UCLA (OOS) vs UPenn (scholarship)

[sb21992]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am trying to figure out which school would be a better fit, and am wondering if anyone here is a student at either school and can share their experiences and thoughts.

Cost-wise, both schools will end up being about the same, according to the financial estimates on each school's website.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated 🙂

 

[Shunwei]

I am trying to figure out which school would be a better fit, and am wondering if anyone here is a student at either school and can share their experiences and thoughts.

Cost-wise, both schools will end up being about the same, according to the financial estimates on each school's website.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated 🙂

You probably get a more lively discussion posting this in the predent forum. I tried to help in the past by relating my own actual experiences but evidently some predents who's never been to my school know more than I do and try to shout me down.

 

[sb21992]

You probably get a more lively discussion posting this in the predent forum. I tried to help in the past by relating my own actual experiences but evidently some predents who's never been to my school know more than I do and try to shout me down.

That's actually why I posted my question here - I felt I could get more accurate responses here, even if they are fewer in number

 

[Meat Gyver]

Congrats! I'm jealous of the position that you're in. It's an amazing problem to be having haha. I know I'm not a dental student, but I too was debating between UCLA (OOS) and UPenn (no scholarship), and chose UCLA for the cost. However if you have the opportunity to go to UPenn for the same price, It'd be hard not to take the offer. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a D2 there and he pretty much confirmed all the things that made me fall in love with Penn:

• Faculty is great
• While everyone wants high marks on exams, people still go to great lengths to help one another out
• Mandatory externships
• Flexibility in regards to having the Selectives Program
• Most likely a better patient pool than UCLA (the only contact I've had with UCLA students has been the interview panel, and the D4 said that there are a few students who don't graduate on time - obviously it's based on how hard you work though)
• I'm pretty sure both schools are equally superior in regards to specializing (of course Penn has the IVY tag with it).
• The student panel at UCLA said that they would most likely pursue a AEGD/GPR after graduation to build more confidence (not sure if they were trying to say that the clinical education isn't that comprehensive?)
• The weather wherever you go is better than Illinois haha
• Facilities are nicer at Penn in my opinion

I know it sounds like I'm all for UPenn, but I'm certain that I can make the most out of UCLA (they are an amazing school and I've rejected both UIC and SIU to go there - an extra 80k decision).

Good luck! You should be happy wherever you go!

If you go to UCLA, see you in a few months...it would be nice to have another Illinois resident in the class 👍

 

[Ionz]

I'm personally choosing UCSF over Penn (still considering Columbia) for literally one reason. PASS/FAIL GRADING.

I didn't apply to UCLA so I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure their grading is the same as Columbia's (H/P/F) which, if it is the case, will make a WORLD of difference throughout all four years.

Smaller student body at UCLA. Always a plus.

I'm not a dental student yet so take my advice with a grain of salt 😛 Plus Cali >>>Philly lol

 

[Contach]

Pass/Fail is a great system, but Penn's grading system isn't all that bad since they end up inflating all the grades anyways. I had a 3.9ish GPA, and I would guess that I was 20-30th in my class of 115.... I would estimate that if you were in the middle of the class at Penn, your GPA would be a 3.8 to 3.7. Penn only ranks top 10 students, after that everyone is unranked.. So you can be unranked and have a low 3.9 GPA.


True, the weather in California is way better, and if UCLA is in a nice area I'd probably chose UCLA to be honest. I think that would be a fun 4 years. But at the same time, I loved my experience at Penn (I also had Dean's scholarship)

 

[MedDevil]

I don't know how much of a factor this will be in your decision, but I absolutely loved the fact that Penn Dental was right next to the rest of campus. I felt a great sense of community there among students in all programs (and the campus is gorgeous).

 

[Bereno]

Hell, both are awesome schools. If costs were in the same ballpark, I would probably stick with Penn

 

[HaverfoodsDDS]

I don't know how much of a factor this will be in your decision, but I absolutely loved the fact that Penn Dental was right next to the rest of campus. I felt a great sense of community there among students in all programs (and the campus is gorgeous).

If this is a concern, so is UCLA.....and there are very few campuses across the country (not just including dental schools) that have an environment as nice as UCLA.

 

[Ionz]

If this is a concern, so is UCLA.....and there are very few campuses across the country (not just including dental schools) that have an environment as nice as UCLA.

I agree. The integrated campus at Penn is nice, but UCLA campus looks way better imo. Nitpicking at trivialities here though lol

 

[ktran17]

I would choose pen to avoid ucla traffic ... It sucks so much .

 

[meillard]

*

 

[uaedent]

I am trying to figure out which school would be a better fit, and am wondering if anyone here is a student at either school and can share their experiences and thoughts.

Cost-wise, both schools will end up being about the same, according to the financial estimates on each school's website.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Both schools are really nice but if costs were nearly the same and it were me I don't know if I could give up an acceptance at UPenn 😍
One of my best friends completed their DMD and ortho specialty at UPenn and loved it there. Congrats and best of luck on your decision!

 

[sb21992]

.

 

[sb21992]

Hell, both are awesome schools. If costs were in the same ballpark, I would probably stick with Penn

Can you elaborate on why you'd stick with Penn?

 

[Bereno]

Can you elaborate on why you'd stick with Penn?

Not really sure why I would... personal preference I guess. Nothing substantial at least. Like I said, both are great schools, so you really cannot go wrong with either.