Anyone here knowledgable about University of Pacific?

[littlecalvaria]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I didn't really have a clue what I wanted to do after high school, thought I would hate dentistry so decided to go to community college and knock out the bio major classes (o-chem, physics, calc, etc). Thought I wanted to go to med school but I've finally decided on dentistry and talking to a lot of people I know.

So I'm sitting in CC still (20 years old) and I always planned to transfer to a UC or Cal state but now I'm thinking UoP because I heard they have some accelerated programs for dental school that would require less time. So I was thinking I could transfer to UoP from the CC and do a year or two of undergrad there and then take the DAT and apply for their Dental School? Is that possible? How difficult would it be to do that and is it really hard to get into their dental school?

I'm just kind of unsure because I slacked off sophomore year and my GPA by December will probably be a 3.3. Mostly because of O-Chem which raped my GPA.

Thanks

 

[DearSky]

I don't think the accelerated program is available for transfers, only seniors graduating from High School? I could be wrong though.

I heard the program was amazing, yet intensive (because you basically combine your education into compact 5/6/7 years). UOP is also a gorgeous campus (visited it myself)! 🙂

EDIT: Nevermind, I misunderstood. >.<

 

[KenKim]

um im pretty sure the accelerated program is for students that just graduated high school. it a 5 year program. u pretty much need 4.0+ GPA and near perfect SAT to get into that program

 

[littlecalvaria]

Yeah I figured that 5 year program was only for high school students, one of my friends did that.

But if I just transferred to the school and got my BS in however long it takes, if I applied for their Dental school do you get some sort of advantage for getting your undergrad from their school? And is the Dental program still only 3 years?

 

[namiie]

I didn't really have a clue what I wanted to do after high school, thought I would hate dentistry so decided to go to community college and knock out the bio major classes (o-chem, physics, calc, etc). Thought I wanted to go to med school but I've finally decided on dentistry and talking to a lot of people I know.

So I'm sitting in CC still (20 years old) and I always planned to transfer to a UC or Cal state but now I'm thinking UoP because I heard they have some accelerated programs for dental school that would require less time. So I was thinking I could transfer to UoP from the CC and do a year or two of undergrad there and then take the DAT and apply for their Dental School? Is that possible? How difficult would it be to do that and is it really hard to get into their dental school?

Transfers are not eligible for the program. If you choose to transfer and then apply to the Dugoni dental school, you won't have the same requirements as Pre-Dents do, and will be evaluated like a regular student from another university. I heard it's quite hard to get into the Dugoni dental school "from outside"; you'd need 21 across the board on the DAT.

 

[namiie]

Yeah I figured that 5 year program was only for high school students, one of my friends did that.

But if I just transferred to the school and got my BS in however long it takes, if I applied for their Dental school do you get some sort of advantage for getting your undergrad from their school? And is the Dental program still only 3 years?

Yes, the Dugoni dental school is the only school in the country with a 3-year DDS program. As for having an advantage if you're NOT a member of the Pre-Dent program....I'm pretty positive you don't, sorry.

IMO the 5 year program is a bit too fast. I hope it worked out for your friend though.

 

[kristin2th]

Here is the deal with UoP:
You cannot get into any of the accelerated dental programs as a transfer student. However, if you apply and are accepted as a biology transfer student (which is quite difficult to do, most end up as biochem/ chem) it is more likely that you will be accepted to Dugoni than an "outsider". As a UoP student you have the advantage of getting to know the science (particularly bio) professors very well, which is an advantage because the dental school admissions board comes to UoP once a year and has a sit down conference with the professors and discusses EVERY UoP student who has applied (not just those in the pre-dental program).
on top of having the professors on your side, there is an advantage because UoP's dental school (as well as many others) know the caliber of the undergraduate education that is received at UoP and some grades are weighted differently because of that (i.e. dugoni knows that ochem at pacific is wicked so they dont necessarily frown upon a B- etc) .


hope this helps, overall not being able to get into the advantage program is a bummer, however the education you receive is amazing and the professors really do have your back and will guide you incredibly well through the whole application process regardless of your ultimate destination. (and DearSky was right... the campus is gorgeous 🙂 )

-former UOP predent advantage student

 

[Munks]

OH HI KRISTIN! GUESS WHO! 😀

And yeah, to the OP, she's right. Though you are not technically in the accelerated program, the dental school sets aside EVERYONE from UoP during admissions, not just those in the accelerated program (asked Candito about this); so you still have a better chance at getting in than applicants from other schools.

 

[beatsdre]

OH HI KRISTIN! GUESS WHO! 😀

And yeah, to the OP, she's right. Though you are not technically in the accelerated program, the dental school sets aside EVERYONE from UoP during admissions, not just those in the accelerated program (asked Candito about this); so you still have a better chance at getting in than applicants from other schools.

While that maybe true, the applicants in the non-accelerated program are NOT guaranteed an interview invite. Therefore, one still has to have a competitive gpa/dat in order to be competitive in the pool.

To the OP: Go to a school that you feel comfortable in. EITHER way you have to have a decent gpa/dat in order to get into dental school. Transferring to UOP is no guarantee.