California Schools

[Mknemati]

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Hello all I am new to this forum and had a question:
How would you rank the California schools from hardest to gain admission into, to the least?
I know UCLA is fairly difficult, but wanted to know different opinions. Thanks

 

[leaftye]

Unfortunately admission requirements and statistics from previous years may not provide a good picture of what it'll take to get into any UC school this year. All the California public schools are much tougher to get into right now because of the economy. I believe the UC changed their admissions policy today. I haven't checked out the details, but it's basically supposed to reduce admissions and to favor transfer students. Most California public schools seem to be doing this and not accepting spring admissions either. As a freshman, you may not be able to get in at all unless you have very exceptionally high marks and lots of other really good extracurricular things. If you're out of state, I recommend going elsewhere.

 

[PDizzle]

Unfortunately admission requirements and statistics from previous years may not provide a good picture of what it'll take to get into any UC school this year. All the California public schools are much tougher to get into right now because of the economy. I believe the UC changed their admissions policy today. I haven't checked out the details, but it's basically supposed to reduce admissions and to favor transfer students. Most California public schools seem to be doing this and not accepting spring admissions either. As a freshman, you may not be able to get in at all unless you have very exceptionally high marks and lots of other really good extracurricular things. If you're out of state, I recommend going elsewhere.

What the h$ll are you talking about? Why are pre-meds posting here all of a sudden? The OP was talking about CA dental schools

To the OP, it's hard to say really. I think that most will say USC is probably the easiest of them. UCSF, UCLA, LLU and UoP are all pretty hard to get into and all for different reasons.

 

[cherr1pop]

Yea the calif schools are sort of different in what they are looking for so it's hard to say.. the schools are just all so different. like UoP has the one and only 3 year program, LLU is religious, UCs are public, USC is pbl. you definitely won't find such a mix of different schools in any other state.
Although if I were to rank them I would say UCSF/UCLA > UoP/LLU > USC...
There is also the new Western opening this year.

 

[GunnerDMD617]

 

[dentstd]

UCSF and UCLA are not really big contributors in the dental world.

You don't see lots of UCLA or UCSF dentists out there when you want a filling. However, you'll find them in other arenas like....nevermind. I won't say it. 🙂

 

[dentstd]

Unfortunately admission requirements and statistics from previous years may not provide a good picture of what it'll take to get into any UC school this year. All the California public schools are much tougher to get into right now because of the economy. I believe the UC changed their admissions policy today. I haven't checked out the details, but it's basically supposed to reduce admissions and to favor transfer students. Most California public schools seem to be doing this and not accepting spring admissions either. As a freshman, you may not be able to get in at all unless you have very exceptionally high marks and lots of other really good extracurricular things. If you're out of state, I recommend going elsewhere.

They're reducing the incoming class size, because the California legislature'd cut the budget tremendously, and the UC regents can't maintain the current class size without losing major money. However, the chancellor indicated possibly that this would only affect the undergraduate class. I don't know if it'll affect the professional schools. It may.

 

[PDizzle]

Harder to get into does not mean that the quality or the school itself is better. UCSF and UCLA are not really big contributors in the dental world. The only thing that they are known for is in-state tuition. 5 years ago, when I checked out these schools, they didn't even have a simulation clinic. However, these are good schools and are accredited by the ADA.

Regarding easy to get into, it doesn't mean that it would be easy to graduate from. It is also not to make the quality inferior.

First off, the OP didn't ask about the quality of education but simply on difficulty of admission.

Secondly, UCSF and UCLA are not contributors to the dental world? UCSF is the largest funded dental research facility on the planet! What "contributions" are you talking about?

Thirdly, UCSF and UCLA didn't have sim labs 5 years ago? Are you high?

I can only assume you went to USC based on your responses, maybe I'm wrong. It's just a fact that USC is easier to get into than the other 4 schools. I'm not say'n USC is any less of a school. The main reason is that it costs so damn much that people often choose a cheaper school. Other reasons are that PBL turns a lot of people off, the campus is in the ghetto, the school has graduation rate problems, and many students are less than satisfied with their clinic experience. This is just what USC students post here on SDN. I just went to the interview so I don't know first hand.

