I was checking the dental message board and noticed a thread of everyone posting answers to questions regarding different schools. I posted hoping someone would answer questions regarding UTHSCSA for those who will be attending or applying. Hope this helps!
1) Name of Your Dental Schoool?uthscsa
2) What is your examination schedule like? Block Schedule (midterms and finals week) or several every week?
block...i guess, we do have midterms and finals
3) What is the hardest class? Why?
gross anatomy is a killer!! do well on the first test to gain confidence and a cushion.
4) What is the easiest class? Why?
several small classes are easy. for example, community dentistry. be sure to look at all old exams cuz most questions come from there
5) Are your classmates generally gunners and try to sabatoge each other? If not, is the culture one where everybody tries to help everybody out?
no gunners and awesome cameraderie amonst all students
6) Are the class notes based primarily on textbooks? or based on lecture powerpoints made up by professors?
powerpoints
7) Are there any classes taken with medical students? If so, which ones?
nope
8) What is the grading system? Pass/Fail/Honors? Letter Grades? Percentages?
letter grades
9) Is there a notetaking service for lecture available?
you will find that many people share there notes with the whole class and if for any reason they don't you will have plenty from previous years students
10) Is class attendance mandatory?
no
11) In general, are teachers approachable for questions? Or are they for the most part very busy and unreachable (research, etc...)?
approachable
12) Is there a big brother/big sister program that pairs you with an upperclassman or professor who "mentors" you?
yes
13) What is the % first time board pass rate? What is the average score?
hmm..i believe it is in the upper nineties..maybe 100...dunno for sure
14) When do you take the NDBE? 1st year or second year?
2nd year
15) Do you get a block of time off before boards to study? If so, how long? If not, do you have to study simultaneously with classes?
part 1 is taken in between your 2nd and 3rd year. you will have 3 weeks off to study and then you will have 1 mos of clinic, followed by 3 more weeks off to study and take the board exam
16) Do most people study in the University Library? Or does the place clear out right after school and everybody studies on their own?
awesome facilities; but i don't hang around to see who studies there
17) Are patients readily available to fulfill clinical requirements or do you have to do a lot of work to get them in?
don't know yet
18) Is it a hassle to get a chair once you get patients in? In your opinion, does your school have enough chairs?
plenty of chairs
19) What are the clinical requirements to graduate? (number of crowns, fillings, etc...) Is it reasonably attainable or pretty difficult?
dunno
20) Are there opportunities for different off-site dental clinic rotations? If so, what are they?
i believe so
21) Are there opportunites for outreach trips to underserved areas or countries? If so, what are they and for how long?
opportunities, yes, but i don't know the details
22) Is there sufficent preparation for practice management? What career placement opportunites does your school offer?
dunno yet
23) What is the dress code at your school? Scrubs? For what years?
jeans are fine for the first two years that you are not in the clinic (most days), after that it is scrubs every day. the color is up to you.