VCU vs. Texas schools?

[micke]

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Hi guys!
I will be applying this cycle with average stats. I needed some advice. I grew up in Texas and currently qualify as in-state. My parents moved to Virginia recently and they would be Virginia residents in a few months.
Do I have a better shot at staying in-state for Texas schools and applying as a Texas resident or should I consider becoming a Virginia resident instead through my parents and aim for VCU rather than Texas schools?
Texas has 3 schools vs. 1 in Virginia.. I am aware of that. I am sure VCU is competitive too, but being a Texan I know the the Texas d-schools are super competitive. I know no one can tell me where I will be accepted, but any advice for a newbie would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks y'all!

 

[aznboi89x]

Texas. Cheap tuition

 

[UCSFx2017]

I would retain Texas residency. You have three awesome Texas schools which are among the most affordable in the U.S.

VCU is very affordable as well and has raised its competitiveness in a relatively short period of time. In four-to-five years, its oGPA and sciGPA rose from 3.3 to 3.6 and DAT from 19 to 20. This is the general trend with most affordable state schools as the number of qualified applicants and the tuition of dental schools in general continue to rise. Its fixed-costs alone for an in-state resident is around $145K for all four years. You probably will not exceed the $40,500 in 6.8% interest loans per year mark.
.
Random tid-bits: One of VCU's strengths that the school likes to advertise is its strong clinical curriculum. Like many other schools it also recently increased its tuition this year.

VCU also accepts a considerable number of out-of-state applicants (around 30?). Compare this to Texas schools where OOS applicants have an almost zero chance. This year, most of the accepted OOS applicants at VCU are from Florida.

 

[micke]

I would retain Texas residency. You have three awesome Texas schools which are among the most affordable in the U.S.

VCU is very affordable as well and has raised its competitiveness in a relatively short period of time. In four-to-five years, its oGPA and sciGPA rose from 3.3 to 3.6 and DAT from 19 to 20. This is the general trend with most affordable state schools as the number of qualified applicants and the tuition of dental schools in general continue to rise. Its fixed-costs alone for an in-state resident is around $145K for all four years. You probably will not exceed the $40,500 in 6.8% interest loans per year mark.
.
Random tid-bits: One of VCU's strengths that the school likes to advertise is its strong clinical curriculum. Like many other schools it also recently increased its tuition this year.

VCU also accepts a considerable number of out-of-state applicants (around 30?). Compare this to Texas schools where OOS applicants have an almost zero chance. This year, most of the accepted OOS applicants at VCU are from Florida.

Thank you both for your advice!

Does VCU have a higher acceptance rate though? and what do they look for in their candidates? Are they known to be particularly interested in something specific? I have their average stats around a 3.7/20AA etc, but if they are looking for excessive shadowing/volunteer work etc?

Also, being a Virginia resident, does it give you an advantage at Univ of Maryland? I remember seeing somewhere that they allow you to be in-state after a year.
Of course Maryland & VCU are a bit more expensive than Texas schools, but if i have a better shot at them then it's wayy better than private school tuition.

 

[UCSFx2017]

Thank you both for your advice!

Does VCU have a higher acceptance rate though? and what do they look for in their candidates? Are they known to be particularly interested in something specific? I have their average stats around a 3.7/20AA etc, but if they are looking for excessive shadowing/volunteer work etc?

You'll have to refer to one of "doc toothache's" Excel sheets for the acceptance rates. I honestly don't know what VCU looks for in candidates. Hopefully they look for applicants who will serve the state of Virginia after graduation. I know VA residents with applications competitive enough to be admitted to Penn be rejected from VCU.

Also, being a Virginia resident, does it give you an advantage at Univ of Maryland? I remember seeing somewhere that they allow you to be in-state after a year.
Of course Maryland & VCU are a bit more expensive than Texas schools, but if i have a better shot at them then it's wayy better than private school tuition.

I'm not sure but probably not because they don't state anything like that on their website. For example, UConn states that they give preference to New England state residents outside of Connecticut. Maryland does not say such a thing on their website about Virginia residents. I've also read that it can take applicants a year to two years for OOS students to claim Maryland residency. How competitive are Texas schools?

 

[segura11]

TEXS, best deal in America!

 

[UCSFx2017]

TEXS, best deal in America!

👍👍

 

[jaymin8]

I live in Virginia and my best friend is from Texas. "Everyone" in Virginia that wants to go to dental school is going to apply and take VCU because in-state tuition is cheaper. Texas has three schools where Virginia has one. VCU has one of the highest OOS acceptance rates unlike Texas which has one of the highest instate rates. Prices would make you lean towards Texas as well. VCU likes to see shadowing/volunteering. (not sure what excessive is) but they require a minimum of 150 shadowing hours but obviously you want to do a bit more than the minimum. I am not sure on the requirements in other schools. VCU is becoming very competitive at a fast rate. When entering my undergraduate years, VCU was a lot more friendly (19AA/18-19 PAT/ 3.3-3.4 GPA). Now if you look at their stats, it is around (20AA/19-20 PAT/ 3.6-3.7 GPA) and still increasing. I would choose Texas because as an instater it is always nice to have more than one school and the instate acceptance is a lot more friendly than VCU's instate. By the way you can always apply and have a chance at VCU out of state than applying to Texas OOS.

 

[NguyenDDS]

TX! Great schools, nice tuition. However, keep in mind that the competition is extremely fierce in TX. Two of my friends (~3.5gpa, ~21AA) and I never got interviews from any of the 3 schools (applied twice). Another friend of mine did (3.7gpa, 20AA), however he was never accepted after interview.

I don't know much about VCU.

 

[Toofly01]

TX! Great schools, nice tuition. However, keep in mind that the competition is extremely fierce in TX. Two of my friends (~3.5gpa, ~21AA) and I never got interviews from any of the 3 schools (applied twice). Another friend of mine did (3.7gpa, 20AA), however he was never accepted after interview.

I don't know much about VCU.

Were you and your friends in state or OOS for TX?

 

[member0543183]

Were you and your friends in state or OOS for TX?

I believe TX schools are about numbers AND something else specific... not sure what