Only 5 Years?!?!

[Kamasan2]

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I checked out UOP and came across the 5 year program that they have. It seems too good to be true, I mean traditionally, you spend 4 years for BA, then 4 years in a dental school. That means this program can save 3 years of time. What I want to know is exactly how hard this program is and whether people actually make it doing this program.

 

[diagnodent]

In my class we had 2 or 3 who were a part of this program. They all graduated when they were 20 or 21 from dental school. So they all went to college at 15/16---they were incredibly smart. It's very competitve and selects few students. Unless you're 15 I wouldn't count on it.

 

[djeffreyt]

It's a pretty hardcore program. From what my classmates who have doen it told me, you study a lot and take a lot of classes at the same time. Imagine going through dental school didactics for 3 years instead of two, and that may be what it is like.

It is very competitive and you must test into the program. Based on your scores, you will be placed in either the 2+3, 3+3, or 4+3 program tracks. The major problem with the 2+ and 3+ tracks is they are especially geared to Pacific, and it doesn't guarantee acceptance. you must perform well and also do well on the DATs to get into Pacific. If not, you are often screwed out since most other schools won't take your 2 year program as enough for them to accept you, so you end up waiting another year to apply anyways.

 

[cherr1pop]

personally i think it'd be better to just graduate as biology major (mostly pre-dent requirements) in 3 years and go to pacific for the 3 year dental program... i guess it'll 'only' save you 2 years instead of 3 but i think it'll be better in the end...

 

[armorshell]

personally i think it'd be better to just graduate as biology major (mostly pre-dent requirements) in 3 years and go to pacific for the 3 year dental program... i guess it'll 'only' save you 2 years instead of 3 but i think it'll be better in the end...

Seems to me like turning a year of tuition into a year of income is a pretty big financial swing in the positive direction.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

What's the rush? You're only young once. You should enjoy your undergraduate career to its fullest.

 

[armorshell]

What's the rush? You're only young once. You should enjoy your undergraduate career to its fullest.

Because being 21, done with school and a good income is some kind of punishment?

I know you guys imagine that all these 2+3'ers are power nerds with no social skills but it just doesn't pan out. Most of them are brilliant, otherwise normal 19 & 20 year olds.

 

[cherr1pop]

you can always make money later but your youth will never come back... I've gone through so many advising sessions with counselors&professors because I'm thinking of graduating with an undergrad degree in 3 years and most of them tell me that I should slow down cause you're only in college once...

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Because being 21, done with school and a good income is some kind of punishment?

I know you guys imagine that all these 2+3'ers are power nerds with no social skills but it just doesn't pan out. Most of them are brilliant, otherwise normal 19 & 20 year olds.

This is true but you'll have the same thing at say 25/26 instead. So what? Some may find it appealing and that is fine.

 

[armorshell]

This is true but you'll have the same thing at say 25/26 instead. So what? Some may find it appealing and that is fine.

My point exactly, it's all relative. My only point was, a lot of people might see their youth as more valuable with the autonomy and income of a professional.