Need Help/advice For Dental School?

[UOP_Dentist]

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Hey everyone,

I recently graduated from the best dental school in the nation: UOP school of dentistry. I'm currently a PGY1 at UCLA/VAWLA and about to apply to OMS specialty.
If any of you need help, advice or questions about applying to dental school or info on dental schools you are more than welcome to message me. One thing i learned at UOP is the importance of helping out your fellow colleague.
I've applied at 21 dental schools and chose to interview at 6. I went to UOP after UW turned me down (best luck ever). So i know a little bit about the schools you are applying to: like what programs are good and what programs are shady (i.e. NYU).

ok....good luck everyone. Dental school is great!!

 

[MelissaB]

Hi,
I try to find out as much as I can by reading the school's websites and talking to people but I think that when you've actually graduated from dental school, you learn a lot more. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some pointers on the schools that I'm applying to.

I've heard really good things about UOP, but I've heard that they're trying to build the school, so they're only taking people with super high DAT scores. Also, do you think that 3 years is enough time for dental school (especially clinically)?

I'm also applying to UCLA, UCSF, USC, Boston U, Tufts, NYU, Columbia, arizona, and UPenn.

 

[crazy_sherm]

I've heard really good things about UOP, but I've heard that they're trying to build the school, so they're only taking people with super high DAT scores. Also, do you think that 3 years is enough time for dental school (especially clinically)?

What do you mean by trying to build the school? UOP's been around for a very long time, established in 1896. The reason they like people with high DAT scores is the administration feels that people with higher scores on the DAT tend to fit into their accelerated curriculum better. How much truth there is to that, I don't know, but that's what UOP believes. Clinically, UOP is a very good school. If anything, you will more likely suffer from a less in depth didactic education. The pace has been pretty frantic, but I have say I'm loving it.

The first year is all pre-clin and the last two are spent in the clinic, so we have just as much clinic time as most schools. I'm just finishing up my first quarter and I would say that the didactic classes were conceptually easier than undergrad, but just more volume. Lab is a completely different story. We started drilliing in simlab the first week of school. In 10 weeks, we've learn to prep about 4 different occlusals, 3 MOs, a DO and an OL as well as condense each one. We've also learned to do PFMs on #s 8 and 9.

 

[duh?]

How is NYU shady?

 

[food4thots]

How is NYU shady?

High attrition rate. They accept a lot of people, but also weed out a lot after first year.

 

[phremius]

High attrition rate. They accept a lot of people, but also weed out a lot after first year.

2 years ago yes. So for current 3rd and 4th years, they saw a lot of their classmates weeded out. Why? When dental school applications went up big time numerically, NYU didn't not anticipate such a high matriculation ratio from the pool of those accepted.... so they did end up with more people than they had space for

last year they put in a completely new curriculum, updated it it again this year, revised the acceptance percentage and this year they completed a new clinic in the building, and now have space for every single matriculant. Last year only 2 or 3 people dropped out, out of ~250, which puts it in line with d schools in average.

Long story short? 3rd/4th years got the shaft. But for first years like me? 👍 😀

honestly, best advice anyone can give you is: apply to the schools you'd want to go to, pick the school that you liked the best from your interviews/visits, because once you're there nothing will matter

 

[djsahand]

UOP dent,
what do you think of UNLV?

 

[UOP_Dentist]

Hi,
I try to find out as much as I can by reading the school's websites and talking to people but I think that when you've actually graduated from dental school, you learn a lot more. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some pointers on the schools that I'm applying to.

I've heard really good things about UOP, but I've heard that they're trying to build the school, so they're only taking people with super high DAT scores. Also, do you think that 3 years is enough time for dental school (especially clinically)?

I'm also applying to UCLA, UCSF, USC, Boston U, Tufts, NYU, Columbia, arizona, and UPenn.

