YOUR #1 School and why

[Plopper]

Ok i'm having a hard time ranking all of my schools i've interviewed at and i was wondering what your #1 school was and why it is for you. (location, P/f, curriculum, specialization rate, when NDBE I etc)

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[klpennin]

UTDB at Houston because its where I live and I want to be close to my family. I like the environment there, everyone is relaxed. I already am familiar with the school bc I did research there, and I know people there. Its just the right fit for me right now.

 

[gogobruin]

UCLA! UCLA is located in a great area near santa monica, and the weather there is awesome. I like there a lot!

 

[pickens]

Medical College of Georgia!!! In state tuition...close to home.

 

[206127]

University of Pittsburgh! The school was nice, cooler weather (LA is hotttt!), the city was clean (LA is dirty), housing is cheap, you can become an in state resident after one year, you will at least place 1 implant by the end of your four years, a very high percentage pass part one the first time (100% by the second), you take part 1 the after the first year, the faculty was helpful on the day of the interview which leads me to believe they are like that with their students, the students were friendly (everyone there seemed to get along), and Heinz field was no more then 5 min away from campus (home of the Steelers). Oh and I heard somewhere that you can get season tickets to their football games for only $125.

 

[supraman]

University of Maryland followed by Tufts University

 

[enfuego]

University of Maryland followed by Tufts University

May I ask why you like them? I'm not applying for a couple years, but those two schools caught my attention also.

 

[cjb04]

I liked Midwestern and University of Florida best. UF is my state school, so it's close to family and friends. They also have a very high board passing rate and have updated their simlabs and are restructuring their clinical program for the better. As for mWU, I liked Glendale AZ, the campus, and the systems-based curriculum. I also liked that everything was new, that boards are taken after the end of the first year, and the emphasis on public health dentistry.

No one school is perfect for everybody, but I would be thrilled to go to either of these, and perfectly content with any of the others I interviewed at.

 

[eternalxdemon]

Heinz field was no more then 5 min away from campus (home of the Steelers). Oh and I heard somewhere that you can get season tickets to their football games for only $125.

Football sucks.

but anyways. my first choice is UoP. i mean... c'mon... 3 years? awesome clinical experience (lots n lots of advanced endo n perio cases) and who can resist only 3 years of school? only one of it's kind in the whole nation. and when i went there yesterday... god i love how friendly and sociable the students and faculty were. they welcomed all the interviewees with open arms. the atmosphere there is one of such closeness and togetherness that it really appeals... ppl help on another out... and the faculty seem to always be available for the students... and the financial aid departments makes the loan process easier for students... UoP has like MULTIPLE A++++++'s in my book.

 

[dRdNs]

loma linda...for their community outreach and mission service...

 

[DuffMan01]

UOP only for this reason...3 years! Enough said!

I heard its hard to specialize because its only 3 years, but UOP makes great general practicionars.

But UPitt is great cuz of the above reasons posted

 

[DiNoZeRo2o9]

Football sucks.

but anyways. my first choice is UoP. i mean... c'mon... 3 years? awesome clinical experience (lots n lots of advanced endo n perio cases) and who can resist only 3 years of school? only one of it's kind in the whole nation. and when i went there yesterday... god i love how friendly and sociable the students and faculty were. they welcomed all the interviewees with open arms. the atmosphere there is one of such closeness and togetherness that it really appeals... ppl help on another out... and the faculty seem to always be available for the students... and the financial aid departments makes the loan process easier for students... UoP has like MULTIPLE A++++++'s in my book.

I concur. UoP has been my #1 choice since high school, but ASDOH impressed me a lot during the interview.

Since external hit all the UoP positives (I would just like to add the humanistic approach, competency-based evaluations, and close to home for me), I will talk about ADSDOH ones:

-new facilities, but not brand new
-one of the few schools with a private dental laboratory on campus
-great atmosphere. Everyone was friendly and loves it there
-cheaper housing and tuition than in California
-Modular based education (take one class for 2 weeks, take a final and you are done with it forever)
-boards after first year
-CHC (Community Health Center Rotations): as a result you learn independence as a clinician and probably get more clinical practice in one rotation than some students do at some schools for 2 years.
-The Dean is awesome
-Had a 100% pass rate on the Western Regionals this past year (only school to do so), higher than UCLA, UCSF, UoP, USC, Washington, Oregon, Loma Linda, etc.

 

[eternalxdemon]

I concur. UoP has been my #1 choice since high school, but ASDOH impressed me a lot during the interview.

