Would you go?

[shamrock2006]

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I just received an interview invite from Detroit-Mercy. I've already been accepted to NYU, and waitlisted at 4 others (marquette, louisville, creighton, and SIU). I'd also like to start saving up some $$ b/4 dental school and I leave for my Air Force training. I'm really on the fence about whether or not I should go (and possibly open up a spot for someone else) and would appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[purduephigam]

This is your career, so even though it's respectable to be considerate of others, this should be a time to think about YOU. If you want to go to NYU and take your chances at your waitlisted schools, by all means wait it out. However, this is another opportunity to shine (UDM). If you aren't impressed with the school, or have any second thoughts, I would bail out of that interview and wait for the others. Just my $0.02

 

[TheBestDoctor]

i wouldnt go...detroit looks boring...i wouldnt go to iraq either

 

[Fuji]

After declining my interview at Nova, a wave of panic rushed over me as I thought, "Oh no! What have I done?" But the more I thought about it the more I knew that I made the right choice.

My reasoning:

1. I've already been accepted to a school that I really like, costs the same, and offers more clinical experience.
2. I don't want to spend the money on another interview.
3. My wife hates Florida.
4. My spot can be given to another student who is more excited about Nova.

 

[Shane41]

I am in the same boat. I have been accepted and waitlisted at different schools. Detroit sent me an interview and I declined it. My reasoning:

After I toured the school I didnt think it compared to others I have seen. I know they are moving by where the old tiger stadium is in 2008 but that is a worse area than its already in. Also, my tourguide lived in Auburn Hills! That is about an hour drive he said!!! For me, the tuition is a bit more expensive than where I will be attending and its not as clinically adept as the school I will be attending. They said it will be almost all bookwork your first two years.

Ill put it this way. I live in michigan, my girlfriend lives in michigan, she doesnt want me to leave michigan for dental school. But after she toured the school with me she told me she would rather me leave the state and go to a school in a better area and facilities than detroit.

But its your decision...that's just how I made my decision. Plus many people really like U of D so it opens a spot for them!

Goodluck, and I am not dogging the school just stating my opinion/experience

 

[Mackchops]

I cancelled my case interview because I'm just that excited to head to new york. You obviously liked detroit at one point = you applied. If you got in though would you go there over NYU? If you're not sure then you might want to interview to check the place out -- as long as you don't mind the extra money (including eating NYU's deposit)

 

[shamrock2006]

I cancelled my case interview because I'm just that excited to head to new york. You obviously liked detroit at one point = you applied. If you got in though would you go there over NYU? If you're not sure then you might want to interview to check the place out -- as long as you don't mind the extra money (including eating NYU's deposit)

Well I applied to Detroit b/c it is Jesuit School and I'm coming from one. Plus I remember someone from their school coming to ours and I thought he did really well in presenting it..so I applied. However, they sent me tons of papers (as they did everyone) telling me that I should re-take the DAT because of my 16 QR..and now all of a sudden i get an interview? Seems sketchy to me. I did already pay NYU's deposit so eating that would hurt if I decided to go elsewhere, but I actually liked NYU..i think its so much better than people give it credit for...mainly i think people are turned off by class size/tuition..but not me. But as far as Detroit goes, I guess I could go there and just check it out..I have friends who live not too far from there so I woul dn't really have to pay for a hotel which is good. So i guess only time will tell. You headed to NYU for sure mack?

 

[DDSY]

Yes, if you have the money and time, then definitely check it out. A few hundred bucks is nothing compared to the four years of d-school you will be attending.

 

[Mackchops]

I'm 100% on NYU until I hear from Columbia. If I get into CU then I'm 50/50 and will just have to choose. Columbia's specialization placement rates are hard to turn down since that's what I want to do -- not that there aren't tons and tons of opportunities at NYU. We'll see.

 

[The Wop]

Growing up just outside Detroit in a nice suburb I do have a fondness and better understanding for Detroit Mercy and the city itself.

Here are some points I'd like to make in defense of the city and the school:

(1) The City of Detroit does NOT have the best reputation. Even Jay Leno has made jokes. But, if you've never been there, or have never lived in a surrounding area, you should not pass judgment so quickly. I'm from the area and I know the city very well. I've been downtown for sporting events since I was a kid, and now that I'm 21 I go to the bars downtown. The city is really turning around, despite how "ghetto" the reputation may be.

