Input requested- UOP or ARIZONA?

[predent06]

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What would you do? When I interviewed, I liked both schools a lot but I can't decide between the two. I've got to pay my deposit very soon! They have a lot in common but- when I think of one school's advantages then I can find equal (but different) advantages to the other. The decision seems impossible. I probably can't go wrong, but I really need a little outside advice.Anyone have input?

 

[shinji]

Uop

 

[howui3]

Personally I would choose UOP. Again, being from Cali, I would like to remain here, maybe unless Harvard gives me a scholarship.

UOP is only 3 years and in both schools you will be taking the boards after the first year. Both schools have great sim labs and will prepare you to be a great dentist (general) or for entrance to specialty programs.

One of the draw backs to Arizona is that they are a new school, with the first graduating class this year. They have not established a large endowment for scholarships or research grants. Also, since the school houses mostly the dental school, they do not have research facilities (if that's something you are interested in). They do have a lot of PARKING!

I suggest looking at the areas most important to you. For me i consider location, clinic access, grades/board scores, cost, etc. You can't go wrong, both are great schools and will help you be a great dentist.

Good luck!

 

[predent06]

You have some great points howui3. I never thought about the scholarship issue that way. I got a Dean's scholarship to UOP and I wondered if I might get a scholarship at Arizona but no luck. The endowment issue helps explain that I shouldn't have been holding my breath. I wish I knew someone at one of the schools..that might tip the scales and/or give me more information. UOP is closer to home and of course only 3 years... But that makes me a little nervous about squeezing everything into 3 years. I like the way they do 2-3 week modules at Arizona and it felt really comfortable there. UOP has always been my goal, though, and I'm not sure I can pass it up. Aaargh!

 

[BabberSher]

Arizona

[Because of the weather 😀 ]

Besides, the best dentist in the world went there (not for the school, but to gamble).... DOC HOLIDAY!!!! 😎

 

[banana slug]

uop because who wants to live in 115 degree heat.

 

[crazy_sherm]

What are your feelings on public health? That's probably one of AZ's strongest points. UOP has some public health opportunities, but it's not the emphasis.

 

[howui3]

What are your feelings on public health? That's probably one of AZ's strongest points. UOP has some public health opportunities, but it's not the emphasis.

The dean at Arizona was a great guy. Funny, approachable and seemed to know all the students on a first name basis.

I hear the great dean Dugoni is/has left UoP and the new guy is.....ummm....well I hear he's not that good.

Oh, and you might have a better chance of buying a house or condo in Meza.

My vote: still UOP.

 

[predent06]

Thanks to those of you who shared ideas. I wish I could say I've decided. I've got a few more hours of torture. At least I narrowed it to 2! I could be totally crazy! Anyone choosing Arizona (over UOP) or just choosing Arizona? Are you feeling confident about your decision? What was your motivation for choosing? Likewise...anyone choosing UOP (over Arizona) or just choosing UOP? Anybody going to Arizona or UOP who's totally excited about going that wants to share why? Classmates or current dental students out there anywhere?

 

[diagnodent]

Its an easy decision. UOP.

Choose the school that has a 100 year track record of producing dentists. Has been on the cutting edge of dental schools for at least 20 years. Is known for producing top quality clincians. Is only 3 years, and you live in SF.

Or you can choose the school that hasn't been around for 5 years. Doesn't have the support of dentists in Arizona behind it. And is a profit based school that tells you to do public health to give back.

The choice is obvious...UOP

 

[predent06]

I understand there were over 3,000 people who applied to Arizona...and probably nearly that many for UOP. From what I understand Arizona was the school with the highest number of applicants in the nation. If that's the case, how come there aren't more people who think Arizona would be great?! I know a lot of people seemed turned off by the interview process...but the facilities seem amazing. Anyone have an opinion? I wish I had more time to check out the clinics. Anyone know about the differences?

 

[predent06]

oops!

