McGill, Western or U of T.....what should I do?!

[Guest invicta]

I'd really appreciate any help! I'm so confused!!!!! I have been accepted at McGill, Western and U of T and dont know what school to go to.

 

I was pretty set on going to McGill, but lately I've been questioning my decision. I'd love to practice my french and I love the city. The main reason I'm doubting my decision is probably due to the fact that I really cant find any dentists in TO that know anything about the program. They are all telling me to go to Western (which is surprising because they all went to U of T).

 

If anyone has any opinions, I'd appreciate you sharing them! Also, if there are any students that are currently attending these schools, I'd love to hear your input!

 

Thanks so much for your help!

[Guest crest vs colgate]

Think about what each school is like and what might be best for you.

McGill: Pro- $, good for specialty programs, fun city; Con- old facilities, will have to speak french to patients, first two years doing med not dentistry

Toronto: Pro- actual dental school, fun city, english, assume it is close to your home; Con - cost (is it more than UWO? probably if you weren't living at home), facilities

Western: Pro- actual dental school, smaller city (if you like that), english, not far from home; Con- reputation isn't like that of Toronto or McGill (but still very good for dentistry),

 

Congrats on your situation,

[Guest hj714]

Hey invicta,

 

First of all congrats~ Good job on getting into all three. Just remember that as long as you work hard, doesn't matter where ever you end up, you are going to be a good dentist.

 

Having said that, you can start looking at advantages and disadvantages of each school...

 

Mcgill: Great school. Great city. Small Class. Will have to spend first 2 years in class with med students - probably will end up learning alot more than you need to ( this can be good or bad, depending on you i guess)

 

U of T: u of t is u of t...enough said.

 

Western: Located in a small town ( reletively), small class too...Mr. Schulish just dontated tons of money to this school, so they'll have lots or resources..

 

My friend last year chose Western over Mcgill...and he's loving western right now..

 

Like I said before, you can't go wrong with any decision you make. It's a win - win situation for you.

 

Just go to a place where you'll like the most

[Guest Tonick]

Congrats on all the acceptances! A lot of people would kill to be in your shoes. The last two respondents outlined everything pretty much, so it is your choice at the end of it. Keep in mind though that U of T is thought to be the best school in Canada, gives u a wealth of clinical experience, and is the only school in Canada that provides all the dental specialties (and if u study at U of T undergrad dent u have better chances of getting in).

 

So with that being said, good luck to you no matter what school you choose. Just please make sure you withdraw all your other acceptances as soon as u commit to one school, so ppl on the waitlist don't have to wait extra for no reason.

[Guest Aplusdent]

Sure Toronto has all the specialties...but if one is not interested in specializing what is the big deal? Wouldn't it be better to go to a school without all the specialties so that as an undergrad dent student you would actually be able to treat your cases all the way through instead of sending them off to a specializing student? I know in the real world most dentists use specialists to refer their difficult cases to...however, dent school is a learning experience that one is paying money for...so isn't it best to get your money's worth and gain as much experience in multiple areas of dentistry as possible?

[Guest Audio]

This is a lie that almost all dental schools without specialty programs use to lure students. Western doesn have specialty programs, just not as many as UofT. And don't think for a second that they're going to let you do something crazy, they won't. They let students treat those crazy cases at Western. And I'm thinking that with all the specialty programs at UofT, you'll be able to sit in on some amazing procedures that could only happen at UofT.

 

I'm not knocking Western...it's a great school. But what I'm saying is don't fall into the trap that schools without specialty programs set. Trust me, this is not only Western that does this. If you apply to US schools, all the lesser schools without funding and such will make these great claims. It's common.

 

Both school will turn out great dentists. I think I'd have a better time at Western though. People seem more friendly and laid back.

[Guest TheChosenOneDDS]

Go to Western lol that's 4 dentists.

 

U of T is not for everyone. It requires a certain personality. One who is willing to go all out in spite of failure. Hugo might be able to tell you more about Western. From what I hear, it is not any easier. A lot of people who go to U of T end up specializing. Not sure about the Western folks but I don't want to generalize so ask Hugo.

