are you liking your time at USC?

So far so good. Did my research before coming here, and everyting is going just about as planned.

I also heard that a lot of USC students have a hard time finishing up their requirements to graduate. Is that true?

Thanks!

I won't fully know this till I start working full time in clinic. From what I've heard, having the right patient base (those assigned to the student) makes things easier. Many students have no problems and some will finish all requirements in October of their Senior year. Then again, there some students that seem to have a harder time. I'll let you know more in a year or two (sorry).

 

[exceedn]

I have talked to my friends at USC and they havent had issues finishing up their requirments. They told me that anywhere you go there are going to be students that are going to take a little longer than others. You just have to be proactive about your cases. I believe that is the case anywhere you go to school. If you want to be near family, I would choose USC. While it might cost a little bit more, I believe USC offers great opportunities if you want to practice in California. They are very highly reputable in that state, despite what people post on sdn. Family members and friends that I talk to in CA are very impressed that I got an interview at USC. I unfortunantly turned it down, because I got into my state school (I want to practice) in my state.

The winters are harsh in Boston - large windchills and and blizzards sometimes. It can be rough, but you get use to it eventually. Good luck with your decision let us know what you end up choosing. Hope this helps.

 

[Tommy43087]

Case only 2 days a week (instead of 3 like it has been for years). Lucky!!!

hahaha EXACTLY!

 

[xhamburgersamx]

hahaha EXACTLY!

Instead of paying 25k/semester for 3 days a weeks, you know pay 25k for 2 days!! weeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Tommy43087]

Instead of paying 25k/semester for 3 days a weeks, you know pay 25k for 2 days!! weeeeeeeeeeeeee

from what I'm understanding, they are incorporating more lecture based portions into the curriculum......

Its not like your just gunna have less work to do because they cut a day out.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

from what I'm understanding, they are incorporating more lecture based portions into the curriculum......

Its not like your just gunna have less work to do because they cut a day out.

True, I can't imagine doing any less work than first years do now...lol

 

[cybermech]

Well, I suppose I can't really comment on USC since I've never been there. But on a strict "facilities" note, I was drawn to Tufts because of their new simulation clinic. Well, guess what, there's no money to staff it so their brand-new multi-million dollar sim clin is locked most of the time. It's been 6 month since it's been installed and I've spend 6 hours in it. That's FOS.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Well, I suppose I can't really comment on USC since I've never been there. But on a strict "facilities" note, I was drawn to Tufts because of their new simulation clinic. Well, guess what, there's no money to staff it so their brand-new multi-million dollar sim clin is locked most of the time. It's been 6 month since it's been installed and I've spend 6 hours in it. That's FOS.

lolololololol

I don't know if anyone has been noticing but many, many schools are understaffed and part of the problem is funding/money and laying off part-time faculty that work the pre-clinical sim labs.

That's pretty tough for tuft students right now, but maybe the sim lab will be fuly operational by your 2nd year. The first year is really pretty basic in terms of preclinical work thus getting into a brand new lab isn't that necessary. But overall, no one should choose a school based on sim lab or clinic floor designs. The most important criteria are quality of faculty, patient count, pre-doctoral procedures you can do (if possible endo retreat, implants, etc), and of course the surrounding area and quality of life. It's also important to have special clinics/patients areas and good rotations/externships available.

 

[somethinpositiv]

I think the discussion's over, at least for her. She chose USC.

 

[somethinpositiv]

Well, I suppose I can't really comment on USC since I've never been there. But on a strict "facilities" note, I was drawn to Tufts because of their new simulation clinic. Well, guess what, there's no money to staff it so their brand-new multi-million dollar sim clin is locked most of the time. It's been 6 month since it's been installed and I've spend 6 hours in it. That's FOS.

True. Unfortunate for us, but in theory, the Class of 2014 will get full use of it... then again, that's what we were told last year...

People try to downplay the importance, but the difference the Sim Lab makes to Pre-Clin is HUGE in my opinion, based the time we've spent in both.

 

[briansle]

Curious to know how finishing clinical requirements on-time at other schools compare to USC. What's it like at your school?

 

[xhamburgersamx]

True. Unfortunate for us, but in theory, the Class of 2014 will get full use of it... then again, that's what we were told last year...

People try to downplay the importance, but the difference the Sim Lab makes to Pre-Clin is HUGE in my opinion, based the time we've spent in both.

What's the new sim clinic more advanced or better than a 10 year old one in another school? Does the new sim lab have virtual reality or computer generated simulations or just fancy flat screen monitors and new air compressor units?

 

[cmt68708]

I chose USC over Tufts, at first I thought Tufts was a better school. But I came to realize that it really isn't, ESPECIALLY with the changes that are planned for SC. I'm really excited to start in August and although where you go to school doesnt matter patient-wise, it will be 'the school you graduated from' for the rest of your life so choose wisely.

LOL, i know exactly who you are!!
You did the PreDental meeting discussion a few weeks back at your school...
so,have you finished your HW for Beh Eco.. LOLOL