 

[predent06]

Its an easy decision. UOP.

Choose the school that has a 100 year track record of producing dentists. Has been on the cutting edge of dental schools for at least 20 years. Is known for producing top quality clincians. Is only 3 years, and you live in SF.

Or you can choose the school that hasn't been around for 5 years. Doesn't have the support of dentists in Arizona behind it. And is a profit based school that tells you to do public health to give back.

The choice is obvious...UOP

Anyone have an idea why diagnodent says that ASDOH doesn't have the support of dentists in Arizona?

 

[wimmcs]

Anyone have an idea why diagnodent says that ASDOH doesn't have the support of dentists in Arizona?

From what I've heard there has been some anymosity from dentists here in AZ.... I guess mainly because they are afraid that there will be more competition. It makes sense.

One thing I heard is that our curriculum is very similar to that of UOP's (that came from our dean), so our curriculum is VERY intense since we try to squeeze most of the sciences in basically one semester. Second semester is spent on head and neck (super intense), dental anatomy, dental soft and hard tissues, pharmacology and clinical pathology. I'm sure there is more to it than this, but that's basically second semester prior to taking our boards in July. (end of our first year)

I really like the school thusfar, and I obviously can't compare to UOP. I've heard we'll get an outstanding clinical background, so I'm excited about that. I feel we have a relaxed environment, it is more affordable than SF for sure, and the patient pool seems good, not to mention our outstanding technology w/the sim lab and our clinic.

If you prefer to practice in CA then I would recommend you staying at UOP. Either way you are in great shape since you were accepted to 2 top-notch schools. Congratulations and good luck w/your decision!!

 

[predent06]

Thanks wimmcs. Do you find the module system to be easier or harder. I think for me it would be better. That's the main reason of leaning toward ASDOH over UOP.

Someone else said that after next year the CA state boards will acutally be Western States boards so the AZ/CA thing wouldn't be such a big deal. Has anyone heard that also?

 

[Ruprick]

UofP because ASDOH is still considering me 🙂

 

[Lostinbul]

I didn't apply to UoP, but am very excited about going to ASDOH! The module program fits my style of learning, and taking the boards after the first year is a big plus (this is a plus for both schools). I am married and have a daughter and so the area that I would be living in was an important issue to consider when making my decision. Mesa just seemed like a really nice area that would be more "family friendly" when compared to other schools that I applied to. It is also an area that I would consider starting a practice after graduation (watch out practicing dentists of AZ). Anyway good luck on your decision!!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Or you can choose the school that hasn't been around for 5 years. Doesn't have the support of dentists in Arizona behind it. And is a profit based school that tells you to do public health to give back.

The choice is obvious...UOP

You could also read that as:

- you could choose a school that has all new equipment and brand-new facilities, as well as cutting-edge stuff (laser, portable handheld radiograph units, etc.) There are also many other benefits, that pre-dent students might not understand. For example, we can use Cavitrons in clinic without having to "test out of" hand instruments. We also have an on-site fixed lab that does our C&B for us. Nothing like taking your 5-unit bridge impression upstairs to the professional lab to see if the impression meets their standards. Stuff like that really helps when your day is jam packed and you're trying to do some actual dentistry.

- Arizona is home to the fastest-growing cities in the US (Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria) and old dentists don't want new dentists encroaching on their turf. Not to mention the adjunct faculty that come from all over the state (some from 2+ hours away) to work in our clinic with us.

- This comment is ridiculous because dental schools can't and won't ever turn a profit. Anybody setting up a dental school for creating a profit is out of their mind. Interestingly, that last comment was told to me by Dr. Dugoni (the dean of UOP) in a private lunch I had with him last Friday. And, shame on my school for asking students to give back to their communities.

 

[danieldoc]

I would go to UoP. ASDOH is new. I think they still have problems at ASDOH. You have the deans scholarship at UoP. Weather is AZ is way to hot, Cali is alot nicer. UoP is a recognized leader in dentistry. Housing is still pretty expensive in Mesa, probably not as much as Cali. Go to UoP.

