Western Vs UDM

[Slacker24]

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[OU2010]

Yes, another one of these...
Anyone have anymore insights on comparing these two schools.

Western
Pros- good weather, new facilities, classes with other health professions (more people to meet), recorded lectures (classes not mandatory)


Cons- new school... Uncertain with boards exams pass rates, patient pool, scheduling

UDM

Pros- 100% first time board passing rate, large patient pool, new faclity, schedualing done for you

Cons- Detroit, weather, being in one building the entire 4 years only dental students (stuck with the same group), all classes are held in 2-3 class rooms (basicly, I could be in one class all day, with different profs)


Correct me if I get anything wrong... Any other input is appreciated.

I do not know anything about Western but I was nothing but impressed by UDM. The clinic is brand new and there is NEVER a problem getting patients or getting any type of work done. I did not like the idea of being in one class room the entire day but my tour guide said you get a 10 minute break and she would just get up walk around and come back and being in the same room did not bother her.

The two biggest concerns of mine were the area and the price tag.

Oh yeah I asked a few students if they felt they needed to enter a GPR or AEGD before they felt ready to enter the field and not one of them felt they needed to extra training.

If I was you I would pick UDM.

 

[xpheene]

both great schools, pick the one u feel the most comfortable

 

[Slacker24]

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[dmd87]

the area arnd UDM is definitely sketch, western offers some great weather, not sure abt the location though. i think clinical wise UDM has the upper hand, but western is new so that could present some opportunities. go with the kind of vibe u got from the school. if the weather and area are a big importance to your happiness (they def are with me), then go with western, but udm seems to be a solid school too.

 

[Just Peachy]

Although we haven't had a class take the dental boards yet, all of the other programs at Western have upper 90s (as in 97-99) % first time passing rate. Because the dental curriculum follows so closely to the medical program and the first part of the boards are similar, we expect that the dental stats should be similar. Also, all of our faculty and the dean have been teaching for decades at other dental schools and the dean has been the dean at 2 other schools (Indiana and WVU I think - don't quote me on that). They know what they're doing and they know how to teach/design the curriculum so that students have the opportunity to do well on boards. We will have plenty of patients, as Pomona and some of the surrounding areas have a lot of very low income residents who need dental care. As for scheduling, I believe our faculty will be doing it for us and making sure that everyone gets an equal shot at patients and procedures. Which school you pick really comes down to where you felt more comfortable and which school fits your learning style.

 

[kbkt902]

Western!! Who wouldn't want to be in CA for 4 years?? 🙂

But anyways, since I interviewed at Western... what I remember specifially (well, what I was told @ the interview) is that they have A LOT of highly qualified faculty members, and each of them brought with them their ideas and teaching methods from their previous institution and make sort of a hybrid curriculum based on all the things they liked and disliked from previous experiences.

EVERYTHING will be new, which is also nice.

I know that everyone is freaking out because WCDM is so new, but they obviously have a lot to prove so I dont think they will sell any students short in terms of a good education.

And I know nothing about UDM so I can't compare the two!

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

we're located in pomona in a very under served community...this was one of the questions I asked in my interview when I applied last year. According to what the faculty believe, getting patients won't be a problem at all which is a great thing. However, another issue I brought up that couldn't really be answered at the time is that there are no developed specialty programs since it is a new dental school so I'm not sure how other specialty programs will weigh our school compared to others until we establish some reputation....something to consider.

 

[OxfordM3]

However, another issue I brought up that couldn't really be answered at the time is that there are no developed specialty programs since it is a new dental school so I'm not sure how other specialty programs will weigh our school compared to others until we establish some reputation....something to consider.

This is my only concern with pulling the trigger on Western. However, I am fairly certain Western will do their best to address this. I could tell from my interview experience that they are quite serious and dedicated in making a name for the school.

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

This is my only concern with pulling the trigger on Western. However, I am fairly certain Western will do their best to address this. I could tell from my interview experience that they are quite serious and dedicated in making a name for the school.

I've asked myself that same question. The fact that our curriculum is with an already developed and successful medical program is what gave me high hopes for the program. good luck on the decision and maybe I'll see on campus next year in our new facilities! 👍

 

[shewanella]

we're located in pomona in a very under served community...this was one of the questions I asked in my interview when I applied last year. According to what the faculty believe, getting patients won't be a problem at all which is a great thing. However, another issue I brought up that couldn't really be answered at the time is that there are no developed specialty programs since it is a new dental school so I'm not sure how other specialty programs will weigh our school compared to others until we establish some reputation....something to consider.

