Questions for UOP dental students

[peerless218]

Hey I have a question regard to specializing from UOP's D.D.S program. Since it's a 3 year program, what's the difference between preparing to specialize at UOP than compared to a 4 yr program?

Also from what I heard/read on SDN, it is much tougher to specialize from Pacific, is that a fact? People have been saying it's a great school to become a GD, but SUPER hard to become a specialist from the school. I LOVE UOP it has been my #1 choice for the longest time, but if I do get into other schools and specializing is something I might want to consider, then I def have to take that into consideration. Any tips would be nice!! Thank you in advance.

 

[bjhath]

Hey I have a question regard to specializing from UOP's D.D.S program. Since it's a 3 year program, what's the difference between preparing to specialize at UOP than compared to a 4 yr program?

See this thread for a little bit of insight (particularly Armorshell's posts): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=663416. PM Armorshell, since he is heading down the specialization route and can answer your questions better than me.

Not looking to specialize myself, but I would guess that optimizing your time management is likely the biggest difference in preparing to specialize from UoP than from other programs. With an impacted schedule, you will have to use your time wisely to do well in your normal studies along with doing the extracurriculars you need for specializing.

Also from what I heard/read on SDN, it is much tougher to specialize from Pacific, is that a fact? People have been saying it's a great school to become a GD, but SUPER hard to become a specialist from the school. I LOVE UOP it has been my #1 choice for the longest time, but if I do get into other schools and specializing is something I might want to consider, then I def have to take that into consideration. Any tips would be nice!! Thank you in advance.

Be careful trusting what you read on SDN. There is a lot of good information here, but there is also a lot of crapola. If you want factual information about specializing, consult the ADEA guide to dental schools or call schools/residency programs directly.

Have a high class rank, ace the boards, and participate in extracurriculars and you will specialize, regardless of where you get your DDS.

My $0.02: attend the school that is the best fit for you. This could mean anything from cheapest tuition, highest specialty rate, or best quality of life. It is much easier to do well when you are in an environment where you are happy, rather than in an environment that may produce a lot of specialists but in which you are unhappy.

 

[peerless218]

Thank you for the reply!! I'll def gather more info from armorshell.

 

[armorshell]

Hey I have a question regard to specializing from UOP's D.D.S program. Since it's a 3 year program, what's the difference between preparing to specialize at UOP than compared to a 4 yr program?

Also from what I heard/read on SDN, it is much tougher to specialize from Pacific, is that a fact? People have been saying it's a great school to become a GD, but SUPER hard to become a specialist from the school. I LOVE UOP it has been my #1 choice for the longest time, but if I do get into other schools and specializing is something I might want to consider, then I def have to take that into consideration. Any tips would be nice!! Thank you in advance.

I'd definitely be wary of what "people say" especially on these forums, because I think that it's "hard to specialize" from Pacific couldn't be further from the truth. 15-20% of every class specializes (Not including GPR/AEGD) which seems to be a little above average nationwide. If more wanted to, they definitely could (Last year the top 3 in the graduating class all went on to do general dentistry).

As far as the route to specializing at Pacific? It's the same as any school. Do well in class, get good boards (or whatever they have you take when the boards goes P/F) scores, and do a few extra-curriculars, be it research (Abundantly available at Pacific, I have 1 publication in review and another in the works), organized dentistry or whatever.

The fact that it's a 3 year program doesn't really affect your ability to participate in these kind of things.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd prefer if you posted them in this thread so some of these questions can get cleared up publicly.

 

[peerless218]

I'd definitely be wary of what "people say" especially on these forums, because I think that it's "hard to specialize" from Pacific couldn't be further from the truth. 15-20% of every class specializes (Not including GPR/AEGD) which seems to be a little above average nationwide. If more wanted to, they definitely could (Last year the top 3 in the graduating class all went on to do general dentistry).

As far as the route to specializing at Pacific? It's the same as any school. Do well in class, get good boards (or whatever they have you take when the boards goes P/F) scores, and do a few extra-curriculars, be it research (Abundantly available at Pacific, I have 1 publication in review and another in the works), organized dentistry or whatever.

The fact that it's a 3 year program doesn't really affect your ability to participate in these kind of things.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd prefer if you posted them in this thread so some of these questions can get cleared up publicly.

Hey Armorshell,
Could you provide some information about some of the extra curricular activities that people do at Pacific that'll enhance applicant's chance of getting into a specialty program?

Sorry I meant to PM you earlier but I've been bust the last 2 days doing research on some dental schools. Since you prefer openly discuss questions then I will leave it on SDN.

 

[armorshell]

Hey Armorshell,
Could you provide some information about some of the extra curricular activities that people do at Pacific that'll enhance applicant's chance of getting into a specialty program?

They're the same here as they are at any other school: Research, student government, organized dentistry, volunteering/community service (Huge program called SCOPE at Pacific), other (Fraternities, study clubs, etc...)

 

[peerless218]

Hey Armorshell
I had a chance to meet 2 sdsu alumnis yesterday when they came back to our school and talked about Pacific. 1 person mentioned how UOP has a very good rate of sending people to endo and ortho program. I didn't get to ask my question because of the time. How's Pacific's rate for potential perio students? Also a friend of mine mentioned something to me about Pacific's plan to either relocate and build a new building, or tear down the parking structure next to Pacific and build an extension building. Is that something that's gonna happen REAL soon?

Bjhath mentioned that you're also interested in specializing in the near future. Which field are you looking into at this point?

 

[peerless218]

They're the same here as they are at any other school: Research, student government, organized dentistry, volunteering/community service (Huge program called SCOPE at Pacific), other (Fraternities, study clubs, etc...)

Called up admissions today and looks like Ms. Mary Lynch no longer works at Pacific anymore🙁 She's a great lady!! Met her on several occasions.

Anyway, the school told me they do have plan to rebuild the school but that's WAY ahead into the future. It will not happen anytime soon. Also the school is having progress adapting to paperless transition in the clinic!! So that's good news!!! 👍👍👍