UCLA or UCSF?

[DDSWannaBe2007]

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which one will you go and why?! 🙂

 

[Sly Wolf]

I'm torn between the two as well.
Let's try a Pros and Cons list for both...

UCLA
Pros:
Very High Specialty Matching Rate, In the process of upgrading curriculum, Weather, Fun City, Safe Location, Affiliated with Undergrad (UCLA FOOTBALL=D), Good looking girls, great gym, Price, great faculty, Student exchange in JAPAN
Cons:
Used be Patients but have now have gone through alot of trouble and I got ZERO complaints from any 3rd or 4th yr about a lack of patients (i've spoken to at least 8 or 9 students). Getting around in LA can be Hassle...TRAFFIC. Air quality. VERY RIGORIOUS DIDACTICS, Pass Fail is weird ( Pass has Honors, Pass, and Marginal pass which sounds alot like grades to me)

UCSF
Pros:
Have come further along in terms of curriculum thus More time for Extra Curricular (research, naps =D), Fun city, safe location, Easy to get around the city, great housing (Mission Bay is amazing), great gym, Price, Great chance at specialty, great patient pool, Stictly PASS FAIL, Great faculty,
Cons:
Weather is gloomy, no undergrad = no football.NO student exchanges or anything abroad!

PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST PEOPLE...but UCSF seems more and more appealing upon more thought, I love LA though...so still torn! =) HOpe that helps!

 

[icepinkish]

I'm torn between the two as well.
Let's try a Pros and Cons list for both...

UCLA
Pros:
Very High Specialty Matching Rate, In the process of upgrading curriculum, Weather, Fun City, Safe Location, Affiliated with Undergrad (UCLA FOOTBALL=D), Good looking girls, great gym, Price, great faculty, Student exchange in JAPAN
Cons:
Used be Patients but have now have gone through alot of trouble and I got ZERO complaints from any 3rd or 4th yr about a lack of patients (i've spoken to at least 8 or 9 students). Getting around in LA can be Hassle...TRAFFIC. Air quality. VERY RIGORIOUS DIDACTICS, Pass Fail is weird ( Pass has Honors, Pass, and Marginal pass which sounds alot like grades to me)

UCSF
Pros:
Have come further along in terms of curriculum thus More time for Extra Curricular (research, naps =D), Fun city, safe location, Easy to get around the city, great housing (Mission Bay is amazing), great gym, Price, Great chance at specialty, great patient pool, Stictly PASS FAIL, Great faculty,
Cons:
Weather is gloomy, no undergrad = no football.NO student exchanges or anything abroad!

PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST PEOPLE...but UCSF seems more and more appealing upon more thought, I love LA though...so still torn! =) HOpe that helps!

When you say that UCSF offers a great chance at specialty is that true? I know the school says that, but some members on sdn says that ucsf isn't the place to be for people who want to specialize. I am confused~ can anyone clarify this?😕

but seriously... UC's seem so great! I love both schools a lot and it's so hard to decide.

 

[papichulo]

At the interview they told us that ~1/3 go on to either do specialty programs, gpr's, etc at UCSF. I have heard UCLA is great for specializing. If you are sure about specializing go to UCLA. I liked UCSF because it is a good price and a good school for a dual DDS/MBA program. Also, I would choose San Francisco over LA.

 

[Sly Wolf]

At the interview they told us that ~1/3 go on to either do specialty programs, gpr's, etc at UCSF. I have heard UCLA is great for specializing. If you are sure about specializing go to UCLA. I liked UCSF because it is a good price and a good school for a dual DDS/MBA program. Also, I would choose San Francisco over LA.

Both are great for specialty...you can't go wrong. It seems though at UCSF u have more time building ur extra curric. b/c of better curriculum thus better chance of increasing ur chances at specializing.

In terms of DDS/MBA
UCLA Buisness School >>> USF Business school

Why SF or LA? Care to give me some insight to the city... I would like to learn more about it..thanks!

 

[dentstd]

UCSF has a MBA programs?!?!?!?