Since external hit all the UoP positives (I would just like to add the humanistic approach, competency-based evaluations, and close to home for me), I will talk about ADSDOH ones:

-new facilities, but not brand new
-one of the few schools with a private dental laboratory on campus
-great atmosphere. Everyone was friendly and loves it there
-cheaper housing and tuition than in California
-Modular based education (take one class for 2 weeks, take a final and you are done with it forever)
-boards after first year
-CHC (Community Health Center Rotations): as a result you learn independence as a clinician and probably get more clinical practice in one rotation than some students do at some schools for 2 years.
-The Dean is awesome
-Had a 100% pass rate on the Western Regionals this past year (only school to do so), higher than UCLA, UCSF, UoP, USC, Washington, Oregon, Loma Linda, etc.

the $84,000 for tuition is pricey... but i admit cost of living in AZ is wayyyyyy cheaper than sf.

 

[somethinpositiv]

UIC - amazing city, great med/dent campus, diverse patient pool, in-state tuition, excellent staff/professors, and a lot of my pre-dent friends from my undergrad are likely going there

 

[Plopper]

i fell like the choice is going to be soo hard, bc at most of the schools i've been to have had great faculty, great students, nice or incredible facilities, and have seemed like wonderful schools. the only huge difference i've seen is in location and whether the school is urban or suburban

 

[TeamGuo]

U of M. Research and Ph.D opportunities.

 

[cobalt31]

i fell like the choice is going to be soo hard, bc at most of the schools i've been to have had great faculty, great students, nice or incredible facilities, and have seemed like wonderful schools. the only huge difference i've seen is in location and whether the school is urban or suburban

i hear ya. the picture has gotten a little clearer, but i still don't know what my #1 is. also, the difference in price really complicates things... i'll wait until i get an actual acceptance before i try and figure out a #1. i don't want to count any chickens.

 

[Andrew324]

the $84,000 for tuition is pricey... but i admit cost of living in AZ is wayyyyyy cheaper than sf.

For ASDOH Tuition?

All fees and stuff for ASDOH is about $58k

 

[bruin432]

Eternal I was also at uop Thursday! Anyway, definitely a favorite but ucsf and ucla are right there too!

 

[bruin432]

For all the reasons mentioned above!

 

[DrReo]

U of M. Research and Ph.D opportunities.

Minnesota or Michigan?

You interested in a DDS/PhD program?

 

[DrReo]

As for me, U. Minnesota. New equipment, cheap, amazing faculty, opportunities to do research and the new football stadium

4 out of the 5 dentists/specialist went there, and I'm nothing but impressed.

 

[cobalt31]

As for me, U. Minnesota. New equipment, cheap, amazing faculty, opportunities to do research and the new football stadium

now they just need to find a decent football team to fill it

 

[Sublimation]

GATORS BABY!!!!!! CLose to home, ill still be in florida and very cheap . but i really gotta start doin my ressearch on these dental schools lol. i dont know wat is good or not, ive never visited any of the facilities or anything, i have like 4 schools im really considering UF Maryland(i have 2 close friends at this dschool Bu, and Columbia(this is a long shot but ill go for it)-----Nova if i have no other choice.

 

[DrReo]

now they just need to find a decent football team to fill it

They were doing fantastic until they played NW a few weeks ago... Darn last minute interception.

 

[bearsfan55]

hey somethinpositive, what undergrad university do you go to?? I go to U of Illinois in champaign and was wondering if thats what you were talking about too

 

[bearsfan55]

btw.. i also have UIC as my top choice... hometown!.. who wouldn't wanna be in Chicago?!? good luck everyone!

 

[grayzkule]

University of Minnesota.

Mainly because I've lived in Minnesota all my life and I love it here. My dad also went to the U, as did my grandpa. It's a fantastic school with brand new equipment (altho the building's relatively old). Weather here sucks (especially in the winter), but I have all my family and finance's family here so it works great. Not to mention gas was $1.53/gallon today

 

[DentGuy]

Medical College of Georgia!

In-state tuition, all my friends are there, new dental building just built, esteemed professors, clean campus, laid-back town, small class size, emphasis on clinical experience, and um... close student body

------------------------------
MCG is a dump. There is nothing to do and everyone of its seniors end up practicing in Atlanta... way to pick' em.. The state pays for some of your tuition, so they emphasize over and over how much you owe them by staying in Georiga... the "campus" is clean because it only comprises of a few buildings with nothing else for miles and miles.... the "laid-back" town is a nice way of saying "the town is desolate and full of crime so everyone stays in"... the small class size is nice (I'll give them that)... and when I said "friends", I meant the back-stabbing gunners I've always known since undergrad... or the ones who smoked pot that MCG still selected... or the ones who cheated on exams... yup MCG, you sure can pick em.

