IDP Program Questions

[nobrains]

I learnt about this forum from my friend who has been admitted into the 04 IDP program. Now having said that I have some questions that probably can be answered by present and past IDP students and I would appreciate honest replies:

a) What is the course structure of the program and is it competitive and am I going to learn something new which is different, challenging and worth the investment of time and above all money.

b) Following up on the previous question -- how intensive is the program? Is it a 8-5 program or more an advanced program with school for half a day and thats it or is it like the graduate program where we take x credit hours and possibly put in 2x time for assignments.

c) Is there after school work -- like lab procedures and how many hours do we spend on it on an average?

d) Are there any after school activites that enhances my overall growth outside dentistry and is interaction with regular DDS students encouraged and emphasized -- else left in the lurch and just being fellow IDP students (that would suck as it regularly results in groupism etc)

d) What is the impression of the IDP students among the faculty -- meaning can someone interested in research find an associate assistantship (paid/otherwise) with a prof associated with a research lab within the school?

I have many more unknowns that seem to have slipped my thought process since typing up this mail. Is there a way I can modify this thread tomorrow if something lights up in my system ......

--nobrains

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[Meggs]

Originally posted by nobrains
Is there a way I can modify this thread tomorrow if something lights up in my system ......

Yes, click on "Edit" at the bottom of the post.

 

[ToTaLLy_TaSha]

Those are excellent questions.. I'm curious to see what the replies from those already in the program will be.. this one gets my subscription.

Since most of us here are still DMD/DDS aspirants with the exception of a few, maybe you can also post the same questions in the 'Dental' forum.

 

[Henna]

Originally posted by nobrains
a) What is the course structure of the program and is it competitive and am I going to learn something new which is different, challenging and worth the investment of time and above all money.

Most schools have an 2 yr program which focuses more on the clinical aspects but in a 3 yr program you will also be included into the pre-clincal courses.
You may or may not learn anything new depending on your educational background and experience. But certain aspects that were not stressed in your previous school may be stressed here and visa-versa. You can be assured that you will learn the latest techniques and will use the latest products here and be very familiar with it.
Competitive- You bet
Different- Yes
Challenging- Definitely
Worth the time and investment- That solely depends on how you look at it from your perspective and what you define as a good or bad investment.

Originally posted by nobrains

b) Following up on the previous question -- how intensive is the program? Is it a 8-5 program or more an advanced program with school for half a day and thats it or is it like the graduate program where we take x credit hours and possibly put in 2x time for assignments. Is there after school work -- like lab procedures and how many hours do we spend on it on an average?

The courses are distributed differently in every school, at UCSF the 1st year is the most intense and the second yr is more unexacting, it focuses more on the clinical aspects will minimal theory ( no random pop quizzes or series of exams). The clinicals here starts from the 2nd quarter of the 1st year so you do get to do more cases compared to schools that start their clinicals later on in the year. It's 8-5 hrs deal but inevitably you will find yourself staying back to do lab work and for practing for the crowns and cl 2's preps. How many hrs you spend there is more of a choice and also depends on your skill level.
If you are at UCSF be prepared for a very very intense 1st year, you also will have no time for social life for the most part.
You will have to plan your schedule well as at times when you know you need to be in the lab working you should also be aware of the fact that the next morning you have a pop quiz for which you need to prepare for. Your schedule will be full of quizzes and exams.
You won't have much flexiblity in choosing how many credits you want to take each quarter regarding the mandatory courses, elective course will be offered too, you can take that in any quarter or not take them at all as its not mandatory for the ID students.

Originally posted by nobrains

d) Are there any after school activites that enhances my overall growth outside dentistry and is interaction with regular DDS students encouraged and emphasized -- else left in the lurch and just being fellow IDP students (that would suck as it regularly results in groupism etc)

There will be other activities too after hours, some elective courses will be offered, there will be parties etc.
At UCSF the classes are all combined so the conventional students and ID's are together. All the get-togethers are combined aswell.

Originally posted by nobrains
d) What is the impression of the IDP students among the faculty -- meaning can someone interested in research find an associate assistantship (paid/otherwise) with a prof associated with a research lab within the school?

At UCSF (again) research is top notch and if you show interest in it they encourage you and they will be more than happy to accommodate you if circumstances are conducive.
You will have quarterly breaks. You can utilize that time to either relax or take it as an oppurtunity to learn more and do externships/ courses like I did.

I hope I've managed to answer atleast some of your questions.

Henna

 

[nobrains]

Thank you Henna.

I think there will be something to be gained out of the IDP program both personally and professionally. Studing the same courses from my 3rd and 4th year would be monotonous and lathargic least to say -- based on intensive schedule of the first year, I am sure I won't put on additional pounds!!!!

I hope Iam not disappointed when I join the program in June,04.

 

[Henna]

Originally posted by nobrains
Thank you Henna.

I think there will be something to be gained out of the IDP program both personally and professionally.

Yes, definitely !
It has changed the way I think about dentistry. This program has helped me a great deal.

based on intensive schedule of the first year, I am sure I won't put on additional pounds!!!!

My friends call this a program an expensive course for weight lose.

 

[Meggs]

Originally posted by nobrains
I hope Iam not disappointed when I join the program in June,04.

Which program will you be joining?