UCLA Thread... part 01

[Mrxle3]

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I believe UCLA requires a LOR from a dentist, so yes you'll have to get one or it'd be impossible to gain admission. Just ask the dentist that you shadowed for a letter. Research is not going to keep you from getting admitted; I was admitted even though I left the "research" portion of the AADSAS completely blank.

 

[dat_student]

since you guys got into ucla, I have some questions for you guys.
I live in california right now and trying to apply ucla this cycle.
I got my bac. deg at ucsb and did my pre-reqs in CC. my gpa
and dat scores are pretty good but I don't have lor from any dentist.
I heard uc schools are hard to get in without any research
experience and dentist letter. Is it true? should I even bother applying?

I didn't have a letter of recommendation from a dentist* but I was involved in a number of research groups. UCLA, UCSF and other schools accepted me. Some dental schools definitely want a letter of recommendation from a dentist. In my opinion, GPA and DAT are more important than anything else. Make sure you have some shadowing experience. That's very important. I wish you the best of luck. Hope to see you @UCLA 🙂

*Mainly because my dentist wanted me to write the letter of recommendation. I couldn't do that.

 

[KAP]

all my LOR's were from my undergrad professors. So an LOR from a dentist is not required, but highly recommended. also, if you get LOR's from a teacher, make sure they are a doctor of something.

 

[deejay]

Always apply because you never know. You don't need a LOR from a dentist necessarily, just make sure to convince them that you understand what the profession is all about and that you have what it takes to make it through school.

This all sounds pretty generic but thats the way it is... well good luck.

 

[DentistDevilDog]

I didn't do any research or get a LOR from a dentist. So the obviously don't require it.

 

[ItsAnotherOne]

In looking at the class schedule, I realized that we start kate on Thursday and end very early on Friday. This is nice.

 

[dat_student]

In looking at the class schedule, I realized that we start kate on Thursday and end very early on Friday. This is nice.

Fabulous

 

[howui3]

have you guys started collecting teeth?

i'm about to call that chemical company suggested in the email to order some formalin. the company looks all shady...


just called and placed an order, the lady seemed nice, and it's pretty cheep. 1L of that poison is only $14, and the collecting jars are $2.70/each, shipping is another $7, but it's at your house the next day.


happy teeth hunting...

 

[KAP]

i'm lucky my mom is best friends with an oral surgeon!

 

[howui3]

i'm lucky my mom is best friends with an oral surgeon!

during my shadowing days i did a rotation at a oral surgery group practice. there were 3 oral surgeons! lets hope that yeilds some good teeth.

 

[dat_student]

have you guys started collecting teeth?...

happy teeth hunting...

100-150 teeth with no cavities????!!!!! 😱 Not sure if I can collect that many. e.g. who would ask a dentist to extract a maxillary central incisor that has no caries?!!!!!!! 😕

 

[keibee82]

hey I just enrolled pre-dental quadrant denture lab technique
course at ucla this summer. Have any of you guys taken this
course? Does this really help??

 

[allyzun]

hey I just enrolled pre-dental quadrant denture lab technique
course at ucla this summer. Have any of you guys taken this
course? Does this really help??

I thought the course was awesome and I think it'll give you a small taste of what pre-clinical labs are going to be like. Also, if you do well, the teacher writes you a letter which can help round out your application with a little dental/manual dexterity experience.

 

[dat_student]

🙂 Just ordered jars and formalin:

8 jars: $2 each>>>> $16
2 liters of formalin>> $26
UPS & TAX
--------------------------
...................approx.$54-$55

I'll probably get 'em by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week 🙂
Hope I can collect some incisors & canines

 

[howui3]

🙂 Just ordered jars and formalin:

8 jars: $2 each>>>> $16
2 liters of formalin>> $26
UPS & TAX
--------------------------
...................approx.$54-$55

I'll probably get 'em by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week 🙂
Hope I can collect some incisors & canines

I ordered all it on monday evening, and UPS delivered it Wed. evening. pretty good turnaround time.

 

[KAP]

why did you order 8 jars and 2 liters?!

 

[dat_student]

why did you order 8 jars and 2 liters?!

I am thinking about collecting teeth from 8 dentists.