 

[TeamGuo]

Minnesota or Michigan?

You interested in a DDS/PhD program?

As of now, Michigan since I am a Michigander. But I will be applying to dual programs offerred by both schools. MN was incredible too.

It's a long shot since they only accept 1 or 2 candidates, but this is what I really want to do in the future anyways, so I will keep trying. Michigan you can even re-apply after the 1st year, so that was nice.

But first... is to get in. kk

 

[achilles2]

Stony Brook

1) 2nd year you start clinic and you form your own patient pool which means patients stay with you your entire career at Stony Brook, if you can't handle a case you refer it out but the patient returns. Its like a mini real life setup + many patients follow you once you graduate since you've been working on them for many years.

2) The medical and dental students take indentical courses the first two years. So if an MD tries to talk smash you can remind him that you schooled him/her in medical school.

3) Reputation, stony brooks avg applicant right now has a 22 on the DAT and they take only 39 students

4) Location

 

[UCfan]

UCLA.
At first it is in LA. The weather in LA(California in general) is wonderful (that's my opinion). Watching all kind of sports activities are possible (LA Lakers, College football, Dodgers, etc.). You may go to concerts, shows, and entertainment programs in Staples Center. The night life is very active in here. You can find crowded bars, and clubs every single day(if you need a break). It is close to ocean. I think that makes incredible difference. When I am bored in the city, I go next to beach and sit there and look at the ocean. I cannot tell how pretty it is. I forgot stressfull days very easily over there. The school is located next to Bel Air and Westwood is relatively safe place (compared to USC). I have been in many parts of the US (east coast, Midwest and some other parts of US), but no other places affect me this much. That's why I am living in LA, hopefully I will get the acceptance from UCLA next year.

 

[prydA]

you see elle ay!

 

[vlct0ria]

UCLA.
At first it is in LA. The weather in LA(California in general) is wonderful (that's my opinion). Watching all kind of sports activities are possible (LA Lakers, College football, Dodgers, etc.). You may go to concerts, shows, and entertainment programs in Staples Center. The night life is very active in here. You can find crowded bars, and clubs every single day(if you need a break). It is close to ocean. I think that makes incredible difference. When I am bored in the city, I go next to beach and sit there and look at the ocean. I cannot tell how pretty it is. I forgot stressfull days very easily over there. The school is located next to Bel Air and Westwood is relatively safe place (compared to USC). I have been in many parts of the US (east coast, Midwest and some other parts of US), but no other places affect me this much. That's why I am living in LA, hopefully I will get the acceptance from UCLA next year.

That's great and all and I'm sure we would all loooove to live in LA, but you definitely left out the obnoxiously unreasonably high-priced living expenses.

 

[MissionDental]

That's great and all and I'm sure we would all loooove to live in LA, but you definitely left out the obnoxiously unreasonably high-priced living expenses.

Based on my trips during this interview cycle...the cost of living in LA is quite comparable to any major city (ie. SF, NYC). I guess you get what you pay for...

 

[Plopper]

GATORS BABY!!!!!! CLose to home, ill still be in florida and very cheap . but i really gotta start doin my ressearch on these dental schools lol. i dont know wat is good or not, ive never visited any of the facilities or anything, i have like 4 schools im really considering UF Maryland(i have 2 close friends at this dschool Bu, and Columbia(this is a long shot but ill go for it)-----Nova if i have no other choice.

just wondering why Nova is your last choice, i thought it was a really nice school
thanks

 

[Kokugeka Shiro]

That's great and all and I'm sure we would all loooove to live in LA

I lived in LA (Windsor Hills) for 16 years, and would rather choke on razor blades than move back. If anyone doesn't understand why someone might say this, I would be happy to elaborate. I did however think USC had a much better school than SDNites paint it. In fact, the facilities and resources to enable specialization were very impressive.

Don't get me wrong, there are great things about LA. Unfortunately these positives pale in comparison to the laundry list of negatives that makes about 85% of LA County indistinguishable from a third world country.

My top two are Washington (in-stater), and Michigan (despite the obscene winter frigidity).

 

[Doctor Pretty]

UIC because I'm from Chicago and I'll get in-state tuition, its a great school IMO, and I don't live that far from the campus.

