VCU (IS) vs. Temple (OOS)

[ppaa]

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Hi guys! I just got off the waitlist instate for VCU and I have two days to decide whether or not I want to go there. The deposit is only $800 but I've already paid $4500 in deposits (Tufts and Temple).

I was SOOO happy to get into Temple because I loved the students there, the school and I thought it would be a good change to move to a different state and do my own thing. Obviously cost is a big thing when choosing a dental school. Originally I wanted to go to VCU since I am from VA and thats the only school I had been to before applying. After I interviewed at 8 schools, I realized VCU didn't stand out that much to me. My parents will be paying for living cost wherever I go so I'm not taking that into account. But based off their website temple would be $16,000 per year more based off tuition and mandatory costs.

Basically my question is what would you do? Also I am interested in specializing in pediatric dentistry but keeping an open mind. Thanks!!

 

[msdds2be]

Hi guys! I just got off the waitlist instate for VCU and I have two days to decide whether or not I want to go there. The deposit is only $800 but I've already paid $4500 in deposits (Tufts and Temple).

I was SOOO happy to get into Temple because I loved the students there, the school and I thought it would be a good change to move to a different state and do my own thing. Obviously cost is a big thing when choosing a dental school. Originally I wanted to go to VCU since I am from VA and thats the only school I had been to before applying. After I interviewed at 8 schools, I realized VCU didn't stand out that much to me. My parents will be paying for living cost wherever I go so I'm not taking that into account. But based off their website temple would be $16,000 per year more based off tuition and mandatory costs.

Basically my question is what would you do? Also I am interested in specializing in pediatric dentistry but keeping an open mind. Thanks!!

If VCU didnt stand out to you and make you feel like this is where you want to be, than it seems like your decision is easier than you think. From what you wrote it sounds like you want Temple, but looking for any excuse to make it an argument to still consider VCU. As a D4 at VCU, you should definitely be going to where you felt like you fit in most. As i see the same people day and night, your classmates become family. Youll hate them but love them at the same time. And the memories youll make over the next 4 years are going to be for a lifetime.

PM if you have any questions.

 

[ysrebob]

IMO you shouldn't even think about it: cheaper school wins. $33K up front which with interest could grow to a $50K principal by the time you finish D school / residency (guessing), which in turn thanks to the magic of taxation and compounding could take easily $100K of your future gross income to pay for.

All D-schools teach the same things, largely in the same way. A lot of your subjective experience and quality of life will depend on:
- who your classmates happen to be; and
- which faculty member happens to run the clinic group you're assigned to once you hit clinics
...vs anything about the school itself. There's no way to know whether your class will happen to be populated with likeable people or jerks. Every class cohort at every school is different. The one thing that's sure is that your future self will thank you for not making your student loans any worse than they have to be.

-VCU2011 (and btw had a generally good experience there)

 

[ncide]

Go to VCU. Dental school goes by fast, and the money you save can be put into better things. Dental school is already absurdly expensive.

 

[Kingfish23]

VCU all the way