CWRU Dental school vs. USC Dental school

[hopefuldent77]

Hello everyone, I am an incoming D1 student!
I am trying to decide between Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine and USC School of Dental Medicine. I know both schools have their ups and downs, but if any dental student knows anything in particular about these two schools, please comment! Other than the cost of tuition and living, which school is better?

Things that are important for me:
- supportive environment ( both students and faculty)
- clinical experience
- less depressing environment lol
- I want to specialize in orthodontics, so I would like to gain research opportunities

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[dentistrydmd]

USC $$$$$$

 

[Saddleshoes]

USC $$$$$$

Ding! Ding! Ding! --- We have the answer!

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

The people of the internet have spoken…

USC FIRST YEAR Cost of Attendance $173k 2023-2024

People are still applying! 2012: $114k (4% increase) 2013: $123k (8%) 2014: $127k (3%) 2015: $130k (2%) 2016: $134k (3%) 2017: $137k (2%) 2018: $140k (2%) 2019: $149k (6%) 2020: $152k (2%) 2021: $154k (1%) 2022: $162k (5%) 2023: $168k (4%) 2024: $173k (3%) *Plus interest rates of 6%+ for...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Big Hoss

 

[deleted1047421]

but if any dental student knows anything in particular about these two schools, please comment! Other than the cost of tuition and living, which school is better?

This is what I would ask if I was evaluating two schools

1) how many students ended up specializing with respect to each specialty in the last 2-3 years. They should give you these stats.
2) what are the graduating requirements. How many crowns, fillings, root canals etc are needed to graduate
3) is the school pass/fail or is there ranking
4) what is the class size


If cost is reasonably not a huge difference these factors would weigh heavily into the decision. Furthermore Southern California is far superior than Ohio. You will be living there for four years.
Also if you’re thinking long term, many find their spouse during dental school. Based on probability this could influence where you end up for the long term.

 

[Syncope Inducer]

The school itself genuinely doesn't matter, which is why most people on this forum will always advise you to attend the cheapest program. I think that's solid advice for the vast majority of pre-dents, probably yourself included.

With that being said, I graduated from USC last year, so I guess I can touch on each one of those things you mentioned:
- Students are fun to be around and supportive, sure. There's no class rank, so less competition. Just like every other school, there will be faculty you'll love and others you'll avoid.
- Clinical experience depends almost entirely on you. See as many patients as you can in clinic, go out of your way to volunteer with the several mobile clinics you'll have at your disposal, find a mentor, etc., and I'll be shocked if you don't have some confidence after graduation.
- It's a rich university situated in the heart of a coastal megacity. There's lots to do, if that's what you're asking.
- There's plenty of research opportunities.

Again, I can't stress this enough... There's no "better" school. It's what you make of it.

 

[D1Bound]

if you’re paying for this solely via loans, Are you ready to go 800k deep from USC to then start off working for heartland in 4 years?

 

[deleted1047421]

I’m curious to know the cost of attendance for case western dental school.

School of Dental Medicine | Student Financial Services | Case Western Reserve University

Tuition and fees for students of the School of Dental Medicine can be found in the tables belowfor the Academic Year 2024-2025 and Academic Year 2023-...

case.edu

This is all I could find.

Tuition is 100k.
USC tuition is 113 k.

The price difference is pretty negligible. Both are very expensive.

Personally I would pay a higher price to avoid living in Ohio.
I’d pay a a reasonable premium to live in Southern California.

 

[LFA20]

if you’re paying for this solely via loans, Are you ready to go 800k deep from USC to then start off working for heartland in 4 years?

He is taking on an additional 200-300k for ortho though

 

[hopefuldent77]

The school itself genuinely doesn't matter, which is why most people on this forum will always advise you to attend the cheapest program. I think that's solid advice for the vast majority of pre-dents, probably yourself included.

With that being said, I graduated from USC last year, so I guess I can touch on each one of those things you mentioned:
- Students are fun to be around and supportive, sure. There's no class rank, so less competition. Just like every other school, there will be faculty you'll love and others you'll avoid.
- Clinical experience depends almost entirely on you. See as many patients as you can in clinic, go out of your way to volunteer with the several mobile clinics you'll have at your disposal, find a mentor, etc., and I'll be shocked if you don't have some confidence after graduation.
- It's a rich university situated in the heart of a coastal megacity. There's lots to do, if that's what you're asking.
- There's plenty of research opportunities.

Again, I can't stress this enough... There's no "better" school. It's what you make of it.

Thank you so much for elaborating about USC! I definitely understand that I have to go out and make the most of my clinical experience. Did you have to look for your own patients at all or does the school usually assign you to a patient? I was a bit confused about this

 

[dentistrydmd]

I’m curious to know the cost of attendance for case western dental school.