Yes true, UOP is NOW taking applicants with exceptional DAT scores in the 23+. Just because the caliber of applicants are much higher now than 3 years ago. As for the 3 years???? WELL lemme just say that 3 years at UOP is WAY MORE than enough clinical experience. I came out of UOP and my attendings are in awe at how much knowledge I have and clinical skills that i possess. I passed my boards with high passes in all. I believe the 4th year is a waste of time and that 3 years is perfect if you went to UOP. As for your applications: UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, Tufts and UPENN are all great choices. However, don't apply to USC, BU, Arizona and especially NYU. USC is in a total PBL program (if you don't know what that is its where a bunch of students sit together and brainstorm why sugar causes caries....a waste of time) and USC is notorious for producing poor clinicians and has a high failure rate in the boards. Also USC is the 2nd most expensive dental school in the nation (2nd year tuition is over $70,000). Arizona is still new, so they haven't got all the problems worked out. BU is the 3rd most expensive dental school and they teach you totally from a DVD! What's the point of paying such high tuition for a DVD class?? AND don't get me started on NYU. I have friends that came out of NYU and they are ......to say it nicely.....brain dead. NYU accepts 200+ students and they weed out 1/2 of that by the 2nd year. This is so that the faculty can make $$$ from the students. Imagine how if feels after you paid $50,000 to be told you better go into dental hygiene instead. It breeds corruption, unethical practice, cutthroat friends and it is THE MOST EXPENSIVE school in the nation.

any more advice??

 

[UOP_Dentist]

UOP dent,
what do you think of UNLV?

if you are a sub-3.0 student and have DAT's in the teens then ok. But if you are a good caliber applicant don't bother. They're still new and haven't yet been accredited, i think (not sure).

 

[jrd29]

if you are a sub-3.0 student and have DAT's in the teens then ok. But if you are a good caliber applicant don't bother. They're still new and haven't yet been accredited, i think (not sure).

UNLV is accredited and I think that even "good caliber" students should apply.
I am in the first class and am very happy with my education.

UOP Dentist is big on how much schools cost. The total cost of 3 years of tuition and fees at Pacific is $210,438 (taken from UOP website), so it is also a bit on the expensive side.

 

[1992Corolla]

Yes, but even if you make the LOWEST average income for a first year dentist, subtract 90,000 bucks from that figure. Cause while eveyone else is in their fourth year, a UoP grad is starting his practice and chipping away at that debt.
3 years at 210,000 - 90,000 (4th year)=120,000. Looks better than FOUR years at $250,000.

The money argument is, I think, not a good one for picking other schools over UoP.

 

[jrd29]

Yes, but even if you make the LOWEST average income for a first year dentist, subtract 90,000 bucks from that figure. Cause while eveyone else is in their fourth year, a UoP grad is starting his practice and chipping away at that debt.
3 years at 210,000 - 90,000 (4th year)=120,000. Looks better than FOUR years at $250,000.

The money argument is, I think, not a good one for picking other schools over UoP.

I agree with what you say. I am not trying to get in an argument, I am just pointing out the Pacific is also an expensive option. I would not pick a school based solely on money either.

 

[UOP_Dentist]

I agree with what you say. I am not trying to get in an argument, I am just pointing out the Pacific is also an expensive option. I would not pick a school based solely on money either.

money should not be an factor, but it is something to think about especially if you're looking for best bang for the buck. Yes UOP is 200K+ but with that extra year its definitely a good deal. The avg debt for NYU, BU, USC is about $250,000 4 years. think about it.

 

[UOP_Dentist]

UNLV is accredited and I think that even "good caliber" students should apply.
I am in the first class and am very happy with my education.

UOP Dentist is big on how much schools cost. The total cost of 3 years of tuition and fees at Pacific is $210,438 (taken from UOP website), so it is also a bit on the expensive side.

Thanks for the heads up. Maybe its changed since its inaugural year. So the class of 2006 will be the first to grad the school. Will be interesting to see how they fair.

