I was kinda confused as to how important the school you attend is if you decide to specialize after obtaining your dds. Specifically, University of the Pacific only has 1 specialization program, orthodontics. I was wandering, if a student gets accepted and decides to attend UOP for the DDS degree, will they have any problem getting into specialization programs from other schools once he graduates? or are dental schools more likely to accept students from their own school into their specialty programs? Also in regards to UOP, 4 years are compressed into 3 years so the number of units you take per quarter is higher. So I imagine it is alot more difficult to get involved with extra curricular activities and volunteering at the school in order to establish a strong application for a specialization program. Is someone better off just going to a 4 year school and building their resume if they want to specialize?
Does Dds Undergrad School Affect Your Future Specialization??
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Whether or not the school has a particular specialty school or not isnt really a factor if you will get into a specific speciallty program. Creighton doesnt have any problem getting people into specialty schools, and they dont have a single specialty program. When I was there they told me that about the upper third have their choice of specialty school. Colorado, so I hear, has the same situation. I think the best advice was from a third year student who said if you want to specialize be in the top 10-15% of the class and you shouldnt have a problem. I replied that it was easier said than done.
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He is correct about class standing. The key is to establish yourself in the top 10-15% of the class in your first two years.That sounds simple , but everything comes so hard and fast those first two years its hard think beyond your next test much less a year or so ahead. And if I remember right UOP is at an accelerated pace as it is. Most of the heavy credit classes are in those first two years. After that you will be transitioning into clinic and most of the academic credits are low and won't have too much impact on your GPA. Good Luck
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DREDAY said:
It depends on the school. But, by the very nature of how the GPA works, the longer you are in school the more difficult it is to raise your GPA.
Further, you will apply to most specialty programs PRIOR to your 4th year, so any grades earned in 4th year won't be seen by specialty adcoms.