School of Dental Medicine | Student Financial Services | Case Western Reserve University

Tuition and fees for students of the School of Dental Medicine can be found in the tables belowfor the Academic Year 2024-2025 and Academic Year 2023-...

case.edu

This is all I could find.

Tuition is 100k.
USC tuition is 113 k.

The price difference is pretty negligible. Both are very expensive.

Personally I would pay a higher price to avoid living in Ohio.
I’d pay a a reasonable premium to live in Southern California.

Yeah but you’re not including additional fees and living cost differences which in this case are likely double.

...Seems like that differential is 50k annually according to this (tuition is listed as 77k):

Financial Aid | School of Dental Medicine | Case Western Reserve University

 

[Ivy.ch]

Personally I would pay a higher price to avoid living in Ohio.
I’d pay a a reasonable premium to live in Southern California.

As a dentist, sure, maybe. But as a student? Absolutely not worth it. If he/she can’t make a temporary sacrifice on location for long term benefit, they’re in for a rough life.

 

[hopefuldent77]

As a dentist, sure, maybe. But as a student? Absolutely not worth it. If he/she can’t make a temporary sacrifice on location for long term benefit, they’re in for a rough life.

Thank you for the real talk! There's definitely a different in rent between LA and Ohio lol

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

The insanity in tuition increases will not stop until predents stop applying to schools like USC.

Big Hoss

 

[D1Bound]

Thank you for the real talk! There's definitely a different in rent between LA and Ohio lol

It's not even a serious discussion to attend USC or NYU unless you have wealthy parents to pay, or the HPSP/NHSC/Indian health scholarship. Sit and look at how expensive cars and houses. You will be broke trying to buy those things if you are 800k+ deep. It's laughable to even be typing this lol

 

[Syncope Inducer]

Thank you so much for elaborating about USC! I definitely understand that I have to go out and make the most of my clinical experience. Did you have to look for your own patients at all or does the school usually assign you to a patient? I was a bit confused about this

School will assign patients. You're also able to bring in your own, if you wish to do so.

 

[charlestweed]

USC is located in the very rough part of LA. It's not safe to walk home alone at night. My wife went there 20+ years ago (before the PBL curriculum was put into place). A lot of students had hard time finding patients to fulfill their graduation requirements. Many students had to stay back an extra semester (and paid more tuition) to complete their graduation requirements. It's a very stressful environment to be in. I don't know if things at USC are better now or not.

 

[annieee2323]

cwru students seem very unhappy and only seem to went there bc they had no other options. I’d go to usc

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

and only seem to went there bc they had no other options. I’d go to usc

One might argue the same thing for USC students willing to go $850,000 in debt to become a dentist…

Big Hoss

 

[dent490130]

One might argue the same thing for USC students willing to go $850,000 in debt to become a dentist…

Big Hoss

I had multiple other options and went with usc?

 

[dent490130]

One might argue the same thing for USC students willing to go $850,000 in debt to become a dentist…

Big Hoss

a lot of people who go to usc have the means to pay for it, and if they do then why not?

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I had multiple other options and went with usc?

Did you fully rely on student loans? What was the cost difference between the schools? If those other schools were schools like NYU, Midwestern, or ASDOH, my argument stands.

Big Hoss

 

[Ivy.ch]

a lot of people who go to usc have the means to pay for it, and if they do then why not?

Because you could have used the extra money to invest in stocks and become rich.

 

[dent490130]

Did you fully rely on student loans? What was the cost difference between the schools? If those other schools were schools like NYU, Midwestern, or ASDOH, my argument stands.

Big Hoss

no I didnt fully rely on Loans, parents helping me. cost difference was a lot actually, 150k. picked the school id be happiest at location wise and closest to family. it wasnt any of those schools you mentioned

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

no I didnt fully rely on Loans, parents helping me.

And there’s our answer…

For those poor souls who do have to pay for school on their own, you’re being irresponsible encouraging them to start their career with nearly a million dollars in student loans.

Big Hoss

 

[dent490130]

And there’s our answer…

Big Hoss

yes but I already mentioned that. I said a lot of people who go to USC have parents helping them. and if they do, good for them, why not pick the school they have a means to go to if they can financially afford it?

 

[dent490130]

And there’s our answer…

Big Hoss

it wouldnt be smart to go to any school that would put someone at "850k debt" of course. but most the kids graduating from usc aren't 850k in debt.

 

[dent490130]

And there’s our answer…

For those poor souls who do have to pay for school on their own, you’re being irresponsible encouraging them to start their career with nearly a million dollars in student loans.

Big Hoss

I said "a lot of people who go to usc have the means to pay for it, and if they do then why not".

 

[dent490130]

Because you could have used the extra money to invest in stocks and become rich.

money isnt all I care about

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I said "a lot of people who go to usc have the means to pay for it, and if they do then why not".

If you have the means to afford it outright, sounds to me like you’re not paying your fair share of taxes…

Big Hoss