Why Boston University?

[loosetooth]

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For those of you considering BU, I was wondering what your reasons are for wanting to go.


My other option is attending USC. My fiance and I would like to end up in California, and we love LA, so this is a great option. I'm just wondering if there are any clear reasons for me to choose BU.

- Costs seem to be comparable
- Boston vs. LA (I prefer LA)
- Didactic curriculum at BU vs. PBL at USC (I'm not sure I prefer PBL)


Anything else I should consider?

 

[leafsfan9]

I am trying to figure out the same thing, in anticipation.

I have interviewed at USC, and have an upcoming interview at BU.

I am from Toronto, so both places are a plane ride away. Los Angeles is amazing, and I would love to move somewhere hot, but it has the PBL curriculum. Apparently they are transitioning to somewhat of a hybrid curriculum, so it would be partially PBL and partially didactic. On the other hand, Boston is a university town, and the dental school appears to be in a decent area of town. Costs should be about the same.

Anyone else want to give some input?

 

[dantheman2007]

BU's APEX program,
so see it as a positive (basically free 3 months), some as a negative

 

[tamkhan]

for torontonians, apex is great. you guys can come home and basically just do nothing. it's a vacation.
i think BU's curriculum is quite alright, however, they seem to have a huge chair time and patient recruitment problem. i don't know how severe it is, but it seems to be bothering many people. maybe they'll introduce some changes in the next 1 or 2 years.
that being said, boston is a great town, imo. i felt very comfortable when i was there.

 

[scuzfly]

I like the idea of the APEX program and working in a dental office as soon as possible to orient myself with more. It also might open up a residency and maybe even a job right after dental school.

I lived in California for 21 years and I still consider myself a resident no matter what state I live in. Someone told me they think people from the west coast have a harder time acclimating to the east cost than the opposite happening.

I also like the historic aspect of Boston. Deep down I'm really into American History and after living on the west coast for so many years I'm interested to see what the east coast is like. I also think the east coast is more serious about school than the west coast so I would like to learn that first hand and possibly raise a family there.

 

[coursedirector2005]

I am trying to figure out the same thing, in anticipation.

I have interviewed at USC, and have an upcoming interview at BU.

I am from Toronto, so both places are a plane ride away. Los Angeles is amazing, and I would love to move somewhere hot, but it has the PBL curriculum. Apparently they are transitioning to somewhat of a hybrid curriculum, so it would be partially PBL and partially didactic. On the other hand, Boston is a university town, and the dental school appears to be in a decent area of town. Costs should be about the same.

Anyone else want to give some input?

I would not say that the dental school is in a decent part of town. You might be thinking of the main campus.

 

[BUdental]

So I go to Boston. I would of rather gone somewhere warm and sunny. I grew up in Chicago but went to undergrad at ASU. So, I know cold and I know hot. The weather seems to be of little importance when it comes to whether the school will get you ready to be a dentist....however, it sure is nice to not have to deal with the snow and cold. If I could do it over, I would go somewhere warm. People in warm climates are much more happier IMHO.

For the guy who thinks that Boston is great for American Hx....yeah that wears off quick. "What about the cute boston brownstones"?...Oh, the 350 sq ft, rat infested dungeons, for $1200/month..yeah they're great!! Boston is great place to visit...horrible place to live.

My advice to warm weather fans....stay in the warm weather...you'll thank me about your 3rd year in.

Also, if u need info regarding our patient issues and such, feel free to email me about that.

Cheers

 

[scuzfly]

it might have worn off to you but I'm always interested in history, even the stories I've heard 15 times the same way. I still think it's cool to be there or see it or whatever. I went to pearl harbor and I'd go again if I went back to Oahu

 

[blankguy]

So I go to Boston. I would of rather gone somewhere warm and sunny. I grew up in Chicago but went to undergrad at ASU. So, I know cold and I know hot. The weather seems to be of little importance when it comes to whether the school will get you ready to be a dentist....however, it sure is nice to not have to deal with the snow and cold. If I could do it over, I would go somewhere warm. People in warm climates are much more happier IMHO.

For the guy who thinks that Boston is great for American Hx....yeah that wears off quick. "What about the cute boston brownstones"?...Oh, the 350 sq ft, rat infested dungeons, for $1200/month..yeah they're great!! Boston is great place to visit...horrible place to live.

My advice to warm weather fans....stay in the warm weather...you'll thank me about your 3rd year in.

Also, if u need info regarding our patient issues and such, feel free to email me about that.

Cheers

That's not a good sign, when you begin regretting and/or second guessing your choice.

 

[Rezdawg]

That's not a good sign, when you begin regretting and/or second guessing your choice.

Well, the winters drag out for a long time. Im from Texas and you dont know how frustrating it is for me to visit home in February and have it be 70 degrees with bright, sunny skies...then I return to the frigid northeast. Its not a reflection of the school, but a reflection on the climate of this region.

As my classmate mentioned, cost of living is ridiculous for what you get in return. Ive lived in the same place for 3 years. $1450/month without utilities. My kitchen and bathroom probably looked exactly the same 40 years ago. Again, this is an issue with the city rather than the school.

So, his advice is legit. Im sure we both have our gripes about the school, but it'd be hard to find a dental student that doesnt have issues with his/her school. Basically, you are going to have enough go wrong during dental school...if you can eliminate all the other things that would annoy you (weather, cost of living), then you'll have a happier 4 years. I know that if I was in Texas and living like a king on $1200/month, then I'd be more content.