Western U vs LECOM

[averagejoe805]

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Didnt see this school comparison yet & since these are the 2 I just got into, here goes.
Would you rather - Lecom or Western?

Goal: become a competent general dentist capable of opening shop immediately after graduation without a residency.

Pro for both schools: no speciality programs to poach patients with interesting/complex cases. PBL component to curriculum, nice facilities, good weather, ok locations, students seem to like the school
Cons for both: newer dental schools, no real name brand recognition by the pubic (vs USC, harvard etc)

Western:
Pros: 30 mins from my house (which I own)
+My wife can keep her good paying job
+More established program (barely) with impressive board pass rates
+Better faculty (i think? - at least people with science backgrounds leading all science coursework)
+more established community service opportunities

Cons: $47K more expensive than Lecom for the 4 years (excluding living expenses; just tuition & fees = $295K vs $248K according to each schools published budgets)

LECOM:
Pro: + greater PBL,
+ greater # of clinical hours in 4th year, supposedly equivalent to having a residency
+ cheaper
+ due to PBL more freedom with time management
+no business casual dress code
+well thought out clinic facility. seriously impressive. Puts every other school I've toured to shame (USC, UCLA, Indiana, Kentucky, Western)

Con: - no cadaver lab
- wife would most likely have a pay cut at a new company
- cost of moving twice (once to Bradenton & then once in 4th year to far away clinic site)
- unproven curriculum
- strict policies about not recording lectures
- weird doll collection decorating the lobby display cases (Im joking, but seriously can someone explain this?)
-humidity & tornados (Ill take 110F & 0% humidity with chance of earthquake anyday)


Analysis: the cost savings of LECOM would most likely be equalized by my wifes lost wages and having to relocate twice. I like both schools. I realize many disagree, but I see PBL as a benefit since much of the science at this point is review anyway and PBL sessions at LECOM are just 6 hours per week which allows freedom to study just what I need or spend more time in lab. Also, PBL is just the science portion, dental related topics are taught live by qualified people. Western facilities are nice but LECOM is better thought out. You get your own chair as a 3rd year & there are no 4th years on campus to compete with. Long term Id like to stay in california (family) but am not opposed to moving for school. Hastle of moving, renting or selling my house, finding a new job for my wife is also a factor.

Conclusion: Draw
any thoughts?

 

[LFA20]

western

 

[averagejoe805]

western

why?

 

[Longcatislong]

I'd like an answer to the creepy doll display question lol

 

[hunterx2]

Western

Its much less disruptive to your personal and family life. Owning your house is a big deal, and who knows about the cost being "equalized by my wifes lost wages and having to relocate twice" ??? Finding a good job is not exactly easy these days. It seems like your wife is well established and may well get promoted over those 4 years if she stays, as opposed to starting afresh elsewhere.

 

[LFA20]

why?

just look at how many cons you listed for western and lecom...

 

[ramborhino]

Analysis: the cost savings of LECOM would most likely be equalized by my wifes lost wages and having to relocate twice. I like both schools. I realize many disagree, but I see PBL as a benefit since much of the science at this point is review anyway and PBL sessions at LECOM are just 6 hours per week which allows freedom to study just what I need or spend more time in lab. Also, PBL is just the science portion, dental related topics are taught live by qualified people. Western facilities are nice but LECOM is better thought out. You get your own chair as a 3rd year & there are no 4th years on campus to compete with. Long term Id like to stay in california (family) but am not opposed to moving for school. Hastle of moving, renting or selling my house, finding a new job for my wife is also a factor.

This just 6 hours of PBL turns into 12 hours wasted during your week, trying to figure out what the heck you were supposed to be learning in PBL in the first place. The phrase "blind leading the blind" doesn't even begin to describe PBL. The only supporters of it have never been involved with it (also goes under the guise of PBI, CBI, CBL...)

I would recommend Western for you as well. Since you own a house, you are also going to have to either rent it out or sell it (risking losses here as well). I think this may be worth it for other schools, but not LECOM, by the sounds of it.

 

[aznboi89x]

i rather take cadaver lab . unproven curriculum for LECOM is a big factor.

 

[Teeths]

I'd like an answer to the creepy doll display question lol

When I interviewed, they said Barnum & Bailey started out in Bradenton (or the immediate surrounding area) and so they have the little clowns in the hall as like a homage to the area.

 

[Teeths]

For your personal situation, I'd say go to Western. Like AVB mentioned, look at how many cons you could find for LECOM compared to Western.

Pros for LECOM that I don't think people take seriously enough are the plans for 4th year students being in a dental clinic (the idea of coming out of dental school with as many hours as those who complete dental school + a GPR is awesome), a complete electronic textbook library (hello welcome to the 21st century), INCREDIBLE clinical facilities and simulated 'group practice' setting, and the invaluable experience of PBL which I think will help develop communication and interpersonal skills.

I don't know very much about Western, but just from having a glimpse of your situation, I'd have to say Western.