i haven't decided yet.. both of these schools were my top choices so it's a tough call. is anyone else concerned about the financial state of the UC schools??
UOP:
PRO: 3 years, Pacific "family" environment, awesome SIM clinic, great clinical exposure, & good patients pool.
Con: EXPENSIVE and that's pretty much the only downfall in my opinion.
UCSF:
PROs: Will prepare you better on the didactic part of the curriculum/board 1 if you want to specialize, a lot more research opportunities, I actually like their clinic better than UOP's, It's a lot more spacious for the individual unit, huge summer breaks, offers a joint MBA program with SF STATE if you're interested, 2 half days a week to do whatever you want and that just sounds AWESOME.
CONS: Currently having lil trouble with the budget, laid off couple clinic faculties (talked to admissions on that,) lost Dentical recently so don't know how much patients they'll lose out due to that, potential increase of the tuition even more in the future, and b/c UCSF has almost all the specialty programs, they do screen patients so as the DDS students, there will be some limitations as to what you can and can't work on. Sure you can go to their specialty clinics and assist, but it's not the same as working on actual cases.
Anyway, ya that IS gonna be a tough choice b/t the two but you're in a win-win situation. As much uncertainty UCSF is having right now due to the budget, you just can't rumble up the traditions that school has established that much and it's still a great program. You really can't go wrong with either schools. Hopefully I'll get to see you at Pacific, if not then good luck at UCSF.