Which Universities are the best?

[Cassy99]

Hi,
I have gotten into University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois at Chicago, and got accepted into Muhlenberg college but waiting for UPENN's decision since Muhlenberg College offered an co-operative program with UPENN for 3 years(which is not finalized yet). I had a question that which college should I go to and it is easy to maintain GPA where they don't give too much work and it is not that difficult and at the same time I will have time to study for DAT exam. I am following pre-dental track but doing major in Biology.

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[deleted735879]

Can't go wrong with a small private college, if you can afford it.

They have small class sizes that allow you to get to know your professors = amazing letters of rec, if they have research it is easy to get on a team since they often don't have any graduate programs, and they tend to be slightly easier GPA wise. If Muhlenberg college fits that definition, like I think it might, I would go there.

Just my two cents.

 

[predent2151]

Go to the cheapest school if you have to take out loans. The school you go to isn’t a big deal.

 

[Stanelz]

The one you get into

 

[I-hate-alginate]

The best school is the one you feel most comfortable at. Mental health is important and will effect your academic performance. You don't want to be miserable for 4 years. I know plenty of people that went/goes to UIC and they all were/are miserable lol.

 

[Gubster]

Maintaining a good GPA for four years of college, while finding the time to take the DAT is not easy. Regardless of which school you attend, you will need lots of self discipline. College is basically an airport, you go in one side and out the other. Your GPA sticks with you, your DAT sticks with you and your major sticks with you (albeit to a lesser extent), as you apply to dental school later on.

My advice is this: surround yourself with good, hardworking people and continue to explore dentistry through shadowing and the Pre-Dental Society (if your undergraduate program has one).

 

[mrdeez]

Go to the cheapest school if you have to take out loans. The school you go to isn’t a big deal.

This is absolutely not true when applying to dental school. Whether people like to admit it or not, your undergrad institution’s reputation is considered when applying. My state school is notorious for having preference for their own undergrad students, and students from big name schools. I chose the small school route, and three of my friends with incredible stats and amazing EC’s were rejected/waitlisted after being berated in the interview at our big state university. Not all undergrad educations and gpa’s are created equal, some dental schools care about this more than others. Unfortunately, my state school is one.

 

[Jueves]

This is absolutely not true when applying to dental school. Whether people like to admit it or not, your undergrad institution’s reputation is considered when applying. My state school is notorious for having preference for their own undergrad students, and students from big name schools. I chose the small school route, and three of my friends with incredible stats and amazing EC’s were rejected/waitlisted after being berated in the interview at our big state university. Not all undergrad educations and gpa’s are created equal, some dental schools care about this more than others. Unfortunately, my state school is one.

Can confirm. Was applying for an HPSP and despite below average stats, my recruiter said I’m still pretty competitive because I went to a “good” school. Dental school probably isn’t too far off.

 

[predent2151]

In hindsight no matter what school you go to you take the DAT. 22AA at an unknown school is better than a 19AA at a well known school. It doesn’t make that big of a difference. I go to a lowly ranked public school and got into plenty of places. Undergrad choice shouldn’t cause you anxiety unless you’re m paying 50k a year for a private school

 

[Cassy99]

Thank you everyone who replied and for your opinions.

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

It definitely matter what school you go to.

Some schools have more opportunities for students to practice in the sim and real clinic. I'd rather pay more to go to a school that gives me a lot of procedures. Other schools may not have enough patients, and grads will have to go to an AGD to improve their skills.

Many corporates will hire recent grads from particular schools due to the school's reputation.

 

[deleted735879]

It definitely matter what school you go to.

Some schools have more opportunities for students to practice in the sim and real clinic. I'd rather pay more to go to a school that gives me a lot of procedures. Other schools may not have enough patients, and grads will have to go to an AGD to improve their skills.

Many corporates will hire recent grads from particular schools due to the school's reputation.

This post is about which undergraduate institution to attend.

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

This post is about which undergraduate institution to attend.

Then please disregard my post

No, it doesn't matter much. I have a few class mates who did half their under grad at community colleges.

 

[Stanelz]

It definitely matter what school you go to.

Some schools have more opportunities for students to practice in the sim and real clinic. I'd rather pay more to go to a school that gives me a lot of procedures. Other schools may not have enough patients, and grads will have to go to an AGD to improve their skills.

Many corporates will hire recent grads from particular schools due to the school's reputation.

The difference between any US dental school is very minimal, why pay a hundred thousand more to do 2 more endo procedures and 10 more extractions?

Most corporates will hire a blind one armed monkey as long as he has a DMD or DDS degree.

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

The difference between any US dental school is very minimal, why pay a hundred thousand more to do 2 more endo procedures and 10 more extractions?

Most corporates will hire a blind one armed monkey as long as he has a DMD or DDS degree.

Haha. Given some of our practical grades, I wouldn't surprised if that monkey has better hand skills than some students.

Just out of curiosity, what are the numbers of certain procedures done at your school? I always hear about students from different schools bragging about how much they do, or complain about how little they do. Is there a way to find out the averages for all schools?
Yes, a hundred thousand for an extra 5 crowns might not be worth it. But what about 20? 30? 100?

 

[Stanelz]

Haha. Given some of our practical grades, I wouldn't surprised if that monkey has better hand skills than some students.

Just out of curiosity, what are the numbers of certain procedures done at your school? I always hear about students from different schools bragging about how much they do, or complain about how little they do. Is there a way to find out the averages for all schools?
Yes, a hundred thousand for an extra 5 crowns might not be worth it. But what about 20? 30? 100?

Im honestly not sure how many we do but I hear we get a good bit of experience based on what I hear current students say.

The only category that I see huge differences in is extractions. Some schools do 30-50 and some do over 100+ like A&M for example

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

Im honestly not sure how many we do but I hear we get a good bit of experience based on what I hear current students say.

The only category that I see huge differences in is extractions. Some schools do 30-50 and some do over 100+ like A&M for example

Yeah, same here. I hear from different students, including ours, that their school has "one of the best" productions. However, I was curious to see if there are any national statistics for all the US schools.

 

[amanda07]

i think the 'best' is always depends on our attitude..

 

[Medin2017]

Going cheap is best. I used to say go Ivy but not anymore. I've changed my view after finding out it's not ridiculously hard to have a decent class rank in state schools

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Going cheap is best. I used to say go Ivy but not anymore. I've changed my view after finding out it's not ridiculously hard to have a decent class rank in state schools

You did the right thing

 

[Medin2017]

You did the right thing

Yes, I think it's easier than they make it seem. Many people don't really want to specialize in the first place so you're competing with probably less than half your class .Then among those people, many get discouraged and some never really wanted it bad in the first place. You're really by default guaranteed top 20-30% with a bit more work a day than your peers even if you aren't a genius, and if you're a bit smarter than normal or work even harder, top 5-15% doesn't seem that daunting a task. Go cheap everyone!

 

[Harvard Dental Student]

You already know 😉

 

[O&MFS]

You already know 😉

*Cringe*

 

[887194]

You already know 😉

LOL