choosing school....

[fakebun]

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Hi guys..

this is a rather...weird situation for me and I would like to hear your opinions on it.

I just finished taking my 3rd DAT last friday and it was a very gutsy move, given that I only had 2 weeks to study all the subjects. I got a 22AA, 23TS, 22 bio 23 orgo 25 gchem 19 QR 19 RC and 21 PAT. I am currently in midwestern's MA program (4.0 so far)

I don't know if that kind of stats is good enough for UCSF/UCLA but lets assume in the perfect world that is good stats for those schools, would their fame and whatever their name stand for have any effect to my education, plan to specialize, finding a job, and eventually open my own practice.

Right now I am very sure I can get into MWU-AZ for this year's matriculation, but I don't know if I want to wait another year so I can attempt UCLA/UCSF. Kindly present your 2cents on the various aspects of choosing a school.

I really couldn't ask my school's dean nor my professor at UCLA dental school....or could I?

Thank you very much

 

[quocstazz]

My stats are way lower than yours but ucla was able to give me some love. I think if you are a resident for California im pretty sure you'll get a call from them

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[aqz]

I've seen a lot of great things about all 3 schools. Unless cost is an issue, go with whichever school accepts you this cycle.

 

[autoclavemonkey]

Hi guys..

this is a rather...weird situation for me and I would like to hear your opinions on it.

I just finished taking my 3rd DAT last friday and it was a very gutsy move, given that I only had 2 weeks to study all the subjects. I got a 22AA, 23TS, 22 bio 23 orgo 25 gchem 19 QR 19 RC and 21 PAT. I am currently in midwestern's MA program (4.0 so far)

I don't know if that kind of stats is good enough for UCSF/UCLA but lets assume in the perfect world that is good stats for those schools, would their fame and whatever their name stand for have any effect to my education, plan to specialize, finding a job, and eventually open my own practice.

Right now I am very sure I can get into MWU-AZ for this year's matriculation, but I don't know if I want to wait another year so I can attempt UCLA/UCSF. Kindly present your 2cents on the various aspects of choosing a school.

I really couldn't ask my school's dean nor my professor at UCLA dental school....or could I?

Thank you very much

If I knew I could get into MWU-AZ this cycle, but unsure about UCLA/UCSF, I'd go to MWU. MWU claims you will have a good chance of specializing, but I'd go in and ask what the residency matching rates are for the first graduating class. But UCLA is notorious for getting their students accepted into residencies. I think school's reputation holds less value when you're finding a job/opening your practice. I'd say networking plays much bigger role in it.

 

[UCSFx2017]

You have very good scores.

This is just me but I would wait for the next cycle because I don't want to go to MWU. Other people might want to go to MWU and argue that they saved a lifetime average yearly salary by matriculating this cycle but I personally would be willing to wait a cycle. My goals are probably very different from yours but this my $0.02.

Do realize that if you do wait one cycle there is no guarantee that you will get into either UCSF/UCLA even though you have good numbers and you may end up somewhere else. If you're okay with Midwestern then just go there this cycle. Your school's reputation is only going to matter for residency selection and it'll matter very little. I think letters of recommendation, postgraduate test scores, interview, and rank are much more important than school name.

 

[fakebun]

UCLA used to be my dream school but now it's sort of last, after UCSF and MWU.

How is it different between the schools? What sort of questions should I be asking my school?

Will my 19RC and QR bring me down?

Thank you so much guys

 

[KittySquared]

^ No way, there's nothing deal breaker about a 19. Don't worry.

 

[dchoi]

UCLA used to be my dream school but now it's sort of last, after UCSF and MWU.

How is it different between the schools? What sort of questions should I be asking my school?

Will my 19RC and QR bring me down?

Thank you so much guys

So you just said yourself that you like mwu more than ucla. Why wait one year trying to get into just one school (ucsf)? It's not even an automatic acceptance. I don't know what your situation with time and money is... But I would go with mwu this year.

 

[fakebun]

well...I'm 26 and I already feel I'm in the game way too late. Reason that UCLA was demoted by me is because of some hearsay from some friend's talk with UCLA students, but I am confused. Friend's friend said they don't like it there...like professors are mean... but there are also a lot of people wanting to goto UCLA. I think I am missing some information right there...

I heard from some current D1s at MWU that in order to specialize you gotta have extremely good stats in dental school, and since MWU don't use the pass/no pass/honor system (they use letter grades), wouldn't that make it harder for MWU students to specialize than someone that goes to a school that grade based on pass/no pass (assuming their dedication and hardwork and intelligence are the same)? Am I mistaken?

 

[autoclavemonkey]

well...I'm 26 and I already feel I'm in the game way too late. Reason that UCLA was demoted by me is because of some hearsay from some friend's talk with UCLA students, but I am confused. Friend's friend said they don't like it there...like professors are mean... but there are also a lot of people wanting to goto UCLA. I think I am missing some information right there...

I heard from some current D1s at MWU that in order to specialize you gotta have extremely good stats in dental school, and since MWU don't use the pass/no pass/honor system (they use letter grades), wouldn't that make it harder for MWU students to specialize than someone that goes to a school that grade based on pass/no pass (assuming their dedication and hardwork and intelligence are the same)? Am I mistaken?

Well UCLA tuition is cheap. They also have a very good residency matching rate. Your friend probably doesn't like it because his/her class is very competitive, which I heard a lot about.

I think having a letter grade will give you the edge (considering you will do well) when applying for your residency because the board exams just switched to pass/no pass system as well.

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[dchoi]

exactly. i am 26 too and probably in a similar situation as you. i don't care if i don't get into my "dream school".. i'm going to a school that was 3rd on my list...

 

[fakebun]

ahhh i'm sorry to be so whiny lol. I have not worked hard in hs and ugrad so basically I took whichever school wanted me. Since I am actually on the choosing side rather than the chosen, I am very inexperienced. This school affects the next 4-6 years of my life I feel like I should get all the info I need....

Thanks for all your input, my fellow SDNers. I appreciate it, lots

 

[UltimateHombre]

Well, since you were in MWU's MA program, i am curious what your overall GPA and undergrad GPA are? That will be something important to consider.

Furthermore, i am a big fan of the saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Meaning... it is unwise to hedge your bets on an acceptance at a certain school next year, versus a guaranteed acceptance this year.

Lastly, MWU is a great school. You know this. The facilities are top notch, the clinical experience is great, and the faculty are super cool. To specialize you will need to do well in any school you go to and set yourself apart. MWU will not hinder your chances in anyway.

 

[CMistry]

Just remember that 80% of predents want to specialize and only 20% end up doing the extra years. People get tired. I think that if you are sure you want to specialize (i.e. you can already tell me the field and why it's a good fit for you) then UCSF is probably the smart choice (P/F will undoubtably make specializing easier, not the reputation). In any other situation I would choose Midwestern since that 1 year of your life is pretty important, especially at 26.

 

[fakebun]

my ugrad overall gpa is 3.2 and sGPA is 2.9 and this is with 2 years of post-bac. I was unable to get classes because public school in Cali has very liimted seats per class. But ya I think I will choose MWU now, and I have at least another 3 months to decide.

 

[UltimateHombre]

my ugrad overall gpa is 3.2 and sGPA is 2.9 and this is with 2 years of post-bac. I was unable to get classes because public school in Cali has very liimted seats per class. But ya I think I will choose MWU now, and I have at least another 3 months to decide.

Although i applaud your success on the DAT and your MA program, to be honest, i think those GPA's might keep you out of very competitive schools like UCLA/UCSF.

I would take the acceptance at MWU and never look back!!