 

[armorshell]

-Had a 100% pass rate on the Western Regionals this past year (only school to do so), higher than UCLA, UCSF, UoP, USC, Washington, Oregon, Loma Linda, etc.

Is there really a difference between 98% pass rate and 100% pass rate? People get random fails all the time for stupid paperwork mistakes or accidents during the test (Someone spills bleach on your xray). It doesn't really speak to the school at all, in my opinion of course.

 

[armorshell]

UOP only for this reason...3 years! Enough said!

I heard its hard to specialize because its only 3 years, but UOP makes great general practicionars.

But UPitt is great cuz of the above reasons posted

 

[vlct0ria]

Based on my trips during this interview cycle...the cost of living in LA is quite comparable to any major city (ie. SF, NYC). I guess you get what you pay for...

and that is why i am going to try and avoid going to school in one of those cities, if possible...

 

[Bruinlove]

and that is why i am going to try and avoid going to school in one of those cities, if possible...

Then, you are giving up on many of top schools. But, it's your personal choice and I respect it.

 

[DiNoZeRo2o9]

Is there really a difference between 98% pass rate and 100% pass rate? People get random fails all the time for stupid paperwork mistakes or accidents during the test (Someone spills bleach on your xray). It doesn't really speak to the school at all, in my opinion of course.

Probably not, but it still is a good selling point to pre-dents like me.

 

[AFdentalgirl]

I concur. I loved ASDOH!

I concur. UoP has been my #1 choice since high school, but ASDOH impressed me a lot during the interview.

Since external hit all the UoP positives (I would just like to add the humanistic approach, competency-based evaluations, and close to home for me), I will talk about ADSDOH ones:

-new facilities, but not brand new
-one of the few schools with a private dental laboratory on campus
-great atmosphere. Everyone was friendly and loves it there
-cheaper housing and tuition than in California
-Modular based education (take one class for 2 weeks, take a final and you are done with it forever)
-boards after first year
-CHC (Community Health Center Rotations): as a result you learn independence as a clinician and probably get more clinical practice in one rotation than some students do at some schools for 2 years.
-The Dean is awesome
-Had a 100% pass rate on the Western Regionals this past year (only school to do so), higher than UCLA, UCSF, UoP, USC, Washington, Oregon, Loma Linda, etc.

 

[Sophlu]

UNLV...in state tuition, family, and I live right by the school (I could take a bike).

 

[hoss19]

anyone who has interviewed at UMaryland would have a hard time saying that it is not the creme de la creme.

is there anyone out there who interviewed at UMaryland and thinks otherwise? I am curious....

oh, and i am not alone hear in saying maryland is numero uno...

http://toptennation.blogspot.com/2008/02/top-10-best-dental-schools-in-us-and.html

 

[mr2guysingh]

UW Dental school. First reasons are obvious to me because I live in Bellevue, which is 20 mins from UW. But I'm mostly apply to schools in California or Texas.

 

[cobalt31]

anyone who has interviewed at UMaryland would have a hard time saying that it is not the creme de la creme.

is there anyone out there who interviewed at UMaryland and thinks otherwise? I am curious....

oh, and i am not alone hear in saying maryland is numero uno...

http://toptennation.blogspot.com/2008/02/top-10-best-dental-schools-in-us-and.html

i'm not dissing umd at all - it was the most beautiful school ive seen out of all the ones i've been to, but i'd rather kill myself than live in the projects of baltimore (and get killed anyway). even with in-state tuition, it's last on my list.

but that's just me!

 

[hoss19]

i'm not dissing umd at all - it was the most beautiful school ive seen out of all the ones i've been to, but i'd rather kill myself than live in the projects of baltimore (and get killed anyway). even with in-state tuition, it's last on my list.

but that's just me!

wow, you consider that area "the projects"? It sounds like you have had quite the sheltered life....not dissing you at all.

i find it amazing that it is last on your list, considering you are a resident. you must have some deep pockets.

 

[cobalt31]

wow, you consider that area "the projects"? It sounds like you have had quite the sheltered life....not dissing you at all.

i find it amazing that it is last on your list, considering you are a resident. you must have some deep pockets.

maryland is an expensive state school. both UTSan Antonio and LSU are cheaper for out of staters than maryland is for in-staters. and i liked San Antonio and New Orleans way better than baltimore.

i don't think my life is sheltered - i just don't like the city of baltimore. to each his (or her) own.