I met with a UCLA '97 grad to learn a little more about the school before my interview this Wednesday but I wanted to run a couple of things by you guys to see if any of this has changed in the last 10 years.
1) In clinic, are you grouped in teams of a 2nd, 3rd and 4th year student who share a patient pool and and in which the older guys help the 2nd year when he starts his clinical work? If so, are you grouped randomly or do you get to choose which team you are a part of?
yea, you are grouped randomly
2) Is there still a required research project? I understand there are some cool applied research opportunities like mouthguard research with Dr. Padilla.
no, who's Dr Padilla?
3) Do you get the opportunity to do some elective work, like sports dentistry, etc.?
i believe so, UCLA offers elective classes during your 3rd and 4th years
4) Do students get paired with some kind of "mentor" who helps advise on research and other school-related issues?
this is only if you want to...students are not required to do research but its a good idea if you want to specialize
5) Are there opportunities to do overseas community service trips during the summer?
yes
6) I heard you start in the clinic almost right away assisting the 3rd and 4th years. Is this true?
i dont know about right away but you do start with/ patient interaction early
finally...
7) Does Dr. Park still teach pharm? I hear he is hardcore and will fail you on a test if you look up from your paper and make eye contact with him twice during an exam.
Dr. Park is now the dean and doesnt teach pharm except for one lecture. The couse is taught by Dr. Yaigela, very tough course that taught by probably one of the smartest profs youre going to meet. Dr. Yaigela literally wrote the book on dental pharmacology.
Thanks again so much for your help. I know this is a long list and some of it may be off base but at least this is how things were done 10 years ago!