 

[KAP]

so you cant have one jar filled from one dentist and give that jar to another dentist?

 

[dat_student]

so you cant have one jar filled from one dentist and give that jar to another dentist?

That can be done too. 🙂 I guess I ordered too many. 😳

 

[reven]

How much formalin do you guys put into the jars? 3/4 full? half? quarter? I'm guessing too much and the jar will overflow...

 

[howui3]

so you cant have one jar filled from one dentist and give that jar to another dentist?

but if you give each dentist a jar, then you will be collecting from 4 (or as some overachievers do - 8) dentists at once.

or as Ronco says: "Set it and forget it!"

 

[mitosis]

I am thinking about collecting teeth from 8 dentists.

8 jars? Dang! I know who I'll be friends with come this fall! j/k
happy collecting 👍

 

[mkdhappy]

i guess everyone is out making deals with other dentists for teeth collection. why did you all leave this thread to jump to 2nd page. (i gotta start doing that soon).

but okie, whatever that's being on first page reminds me of the application cycle last year. 😳

well, i was away for a LONG time, now i guess it's time to be back and to get to know you all early, rather than when school starts.

QUESTION: who's doing their health clearance at UCLA? did you have any problem at them pulling out your information? cuz they said they can't find me on the system. sighz!

have a HOT day you all.

 

[dat_student]

...
well, i was away for a LONG time, now i guess it's time to be back...

welcome back 🙂

...
QUESTION: who's doing their health clearance at UCLA?

I didn't know we could do that. Sounds like a very good idea.

P.S. 😍 I love UCLA 😍

 

[KAP]

wish i was in LA right now! everyday it just rains here in south florida! ugh

 

[dat_student]

wish i was in LA right now! ...

me too. 🙂 (UCLA >> 😍 )

 

[mkdhappy]

welcome back 🙂

Thanks. I'll try to be devoted to this site just as much as you are. But then again, it seems like you'll beat me, and many others, to it. 😀

I didn't know we could do that. Sounds like a very good idea.

yes...i think so! But until they can find me on the system, then all would "really" sound like a very good idea. 🙂

P.S. 😍 I love UCLA 😍

who doesn't? ke ke ke. I'm not being as humble as i should be right now...i guess i should sound a little more humble... "yes, i also love UCLA as well..." 😍

...and it has been SO HOT lately! I'm sure KAP is very envious. 😛 😀 Just wait a little longer KAP. 🙂

 

[mkdhappy]

remember to apply for parkings people. Just thought i'd remind you all.

...with that said, i should probably get off this site, and then close my eyes for another 3 hours! 😴 ...

 

[dat_student]

remember to apply for parkings people. Just thought i'd remind you all...

Oh oh, I haven't applied yet. Thanks for the reminder.
-----------------------
😍 UCLA 😍

 

[dat_student]

Earlier today, I contacted the housing office (1-310-206-7011). Apparently, for Weyburn Terrace residents it's too soon to apply for a parking permit. I was told I might receive a packet regarding parking permits or upon arrival I can apply for a parking permit. The process for Weyburn residents seems to be a bit different.

 

[dat_student]

http://map.ais.ucla.edu/portal/site...toid=e4d8d68ea77b2010VgnVCM1000008f8443a4RCRD

"Each of the Weyburn Terrace apartment buildings has gated underground parking. This on-site parking is available at an additional cost.

Parking will be offered to prospective Weyburn Terrace residents who accept their housing offer. Residents will be issued a Weyburn Terrace parking permit upon check-in. Please visit the UCLA Parking Services website for fees and other information.

Weyburn Terrace parking permit holders cannot purchase additional permits for other UCLA parking structures. However, Weyburn Terrace parking permits are valid on campus weekdays 4:30 p.m. - 7 a.m. and on weekends and university holidays in selected areas. These areas are all numbered and lettered areas including those designated for Blue (Mobility) and "X" (Preferred) permits (unless reserved at all times) and Visitors. The exceptions are Areas 5, 13, 15, 35, DD, SH, SV, MC/Restricted, E, Tiverton House and 17 (after dusk.)"

