USC worth the cost! USC V.S. UNLV

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
T

T DAT

New Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2006
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
I have just returned from a visit from USC, and determined it is a great school and anyone applying here cant go wrong, but one thing is the cost. I think NYU and USC are VERY expensive. I sat down with the USC financial aid advisor, and he said my 25 year loan monthly payment would be roughly 3,500, and my 10 year pay out would be 5,300.😱 I then asked him about UNLV 10 year monthly pay out he said roughly 2,700 with expected debt around 260K. That means if I go to UNLV I would have my loans payed off in 10 years at a lower monthly payment than USC 25 year plan. I agree PBL is ok, but I am going to learn the material either way. I think I would be happier at USC (ie girls, beach, relax PBL mid-term finals easier to get better grades) DO you who attend more expensive institutions think its worth it. Are there any practicing dentists out there. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Deadline is March 27th. 😕
Members don't see this ad.
 
Though I never experienced PBL, I can say that it's a misconception that you don't get a lot of free time in traditional learning setting. We just had our pharmacology exam here at BU - and basically, everything we need to learn about the test were handed to us via 6 sets of power points and PDF.

I don't think you'd get that in PBL. I think you'd have to dig out information found on these6 sets of power points and PDF on your own time, in the library, and talking to other students in a "learning" environment.

So, for our pharm test, I crammed the entire weekend. I actually didn't really have to go to class and could have gone to the beach instead (of course, the freezing weather doesn't help that cause).

As for going to better school = better dentist ~ how is any of us gonna know that? Almost none of us switch school in 3rd or 4th year far as I know - so where is the basis for comparison? Even if I end up working side by side with an associate who graduated from another school, there's no way to find out if what s/he did is any better than mine.

Some can say, "UF is better because they see patients one whole year sooner!" "Yeah, doing what? Giving them a massage?" Others can say, "Tufts is better because they require more completely endo case for graduation" "More hurdle to jump through to graduate... good god, don't you have enough pains in ass?"

In short, pick the cheapest school in a city you like being in that have a record of graduating students on time. Because once you graduate, you can take CE course to do implant, CE course to do perio surgery, CE course for aesthetics, etc~ and you're set.
 
I have found, even at my school, I have a lot of freedom in my time. So long as I plan ahead and know what I need to do to learn the material well, I don't feel pressured on time and get to still live a very active, social life. I don't think USC's PBL program would change that much for me, and I think personality and overall intellectual quickness will play the largest role in your ability to find time for yourself.

That being said...I do think USC is too expensive. I also think the on-time graduation rate there in comparison to other 4 year schools is too low. I don't really care about the argument that most of those who don't graduate on time only take one extra quarter to finish their requirements. As far as I'm concerned, if the other 54, 4-year dental schools can graduate almost all over their students within the 4-year time frame, there really isn't much excuse for such a dramatically large percentage of USC's students, relative to other schools, not finishing within that same timeframe.

Finally, on an annecdotal side note as to why I didn't choose USC. While I interviewed there, the financial coordinator who spoke to us, before they raised tuition another $10,000, told us that based solely on the cost of the school vs. cost of other programs of the same length of time and comparable facilities, he didn't recommend USC. If the Finance person of the school tells you the school isn't worth the cost...it's a little bit of a sign to dust off your hands and walk away. And the other reason is that at a CDA convention, I was at a school alumni reception cause I was invited by a friend. At our table were a couple USC graduates, one of them retired and another in his 40s. This was NOT a USC reception. I told them I had interviewed at USC, and even though I had already decided not to go there, they told me that I had made the right choice. They said the USC they went to and loved was not the USC that was there today and that the changes, in their eyes, were mainly bad decisions for the same reasons I thought they were bad decisions. They had both been active donors, but had since the last decade both stopped donating to the school and no longer recommended the school to people looking to pursue dentistry. Granted, that was just two alumni, but look around these forums a while and you will find plenty of unhappy USC current and former students, moreso, I would daresay, than you seem to find for the other schools.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Ok.. I loved USC if it were not for the cost issue I would go there in a heart beat. USC curriculum the first two years is based solely on you getting past the boards, you have a mid term and final which is worth 10% of your grade, the rest is participation, and case studies ect..