UCSF is a health-only school. It only does health-related fields... med, dent, nursing, pharm...etc.

 

[Envision]

Both are great for specialty...you can't go wrong. It seems though at UCSF u have more time building ur extra curric. b/c of better curriculum thus better chance of increasing ur chances at specializing.

In terms of DDS/MBA
UCLA Buisness School >>> USF Business school

Why SF or LA? Care to give me some insight to the city... I would like to learn more about it..thanks!

Hey Sly wolf,

what do you mean when you UCSF has a better curriculum? I havent receved anything from UCSF but i am still interested in knowing.

 

[papichulo]

Both are great for specialty...you can't go wrong. It seems though at UCSF u have more time building ur extra curric. b/c of better curriculum thus better chance of increasing ur chances at specializing.

In terms of DDS/MBA
UCLA Buisness School >>> USF Business school

Why SF or LA? Care to give me some insight to the city... I would like to learn more about it..thanks!

Does UCLA offer a dual DDS/MBA program? If they do, that is awesome. I know that USF Business school isn't the best, but it will give you the knowledge you need to be better prepared to run a practice. I have an uncle who lived in LA for most of his life and he hated the traffic and crime. I hated visiting him and trying to figure out those freeway systems. However, I know the school is in a better part of LA. My friends in San Francisco love it there. I didn't apply to UCLA, but in retrospect I think it would be cool to attend a good school that has a good basketball and football team. UCSF lacks this.

 

[DDSWannaBe2007]

I believe school ranking wise (although not an official ranking) ucsf is better than ucla ~!!! because its a pure health professional environment!! but.. it could be boring in this sense... like you mentioned.. ucla has undergrad... and closer to my home.. ... tiring of moving around and start a new social group again~ where are you from ? sly wolf? (p.s I agree with you on the better looking girl/guy at ucla , hahaha)

 

[DDSWannaBe2007]

curriculum is intergrated.. into main streams... so less final exams...

 

[papichulo]

UCSF has a MBA programs?!?!?!?

UCSF is a health-only school. It only does health-related fields... med, dent, nursing, pharm...etc.

They have an agreement with USF that allows the students to get their MBA while at dental school. They use the DAT instead of the GMAT for admission requirements.

 

[Envision]

Does UCLA offer a dual DDS/MBA program? If they do, that is awesome. I know that USF Business school isn't the best, but it will give you the knowledge you need to be better prepared to run a practice. I have an uncle who lived in LA for most of his life and he hated the traffic and crime. I hated visiting him and trying to figure out those freeway systems. However, I know the school is in a better part of LA. My friends in San Francisco love it there. I didn't apply to UCLA, but in retrospect I think it would be cool to attend a good school that has a good basketball and football team. UCSF lacks this.

They do offer a dual DDS/MBA program. they also have DDS/MS, DDS/pHD, DDS MPH...and maybe others.

 

[papichulo]

They do offer a dual DDS/MBA program. they also have DDS/MS, DDS/pHD, DDS MPH...and maybe others.

Interesting, the more I hear about UCLA the more I regret not applying there!

 

[Sly Wolf]

UCSF has a MBA programs?!?!?!?

UCSF is a health-only school. It only does health-related fields... med, dent, nursing, pharm...etc.

UCSF does not have a business school, it's Dual Degree program uses USF's business school.

Hey Sly wolf,

what do you mean when you UCSF has a better curriculum? I havent receved anything from UCSF but i am still interested in knowing.

Ucla is 8-5pm Mon - Fri.
Ucsf is 8-2pm two days a week. From what I remember. This is exactly what UCLA wants to do according to my interviewer b/c there is ALOT of overlapp between courses, as well as stuff that is nice to know but really not all that necessary, that can be cut out of the didactics.
This extra time opens alot of doors for students...study time...research...work...sleep ... leadership...possiblities are endless =)!!

BTW I'm from Los Angeles..so I'm extremely familiar with LA...not so much with SF environment..thus I'm curious to learn more about it.