 

[cherr1pop]

Thank you, PDizzle. What would we do without you? 😀

 

[PDizzle]

Thank you, PDizzle. What would we do without you? 😀

Arrrgggg!

 

[Hysteria24]

First off, the OP didn't ask about the quality of education but simply on difficulty of admission.

Secondly, UCSF and UCLA are not contributors to the dental world? UCSF is the largest funded dental research facility on the planet! What "contributions" are you talking about?

Thirdly, UCSF and UCLA didn't have sim labs 5 years ago? Are you high?

I can only assume you went to USC based on your responses, maybe I'm wrong. It's just a fact that USC is easier to get into than the other 4 schools. I'm not say'n USC is any less of a school. The main reason is that it costs so damn much that people often choose a cheaper school. Other reasons are that PBL turns a lot of people off, the campus is in the ghetto, the school has graduation rate problems, and many students are less than satisfied with their clinic experience. This is just what USC students post here on SDN. I just went to the interview so I don't know first hand.

I resent that comment (bolded above)! 😡 😉

Doing a little detective work... If GunnerDMD617 really received a DMD, and not DDS then he/she did not go to USC, let alone any other CA school. This may explain some of his/her ignorance.

I agree with you on two fronts:

1) Both UCLA and UCSF are indeed major contributes to the dental world and anyone west of the Mississippi could tell you that. Just take a look at #1 in this list for one small piece of evidence- http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/GrantsAndF...talSchools/GrantstoDentalInstitutions2008.htm.

2) I would also agree that USC is the easier dental school to get into. Cost and PBL do their best to scare weary applicants away. And then mostly archived (some relatively recent) SND threads weed out an additional select group. Also too, if you compare applicant to seat ratios (easily done on www.predents.com), you will see that USC is ranked below the other CA schools (LL didn't report data), so the competition to get in here is not as great.

 

[PDizzle]

I resent that comment (bolded above)! 😡 😉

Doing a little detective work... If GunnerDMD617 really received a DMD, and not DDS then he/she did not go to USC, let alone any other CA school. This may explain some of his/her ignorance.

I agree with you on two fronts:

1) Both UCLA and UCSF are indeed major contributes to the dental world and anyone west of the Mississippi could tell you that. Just take a look at #1 in this list for one small piece of evidence- http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/GrantsAndF...talSchools/GrantstoDentalInstitutions2008.htm.

2) I would also agree that USC is the easier dental school to get into. Cost and PBL do their best to scare weary applicants away. And then mostly archived (some relatively recent) SND threads weed out an additional select group. Also too, if you compare applicant to seat ratios (easily done on www.predents.com), you will see that USC is ranked below the other CA schools (LL didn't report data), so the competition to get in here is not as great.

Hysteria, you know I didn't mean any disrespect for your school.🙂🙂

I meant by, "his responses" that he got his panties all up in a bunch cuz I said USC was the easiest to get into, not the worst.

I will say that I saw more incredibly hot chicks @ USC than any other interview I ever went to. USC wins that, hands down.

 

[realcavity]

First off, the OP didn't ask about the quality of education but simply on difficulty of admission.

Secondly, UCSF and UCLA are not contributors to the dental world? UCSF is the largest funded dental research facility on the planet! What "contributions" are you talking about?

Thirdly, UCSF and UCLA didn't have sim labs 5 years ago? Are you high?

I can only assume you went to USC based on your responses, maybe I'm wrong. It's just a fact that USC is easier to get into than the other 4 schools. I'm not say'n USC is any less of a school. The main reason is that it costs so damn much that people often choose a cheaper school. Other reasons are that PBL turns a lot of people off, the campus is in the ghetto, the school has graduation rate problems, and many students are less than satisfied with their clinic experience. This is just what USC students post here on SDN. I just went to the interview so I don't know first hand.

you need to fu**ing chill.. you sure you are 38? You sure behave like a 5 year old. You dun need to mock someone even if he didn't get the facts right.