 

Those crazy cases sure you'll get exposure to them but honestly, if you don't want to specialize that is probably the last time. Besides without proper training in those cases, if you screw up..guess what? you get sued.

[Guest invicta]

I've spoken to a few dentists that are affiliated with U of T somehow and they've all said that specialty programs at U of T do not favour U of T students. I would tend to agree with them, since if some specialties are only offered at U of T (ie. pediatric dentistry) it would be suspicious if ALL the students enrolled came from U of T. Have you guys heard different?

 

Also, can anyone comment on McGill? Other than the info thats already been posted...

 

Thanks again for your help!

[Guest Audio]

they are all great. McGill is a little more Harvard like in the sense that you do the med thing for 2 years, and the facilities are old. But you can't beat the tuition and the city is great.

 

UofT is the research capital of Canada for dentistry. All specialty programs are there and you compete against some smart cookies. The main clinic was much nicer than I expected...nice chairs! The tuition is a little cheaper than Westerns I think, but by only a few grand a year.

 

Western is an up and coming school. The clinics will all be redone by the time we reach our 3rd year. They give you great training, esp if you want to be a great general dentist but you of course have the ability to specialize.

 

 

I will go to UofT even if I get into Western because it makes sense. It's a great school, great rep, great connections, and it's home. McGill would be an amazing experience too I think...imagine partying in Montreal..sweet. The people at Western, students, profs, etc just seemed more laid back than at UofT. I think it would be the most fun place to attend for me.

 

 

You're very lucky! You really can't go wrong with any of these schools. These might be the 3 best schools in the country

[Guest uoft Chemistry]

I agree w/ Audio...good luck w/ ur choice

[Guest predentalguy]

hey invicta... just a quick note.. although speciality profs at uoft claim they give no preference to uoft undergrads, im not too sure its true.

 

To be blunt, if you hang around uoft as an undergrad dentist u have greater accessibility to the profs in the speciality programs. I have a couple of friends who are considering specialty and they ssay that just being around those profs u can make an impression that someone liviing elsewhere wont be able to do.

 

Now uoft is known to have the best speciality programs in the country there is no doubt about that.. and so u may have a better chance if u are interested in specializing by going to uoft since u can use ur undergrad to build ur connections that way.

 

but ya if ur not interested in speciality I hear UWO will be developing better clinics in the next couple of years...

 

as for mcgill... personally i would so hit that school... montreal is off the hook.. and if u like havcing a good time.. its a good school in an amazing city..

 

either way man.. ur a lucky guy let us know what u decide...

cheers and goodluck

[Guest TheChosenOneDDS]

go to McGill. why are u so concerned? they are all the same, U of T is #1 but may be you're not the best suited for that environment. go with ur initial gut feeling mcgill.

[Guest twistedbrain]

"Mr. Schulish just dontated tons of money to this school, so they'll have lots or resources.."

 

Excuse me, but Mr. Schulich donate tons of money to the Schulich school of med and dents, Dents only get a small fraction of the pie... compare to what meds got. So in terms of resource wise... it's only little improvement, but it's still a great school.

 

UT does provide a lot of(almost excess) theory based learning, practical hands-on opportunity was minimum compare to western (compare the practice hours), but still my friends managed to do just as well. Western has a great 2nd year endo course though...

 

Decisions, decison, stick with your first instinct.

[Guest TheChosenOneDDS]

ok i already gave my two cents about U of T.

 

If you are really keen, go ask Hugo69 about Western and ask LestatZinnie about McGill.

 

Most of the people here aren't even in dental school so they don't know anything more than hearsay.

 

I'm biased towards u of T. But the other folks might give you a different view. Best to talk with them.

[Guest dentforsure]

i guess lots have been said about UT and McGill.

 

No doubt Montreal is a great city. Cheap rent. Good food. (weather is soso)

 

And it's not 2 years worth of med...it's 14 months worth of med. (UBC and UA dent hav 2 years of med) Then 6 months of pre-clinical in 2nd term of 2nd year. Then you go into clinics in 3rd and 4th year.