And yes UCLA does offer a dual degree program with Anderson school of business at UCLA...pretty enticing huh? =) Hope that helps..and really anyone who knows more or would like to correct me by all means ...=-P

 

[bruinpredent]

UCSF does not have a business school, it's Dual Degree program uses USF's business school.



Ucla is 8-5pm Mon - Fri.
Ucsf is 8-2pm two days a week. From what I remember. This is exactly what UCLA wants to do according to my interviewer b/c there is ALOT of overlapp between courses, as well as stuff that is nice to know but really not all that necessary, that can be cut out of the didactics.
This extra time opens alot of doors for students...study time...research...work...sleep ... leadership...possiblities are endless =)!!

BTW I'm from Los Angeles..so I'm extremely familiar with LA...not so much with SF environment..thus I'm curious to learn more about it.

And yes UCLA does offer a dual degree program with Anderson school of business at UCLA...pretty enticing huh? =) Hope that helps..and really anyone who knows more or would like to correct me by all means ...=-P

i've heard this as well, specifically from UCLA dental students. evidently they spend all day in class and lab, then come home and study until they pass out, day in and day out.

if i had a choice i'd personally go to UCLA, but then again its my undergrad so my choice is a bit biased 😀

 

[fancymylotus]

i've heard this as well, specifically from UCLA dental students. evidently they spend all day in class and lab, then come home and study until they pass out, day in and day out.

if i had a choice i'd personally go to UCLA, but then again its my undergrad so my choice is a bit biased 😀

mustve been madness there when you guys beat usc

 

[deejay]

UCSF does not have a business school, it's Dual Degree program uses USF's business school.



Ucla is 8-5pm Mon - Fri.
Ucsf is 8-2pm two days a week. From what I remember. This is exactly what UCLA wants to do according to my interviewer b/c there is ALOT of overlapp between courses, as well as stuff that is nice to know but really not all that necessary, that can be cut out of the didactics.
This extra time opens alot of doors for students...study time...research...work...sleep ... leadership...possiblities are endless =)!!

BTW I'm from Los Angeles..so I'm extremely familiar with LA...not so much with SF environment..thus I'm curious to learn more about it.

And yes UCLA does offer a dual degree program with Anderson school of business at UCLA...pretty enticing huh? =) Hope that helps..and really anyone who knows more or would like to correct me by all means ...=-P

It's hasn't been 8-5 mon-fri so far but it will be next quarter...🙁

 

[bruinpredent]

mustve been madness there when you guys beat usc

lets just say rubber bullets and tear gas were a part of the festivities last night

and couch burning...

 

[SFPredent]

Hi guys. I agree this is a very hard decision. I live in SF and was positive UCSF was far superior before I went to my interview. San Francisco is a beautiful friendly (small) city that is very easy to navigate via public transport, and the weather is not as bad as you make out, and there is no smog. Yes there are homeless etc but you have the GG park like a 3 minute walk from UCSF, perfect for de-stress walks and luches. Downtown SF nightlife is right there and UCSF dental has a to die for view of the ocean. They are also the number one research funded school in the country, so if you are interested in research (or interested in specializing) it has tons of opportunity. They also do have pass with special achievement or something, for whoever said it was strictly P/NP. But UCLA has a very impressive program, seems to be moving towards a more hybrid PBL type of curriculum, and from who I met has very impressive faculty. I think it may be slightly easier to specialize (they have all the specialties, UCSF is missing a few), their boards are slightly higher, average entering numbers higher, and are very committed to having you graduate once you enter. AS far as facilities, I think UCSF would be a nicer place to spend your days, but UCLA does have big windows and a big courtyard etc. I have not been a huge fan of LA in the past but the Westwood area feels like a little secluded community that you would rarely have to leave, which makes the traffic and congestion less of an issue. I think they have hugely improved the pt problem, everyone said that they really listen to the student imput. So there is my two cents. I am very torn. The faculty member that interviewed me at UCLA was incredibly intelligent and seemed helpful and encouraging, so he sort of pushed me towards UCLA. UCLA curriculum seems to be more hard core as well. I will hear next week, so we shall see........ Best of luck everyone!!!!!!