 

[PDizzle]

you need to fu**ing chill.. you sure you are 38? You sure behave like a 5 year old. You dun need to mock someone even if he didn't get the facts right.

What did I say that was so bad?? Why are you freak'n out? The poster reportedly said he was a dentist and "checked out the schools". His/her post was off topic and completely wrong in every way. I was just pointing that out.

If you have a problem with my response I think you might be a little too sensitive to be on these forums. I've seen hundreds of posts that are way meaner and malicious than mine (including yours!).

You need to lighten up, not me.

 

[btizzels]

Is it time for some pop corn?

UCLA and UCSF pretty much cashed my check and then threw my application in the trash. I would say they are near impossible to get into for an average student like myself.

I would have to agree that USC is probably the easiest to get into. I was one of the ones that turned it down because I didn't think the PBL would work for me. And man is it ever expensive, but then again it may be worth the money who knows?

As for Loma Linda, I got in there too, I would have to say they are probably not as selective on GPA/DAT scores as they are on religous/personal values. My interview there was almost completely based on my religious beliefs and not my academics. But from what I hear, LLU turns out really fine Dentists.

 

[aphistis]

Settle down, folks. Don't make me start throwing people in timeout. 😉

 

[StayinNCali]

UCLA and UCSF pretty much cashed my check and then threw my application in the trash.

That gave me a great laugh because so many of us can relate. In my case they asked for a 2nd application fee which they promptly cashed (probably after putting my application in the round file). I'm not bitter 'cause I got my #1 school, UOP, but several of my buddies have been surprised with quick rejections from one of the UC's while getting simultaneously accepted to the other UC.

 

[GunnerDMD617]

First off, the OP didn't ask about the quality of education but simply on difficulty of admission.

Secondly, UCSF and UCLA are not contributors to the dental world? UCSF is the largest funded dental research facility on the planet! What "contributions" are you talking about?

Thirdly, UCSF and UCLA didn't have sim labs 5 years ago? Are you high?

I can only assume you went to USC based on your responses, maybe I'm wrong. It's just a fact that USC is easier to get into than the other 4 schools. I'm not say'n USC is any less of a school. The main reason is that it costs so damn much that people often choose a cheaper school. Other reasons are that PBL turns a lot of people off, the campus is in the ghetto, the school has graduation rate problems, and many students are less than satisfied with their clinic experience. This is just what USC students post here on SDN. I just went to the interview so I don't know first hand.

Hey Buddy, you need to take a chill pill before you pop a vessel in the circle of willis.

I can be off topic, but I will not back down about these public schools. I dont even know how you could say that I'm "wrong in every way".
Your argument of the research BS is not valid. That's the flaw of public schools especially the UC, they tend to brainwash their students on that stuff.

Being funded for research doesnt mean jack to the dental community if there's no discovery and production. If you want to talk about research, UCSF will never amount to the work established or being done at the Forsyth institute. IE Much of the basis for Periodontology and dental microbiology was done there - Socransky.
Michael Bonocore's research led to a development in adhesive dentistry, which revolutionized dental restorations and he didnt go to any of the UC's.
Stan Malamed who is an authoritative figure of dental anesthesia is not at your school.

There were no simulation clinic 5 years ago, when I was there. However, there were these POS stations in this one room with monitors to make it modern.
Dude this room of yours, located near the lockers, is not a simulation clinic, but a sorry excuse for adequate dental education. Try comparing to Pitt's clinic or NYU.

So you're not saying USC is not less of a school, and in the same paragraph it seems like you down-talked on the neighborhood. I think you somehow feel that your institution is superior.

 

[Oracle DMD]

Hey Buddy, you need to take a chill pill before you pop a vessel in the circle of willis.

I can be off topic, but I will not back down about these public schools. I dont even know how you could say that I'm "wrong in every way".
Your argument of the research BS is not valid. That's the flaw of public schools especially the UC, they tend to brainwash their students on that stuff.

