Everyone has continued on with the same talk about how the program will be terrible and to stay away from these two people, but no one has given any proof again.
What proof are you waiting for? That Hurst isn't an orthodontist or something on that level? You likely won't hear any "proof" like that. He's a failed director. Everyone knows that. Look at his past work. Let's ask this question instead: "What are his recent achievements?" The burden of proof is on him.
We know you want to get in. If you had options, you'd likely wish for the various directors to prove to you why you should go there. In other words, you'd want evidence about which program would make you the best orthodontist--whatever best means to you.
Yes, I really want to know the truth ----it will help me make a better decision, No, I won't be running a large company and I know the MBA is probably overkill but if it gets me an Ortho Certificate and I pick up a few basic business and management principles along the way-- great!
True. Getting into the Nevada program will get you an ortho certificate. A certificate can be earned in many locations in this country, though. An MBA will only take away a lot of otherwise valuable and beautiful desert evenings. By the way, MBAs aren't for the basics. Basics can easily be picked up in one- or two-day seminars.
My brother is an attorney and tells me that way too many law schools are pumping out attorneys who cannot be employed. Just aren't jobs for the grads. The school are in the education business for themselves. They do a poor job of educating the kids, which is why their national ranking is down. But one thing these schools do accomplish is to charge the students. This appears to be real goal anyway--not employment for their grads. Similarly, this school in Nevada--Hurst second in 3 years--appears to be in the same business. Create a impractical, stretched-out curriculum and Take $ from students (for three years mind you) who can't use much of their education and laugh all the way to the bank.
Do you get a Master's with this? Or "just" the MBA?
My father is in the field and will probably end up teaching me "real world" ortho any way.
Is your father an orthodontist? He likely has encouraged you to get in and out (two-year program). That's what most of us wanted: a two-year program, lots of clinic time, few classes, a stipend, assistants, and easy-to-get-along-with faculty and staff. Those factors translate into more preparedness for private practice.
In contrasts, a Masters degree, an MBA, lots of research, lots of debt, outdated practice philosophies and techniques, and tough-to-deal-with faculty and staff disable one from preparing well for the orthodontic business world.
Unfortunately, no program is ideal. Those commenting on this thread are telling you their experiences. They won't likely dangle all the Hurst- and Pourhamidi-related dirty laundry about. I've heard several stories, but to share some of them is not very becoming. If others want to, fine. I don't like to go there. His organizational, leadership failures were enough.
As far as Dr. H who hasn't run in to an ego centered Dr in dental school or any of there dental education what is so odd about that.
You're right. Lots of egos in dental school. Each egotistical type of person bears different fruit, however. What has Doc Hurst's ego done for him (and his residents) lately? Hurst's got little but a trainwreck he left behind in San Antonio (departed to go to Vegas three years ago) and the mess he created in Vegas to show for his academic career.
It is starting to sound like usual resident talk about how everything is just so bad and that these people are just no good,
Usual resident talk? Is that all resident do? Complain? Lots of threads are about things other than complaining. You're not endearing yourself very well, grousie boy.
and that i want to do the least amout of work to get my degree and get out.
Hmmm. Perhaps a little too much honesty, friend. Least amount of work? Hard work is what got most of us to the application table.
I look forward to a good life, but it will continue to involve plenty of hard work, team work, and organization. That is where your boy Lynn Hurst has failed.
Why the confusion? Whatever your state is (completely befuddled or only slight so), soak up these shared experiences/opinions and weigh your options. Shake off the confusion and look at the variables before you objectively. That's the easiest way to go forward.
As zoothslooth said, it appears this may be your only shot. Maybe you've got the credentials to reapply next fall. Maybe you don't.
You're an adult and can do whatever you want. You're only hearing our opinions. You do what you want. If you've got the dough (or father does) then take the Nevada spot if offered. You (or your dad) can repay the loan with time. We're only telling you why we think better decisions are out there.