 

[dat_student]

At the interview they told us that ~1/3 go on to either do specialty programs, gpr's, etc at UCSF. I have heard UCLA is great for specializing. If you are sure about specializing go to UCLA. I liked UCSF because it is a good price and a good school for a dual DDS/MBA program. Also, I would choose San Francisco over LA.

UCSF>>including GPR and AEGD yes. excluding GPR+AEGD (i.e. true specialties) ~10%.

 

[dat_student]

... evidently they spend all day in class and lab,...

I wasn't in class all day (especially the 2nd 1/2 of this quarter)

 

[PDizzle]

To clear up this age old discussion:

What do you like? Smog or Fog???

You can specialize equally well at either school. Both schools don't have grades so it is based on your board scores and letters of rec, plus time you spent in the field.

It just doesn't matter. You can go anywhere in the field of dentistry you want to go at EITHER schools. It really comes down to where you want to live for 4 years. Don't get hung up on the match rates. There is a D3 in my Frat house that got a 98 on the boards but isn't gonna specialize. It just so happens that a lot of peeps here don't want to specialize. I'm not sure why.

Also, about class times at UCSF, we have 2 ISO times/week. ISO is a half day and you get out at noon. Other than that, its 8-5, M-F.


You can't make a bad choice between the two.


Peace out....

 

[icepinkish]

To clear up this age old discussion:

What do you like? Smog or Fog???

You can specialize equally well at either school. Both schools don't have grades so it is based on your board scores and letters of rec, plus time you spent in the field.

It just doesn't matter. You can go anywhere in the field of dentistry you want to go at EITHER schools. It really comes down to where you want to live for 4 years. Don't get hung up on the match rates. There is a D3 in my Frat house that got a 98 on the boards but isn't gonna specialize. It just so happens that a lot of peeps here don't want to specialize. I'm not sure why.

Also, about class times at UCSF, we have 2 ISO times/week. ISO is a half day and you get out at noon. Other than that, its 8-5, M-F.


You can't make a bad choice between the two.


Peace out....

Speaking of letter of rec for applying to specialty programs, I would think that the ISO time at UCSF really benefits students who want to specialize, since they can utilize the time to do research for professors or shadow specialists. How does it work at UCLA if students are in lectures/labs all day long? Plus, UCLA students are even in school every summer so it's not possible to do summer research. can any current student at either or both schools share some info about this?

Also, I was browsing through the UCSF web pages and trying to see what their student life is like. However, I could not find anything such as the activity calendar or event pictures. So can any current ucsf student talk about what your social life is like? I have heard from some students that they join dental frats, and that's how they meet upperclassmen who can give advice and help. However, according to my student interviewer, she had to put in lots of effort and be very active in order to find upperclassmen's help. At UCLA, on the other hand, I was told that students of different years are put in teams, so it's very easy to find help from upper class pals.

Speaking of location, I personally like SF much more than LA. I also like the new curriculum and the faculty at UCSF more. However, the high specialty matching rate and the seemingly better social life at UCLA just make me unable to make up my mind.

Great thread btw!🙂

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

I'm torn between the two as well.
Let's try a Pros and Cons list for both...

UCLA
Pros:
Very High Specialty Matching Rate, In the process of upgrading curriculum, Weather, Fun City, Safe Location, Affiliated with Undergrad (UCLA FOOTBALL=D), Good looking girls, great gym, Price, great faculty, Student exchange in JAPAN
Cons:
Used be Patients but have now have gone through alot of trouble and I got ZERO complaints from any 3rd or 4th yr about a lack of patients (i've spoken to at least 8 or 9 students). Getting around in LA can be Hassle...TRAFFIC. Air quality. VERY RIGORIOUS DIDACTICS, Pass Fail is weird ( Pass has Honors, Pass, and Marginal pass which sounds alot like grades to me)

UCSF
Pros:
Have come further along in terms of curriculum thus More time for Extra Curricular (research, naps =D), Fun city, safe location, Easy to get around the city, great housing (Mission Bay is amazing), great gym, Price, Great chance at specialty, great patient pool, Stictly PASS FAIL, Great faculty,
Cons:
Weather is gloomy, no undergrad = no football.NO student exchanges or anything abroad!

PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST PEOPLE...but UCSF seems more and more appealing upon more thought, I love LA though...so still torn! =) HOpe that helps!

according to your pros and cons, sounds like UCSF is the better choice.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Does UCLA offer a dual DDS/MBA program? If they do, that is awesome. I know that USF Business school isn't the best, but it will give you the knowledge you need to be better prepared to run a practice. I have an uncle who lived in LA for most of his life and he hated the traffic and crime. I hated visiting him and trying to figure out those freeway systems. However, I know the school is in a better part of LA. My friends in San Francisco love it there. I didn't apply to UCLA, but in retrospect I think it would be cool to attend a good school that has a good basketball and football team. UCSF lacks this.

Yes UCLA offers a DDS/MBA.

 

[Anemone]

lets just say rubber bullets and tear gas were a part of the festivities last night

and couch burning...

you're still going to a loser-bowl though

I'm happy USC lost cause now I get to watch them at the rose bowl from the field

 

[dat_student]

...Plus, UCLA students are even in school every summer so it's not possible to do summer research. can any current student at either or both schools share some info about this?
...

You can study and do research here at UCLA. In fact, I am going to do both. There are plenty research opportunities here at UCLA. Research is not mandatory. If you are interested there are plenty research opportunities. I've had no problems finding many research opportunities.

 

[GRAD]

go to UCLA, its the better school between the two. Thats from what I knew as a non pre dent. i know its hard to choose, but it even sounds better =)

 

[PDizzle]

Also, I was browsing through the UCSF web pages and trying to see what their student life is like. However, I could not find anything such as the activity calendar or event pictures. So can any current ucsf student talk about what your social life is like? I have heard from some students that they join dental frats, and that's how they meet upperclassmen who can give advice and help. However, according to my student interviewer, she had to put in lots of effort and be very active in order to find upperclassmen's help. At UCLA, on the other hand, I was told that students of different years are put in teams, so it's very easy to find help from upper class pals.

Speaking of location, I personally like SF much more than LA. I also like the new curriculum and the faculty at UCSF more. However, the high specialty matching rate and the seemingly better social life at UCLA just make me unable to make up my mind.

Great thread btw!🙂

Well, I joined a frat and it turned out to be real cool. I reccomend Psi Omega here at SF. We study hard and also party hard. Living at the house (a 15 room mansion, 2 blocks from campus) is a great way to meet lots of people, including upper classmen, who help you out a lot!!

The lowest board I score at the house was a 90 and the highest was a 98! The average seems to be about 93-94. So don't worry about mixing the "frat life" with your studies.

About ISO time, it is there so you can do other things. In UCSF we all have to take 8 electives over the course of 4 years and you can squeeze them in during ISO time. In addition, the first summer you have off. Most either take the board exam or do research (or both for the truely dedicated).

Lastly, don't get hung up on the specialty rates of the two schools. If you study your a$$ off, you will get a great board score. Niether school has grades so what's left is your letters of rec and the amount of time you devote to your specialty.

Crunching numbers and stats to make a decision is the wrong way to go, IMO. Things like: general feeling you got from the faculty, surrounding area, attitude of other students and the state of the facilities should be in the forefront of your decision. Again, you can't make a wrong choice between the two.

Congrtas to all who fotunately have to make that decision!


🙂

 

[dentchick12345]

Crunching numbers and stats to make a decision is the wrong way to go, IMO. Things like: general feeling you got from the faculty, surrounding area, attitude of other students and the state of the facilities should be in the forefront of your decision. Again, you can't make a wrong choice between the two.

that's reallly good advice. I have a choice between the 2 schools too and i'm torn on where to go...so far, all i have been doing is trying to crunch numbers and stats about the school..and i still haven't decide. i like ur advice though. I'm going to keep it in mind when i'm making my decision over x-mas break. I am visiting ucsf in january though w/ my D1 friend to see how i like it

 

[DDSWannaBe2007]

thanks for all the inputs! 👍
they are reallly good thoughts n' info! i still havent decided which one tho.