Being funded for research doesnt mean jack to the dental community if there's no discovery and production. If you want to talk about research, UCSF will never amount to the work established or being done at the Forsyth institute. IE Much of the basis for Periodontology and dental microbiology was done there - Socransky.
Michael Bonocore's research led to a development in adhesive dentistry, which revolutionized dental restorations and he didnt go to any of the UC's.
Stan Malamed who is an authoritative figure of dental anesthesia is not at your school.

There were no simulation clinic 5 years ago, when I was there. However, there were these POS stations in this one room with monitors to make it modern.
Dude this room of yours, located near the lockers, is not a simulation clinic, but a sorry excuse for adequate dental education. Try comparing to Pitt's clinic or NYU.

So you're not saying USC is not less of a school, and in the same paragraph it seems like you down-talked on the neighborhood. I think you somehow feel that your institution is superior.

i believe that there are a good number of students at USC that would rather be going to USCF, call it superior if you want. the way the students at USC are canabalizing their reputation right now i don't think it's unfair to say UCSF is a better school. maybe it's been awhile since you've been to school there pops! hahaha jk. "when i was your age your school didn't have a sim clinic!" haha

 

[Hysteria24]

i believe that there are a good number of students at USC that would rather be going to USCF, call it superior if you want. the way the students at USC are canabalizing their reputation right now i don't think it's unfair to say UCSF is a better school. maybe it's been awhile since you've been to school there pops! hahaha jk. "when i was your age your school didn't have a sim clinic!" haha

I'll just remind you that most of the negative posts about USC are now a couple years old (except for that one recent thread by that Vader guy who was a big contributor to those early USC bashing threads). The current USC students that post on SDN (myself, biomaxDDS, youngmc, columbia07, and a handful of others) have mostly been positive. The school has made many changes over the last couple of years to improve, and with the acquisition of a new dean, is looking to continue in a positive direction.

 

[Oracle DMD]

I'll just remind you that most of the negative posts about USC are now a couple years old (except for that one recent thread by that Vader guy who was a big contributor to those early USC bashing threads). The current USC students that post on SDN (myself, biomaxDDS, youngmc, columbia07, and a handful of others) have mostly been positive. The school has made many changes over the last couple of years to improve, and with the acquisition of a new dean, is looking to continue in a positive direction.

USC is having a rough go at it that's all. i was just saying that it's not unfair to say UCSF is the better institution at this point. i am not into ranking schools or anything, but USC is unique in that i've never heard a school's own students so vocal about the problems there. also, being the most expensive school in the country really magnifies the situation...especially when you have to pay for an additional year to finish your requirements. i've also heard of paying for patients dental work there happening. but that being said, the new dean i heard is from UOP and is on a mission to straighten up the program so hopefully they'll make some good headway sooner rather than later.

 

[youngmc27]

SC may be a little easier to get into because of the cost they generally fill the class later. The GPA and DAT scores are still competive with other schools but the large class size makes it a little easier.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

USC is having a rough go at it that's all. i was just saying that it's not unfair to say UCSF is the better institution at this point. i am not into ranking schools or anything, but USC is unique in that i've never heard a school's own students so vocal about the problems there. also, being the most expensive school in the country really magnifies the situation...especially when you have to pay for an additional year to finish your requirements. i've also heard of paying for patients dental work there happening. but that being said, the new dean i heard is from UOP and is on a mission to straighten up the program so hopefully they'll make some good headway sooner rather than later.

At every school you will pay for your patient at least once

 

[plaier]

Hello all I am new to this forum and had a question:
How would you rank the California schools from hardest to gain admission into, to the least?
I know UCLA is fairly difficult, but wanted to know different opinions. Thanks

This is very simple
Based on DAT score and GPA.