How do you feel about this now? I got accepted to both Western and Detroit Mercy and have no idea which school to pick! I've never thought I'd worry about choosing schools. I really like Western because of the location, weather and its block schedule.. I also have a close relative and a friend living 30 miles away. If I want to specialize (though it really depends on my grades and NBDE#1), isn't research a big part of the application as well? (Correct me if I'm wrong.. I've been told that your grades, NBDE, research, recommendation letters are the determining factors) I got the impression that UDM produces a lot of general dentists.. I'm not sure how many from each class usually pursues specialties at the end. Are research programs available for D1-4 students at UDM who are considering specializing? During Western interview, someone asked about this and because the school is new, there is no research opportunities for students. Then how are Western students supposed to specialize? Let me rephrase this-- are students who graduate from fairly new dental school at disadvantage because of lack of research programs? (Maybe people from Midwestern, UNLV or Nova can answer this question?) Or is research not a big part of a candidate's resume? Also, has NBDE result been out yet? Does anyone have results for NBDE Part 1 for Western and Part 2 for Detroit?

While I loved the program and facility at Detroit, weather and location (safety reasons) are what worry me. Both schools will be far for me as I am from the South. If anyone goes to either schools-- I look forward to your two cents! Thanks in advance!

 

[Just Peachy]

During Western interview, someone asked about this and because the school is new, there is no research opportunities for students.

Also, has NBDE result been out yet? Does anyone have results for NBDE Part 1 for Western?

There are research opportunities at Western, there just aren't a ton of them yet and it can be hard to get the ball rolling when you want to do it. Honestly I don't know how people find the time to do research along with our busy schedule, but I guess you make time for what's important to you.

About 3/4 of our class has taken Part 1 and gotten their scores back - 100% pass rate so far. Another wave of students will be taking it in late July/early August.

Good luck with your decision! Whichever one you choose will help you become a great dentist - just pick the one that you felt more at home with.

 

[indo386boi]

Hey, Congrats Shewanella! I remember from previous post, you did your interview not too long ago at UDM. I heard that the surrounding area of detroit is safe (ex: Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe, Ferndale, Dearborn, etc). I know that UDM will have more patient pool than Western. If you want to be a good GP, you will get to practice a lot of different cases/procedures at UDM. I've read somewhere that Western have less patient pool. In UDM, they accept 5 students for ortho, 3 for endo, the rest not sure.

In terms of facility, both school is good (new). At Western, you do not have to do waxing (if I'm not mistaken). I'm pretty sure you have to do it at UDM.
The weather, in the summer CA will be hot (can get above 100), in winter detroit will be really cold.
Class size--> UDM 88 last year, 95 this year; Western 73 last year
One more thing, Western award DMD and UDM award DDS (doesn't matter though)

My perspective, if I was accepted at both school, I would go to Western (just because I'm from CA) so I would safe money on housing.
HOWEVER, if I'm in your position, I would go to UDM. Good Luck!

 

[Pennywisdom]

If I were you I'd go to Western.

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

How do you feel about this now? I got accepted to both Western and Detroit Mercy and have no idea which school to pick! I've never thought I'd worry about choosing schools. I really like Western because of the location, weather and its block schedule.. I also have a close relative and a friend living 30 miles away. If I want to specialize (though it really depends on my grades and NBDE#1), isn't research a big part of the application as well? (Correct me if I'm wrong.. I've been told that your grades, NBDE, research, recommendation letters are the determining factors) I got the impression that UDM produces a lot of general dentists.. I'm not sure how many from each class usually pursues specialties at the end. Are research programs available for D1-4 students at UDM who are considering specializing? During Western interview, someone asked about this and because the school is new, there is no research opportunities for students. Then how are Western students supposed to specialize? Let me rephrase this-- are students who graduate from fairly new dental school at disadvantage because of lack of research programs? (Maybe people from Midwestern, UNLV or Nova can answer this question?) Or is research not a big part of a candidate's resume? Also, has NBDE result been out yet? Does anyone have results for NBDE Part 1 for Western and Part 2 for Detroit?

While I loved the program and facility at Detroit, weather and location (safety reasons) are what worry me. Both schools will be far for me as I am from the South. If anyone goes to either schools-- I look forward to your two cents! Thanks in advance!

congrats with the acceptance! Did you make your decision yet? Let me know if you'll be coming to socal! I'm sure you'll get a great education with whichever school you end up deciding! yay no more apps for you 👍