Its hard to get a 3.0 there from what I heard. Every test you take are old board exam questions they make you pass there board questions before they allow you to take the boards. Everyone I have talked to has loved it and told me to come there USC is the greatest. USC clinical skills are amazing they have an awesome program called Ayuda. Once you are passed off on say a class one filling you can go out with this program and preform class one fillings.
I feel USC grads hit the ground running faster than other students from other schools as far as a "tooth jockey," is concerned. As far as the medical side of things UNLV is the place to go they implemented the DMD degree, which allows there students to step toe to toe with a M.D coming out of there first two years of school, but I want to be a tooth jockey myself is it worth the cost to go to USC, for the name, the clinical experience, the Alumni, living in California? Or is UNLV the place to go with 30,000 year tuition some students being disgruntled being a young program, and if I want to specialize coming out of UNLV is it worth the cost issue. This is my dilemma. Any comments welcome. :idea:
 
T DAT said:
As far as the medical side of things UNLV is the place to go they implemented the DMD degree, which allows there students to step toe to toe with a M.D coming out of there first two years of school, but I want to be a tooth jockey myself is it worth the cost to go to USC, for the name, the clinical experience, the Alumni, living in California?
Click to expand...

What is difference btw DMD and DDS?!?!/
 
T DAT said:
... As far as the medical side of things UNLV is the place to go they implemented the DMD degree, which allows there students to step toe to toe with a M.D coming out of there first two years of school ...
Click to expand...

4 year tuition at UNLV: $124,000
4 year tuition at USC: $227,000

Not knowing the difference between DDS and DMD, priceless.
 
T DAT said:
I have just returned from a visit from USC, and determined it is a great school and anyone applying here cant go wrong, but one thing is the cost. I think NYU and USC are VERY expensive. I sat down with the USC financial aid advisor, and he said my 25 year loan monthly payment would be roughly 3,500, and my 10 year pay out would be 5,300.😱 I then asked him about UNLV 10 year monthly pay out he said roughly 2,700 with expected debt around 260K. That means if I go to UNLV I would have my loans payed off in 10 years at a lower monthly payment than USC 25 year plan. I agree PBL is ok, but I am going to learn the material either way. I think I would be happier at USC (ie girls, beach, relax PBL mid-term finals easier to get better grades) DO you who attend more expensive institutions think its worth it. Are there any practicing dentists out there. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Deadline is March 27th. 😕
Click to expand...

On a more serious note, I would go with UNLV. It's cheaper, and you have a better chance of actually graduating on time. USC still has quite aways to go in restoring it's yonder day image.
 
From what I have heard at UNLV DMD implements more medical based curriculum as opposed to DDS. Yes, they are very similar, but UNLV has more medical classes implemented in there curriculum. UNLV students have a better back ground in diagnosing some clinical aspect vs say a "tooth jockey". This is coming from students at UNLV. I also believed DDS = DMD, but from what I have heard it does not! Its like saying 4=5 they are very close, but you need to examine there curriculum. I have not examined there curriculum so I am not saying this is right I am just explaining what I have heard again. Thanks for you comments.

If you look it up on ADEA, thanks, it does state DMD = DDS. I guess UNLV students are wrong, and that is priceless..🙂

I spoke with a USC alumni, and current practicing dentist, and showed him the cost, and he advised me to go to UNLV. I think I am going to go that way.
 
So much of your learning comes after graduation, the minutia of "medically oriented curriculum" vs "PBL" and all that other stuff is irrelevant. Both schools are basically going to teach you how to do somewhat basic dentistry without killing or severely maiming your patient. Pick the cheaper school. Use the money you save to take some good CE courses when you get out, pursue a specialty, or get your practice started sooner - this is where you'll hit the ground running faster compared to the USC student coming out with a higher loan payment compared to the UNLV student. I've been out for 4 years, the extra money does make a difference in the choices you make post-dental school. Go ask this question on Dentaltown to thousands of graduated dentists and 98% of the responses will be "cheaper school" without consideration of any other factor.
 