1. UCLA
2. UCSF
3. UoP
4. USC
5. Loma Linda

and there is a huge gap between UCSF and UoP.
the students got in UCLA and UCSF 2 years ago had 3.6~3.7 GPA and 21~22 DAT score
when the sudents got in CA private schools had 3.2~3.4 and 19.5~20 DAT score.

i would say Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, SUNY stony brook are top 4 schools which are hardest to gain admission into in the US

Stastics never lies

*Of course u need hihger GPA and DAT score this year than 2years ago

 

[Mknemati]

This is very simple
Based on DAT score and GPA.

1. UCLA
2. UCSF
3. UoP
4. USC
5. Loma Linda

and there is a huge gap between UCSF and UoP.
the students got in UCLA and UCSF 2 years ago had 3.6~3.7 GPA and 21~22 DAT score
when the sudents got in CA private schools had 3.2~3.4 and 19.5~20 DAT score.

i would say Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, SUNY stony brook are top 4 schools which are hardest to gain admission into in the US

Stastics never lies

*Of course u need hihger GPA and DAT score this year than 2years ago

This sounds accurate, thanks for the help

 

[PDizzle]

Hey Buddy, you need to take a chill pill before you pop a vessel in the circle of willis.

I can be off topic, but I will not back down about these public schools. I dont even know how you could say that I'm "wrong in every way".
Your argument of the research BS is not valid. That's the flaw of public schools especially the UC, they tend to brainwash their students on that stuff.

Being funded for research doesnt mean jack to the dental community if there's no discovery and production. If you want to talk about research, UCSF will never amount to the work established or being done at the Forsyth institute. IE Much of the basis for Periodontology and dental microbiology was done there - Socransky.
Michael Bonocore's research led to a development in adhesive dentistry, which revolutionized dental restorations and he didnt go to any of the UC's.
Stan Malamed who is an authoritative figure of dental anesthesia is not at your school.

There were no simulation clinic 5 years ago, when I was there. However, there were these POS stations in this one room with monitors to make it modern.
Dude this room of yours, located near the lockers, is not a simulation clinic, but a sorry excuse for adequate dental education. Try comparing to Pitt's clinic or NYU.

So you're not saying USC is not less of a school, and in the same paragraph it seems like you down-talked on the neighborhood. I think you somehow feel that your institution is superior.

First off, why do you and RealCavity think I'm freaking out? I'm being very calm, no name calling (unlike RealCavity).

You admit you were off topic, that's cool. No problem there.

I admit, the Forsyth Inst., a dedicated medical research facility for almost 100 years, makes more contributions to dentistry than any dental school, but the OP and my posts were to compare CA dental schools. I never said that every advance in the field of dentisty since the beginning of time was made by UCSF, that's ridiculous. But what is also ridiculous is say'n that UCSF and UCLA aren't contributer's to the field of dentistry. I also realize that funding does not neccessarily directly equate to the quantity/quality of advances in dentistry, but it's a good indicator of it. If UCSF never came up with advances, the money would not still be coming in.

As far as a sim clinic, what do you need? My high/low speed worked fine. My typodont was securely fastened in place. I had an amply light source. We had LCD screens for lectures/demos. How does your pre-clinic preparation improve with things being shiny?

My final point is that I never said that USC was an inferior school. I simply said that it was the easiest to get into, and I stated possible reasons for this. If you want to know them, re-read my posts.

 

[lnsip9reg]

This is very simple
Based on DAT score and GPA.

1. UCLA
2. UCSF
3. UoP
4. USC
5. Loma Linda

and there is a huge gap between UCSF and UoP.
the students got in UCLA and UCSF 2 years ago had 3.6~3.7 GPA and 21~22 DAT score
when the sudents got in CA private schools had 3.2~3.4 and 19.5~20 DAT score.

i would say Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, SUNY stony brook are top 4 schools which are hardest to gain admission into in the US

Stastics never lies

*Of course u need hihger GPA and DAT score this year than 2years ago

"Stastics [sic] never lies"?