 

As for clinic, the montreal general hospital clinic is not that old. it was renovated in 1994...it's still better than the old ubc clinic. And then there's the new simulation lab opening by the end of this fall for the 2nd years (i'll get first dip! )

 

As for french...yeah...the faculty recommends u to take lessons...i know there are upper years who don't take it and just rely on translators. Besides, you get 1st choice on english speaking patients since the other 20 students will be fluent in french. (in province)

 

Ya...tuition is a big consideration. It is cheap...enuf said. Plus you'll prolly get some grant/bursary...they love giving it to med/dent students.

 

Also...McGill have pretty good reputation in the states. Does anyone watch House MD here? :lol Wilson was wearing a McGill sweatshirt 3 episodes ago. Apparently the director of House MD said they wanted to make Wilson a graduate of an international med school...and they thought McGill would be a good representation....anyways...

 

I have friends in those other schools as well...and they love it. That said...go with your gut feeling. Don't make other waitlisters wait too long...I feel their pain. Congrats once again.

[Guest kellyl20]

Think that if you go to UT you will get more lectures than their med students, as meds go onto clinicals in thirds year but their dent students continues getting their lectures till the end; of course there are the clinicals alongside. They learn bout the whole body.

 

Don't think UT favours their own grads for specialties.

 

UT and McGill are probably more multicultural than the town of London or Western.

 

IMO, if you are a keen student, go to UT.

 

If you are not thinking of specializing, go with where you want to live for the next 4 years.

[Guest Hugo69]

Well, if you want to specialize and use the UofT name, then it may give you an edge. However, just because you don't go to UofT doesn't mean you won't be able to specialize. There are several people in my class that have gotten into specialty programs and residencies. So, really it depends on what type of people you want to surround yourself with. Western if you want to party, UofT if you want to study Both schools will be relatively the same in difficulty.

[Guest Audio]

if you say both schools are the same in terms of difficulty, then why do you say you should go to UofT if you want to study?

 

I'm really curious because I know that's the general perception of UofT dents but I want to know why. I still don't know what I'll do if I get into Western also.

 

I do think that there is a little too much hyge given to both schools for their "strengths". Going to UofT doesn't mean you'll be a specialist and going to another school doesn't mean you won't be one. But also, going to UofT doesn't mean you won't have the chance to be great in the clinic...just like going to Western doesn't mean you'll be a wicked clinician. It all depends on YOU.

[Guest Hugo69]

I say go to UofT if you want to study b/c UofT is known for its highly competitive students (I was one of them). Going to Western has definitely allowed me to enjoy the partying side of school especially when the class size is smaller and you get the chance to really form lifelong friendships with people in your class.

 

I agree with you Audio, it totally depends on the student.

[Guest predentalguy]

soo which one u end up picking?

 

cheers

[Guest TheChosenOneDDS]

i just graduated from U of T like a few days ago. I started working part time for my uncle for one day on Friday just to see how it was like because it is probably one of the few chances i'll ever get at general practice before i start oral surg in august. All I can say is dentistry is a really great profession, and I probably got paid more than any summer job in one day.

[Guest Aplusdent]

Could it also have something to do with working for your uncle? Some docs are stingy and others are not...i've heard of doctors bringing their employees to Hawaii almost for free...they only had to pay like 200$...niiice. If only they were all so generous and had amazing practices...

[Guest TheChosenOneDDS]

the only advantage i might have over an associate is that i get the "good" patients and "bad" ones. Because my uncle has like 3 practices (1 of them, he is partners with another guy), he gives me the patients he would have gotten at one of the practices. He works less so that I can have more time. He doens't care, he's retiring soon anyways.

 

But after one day of work even, i can say, if i continue working at the pace that i had last week or improve...i would be able to pay my tuition for the last 4 years (had my parents not taken care of it) and have lots of left over income after nine months of working. So that is why I'm sure anyone who is a dentist working at a good practice even as an associate can pay off debts and loans in no time. It is a very rewarding profession.

 

so all u dent students entering first year have a lot to look forward to. Just get through dental school hell.