Late UCLA Interview - Worth it?

[notsowisetooth]

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I just got an interview invite for UCLA for Feb 2 or Feb 5. I've gotten into Columbia, and was pretty set on going there but I'm interested in UCLA as well.

Does anyone know what the deal with UCLA is at this point? Are these interviews to fill seats or for waitlists?

In other words, is it even worth going to an interview so late in the game?

 

[alec0884]

I just got an interview invite for UCLA for Feb 2 or Feb 5. I've gotten into Columbia, and was pretty set on going there but I'm interested in UCLA as well.

Does anyone know what the deal with UCLA is at this point? Are these interviews to fill seats or for waitlists?

In other words, is it even worth going to an interview so late in the game?

I would look at it like this.......regardless of the situation with seats/waitlist, if you would go there over Columbia then go, because you have zero chance if you don't interview.

 

[notsowisetooth]

I would look at it like this.......regardless of the situation with seats/waitlist, if you would go there over Columbia then go, because you have zero chance if you don't interview.

that's the thing. I dont know if I would go to UCLA over Columbia.

 

[Dentifrica]

that's the thing. I dont know if I would go to UCLA over Columbia.

ucla is awesome!!!!!!! Gooo!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UCfan]

I just got an interview invite for UCLA for Feb 2 or Feb 5. I've gotten into Columbia, and was pretty set on going there but I'm interested in UCLA as well.

Does anyone know what the deal with UCLA is at this point? Are these interviews to fill seats or for waitlists?

In other words, is it even worth going to an interview so late in the game?

Two options:
1)Why not! Go to interview and check out the school. Maybe you like it better than you thought (if you have money to spend).
2)However you have already paid deposit. Or do not go to interview and save money for yourself. Columbia is a great school. Especially if you are out of state the tuition of UCLA will be high too.

 

[doc1986]

I also just got an interview invite for Feb 2 or Feb 5. I have already put my deposit in for Penn but I am very intrigued by UCLA. What do you guys think? I would love to hear some opinions on UCLA vs Penn.

I am out of state for both schools and my goal is to specialize. UCLA is cheaper, sunnier, and P/F. I am not sure of their specialty rates. Penn's ivy name and reputation is hard for me to ignore. They also have a high specialization rate. I loved the school during my interview.

 

[nitrolegs]

I also just got an interview invite for Feb 2 or Feb 5. I have already put my deposit in for Penn but I am very intrigued by UCLA. What do you guys think? I would love to hear some opinions on UCLA vs Penn.

I am out of state for both schools and my goal is to specialize. UCLA is cheaper, sunnier, and P/F. I am not sure of their specialty rates. Penn's ivy name and reputation is hard for me to ignore. They also have a high specialization rate. I loved the school during my interview.

during my interview at ucla, Dr. Bibb told us that 75% of last year's class went on to do additional training (40% true specialty and 35% aegd/gpr), so ucla does seem to be a specializing school.

since you're out of state for both schools, i think it really comes down to location and weather. would you rather live in philadelphia or westwood? would you rather have mild winters or freezing winters? would you rather have warm and dry summers or hot and humid summers?

cost of living in westwood also tends to be a bit pricier. to give you an idea, i lived in a 2 bed apartment with 3 other guys for 2400, so i paid 600 to SHARE a room, utilities not included.

 

[Act0fgod]

I would be willing to bet a good amount these are for seats in the class. Also if you interview you are pretty much in (historically almost everyone who interviews is accepted). I LOVE the pass fail and you can't beat the location. Specializing definitely occurs at a high rate at UCLA and research is abundant. The only thing I would be somewhat concerned about is the pass fail grades with the pass fail boards (the faculty tells us that it won't be a problem). You'll have to make a decision on going or not...I will say if you are just going to go to get another acceptance from a great school and KNOW you won't attend don't go to the interview.

 

[hellodentist]

UCLA is a great place: weather, activities, academic strength etc BUT

it is really expensive to live there and DRIVING is very aggressive over there. You will spend a good time of your day in traffic.

 

[arcticavenger]

I would be willing to bet a good amount these are for seats in the class. Also if you interview you are pretty much in (historically almost everyone who interviews is accepted).

Srsly... check doctoothache's post on interview/acceptance rates.. UCLA accepts a huuuge portion of the students they interview.. on a related note, one of the students we spoke to at the UCLA interview luncheon said that he interviewed really late (like april or something) with 5 other ppl and all 6 of them got in.. so to answer your question, there is an extremely high chance you'd be interviewing for a seat.

 

[doc1986]

Bump...Thanks for the all the input. It seems that UCLA has more pros than Penn. For some reason I feel that the ivy name of Penn is superior than UCLA. I don't know a whole lot about the reputation of UCLA. Is is regarded as an elite school, especially in regards to helping put you in a better position to specialize?

 

[junkemails44]

Bump...Thanks for the all the input. It seems that UCLA has more pros than Penn. For some reason I feel that the ivy name of Penn is superior than UCLA. I don't know a whole lot about the reputation of UCLA. Is is regarded as an elite school, especially in regards to helping put you in a better position to specialize?

This may sound hard to believe, but many people on the west coast cannot distinguish between Upenn and Penn state. And yes, UCLA is up there.

 

[eliwoohoo]

Bump...Thanks for the all the input. It seems that UCLA has more pros than Penn. For some reason I feel that the ivy name of Penn is superior than UCLA. I don't know a whole lot about the reputation of UCLA. Is is regarded as an elite school, especially in regards to helping put you in a better position to specialize?

Being an Ivy does not mean anything, you are going to DENTAL school! As a dental school, UCLA has an enormous reputation, and its specialty rates are incredible. On west coast, UCLA reputation > Penn, anyday.

 

[y0ssarian]

I would be willing to bet a good amount these are for seats in the class. Also if you interview you are pretty much in (historically almost everyone who interviews is accepted). I LOVE the pass fail and you can't beat the location. Specializing definitely occurs at a high rate at UCLA and research is abundant. The only thing I would be somewhat concerned about is the pass fail grades with the pass fail boards (the faculty tells us that it won't be a problem). You'll have to make a decision on going or not...I will say if you are just going to go to get another acceptance from a great school and KNOW you won't attend don't go to the interview.

Browsing forums instead of studying for that pharm final huh ;]

February is early for UCLA; these interviews are for seats in the class. And, as you can see, my classmate has plenty of time to help out predents the night before a final thanks to the pass/fail system here.