 

[drhobie7]

I'd go to UOP. The school is designed to keep students happy. You pay an arm and a leg though.

 

[Unemployed]

I'd go to UOP. The school is designed to keep students happy. You pay an arm and a leg though.

to be exact, $56K extra when compared to my state school (UCLA&UCSF)

 

[ElDienteLoco]

predent,

My opinion...if you want to get out in 3 years, go to UOP. If you think you'll do well in a modular setting with a much smaller class size, go to AZ. I love it here. It does get hot for a few months a year, but at least I don't have to pay a couple hundred bucks a month to park my car. I have to say, though, that having to choose between ASDOH and UOP is a pretty sweet chair to be sitting in. Good luck and hope to see you here.

Here's a caveat...are you interested in ortho? AZ will be starting an orthognathic ortho program sometime in the next few years, but I don't expect to get much ortho experience here until that happens (after I graduate). If I were interested in ortho or research, I would probably choose UOP. I bet pedo experience might be better at UOP (Dr. Wood). But,...endo, prosth, operative, etc. The amount of clinic work the D3's are doing is AMAZING. Ask Gavin.

Anyway, best of luck and congrats to Lostinbul too.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I'd go to UOP. The school is designed to keep students happy. You pay an arm and a leg though.

Designed by Dr. Dugoni to keep students happy. Now that he's no longer there, how will things change?

 

[predent06]

Thanks everyone... for the input! Both schools have great advantages so I'd probably still be suffering over the decision ...except for the fact that I would have had to hold my spots with a $1000 deposit and a $2,000 deposit...too steep for me. Since the money was due... I thought I should just end my misery and decide. I've decided on ARIZONA!!! 👍 Good news for those waiting on UOP! It was hard to pass up, but in the long run I think Arizona will be best for me! What an amazing school! I guess that IS the best way to decide- take the input, then match the school to you. Wow, now I've got to figure out the next 4 years of my life. Change is good... 😱 right?!?!

 

[Lostinbul]

Thanks everyone... for the input! Both schools have great advantages so I'd probably still be suffering over the decision ...except for the fact that I would have had to hold my spots with a $1000 deposit and a $2,000 deposit...too steep for me. Since the money was due... I thought I should just end my misery and decide. I've decided on ARIZONA!!! 👍 Good news for those waiting on UOP! It was hard to pass up, but in the long run I think Arizona will be best for me! What an amazing school! I guess that IS the best way to decide- take the input, then match the school to you. Wow, now I've got to figure out the next 4 years of my life. Change is good... 😱 right?!?!

Predent06!

Congrats on your decision of Arizona! I guess that means we'll be classmates! Good luck with all those changes you were talking about!

 

[ElDienteLoco]

Congratulations Predent. We'll see you here. I think that the most important thing is just what you said - "best for [you]". A lot of people think that there is a best or worst school, but really it comes down to a) where you get in and b) where the school fits your personality, goals and learning style. See you in July!

 

[howui3]

Thanks everyone... for the input! Both schools have great advantages so I'd probably still be suffering over the decision ...except for the fact that I would have had to hold my spots with a $1000 deposit and a $2,000 deposit...too steep for me. Since the money was due... I thought I should just end my misery and decide. I've decided on ARIZONA!!! 👍 Good news for those waiting on UOP! It was hard to pass up, but in the long run I think Arizona will be best for me! What an amazing school! I guess that IS the best way to decide- take the input, then match the school to you. Wow, now I've got to figure out the next 4 years of my life. Change is good... 😱 right?!?!

great choice!

now UOP can invite me for an interview!

good luck to you in Arizona.

 

[klfb80]

Congratulations on your decision to come to AZ. We'll be classmates so looking forward to meeting you and all the others. 🙂

 

[JMoney]

congrats!! see you there!!

ASDOH 2010