T DAT said:
I have just returned from a visit from USC, and determined it is a great school and anyone applying here cant go wrong, but one thing is the cost. I think NYU and USC are VERY expensive. I sat down with the USC financial aid advisor, and he said my 25 year loan monthly payment would be roughly 3,500, and my 10 year pay out would be 5,300.😱 I then asked him about UNLV 10 year monthly pay out he said roughly 2,700 with expected debt around 260K. That means if I go to UNLV I would have my loans payed off in 10 years at a lower monthly payment than USC 25 year plan. I agree PBL is ok, but I am going to learn the material either way. I think I would be happier at USC (ie girls, beach, relax PBL mid-term finals easier to get better grades) DO you who attend more expensive institutions think its worth it. Are there any practicing dentists out there. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Deadline is March 27th. 😕
Click to expand...

No Matter which school you go to in US, they all have negatives and positives. I have yet to meet a dentist who said that his dental school made his life any easier. No school is worth 300K unless they are your only options, then it is worth the investment at getting a rare chance at DDS/DMD. I see very many current graduates struggling to make payments on a 100K associate salary. If you want to own a practice then say 300K for a modest practice plus 350K for the USC and you buy a modest house at 250K. You are looking at 900K in a hole. It is not as hard as I am making it out to be. It will take some time before your income hits the 200K range and at that hopefully everything will be fine assuming you were acting smart with your money.

Go to the cheaper school, don't look at the name or location. Just look at the final cost and if the difference is more that 25K, it is not worth it. Go to UNLV, you will thank yourself 10 year from now, seriously.
 
I'm in the same situation and am leaning toward going to USC. I feel like the clinical experience there may be a little better than UNLV. But than again I am also going with the Navy scholarship and so cost is not much of a factor. For me personally I like the PBL learning style and although its hard to understand HOW, they consistantly have great part 1 board pass rates. Good luck with your decision, and congrats on just getting in somewhere.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I wouldn't go to USC even if I had a full ride because I enjoy being able to graduate on time. I really believe they still have a lot of work to do on their curriculum.
 
ShawnOne said:
Then you are an idiot, straight up.
Click to expand...

If I'm an idiot, what does that make the 82% of the class of 2007 that didn't finish on time? You can blame them or the school, either way its a lose-lose situation, but USC still gets their money. Hope you enjoy 5th year.
 
A memo was sent from the Provost's office stating that all of the 2008 seniors would finish by mid-June--EVERYONE. So, as of right now, this is sort of moot discussion.

By the way, the "curriculum" has nothing to do with the dismal graduation rates. People love to blame PBL because that's the most recent change to the school in the past 8 yrs; however, the real problem lies in the efficiency of the clinic and the availability of chairs for students. All of this is currently being worked out--solved? No, but it's being worked on for future classes (i.e. 2009, 2010, 2011, etc)

Crazysherm, it seems you know more about the "curriculum" than current students, maybe you should consult with the administration about what they should fix...
 
I don't have to know that much about the school to know there's a broken system in place. Whether its PBL or the clinic (oh and btw, clinic is part of the curriculum), a lot of people had trouble finishing. So that in itself reflects badly on either the students, the school, or both. It's hard to blame such a high number of students, as I seriously doubt they made a collective effort to purposefully not meet graduation requirements. So a large role in the problem has to be on the school's side, either they set unrealistic expectations, accepted too many unqualified candidates, or just did a poor job of preparing students. Can you honestly tell me there's nothing wrong with the school and that everything will be fine by the time the OP matriculates?
 
crazy_sherm said:
If I'm an idiot, what does that make the 82% of the class of 2007 that didn't finish on time? You can blame them or the school, either way its a lose-lose situation, but USC still gets their money. Hope you enjoy 5th year.
Click to expand...

First off, I'm pretty much done as are many of my classmates, so no 5th year for me thanks. Second, the 82% number from 2007 was an anomaly caused by a few things. Unlike the California boards, you don't need to have already graduated to take the WREB exam. Lots of students were concentrating on boards rather than finishing their remaining requirements, especially because the pressure was off and the school did not charge for the people who finished before the end of summer. In fact, by August all but a few graduated.

crazy_sherm said:
Can you honestly tell me there's nothing wrong with the school and that everything will be fine by the time the OP matriculates?
Click to expand...

