What's the most important factor to you in choosing a school?

[reddevilhusky]

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Hey y'all I've finished my pre-December interviews and I'm thinking about the schools I've interviewed at so far. A couple of them really stand out to me and will probably be tough to choose between if I'm lucky enough to get in. Just curious as to what is the most important factor(s) to you all in deciding between schools if cost is relatively similar between the schools. Good luck everyone we're almost over the finish line we got this!

 

[sobertiger]

Location, curriculum, atmosphere

 

[mariobrosdoctor]

Location, curriculum, safety of surrounding area, interactions between students and faculty.

 

[WaveRace]

Location is the primary factor for me (I have 5 nephews, 2 nieces, and another on the way). All of my siblings and their families live in the same geographic area. They are all very important to me.

Additionally: caliber of research done at the institution, amount of outreach done, opportunities for dual-degree programs, requirements for graduation, and how well-established the program is. Also, the general vibe from the interview. These are the things that I consider.

 

[sbdento]

Cost

 

[blablabla1]

Cost

 

[davdango]

For me it's whether or not I am comfortable with it. I look for a place where I would like to study for 4 years.

 

[BosDent93]

Cost and where the graduates end up

 

[MLC45]

If cost really is similar I would have to say convenience and location. If you have one school that’s convenient but wrong location, and one that’s great location but not convenient then I don’t know what to suggest.

 

[amariesa]

$ and clinical experience at a distant second.

 

[FanOfCostco]

#1: singles in the area
#2: singles in the area
#3: location
#4: cost

 

[2TH MVR]

1. cost
2. cost of living in area
3. size of class: I like small class sizes
4. if specializing ...pick traditional dental school with GPs and Specialty residencies. If not .... any school.
5. If married .... pick any school OTHER than the school that @FanOfCostco goes to. 😀

 

[FanOfCostco]

1. cost
2. cost of living in area
3. size of class: I like small class sizes
4. if specializing ...pick traditional dental school with GPs and Specialty residencies. If not .... any school.
5. If married .... pick any school OTHER than the school that @FanOfCostco goes to. 😀

This man speaks truth.

 

[Kurk]

Cost and location

 

[O Gaúcho]

Cost

 

[clark5013]

cost. There is a massive difference between 200k vs 350k debt. I dont want to end up paying twice as much for twice as long.
curriculum is important but dental school is what you make out of it, meaning you get what you put in. I dont want to pay 100k+ just to have a more "LAX" curriculum. And as for location, again paying 100k+ to live in a "cooler" city is ridiculous. So my only answer is cost.

 

[Symphonies]

1. cost
2. cost of living in area
3. size of class: I like small class sizes
4. if specializing ...pick traditional dental school with GPs and Specialty residencies. If not .... any school.
5. If married .... pick any school OTHER than the school that @FanOfCostco goes to. 😀

What do you mean by any "traditional" dental school?

 

[dentalmagic]

Yes, I think we (most of us) get it as this point. Go to the cheapest dental school you get into and to give serious consideration to cost.

However, OP specifically asked about factors other than cost.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Clinically strong! I'm not planning on spending another year in a AGED or a GPR program just to gain some hand skills that a dental school should've gave me.

 

[blablabla1]

Clinically strong! I'm not planning on spending another year in a AGED or a GPR program just to gain some hand skills that a dental school should've gave me.

I go to a “clinically strong” school. I highly doubt there’s any dental school in the United States that will give you anything close to the experience an AEGD or GPR gives you.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

I go to a “clinically strong” school. I highly doubt there’s any dental school in the United States that will give you anything close to the experience an AEGD or GPR gives you.

I know! What I'm saying is that I don't want to be forced to do an AGED program because the school I went to was clinically poor.

 

[Kingfish23]

Smaller class size (under or around 100 preferably)
Quality reputation
Access to all of the specialties
Area where cost of living is reasonable

 

[Likkriue]

Cost