I remember Samuel Clemens (a.k.a., Mark Twain) once saying "There are lies, damn lies and statistics." 😉

Depending on how you collect your data and process it, you can make any chart you want 😛

 

[nze82]

Hello all I am new to this forum and had a question:
How would you rank the California schools from hardest to gain admission into, to the least?
I know UCLA is fairly difficult, but wanted to know different opinions. Thanks

**UCLA = Hardest to get in (~DAT:22 PA:20 GPA:3.6+). Great school if you're interested in research and/or pursuing an specialty programs. It's an ideal choice, because you get awesome education for a relatively decent price.

**UoP = Private School>>>Relatively high tuition. Quite popular among applicants due to their three year program. I've heard lots of good things about their faculty and their great clinical work.

**UCSF = Decent tuition, not that hard to get in (I think it's harder to get into UoP than UCSF), heavily focused on research (perhaps more than UCLA).

**USC = Ridiculous tuition, and lots of negative stuff about their dental program (Search: "Don't go to USC" to learn more details about this). They do have a problem-based approach to dentistry, however, which I think will greatly help you if you decide to become a general dentist and start working right after your DDS degree. Of course, going to USC and being part of the "Trojan Family" has its own benefits, because they have great networking. So, you're almost guaranteed a job after graduation.

**Western = The entering class of 2009 are the first group of students who step into Westerns Dental School. Since it's their first year, there's no word on how good their program is. It should be relatively easy to get in though.

**Loma Linda = I consider this more of a church than dental school. If you're not super religious, this school isn't for you. Otherwise, heard lots of good things about their facilities and their dental program. Just to let you know, they REQUIRE a letter of rec. from a priest (No Joke!!).

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

**Loma Linda = I consider this more of a church than dental school. If you're not super religious, this school isn't for you. Otherwise, heard lots of good things about their facilities and their dental program. Just to let you know, they REQUIRE a letter of rec. from a priest (No Joke!!).

With all due respect, your ignorance of the SDN religion and their beliefs is evident. By no means is Loma Linda more of a church than a dental school. If you look at the curriculum, there are only a handful of reigious or spiritual based courses. The rest of the experience there is a lifestyle and attitude toward things that are important in life. It is a shame that more schools don't have the attitude they have there. The SDA church believes in healing. Yes, people still go there to be health care professionals to make a nice living, but they also have a sincere attitude towards wanting to serve others. Yes, this attitude is based on SDA beliefs, but in no manner is the SDA religion forced onto people. In no way is the Loma Linda Dental school a church. The Loma Linda dental school just happens to be run by the church, thus the attitudes there are influenced by their beliefs.

 

[nze82]

With all due respect, your ignorance of the SDN religion and their beliefs is evident. By no means is Loma Linda more of a church than a dental school. If you look at the curriculum, there are only a handful of reigious or spiritual based courses. The rest of the experience there is a lifestyle and attitude toward things that are important in life. It is a shame that more schools don't have the attitude they have there. The SDA church believes in healing. Yes, people still go there to be health care professionals to make a nice living, but they also have a sincere attitude towards wanting to serve others. Yes, this attitude is based on SDA beliefs, but in no manner is the SDA religion forced onto people. In no way is the Loma Linda Dental school a church. The Loma Linda dental school just happens to be run by the church, thus the attitudes there are influenced by their beliefs.

With all due respect I think the term "ignorant" suites you much better. If you read my comment fully, you'd realize that I said they have a great dental program. That does not mean, however, that I won't be criticizing them for their unjust admission criteria (Required LOR from a priest?! Come on!!!!).
Furthermore, forcing students to attend service, having a secondary application that is more focused on the mission of Christ rather than the applicant, and having to take spiritual-based courses as a dental student sound absurd.
Besides, an institution that discriminates against applicants on the basis of religion is no better than the one that discriminates against people based on race! (And don't tell me the school is owned by the church so they can do whatever they want, because that's simply a lame excuse!).
Anyways, I'm not religious by any means and I feel I'd be completely out of place if I ever attended a school like Loma Linda, so I think applicants have the right to know Loma Linda's criteria, before applying to that school. Feel free to call me ignorant for informing people.🙂