 

[DREDAY]

by the way going to UOP you will no longer only have a 210k debt. I was accepted this year but chose UCSF because after UOP i would have been 280K in debt vs UCSF's 190k (that includes living and all expenses). After interst accrues over that 90K you will likely be paying back about 150 k

 

[sunnymeliss]

Hey everyone,

I recently graduated from the best dental school in the nation: UOP school of dentistry. I'm currently a PGY1 at UCLA/VAWLA and about to apply to OMS specialty.
If any of you need help, advice or questions about applying to dental school or info on dental schools you are more than welcome to message me. One thing i learned at UOP is the importance of helping out your fellow colleague.
I've applied at 21 dental schools and chose to interview at 6. I went to UOP after UW turned me down (best luck ever). So i know a little bit about the schools you are applying to: like what programs are good and what programs are shady (i.e. NYU).

ok....good luck everyone. Dental school is great!!

Hi,
What do think of my chances at UOP:

science, AA, PAT 22/21/17
GPA: overall 3.68, science 3.87
very active in community service, school organization, musical talent, research

I'm confident about everything except for my PAT score. I did much better on my practice exams (scored 19-21's with DAT Achiever) but I guess I bombed out on the actual test 🙁

Thanks for your time

ps I've heard really great things about UOP

 

[acceptance]

Hey UOP dentist,

I want to know what my chances are too. I'm involved in research, lots of service, shadowing etc. I've never had a bad semester i.e. consistent grades w/out major fluctuations. My stats should be on the signature.

 

[superchris147]

if you are a sub-3.0 student and have DAT's in the teens then ok. But if you are a good caliber applicant don't bother. They're still new and haven't yet been accredited, i think (not sure).

no offense man, but if this is the kind of information you are giving out to people i wouldn't necessarily be advertising to help people with admissions

 

[teefRcool]

All dental schools give u the same damn education, the rest is a matter of convenience and how much money its gonna cost.

If this wasn't the case the dental school would be shut down.

 

[TODDS2BE]

Welcome to another "I am admissions GURU thread because I graduated from UOP".
Buddy keep your advise to yourself. Not everyone can go to UOP. It only takes maybe 100 people out of 10000 that apply to dentistry every year.
And there are plenty of good schools out there better than UOP i.e. UPenn, Columbia, UDM, Tufts, Harvard. If making money earlier wasn't the issue, I would choose 4-year school over 3-year school any day. I would learn so much more and much better prepared with 4-year school.

And about you, I don't know if you really are a dentist. You don't sound that educated at all.

 

[vaio]

Welcome to another "I am admissions GURU thread because I graduated from UOP".
Buddy keep your advise to yourself. Not everyone can go to UOP. It only takes maybe 100 people out of 10000 that apply to dentistry every year.
And there are plenty of good schools out there better than UOP i.e. UPenn, Columbia, UDM, Tufts, Harvard. If making money earlier wasn't the issue, I would choose 4-year school over 3-year school any day. I would learn so much more and much better prepared with 4-year school.

And about you, I don't know if you really are a dentist. You don't sound that educated at all.

agreed. stop trashing other schools

 

[Beestieboy]

Buddy keep your advise to yourself.

Wow, this is going to get ugly and maybe personal. Oh, and advice is spelled with a c.

Anyways, if you've graduated from a school, I'm sure you're going to be more than biased towards it. It's the only school you've ever attended right? Degrading other schools just by what you've heard from other people won't get you a whole lot of credibility.

Now with that said, UoP is in my top 3 so far. I have yet to interview there so it might change. I'm hopeful though. 3 years sounds good to me. My wife would like to live in San Fran, and I know a couple people who have graduated from there and are practicing now and they are doing well and had great things to say about the school. Everyone else that I've talked to that has graduated is just gushing with praise for their school though. That's just to be expected.

 

[UOP_Dentist]

Welcome to another "I am admissions GURU thread because I graduated from UOP".
Buddy keep your advise to yourself. Not everyone can go to UOP. It only takes maybe 100 people out of 10000 that apply to dentistry every year.
And there are plenty of good schools out there better than UOP i.e. UPenn, Columbia, UDM, Tufts, Harvard. If making money earlier wasn't the issue, I would choose 4-year school over 3-year school any day. I would learn so much more and much better prepared with 4-year school.

