Need to hear from a current USC Dental Student

[livingdreams]

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Hello, I am interested in USC, had an interview there, and really like the feel of the school! I really need to speak with someone who is an actual student at the school, particularly a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. I was wondering how you feel this unique curriculum is advantageous for you, and how it has prepared you for the boards. I really respect your honesty.

 

[UNR.Grad]

Hello, I am interested in USC, had an interview there, and really like the feel of the school! I really need to speak with someone who is an actual student at the school, particularly a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. I was wondering how you feel this unique curriculum is advantageous for you, and how it has prepared you for the boards. I really respect your honesty.

Search there are tons of threads on PBL.

 

[livingdreams]

Yes, thanks. I have read the threads, and actually know a lot about PBL. I JUST wanted to hear feedback from an actual student. I'm sure they can give me good pros and cons.

 

[Hysteria24]

Yes, thanks. I have read the threads, and actually know a lot about PBL. I JUST wanted to hear feedback from an actual student. I'm sure they can give me good pros and cons.

A lot of the pros and cons have been discussed to exhaustion on some recent threads. There are not many current USC students who are active in the pre-dental forum. Actually I can only think of one. My suggestion to you is to PM some of the USC students you see posting on those threads. Other than that, search around on facebook or myspace for the group pages (i.e. c/o 2011, 2010 etc.) and see if you can contact a few that way.

 

[livingdreams]

ok. Thanks! 🙂

 

[Columbia07]

Specifically, what do you want to know?

 

[livingdreams]

Well, I know about PBL already, I just wanted to hear a current students' perspective on how well it is preparing them. For example, if they felt it was helpful for the boards. I am also aware that this curriculum is preparing future dentists to know where and how to search for dental related research, and be ready to be life long learners. Most importantly, do they feel confident coming out of dental school?

Thanks!🙂

 

[USCDDS08]

I am a 4th year dental student at USC dental school. As for PBL, it has it's pros and cons.
Pro-If you are self motivated and work well in a group this is an excellent program. The problem that most people have with the PBL pedagogy is that they don't devote their own time to the learning process. I spent many many hours outside of the PBL environment volunteering at local clinics and studying (don't get me wrong, I still had time to learn how to surf).
Pro-I am now very familiar with the most current medical and dental research because PBL fosters an attitude of a hunger for knowledge to find and understand the most current research (as opposed to spending most of the time with text books and in lectures).
Pro-I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most recognized dentists and specialists in the world
Pro-My class average on part 1 boards was over 90%. This speaks for itself (however, most people spent around 2 months studying for this exam)
Cons-I think that PBL works great for medical cases, but to learn cut and dry dentistry it fall short. Most of the dental learning is done in simulation or on a volunteer basis (once again, PBL is a at work with volunteering)
Con- Many of the dental students here (about 175 per graduating class) are extremely negative and expect to have a diploma handed to them (instead of working for it). Dealing with constant negativity from fellow classmates becomes taxing (but I am sure that all dental schools have their fair shar of negativity).
Con- Our on-time graduation rate has been very low for the past 3 years. However, some of my closest friends that graduated last year said that now that they are in private practice they are extremely prepared for any dental situation that they may encounter. USC graduates have an excellent clinical reputation in the world of dentistry.
I hope that this helps some. I think that it is important to note that ANY dental school will have it's good and it's bad. You just need to find a school that you feel comfortable with.

 

[doctorducks]

There is a lot changing in the curriculum at USC. There will be much less PBL and much more of hybrid approach. Also Students will enter the clinic one semester earlier.

 

[DatRat86]

My brother graduates this year and he has LOVED the PBL system. It fit him perfectly and he would not have gone anywhere else. For his second year boards he studied for a week and a half and did very well. He studied about the same amount of time for his fourth year boards and just found out that he did well on those written boards also. And he is not a genius or anything but the PBL system prepared him well!