YES

But I think the OP needs to consider if he/she is a good match for this type of program. As I've said before, this program is not for those that need a lot of hand holding. You are given maximum autonomy, from PBL to the clinic. If can be a dream situation, or a complete nightmare depending on how you cope.
 
USC only got connections and football. UCLA is superior in every other aspects including dental school. SC sucks. End of discussion.


Don't bash, cuz I am just messing haha. BTW Trojans last only once.
 
T DAT said:
I have just returned from a visit from USC, and determined it is a great school and anyone applying here cant go wrong, but one thing is the cost. I think NYU and USC are VERY expensive. I sat down with the USC financial aid advisor, and he said my 25 year loan monthly payment would be roughly 3,500, and my 10 year pay out would be 5,300.😱 I then asked him about UNLV 10 year monthly pay out he said roughly 2,700 with expected debt around 260K. That means if I go to UNLV I would have my loans payed off in 10 years at a lower monthly payment than USC 25 year plan. I agree PBL is ok, but I am going to learn the material either way. I think I would be happier at USC (ie girls, beach, relax PBL mid-term finals easier to get better grades) DO you who attend more expensive institutions think its worth it. Are there any practicing dentists out there. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Deadline is March 27th. 😕
Click to expand...
T DAT I think you should go to the school that's best suited for you. As long as financing is not an obstacle, you should be able to select the school that you like the best. You don't want to have regrets or be unhappy for 4 years. I wish you the best. :luck:
 
I tell you what...I have lived in Vegas and in SoCal...hands down, SoCal is superior, for my needs and desires, in every way. I love the weather, the people, the location. I have spoken with numerous dentists, and unanimously their comments aluded to the fact that yes, finance is important, but really I should go where I think that I would be happiest. If spending extra money to live next to the beach in wonderful weather all year long for four years of school is worth the extra money, then go for it. If spending more money will take all the fun out of a SoCal life, then it might not be worth it. Good luck, and if you choose SC, I'll see you there!
 
I think that it is so funny that we get these people on here talking about the graduation rates and how sad of a program USC has but when you look at the Board scores, clinical skills, and specializations rates of SC students the arguement is pointless. Unless you go here you have no idea what is going on with the school and the program. I love PBL and USC is a great place to go to school, anyone who comes here should consider themselves lucky to be a part of a great thing here now and in the future. Go Trojans!
 
2012Lunger said:
I tell you what...I have lived in Vegas and in SoCal...hands down, SoCal is superior, for my needs and desires, in every way. I love the weather, the people, the location. I have spoken with numerous dentists, and unanimously their comments aluded to the fact that yes, finance is important, but really I should go where I think that I would be happiest. If spending extra money to live next to the beach in wonderful weather all year long for four years of school is worth the extra money, then go for it. If spending more money will take all the fun out of a SoCal life, then it might not be worth it. Good luck, and if you choose SC, I'll see you there!
Click to expand...
I seriously think you need to talk to more dentists.
I am living close to where you are now and the many dentists I have spoken to unanimously agreed that finance should be #1 priority because you really receive the same education/training (or will with CE). I am not bashing you just bringing up another angle on this subject (seems to be discussed with a new thread everyday). I think pre-dents need to realize that generally they won't have as much free-time as they did in undergrad though this does not mean that where you live for four years doesn't matter, one (opinion)shouldn't place this as #1 priority. What matters is that you come out with as little debt as possible. If you have a chance to save $50k+ (some will say even less) in costs during d-school than do it. Use a financial calculator and see the difference you will be paying in the long run. Don't fall into the trap of thinking "oh whats another $50k-100k anyways".
If you feel that you would kill yourself living somewhere else than go where you will be the happiest, a word of caution though. If you end up going to the more expensive school and you end up hating it (or just not receiving all of those "connnections" that ppl talk about)afterall then you can't console yourself with the fact that you are saving money being there and not somewhere else. There is no way of knowing what will happen or could happen but you can be sure you would be saving muito dineiro = mucho dinero = butt load of cash.
 