And about you, I don't know if you really are a dentist. You don't sound that educated at all.

Let me first apologize for offending those whose programs I have mentioned. I did not mean to degrade any programs that any of you people belong to. In the end everyone gets a DDS/DMD! Yes that's true, but the road to get there differs from school to school. There are alot of programs that are better than UOP in different aspects of dentistry. The reason why dental schools are no longer ranked is just for that reason! There are schools that are exceptional in research, in clinic, in business, academics, and specializing. The reason I know alot about these programs is because I have met ppl from UCONN, UCSF, UCLA, Loma Linda, USC, Toronto, NYU, Temple, UW, Colorado, Texas, Baylor, and more and more, and I've asked and i've learned. I thought why not help out other ppl? At least that's what I learned from UOP, is to help out others. Alot of you guys are at the point of applying and are scared and just want to know the hard-hitting truth. Of everything I said were true and not the least bit sugar-coated (cept maybe the UNLV accreditation thingy....i was wrong). I'm just posting this thread to help out those that are in need of some help and advice. I've been through what you guys have been and I've been a member of the student interview committee (so I have an idea what my school's are looking for).

I'm a recently graduated DDS with above avg ranking, high board scores in both I and II, and WREB certified with a license in the state of Washington. I think my credentials speak for themselves. So if you guys don't like what i have to say then don't read the thread. Simple as that right? Change the channel.

P.S. Being an Ivy League school doen't necessarily say their dental school is any better than the rest.

 

[Dental08?09]

AND don't get me started on NYU. I have friends that came out of NYU and they are ......to say it nicely.....brain dead. NYU accepts 200+ students and they weed out 1/2 of that by the 2nd year. This is so that the faculty can make $$$ from the students. Imagine how if feels after you paid $50,000 to be told you better go into dental hygiene instead. It breeds corruption, unethical practice, cutthroat friends and it is THE MOST EXPENSIVE school in the nation.

any more advice??

Yeah I have some advice, don't spread lies. My dads partner teaches there and they don't weed out half the class. The attrition there is the same as any other school and you could request the data from the ADA because they do keep track of it.

NYU is about to be one of the oldest newest dental schools after the dean is doing re-modeling the whole school. With a few floors done already and around 30million later, should be complete in 3 years or so

 

[UOP_Dentist]

Hey UOP dentist,

I want to know what my chances are too. I'm involved in research, lots of service, shadowing etc. I've never had a bad semester i.e. consistent grades w/out major fluctuations. My stats should be on the signature.

I think you have a great shot. Your stats are stellar and your DATs confirm it. You have the intangibles such as your extracurricular activities. If you have any leadership experience, that would be a big bonus. UOP is interested in applicants with leadership background. You prob have your choice in programs, so i would suggest you choose a prog that you would like to live at and if you want to specialize or not. When you interview be sure to ask the students how they like it. Don't ask your tour guides, they're trained to sing praises. Talk to the other students at the lunch tables. They'll be happy to talk with you. Don't forget to check out the simlab and the clinic. These features are important.

hope this helps.....and hope i didn't "offend" anyone

 

[UOP_Dentist]

Yeah I have some advice, don't spread lies. My dads partner teaches there and they don't weed out half the class. The attrition there is the same as any other school and you could request the data from the ADA because they do keep track of it.

NYU is about to be one of the oldest newest dental schools after the dean is doing re-modeling the whole school. With a few floors done already and around 30million later, should be complete in 3 years or so

If that's the case, then I apologize. My info is from a recent grad who I believe was a little bit jaded. If NYU did indeed change its curriculum around then I am amazed.

 

[Dental08?09]

If that's the case, then I apologize. My info is from a recent grad who I believe was a little bit jaded. If NYU did indeed change its curriculum around then I am amazed.

They first made drastic changes in 1999/2000. The class of 2003,4 and 5 had it pretty rough. '06 is a little better but still some bumps with '07 having more improvments. '08 is a great class with '09 being superstars. It took 5 years to refine the new curriculm but it is paying off big time. And now they will have the new clinics and commom areas with some high profile faculty, already in the top 10 for research dollars, and lots more.

