I am not take cost into consideration. My only priority is academics and I am RI resident. I have acceptance from Stony Brook and The Ohio State University Biology major with pre-dental track. I am trying to understand which school provides a better chance to get into a dental school later. Which school may have better opportunities and academically stronger than other. Which out of these two can provide better exposure to research and faculty. I know the differences may not be there at all or minor but still I would like to have an opinion. Thanks a lot.
Can you visit?
Both schools have strong academics and successful dental school applicants. Were you accepted to honors at either school?
Stony Brook has a reputation for being a “suitcase school,” meaning that many students leave on the weekend. I do not know if that is still true or if it matters to you. Ohio State does not have that reputation.
yes, I am thinking about visiting these schools. I have been accepted to both. So “suitcase school” is a negative thing?
I am sorry, I do not know honors yet because that decision at Stony Brook will be released in March and I do not have honors from OSU. There are few other factors I am not sure about:
- Where will it be relatively easier to maintain high GPA
- Where can I get into research relatively easily
- Where can I find volunteer or shadowing services with relative ease.
Maybe, there are no differences and maybe it all comes down to student but I am wondering if these are valid considerations or not
Thanks
Either college is fine.
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Both of these schools offer excellent biology programs. However, as a distinguishing aspect, Stony Brook provides a general health services orientation that may appeal to you.
This refers to the effect on the campus social atmosphere of a school’s enrolling many relatively local students, which would be most apparent on weekends. It has no academic implications.
For a current perspective on Stony Brook, this New York Times article should be of interest: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/30/nyregion/flagship-stony-brook-university.html.
If it matters to you, note that SBU appears to be slightly more selective than OSU (College & University Rankings).
My D had a good experience working as an undergraduate researcher for the College of Dentistry. Her lab was located near Neil Ave, so the south campus dorm where she lived was nearby.
If you are not already in a scholars program (which have specific dorms) then you should apply to a living learning community. These are competitive spots that require an application. You do not have to commit to apply, but there is a deadline. You might be most interested in this one usually housed in Park Stradley:
https://housing.osu.edu/learningcommunities/future-health-professionals-llc/
But there are others: Learning Communities : Housing and Residence Education
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Both
Do you want enormous size, big time sports - or more compact, Long Island…
Both are fine - as would be URI btw
If you want research, btw, then watch for postings once on campus or approach and professor who is doing something that interests you and ask. Most schools have lots of research opportunities for those interested.
good luck.
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This is so useful, I did not know about that. Thanks a lot.
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Either will work just fine.
I would choose based on fit – location, setting, sports vibe, social vibe, academic fit (check out the curricula…). Without checking, weather probably is similar – four seasons and cold winters (but not as cold as Maine/Wisconsin/Minnesota…).
Wrt grades, where you ate admitted to the Honors program is the most likely for you to be where you’ll be able to shine.
Are those your 1st two acceptances or are they your favorites and if so, why? ( they’re very different).
(Are you waiting for a decision from URI or did you not get in/like it? other colleges?)
Sorry - OP didn’t mention URI.
I just threw it out as - any school will be great - including your in state flagship.
Just to point out - what you said - these two are vastly different and take dentistry out - where would you rather be?
Honors program results for Stony Brook are not declared yet. These two schools are my top two acceptances as I regard both of them good academically, however there has to be some differences and that a prospective student may want to be aware of. That is why I created this post. There are few other schools I am waiting on but I am sure I will be deciding between these two.
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I mean - have you been to Ohio State? It’s ENORMOUS - both in size and population - one of the biggest in the country. It’s huge in to sports, etc - it will have a siable greek community, etc. It’s a great school.
Stony Brook is a regional school that NY is trying to highlight. It’s literally half or less the size population wise. It will have a more local/regional student body, and sports aren’t as huge although still division 1. Ohio State plays Michigan, Penn State, etc. and the world revolves around it.
Stony Brook plays Stonehill, Albany, Monmouth
Depending on what you’re looking for, these schools are not remotely the same. But they are both excellent and will both get you into dental school - as will the others on your list.
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You can shadow at home during school breaks. You can ask your dentist for help.
Yes, I am not inclined to chose a school because of the sports scene at a given school. For me its going to be the quality of education, access to research opportunities, approachability to faculty and company of peers in the same field etc.
Thanks for the insight though.
And that’s my point - all your criteria are likely similar at evry school.
Now some have smaller classes - some high rated schools have huge classes and lower rated ones small - does that bother you? Your profs may not know your name, etc.
Some are afraid to approach and ask for research - the opportunity will be everywhere.
Approachability is up to you.
All you mention is a controllable.
No one can answer which is right for you - only you can. Because for what you seek, they’re all “right”.
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Either school is fine and once you visit you can decide which one is right for you.
In terms of research, if you knock on doors and email profs etc you should be able to get.
You are looking for an answer as to which is “better,” and nobody can give you that answer. There are many successful students at both schools and you need to choose the one that feels right for you.
THIS.
Also, if there is a cost differential and you are looking at potential dental school, you might want to consider the one that will allow you to graduate with the least amount of debt.
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TOSU has 46,000 undergrads, SB 18,000.
TOSU top 25% threshold: 1450 SAT Or 32ACT V. SB slightly higher with fully 25% in the 780-800 range for math or 34 ACT average.
The sports scene is going to matter though. On game days at tOSU you can’t avoid it whereas at Stony Brook no one really cares about college football; in fact, weekends are quieter with a majority gone. Most students are accomplished and into science. They come from New York State, many from NYC. The tOSU student body is much larger and mostly comes from Ohio. Whereas SB is about 40% Asian, 30% white, 15% Latino, 7% Black whereas tOSU is 68% white, 10% Asian, 8% Black, 7% Latino.
At tOSU it’s important to be part of a Scholar or Honors community because the campus is huge, classes are pretty anonymous. Professors will be approachable during office hours. It’ll be very important for you to schedule them in your regular schedule.
If you want personal attention, you won’t have it at either university unless you’re part of a special group freshman year. Both universities have large freshman classes and weedout courses, especially in pre health pre-reqs. That’s why you need to be part of the top 25% to top 10% academically to ensure you survive.
If you don’t care about sports and prioritize knowing your professors& doing research/independent work, you may want to add an application to a few colleges with Jan 15 deadlines, thinking Wooster or Kalamazoo may be matches if you have the stats for tOSU or Stony Brook and they’re both excellent at preparing students who primarily want grad school.
(I imagine you’ve already applied to URochester, Case Western…)
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