I am confident that I would graduate USC on time and PBL would work for me. I am just looking at graduating when I am 33 years old and probably will have a wife, and maybe some kids. a 260,000 payment sounds a lot more duable than a 460,000 payment. I am going to UNLV class of 2012. thanks for all your help T DAT. I am just really glad I wont have to take that DAM DAT again, and I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! 😍
 
golfer said:
I seriously think you need to talk to more dentists.
Click to expand...

How many dentists would I have to speak to to make my advice credible?

Oh well, perhaps I have been speaking to the wrong dentists...I guess you should worry more about the debt than anything else...I don't know. I haven't been to school yet. Just reporting on what I've been counseled.
 
Go to the cheapest school possible. Period. Every other point is moot. End of discussion. K. Bye.

jb!🙂
 
2012Lunger said:
How many dentists would I have to speak to to make my advice credible?

Oh well, perhaps I have been speaking to the wrong dentists...I guess you should worry more about the debt than anything else...I don't know. I haven't been to school yet. Just reporting on what I've been counseled.
Click to expand...
If DDS from school X = DDS from school Y then yes (no guessing needed IMHO) debt should matter. Looks like the OP made his decision....movin' on.👍
 
PICK THE CHEAPEST SCHOOL. Any other point is mute and juvenile.

You don't know what's in the future and spending away massive amount of borrowed money will severely impact your future wealth and enjoyment of life. Four years of dental school will pass quickly and you can then move back to California for the other 40+ year of your life if you wish. Imagine the flexibility of having that money saved to put under your mattress, open a practice, buy a Ferrari, downpayment on one of those foreclosed homes. I'm originally from California with a Cali license but I don't even bother living in California; there's no joy in busting balls paying $1Mil for a crappy shack, 10%state income tax, hoa fee, mello roos, traffic, pollution, expensive gas, etc. in addition the nondeductible educational loans. I use the money saved for yearly multiple escapes to Paris, Venice, MoBay, Miami, Montreal, Cancun, Manhattan, Hawaii, Toronto, Las Vegas, SF, LA, San Diego; and I'd still come out ahead financially. I amass my first million five years out of dental school not by choosing the nicest-weather school nor building the nicest-hitech office nor living in balmy California. Start being frugal now and you will be paid handsomely later.
 
Daurang said:
PICK THE CHEAPEST SCHOOL. Any other point is mute and juvenile.

You don't know what's in the future and spending away massive amount of borrowed money will severely impact your future wealth and enjoyment of life. Four years of dental school will pass quickly and you can then move back to California for the other 40+ year of your life if you wish. Imagine the flexibility of having that money saved to put under your mattress, open a practice, buy a Ferrari, downpayment on one of those foreclosed homes. I'm originally from California with a Cali license but I don't even bother living in California; there's no joy in busting balls paying $1Mil for a crappy shack, 10%state income tax, hoa fee, mello roos, traffic, pollution, expensive gas, etc. in addition the nondeductible educational loans. I use the money saved for yearly multiple escapes to Paris, Venice, MoBay, Miami, Montreal, Cancun, Manhattan, Hawaii, Toronto, Las Vegas, SF, LA, San Diego; and I'd still come out ahead financially. I amass my first million five years out of dental school not by choosing the nicest-weather school nor building the nicest-hitech office nor living in balmy California. Start being frugal now and you will be paid handsomely later.
Click to expand...

👍
 
2012Lunger said:
How many dentists would I have to speak to to make my advice credible?

Oh well, perhaps I have been speaking to the wrong dentists...I guess you should worry more about the debt than anything else...I don't know. I haven't been to school yet. Just reporting on what I've been counseled.
Click to expand...
I forgot to recommend that if you ran out of dentists to get advice from do a search on Dentaltown about choosing schools. 99.9%of the dentists on there agree that going to the cheapest school (assuming you have a choice) is Priority #1. These are dentists, and it would be a quick way for you to hear from "numerous" amounts of dentists currently practicing without having to do the footwork. Good luck, I have no doubt that you will be a great dentist and that USC is a good school. 👍
 
golfer said:
I forgot to recommend that if you ran out of dentists to get advice from do a search on Dentaltown about choosing schools. 99.9%of the dentists on there agree that going to the cheapest school (assuming you have a choice) is Priority #1. These are dentists, and it would be a quick way for you to hear from "numerous" amounts of dentists currently practicing without having to do the footwork. Good luck, I have no doubt that you will be a great dentist and that USC is a good school. 👍
Click to expand...

