Apply to Pacific's dental in accelerated programs?

[btpayne13]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Concerning University of the Pacific's 2+3 accelerated program, their website states: "After two years of [undergraduate] study, students in the 2+3 program are eligible to apply for admission to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry." I'm guessing you would be preferred in the application process. Am I right?

In their 3+3 program, it seems like you are admitted to the dental school without applying: "Students accepted into this accelerated program major in chemistry or biological sciences and obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific after completing three academic years on the Stockton campus and one year at the dental school in San Francisco." Am I right? Or should I just email Pacific?

Personally, I would prefer doing the 3+3 program. You put in just one extra year of undergrad to get a bachelor's, which could be useful down the road.

 

[mike3kgt]

Concerning University of the Pacific's 2+3 accelerated program, their website states: "After two years of [undergraduate] study, students in the 2+3 program are eligible to apply for admission to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry." I'm guessing you would be preferred in the application process. Am I right?

In their 3+3 program, it seems like you are admitted to the dental school without applying: "Students accepted into this accelerated program major in chemistry or biological sciences and obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific after completing three academic years on the Stockton campus and one year at the dental school in San Francisco." Am I right? Or should I just email Pacific?

Personally, I would prefer doing the 3+3 program. You put in just one extra year of undergrad to get a bachelor's, which could be useful down the road.

So you want to be a dentist at only 23 years old? Seriously, let me tell you, I was 26 when I graduated and cannot even tell you how many comments a day I get about "doogie howser" or "you are so young."

I'm not saying don't do it, but why not slow it down a little? Even 3+3 is very fast. There is so much in life to enjoy while young and once you start practicing dentistry, you won't have 3 months during the summer to go to Europe to study abroad, or teach English in a foreign country, or heck, sit on your arse doing nothing.

Not many people later in their lives wished they worked more, why start so soon?

 

[DrReo]

Go for it.

I rather spend my time practicing dentistry than jumping through hoops that academia presents!

 

[Dr.Millisevert]

Concerning University of the Pacific's 2+3 accelerated program, their website states: "After two years of [undergraduate] study, students in the 2+3 program are eligible to apply for admission to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry." I'm guessing you would be preferred in the application process. Am I right?

In their 3+3 program, it seems like you are admitted to the dental school without applying: "Students accepted into this accelerated program major in chemistry or biological sciences and obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific after completing three academic years on the Stockton campus and one year at the dental school in San Francisco." Am I right? Or should I just email Pacific?

Personally, I would prefer doing the 3+3 program. You put in just one extra year of undergrad to get a bachelor's, which could be useful down the road.

Go for it!

No dental board requires a BS in biology to obtain a dental license. All you need is a dental degree... doesn't matter how you obtain it. 👍

 

[hopefullyadent]

i would do it..i always hear from docs that education wastes your life..and it does..i am in a top 25 undergrad school and i wish i had gone to UOP..you will hear the argument that you should take things easy and enjoy college..however if you want to get into a good dental school your college experience will limited in terms of fun..you will have to study a lot no matter what

 

[fishyfishy]

DO IT! Don't waste time during your undergrad learning tons of irrelevant information. If you know that you have a career that you want to pursue, don't be wishy washy and dabble around with undergrad.

I agree about getting your bachelor's. It is indeed useful, certification is always good.

There is so much in life to enjoy while young and once you start practicing dentistry, you won't have 3 months during the summer to go to Europe to study abroad, or teach English in a foreign country, or heck, sit on your arse doing nothing.

IMO there is more life to enjoy when you are a dentist at 23 yrs old who can decide to slow down anytime before hitting 30 and associate 3x a week and still pull in 40K while having a 4 day weekend...

 

[armorshell]

IMO there is more life to enjoy when you are a dentist at 23 yrs old who can decide to slow down anytime before hitting 30 and associate 3x a week and still pull in 40K while having a 4 day weekend...

If you only make 40k associating 3 days a week you're doing pretty terribly.

 

[btpayne13]

What do you think my chances of getting into the 2+3 and 3+3 program at Pacific are?

My unweighted GPA is 4.0 (currently junior, have held a 4.0 all throughout high school, and will hold onto it for dear life), I'm in the top 5 of my class (class size approx. 300, I'm estimating), varied extracurriculars (about activities/causes I'm interested in, not just a member of every freaking club there is), and will be shadowing/volunteering at a local dentist's office very soon (how many hours should I aim for?).

I'll be taking the ACT this year, and Pacific's website says you need at least a (composite) 31 for the 2+3 program or a 29 for the 3+3 program. Would scoring these minimums suffice? Is there a sliding scale?

 

[Rezdawg]

If you only make 40k associating 3 days a week you're doing pretty terribly.

Should be making no less than 75K on 3 days.

 

[btpayne13]

I am in an accelerated program at my school, and practically everyone I've talked to (in my dental school class) wished they had done an accelerated program and that is a very good idea... go for it!

I also got into the UOP 2+3 program but decided not to go (maybe I should have though because I love San Francisco). Based on your stats, I'd say you have a pretty good chance of getting into the 2+3 program (very likely the 3+3 program), though there is no guarantee...

What's the main reason why you chose to do an accelerated program, and why did your classmates wish they had done an accelerated program?

Also, do you mind me asking what your ACT or SAT score was when you got accepted into the UOP 2+3 program?

 

[desiballas]

Concerning University of the Pacific's 2+3 accelerated program, their website states: "After two years of [undergraduate] study, students in the 2+3 program are eligible to apply for admission to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry." I'm guessing you would be preferred in the application process. Am I right?

In their 3+3 program, it seems like you are admitted to the dental school without applying: "Students accepted into this accelerated program major in chemistry or biological sciences and obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific after completing three academic years on the Stockton campus and one year at the dental school in San Francisco." Am I right? Or should I just email Pacific?

Personally, I would prefer doing the 3+3 program. You put in just one extra year of undergrad to get a bachelor's, which could be useful down the road.

I'm finishing up the 3+3 program with Pacific. After getting your Bachelor's in three years, you still take the DATs and apply to dental school. If you maintain a certain GPA (3.15) and receive a minimum score of 17 across the board on the DATs then you will get an interview and if you're competent socially you'll be accepted to Pacific.
I'll be 24 when I graduate and the patients at school don't mind me being young, most of them don't even ask. As long as you carry yourself well, it doesn't matter what age you are.
With your GPA as long as you do well on your ACTs/SATs you should be good to go for the 2+3 or the 3+3 program.
Let me know if you have other questions...

 

[fishyfishy]

Should be making no less than 75K on 3 days.

Ah, but I didnt say they would be 8 hr days, now did I? 😉

Lol, didn't calculate it out properly. Something to look forward to one day I guess 😀