How important is a schools name?

[juan7677]

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Right now i'm deciding btw ucla and uop. My parents can't even fathom why i'm even considering uop because they feel like ucla reputation is everything. My parents believe that patients who know little about dentistry will trust a dentist coming out of ucla, moreso than uop. I didn't think it was so important before but the more i talk to them, I feel like it is. Before I was leaning towards going to uop but now i don't know. Can you guys give some feedback on the importance of a school's name?

 

[DATMATT]

Ask some of your non dental friends where their dentist went to school. I don't think most people know where the dentist went.

Matt

 

[DesiDentist]

DATMATT is on the right track. Most people don't care what school you went to, all they know is that you are licensed and legit. I personally don't know where most of the dentists I've worked with went to. All in all, I think you should look at yourself and see what is important. I think you will be a great General Dentist at either school. However, if you want something more (research, academics, specializing, connections, loyalty etc.) you may want think about a school with a well established reputation. Both UCLA and UOP have excellent, solid curriculum and you will not lose. However, you have to sit down with your heart and see which school will make you feel "whole." You need to see where you would feel comfortable now and in the long run.

I'm rambling, but I hope this makes some sense.

DesiDentist

 

[agutier3]

Juan7677, if a schools name is important to you....then it IS important. No matter how much anyone says to the contrary. If going to a brand name school will make you feel great and allow you to flourish as well as be the best dentist/person you can be, then by all means......go there.

I will agree that patients for the most part do not ask where you graduated as a dentist. Moreover, I guarantee you that you will always have patients no matter where you go to school.....given that you are a great dentist. Ask yourself which school most fits the things that are important to you. There is your answer.

 

[Bcat]

My Aunt is a Dentist in Indiana she Grosses about 1 Mill. yearly. I asked her the same question and she said in the ten years since dental school, not a single person ever asked where she went to school....

 

[ItsGavinC]

The name isn't important at all. Absolutely not at all. Try to think of a scenario in which the school you attended would matter. Can you think of one? I can't. Patients don't care where you went to school. Fellow dentists don't care. Banks don't care. The government doesn't care, they just want their money paid back. Th BMW dealership doesn't care. Your community won't care.

And the same goes for specialization. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a name-brand school means you will specialize. It simply doesn't.

My uncle was the president of the Western Regional Board of Examiners (he administered/wrote the board exam for the WREB for 9 years), and he has reinforced my belief that the name doesn't matter.

Agutier's reply makes some sense, but to follow that line of logic would lead me to believe that you have some emotional problem, which you are compensating for.

BTW, Juan, you are lucky to have such a tough problems as choosing between two fabulous schools! Don't get bogged down by the decision!

 

[agutier3]

Because Juan7677 has posted his indecision regarding name/prestige issues, I assume that this is a factor which he believes to be of some importance. My previous statement was aimed to merely get him to think about the issues that he himself holds dear which hopefully will make his final decision much easier to handle.

Different people value different things. I do not believe for one second that it suggests that a person has some type of emotional problem if they consider prestige/name. It's a legitimate concern. I merely stated that IF name/prestige is important to HIM, then by all means go to a school that fits with your criteria. Who am I to tell you otherwise?

I will not say go to UCLA or UOP. It isn't my place to tell you. But if you want our opinions to the question you have asked, NO, a schools name matters little if at all to dentistry.

Arby

 

[mini tooth]

yeah i don't think the school name says anything about how good a dentist you will become.
In choosing a school, think about where you will learn the most and make the most of what you'll learn.
I'm in my second year at UCLA, and I think I made a good decision to go there. The workload is overwhelming but I feel like I am learning soooo much and looking back at the past yr I've been there, I have grown sooo much as a student dentist. Honestly, there is so much to learn that I'm really glad I have FOUR years to take everything in, instead of THREE if I were at UOP instead. I think I will be more confident and maybe more competent in everything if I have four yrs instead of three. From what I heard about UOP graduates, I heard that they don't feel that confident/competent after graduation. They feel like they were really rushed and wished they had more time/practice.
Maybe you should look into this more, ask some students from UOP, see how they feel about the school schedule...I know it must be very hectic, cramped, and stressful.
Pick a school where you will learn best.
Good luck.

 

[myameena]

Would the school's name/reputation be more of an important issue if one was choosing to specialize? I have heard that for those thinking of specializing they should go to reputable school (not necessarily an ivy) so they can get residency spots easier.....?

 

[groundhog]

Reputable? Is some one out there really considering enrolling in one of those "get a dental education at home in your spare time" coorespondence schools that are advertised on the inside of match book covers?

 

[SebastianV]

Hey,

I would suggest going to whichever school fits your needs the best, regardless of name.

UOP and UCLA are both great but it seems you are leaning towards UOP. I think you should go with your gut instinct and go there. You will also have that extra year of income by graduating a year early.