Those same dentists will likely faint when you write that USC is costing you $450K in borrowed money. Unless they graduated in the past 2 years, their loans probably don't even come close by over $200K.
 
gryffindor said:
Those same dentists will likely faint when you write that USC is costing you $450K in borrowed money. Unless they graduated in the past 2 years, their loans probably don't even come close by over $200K.
Click to expand...
True, when I mention how much it costs most cannot believe that D-school costs that much.
 
Do they give scholarships? Cuz I was thinking the only way I'd go there was if they gave me major money. Their numbers have dropped significantly while every other top school's number's gone up. Students are obviously wary of the tuition and late graduation. Maybe a scholarship'd help that a bit.
 
UCSF2012 said:
Do they give scholarships? Cuz I was thinking the only way I'd go there was if they gave me major money. Their numbers have dropped significantly while every other top school's number's gone up. Students are obviously wary of the tuition and late graduation. Maybe a scholarship'd help that a bit.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in seeing these numbers that dropped. Can you direct me to where you got them?
 
burton117 said:
I would be interested in seeing these numbers that dropped. Can you direct me to where you got them?
Click to expand...

Last 2 years of the ADA guide. A 20AA dropped to a 19.2AA. They were top 10 in the AA dept. Now they're 36th. But I'd completely go there if they gave me a full scholarship. Late graduation and all.
 
Yes they do give out scholarships, but they do not give them out until you are in the class. They don't want you to go there because they gave you a scholarship. You can get half tuition for four or five semesters if your spouse works at the school. Personally I am not worried about the late graduation rate they are fixing things clinically and I am a motivated individual so that aspect does not deter me, but the 450,000 does. To almost repay 1 million after interest set in is just CRAZY.
 
FYI - The lastest projection that I have heard is that the administration expects at least a 70% on time graduation rate this year.
 
Actually, 95% by mid-june is the promise from the administration and the, more or less, demand from the Provost of the university...
 
Columbia07 said:
Actually, 95% by mid-june is the promise from the administration and the, more or less, demand from the Provost of the university...
Click to expand...

Is it me or is mid-June still crappy? Our last day of clinic is April 25th w/ graduation on May 11th. By mid-June, my classmates will be fully licensed making money!
 
It may have alrady been mentioned but COST is a HUGE consideration. No matter where you go if you graduate you will be a doctor. I would say in order of importance consider:
1.) Cost - you will be paying back loans and interest for many years to come. It has a huge impact.
2.) Patient Pool - The more pateints in the system or waiting for treatment the better. It increases your opportunity for learning and practicing your skills
3.) Location - soemtimes being close to family is important. Sometimes a school will hold a regional board exam you are interested in making the process easier for you.
Good Luck!😀
 
servitup said:
Is it me or is mid-June still crappy? Our last day of clinic is April 25th w/ graduation on May 11th. By mid-June, my classmates will be fully licensed making money!
Click to expand...

No, I totally agree with you. However, 95% by mid-June so everyone can make it to their respective residencies is a great thing... since last year we had 18% done on May 18th.... 👎
 
people make promises all the time. i bet a lot of people will be watching if USC keeps it's promise
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JacquesVallee
USC First YR Cost of Attendance $181k 2025-2026
2
Replies
50
Views
2K
odontogenesis
odontogenesis
Cold Front
USC FIRST YEAR Cost of Attendance $173k 2023-2024
2
Replies
70
Views
9K
lwergod
L
Cold Front
USC First YR Cost of Attendance $168k 2023-2024
Replies
19
Views
6K
Cold Front
Cold Front
A
UNLV or Indiana
Replies
0
Views
922
abd98
A
O
UNC/ Cambridge Health Alliance/ UNLV/ UCLA GPR
Replies
1
Views
1K
happy_6523
H
Top