Yeah things have changed, but it sure did piss off alot of people in the process.

 

[UOP_Dentist]

They first made drastic changes in 1999/2000. The class of 2003,4 and 5 had it pretty rough. '06 is a little better but still some bumps with '07 having more improvments. '08 is a great class with '09 being superstars. It took 5 years to refine the new curriculm but it is paying off big time. And now they will have the new clinics and commom areas with some high profile faculty, already in the top 10 for research dollars, and lots more.

Yeah things have changed, but it sure did piss off alot of people in the process.

Really? how so? Were the '05, 04 class pissed because the younger class had it more easy? Well that's good to hear. I used to know a NYU student who was asked to go into dental hygiene instead. He got really pissed and depressed, but its good that NYU's changing. There shouldn't be those types of programs out there.

 

[Dental08?09]

Really? how so? Were the '05, 04 class pissed because the younger class had it more easy? Well that's good to hear.

Yes the new classes have it much easier. NYU got the kick out rumor really going with the new cirriculm back when they started it. It was leaps and bounds over what they were teaching in the past and students couldn't handle it. They tried to help the kids, but the kids had to ask for help first and most didn't ask for help until it was too late and hence a lot got the boot.

Now they have a program that tries to catch the kids before they fall between the cracks and help them with their studies. This really didn't start doing this until last year so '07 missed it but '08 and on have the support from day one. Also, to get kicked out you have to fail 4 or more classes. You can fail 3 a year and remdiate in the summer. If you fail 4, but lets say high failures maybe they will let you repeat the year. On top of that all you have to make is a 2.0 gpa to stay in the program. I think this is very generous.

So yes the new guys have it WAY easier than the old guys that are long gone or in 4th year. I mean when the ADA went to accredit them last year they got zero recomendations and 42 commendations. Less than a 1/3rd of schools have achived this in the last 10 years.

Also incoming stats are going drastically up because of these new changes. Class of '07 had a science GPA of 2.9 and 3.2 overall with a 18AA with 34% of applicants being accepted. Class of 2009 is said to have a 3.3 science and overall with a shy above 19aa with only 15% of applicants being admitted.

So long story short, things have changed and still continue to change its just too bad they F-up'd their reputation in the process.

 

[UOP_Dentist]

Yes the new classes have it much easier. NYU got the kick out rumor really going with the new cirriculm back when they started it. It was leaps and bounds over what they were teaching in the past and students couldn't handle it. They tried to help the kids, but the kids had to ask for help first and most didn't ask for help until it was too late and hence a lot got the boot.

Now they have a program that tries to catch the kids before they fall between the cracks and help them with their studies. This really didn't start doing this until last year so '07 missed it but '08 and on have the support from day one. Also, to get kicked out you have to fail 4 or more classes. You can fail 3 a year and remdiate in the summer. If you fail 4, but lets say high failures maybe they will let you repeat the year. On top of that all you have to make is a 2.0 gpa to stay in the program. I think this is very generous.

So yes the new guys have it WAY easier than the old guys that are long gone or in 4th year. I mean when the ADA went to accredit them last year they got zero recomendations and 42 commendations. Less than a 1/3rd of schools have achived this in the last 10 years.

Also incoming stats are going drastically up because of these new changes. Class of '07 had a science GPA of 2.9 and 3.2 overall with a 18AA with 34% of applicants being accepted. Class of 2009 is said to have a 3.3 science and overall with a shy above 19aa with only 15% of applicants being admitted.

So long story short, things have changed and still continue to change its just too bad they F-up'd their reputation in the process.

that's good to know. I'll keep note of it and tell my friend. Maybe he'll change his attitude. Good luck on your program.

 

[busupshot83]

All dental schools give u the same damn education, the rest is a matter of convenience and how much money its gonna cost.

If this wasn't the case the dental school would be shut down.

Bluntly put... but so true 👍.