 

[keibee82]

Like everyone said, they are both great schools and you really can't make a wrong decision here. Juss flip the coin or something 🙂

 

[icepinkish]

Yes UCLA offers a DDS/MBA.

If you don't mind me asking, would one have to take the GMAT in order to be considered for this dual degree program at ucla?

 

[drhobie7]

Couple things...
Yes you take the GMAT to do the DDS/MBA program. My opinion is the MBA program is a waste of time and money unless you want to market yourself as a consultant and never practice dentistry. Don't argue it'll make you a better businessperson, because you don't need a full MBA education for that.

Most people who grew up in the Bay Area do not like LA and look forward to moving back there after dental school. I bet the converse is true in general for people from southern CA.

I talked with a 4th year at UCSF about our clinical lives and he painted a depressing picture. He described more red tape in clinic and essentially a more frustrating experience treating patients. Frankly I think you'd get flakier patients at UCSF due to the numbers of homeless people/hippies that can access the school by walking.

UCSF is a fine school that will permit you to do whatever you can work to achieve. If you're trying to decide between the two, remember to consider that in general, people from SF don't like living in LA and vice versa. It is my opinion that UCLA offers a nicer clinical experience overall. The students below my class are really lucky because they'll be benefiting from tons of changes that are already streamlined.

Go with your gut feeling.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

If you don't mind me asking, would one have to take the GMAT in order to be considered for this dual degree program at ucla?

Yea, you have to apply to it like everyone else who applies to a traditional MBA program.

 

[MoobDDS]

bump. It's such a hard decision.

 

[icepinkish]

yeah... can anyone add more thought on this thread? I still cannot decide.

I don't know if it was just me, but I liked interviewing at ucsf more than ucla. At ucsf, they gave an informative presentation and had many faculty members come to talk to us. They also gave a folder which enclosed with lots of info. At ucla, not much was presented that day by the faculty members (dr. sanders and dr. bibb together talked for ~30 minutes). The folder ucla gave us also contained limited info about the school. Even the acceptance letter doesn't say much. The time with the students there was helpful, but I just felt I would like to hear about the research opportunities, the housing options, and the curriculum being presented in a better way by the faculty. The interview experience made me wonder if the ucla faculty doesn't care as much as the faculty at ucsf.

I would like to specialize in the future, so ucla seems to be a better choice if only the numbers are looked at. However the faculty at ucsf appeared to be more helpful and caring. SF and LA are both fine cities for me, so I really don't know how to decide.

Can any current ucla student comment on the faculty's attitude there? Are they approachable? Are they helpful? Also, can any UCSF student talk aobut the social life on a small campus where there is very little or no interaction among the different schools? Any info would be greatly appreciated--I want to decide soon where to deposit my $200 so there can be one more person who gets in one of these 2 great schools Thanks!!

 

[shinji]

The best way to answer your questions is to address them to the deans of admission of both schools. Just send them an email and ask them to clarify those areas that you are concerned.

 

[Snahster]

UCLA is far superior to UCSF. Their sim-lab is WAY more advanced than SF's and based on interview, the students at LA seemed muuuuch happier than SF students. UCLA is in westwood which is a really nice part of L.A. Dr. Bibb is on the committee in charge of reformatting the boards exams which means you will have 1st hand advice from her when the boards do change (which is set to happen soon). If I were you, I would pick LA. It's cheaper than SF too.

 

[DDSWannaBe2007]

any more inputs? 🙂

 

[TheBestDoctor]

Uuuuuccccccclllllllaaaaaaaaaaa Bbbbaaaabbbbyyyyyy!!!!!
1) Better Weather
2) Closer To Socal
3) Hotter Girls....i Think Because Its Closer To Socal
4) Better Sports Teams
5) I Go There
6) If Your Homophobic.....ucla Is Better
7)