(2) The school's location. Currently it is located on Outer Drive. Not the best area, but I'd never be scared to drive there, day or night. The new school, opening is Jan 2008 will be near downtown right by Tiger Stadium. They're putting $30 million into the new facility I believe and I hear it's going to be very impressive. This area too will not be the most beautiful, luxurious, appealing, but that's not what you're paying for. You're going there for the patient base that is unequaled at many other clincally-based schools.

(3) Fourth year students spend a great deal of time at a clinic at Detroit Receiving Hospital, approx. 3 miles from the new school's location. The clinic is part of the "University Health Center" which is affiliated with Wayne State University's medical school. This is a unique opportunity to treat patients with a variety of different ailments, something that you will not be able to see at most other schools.

(4) Living situation. I heard from a D4 that about half the students live in Royal Oak, a really awesome suburb just outside of Detroit with plenty of bars, restaurants, stores, etc... When people go out they go to Royal Oak most of the time. That's where I'm going to live. It'll be about a 20 minute drive to the new school, not really a big deal to me. Some students will probably live in lofts downtown. I haven't looked into them yet, but they look like a great alternative to the suburbs like Royal Oak, Novi, Southfield, Farmington Hills, etc... They are safe and close to the school. Also, you can walk to the bars, restaurants, casinos, stores downtown on the weekends.

(5) The community aspect of Detroit Mercy sounds great. You won't be just a number. It's a Catholic community and I think it really shows. Not that Catholicism is emphasized, but in general it just sounds like a nice place where the students are happy. Everyone knows everyone and people are friendly.

(6) The metro-Detroit area is booming with growth. It's a great place to live now while you're young and it's a great place to raise a family and practice dentistry. I have no problem doing just that. It all really makes sense to me since I've been here my whole life (except for undergrad), but that's just me. I don't knock Detroit because I have lived here and know the city firsthand. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

That's my $5

 

[Shane41]

I hate to be so negative...but,

The economy is at near-depression levels in michigan...this is true trust me. The traffic in and around detroit is terrible because of all the lakes. If you live off campus plan on dealing with this. And the above statement is correct in terms of not having curb appeal in the location. Finally, in a recent med school study the 4th worst medical school area in the NATION was Wayne State University which is right near U of D.

 

[The Wop]

I hate to be so negative...but,

The economy is at near-depression levels in michigan...this is true trust me. The traffic in and around detroit is terrible because of all the lakes. If you live off campus plan on dealing with this. And the above statement is correct in terms of not having curb appeal in the location. Finally, in a recent med school study the 4th worst medical school area in the NATION was Wayne State University which is right near U of D.

What does Wayne State's med school have to do with Detroit Mercy's dental school? Absolutely nothing, as far as I can tell. Other than they are both located in the city of Detroit.

The traffic is "terrible" in any big city, but Detroit isn't nearly as bad as say Chicago, L.A., NYC, Boston. It doesn't have anything to do with the lakes. How can lake Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie have anything to do with the traffic in Detroit? That's absurd.

The auto-economy isn't doing too hot, but dentistry is nearly immune to that. The city itself, the downtown district has made a major turn around.

Shane41, in a previous post you also said that the school didn't impress you. Fact is, the class of 2011 will spend 3-4 months in the old facility, then will be in the brand new $30 million school.

So, once again, someone not exactly knowing the facts, making absurd assumptions, tries to knock Detroit and Detroit Mercy. Congrats.

 

[Shane41]

You must not be too familiar with detroit. I was not talking about the Great Lakes! I was refering to all of the little lakes in southern michigan that make traveling a little more difficult than any average city.

The other thing is I said this, "Finally, in a recent med school study the 4th worst medical school area in the NATION was Wayne State University which is right near U of D."

I was not comparing Medical to Dental school. You may need to read more thoroughly before getting so defensive. The two schools are near to each other and thus the areas are comparable.

Also, dental school may be immunie to the auto industry but I didnt say auto industry is the only thing affecting michigans economy. The auto industry is the driving force that has affected real-estate and many other jobs in the state. I just saw a poll talking about the percentage of students leaving the state because of how michigans economy has affected people.

Finally, the new dental school will be in a worse area than it already is. Im not trying to be negative on the school. These are simply reasons im not going to attend. But be careful of how you jump to criticism without allowing yourself to understand what another person's views are.

One last thing for Wop, I never mentioned auto industry, the great lakes or i never compared medical school to dental school. Read what I wrote before you make a response like you did.

 

[Fuji]

Read what I wrote before you make a response like you did.

Welcome to SDN. May as well be called Fight Club.