 

[mcshow2]

Well boys and girls... Long time no posting, but I'm back. I have joined the party and also ordered my 1L of formalin, my 4 collecting jars, my 300 slices of White Wonder Bread, my 30 jars of smuckers grape jelly, and lastly my 30 jars of Skippy peanut butter (15 creamy, 15 crunchy.)

Here is my plan:

I am going to make 300 sandwiches, yes that is right, 300 sandwiches (pb and j obviously) and I am going to take them to downtown portland with my jars, my formalin, and my pliers (sp?). I am going to talk to homeless people and tell them that I will give them the sandwich if they do the small task of letting me extract their least favorite tooth (as long as it's cavity free.) I think they'll go for this.

I see nothing but upsides here...

a) I get to help feed the poor
b) I get my teeth
c) I get much needed practice
d) I help their self image by ridding them of their least favorite tooth.

Go ahead guys, I posted the plan so perhaps you can implement it and benefit from my (not to toot my own horn, but...) OUTSTANDING idea.

Alright boys and girls, have at it!

 

[KAP]

why can't we just go to a morgue?

 

[dat_student]

I just received my jars & formalin. hurrayyyyyyy!


P.S. I still can't believe I got into UCLA SOD. A dream come true, indeed. We have an amazing group of students in our class. You all are fabulous. 😍 UCLA c/o 2010 😍

 

[ToothMonster]

Has anyone been able to see their financial aide award yet on URSA, or anywhere?

 

[ziptree]

Don't count on financial aid being processed at least for a little while yet. When I applied, they processed current students' aid packages first before incoming students.

I'll see all you guys here in a few short months.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Just got mine too! I wonder what they're gonna look like when they're full.

Hmmm ponder 😕

I just received my jars & formalin. hurrayyyyyyy!

 

[Mrxle3]

Have you guys done your health stuff yet? Like physical, shots, etc? I haven't done any of it (studying for finals!). So far, I've only done housing, financial aid, and got my formalin jars!

 

[ziptree]

Just have the health stuff ready to turn in by the first week of school...it's all fine. Just get housing and financial aid done.

 

[mcshow2]

On the topic of financial aid...

Where it says total finances - estimated student contribution - estimated family contribution = financial need...

Does anyone know if most students get close to their financial need in grants, scholarships and low interest loans? (Cuz I have a hell of a lot of need.)

I'm stressin majorly over the financial aspects of this deal...

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Have you guys done your health stuff yet? Like physical, shots, etc? I haven't done any of it (studying for finals!). So far, I've only done housing, financial aid, and got my formalin jars!

Nope.

 

[ziptree]

On the topic of financial aid...

Where it says total finances - estimated student contribution - estimated family contribution = financial need...

Does anyone know if most students get close to their financial need in grants, scholarships and low interest loans? (Cuz I have a hell of a lot of need.)

I'm stressin majorly over the financial aspects of this deal...

Yes. The entire need will be met by either grants, scholarships, and loans, if you're instate and don't have a $1400/month apartment...they give you a sizeable amount of financial aid. Their first year will include a good amount of free money (don't expect much more than $10,000 in free aid if you're lucky). This free money gets cut down in later years...but so does the expected cost of attendance.

As for loans, I don't know what qualifies as "low interest"...the going rate for Stafford loans are going to be ~6.8% starting July 1, 2006 (and I believe there's a new law that will fix it at this rate for an unspecified amount of time). The Stafford loan interest rate was ~4.7% this past year. For Stafford loans, the maximum amount you can borrow is $8,500 subsidized and $30,000 unsubsidized.

Subsidized Perkins and HPSL loans will total about $6,000-$8,000 combined (at least they've been around these figures for me), and fixed at 5% for the life of the loan.

Don't be suprised if you're borrowing around $40,000 a year for the first two years, and maybe a little less than that for the remaining two years.

Don't worry, they'll make sure all your paperwork is filled out. =) PM me if you have any other questions...I'll give you my AIM screenname too if you want.

 

[ziptree]

i'm lucky my mom is best friends with an oral surgeon!

Oral surgeons pull third molars...the only thing third molars will be good for is mounting operative teeth so you can remove cusps and build them up. And for those, you can use carious teeth anyways. Third molars usually have open root apices and abnormal crown and root anatomy so they can't be used for Endodontics lab.

What you really want are intact mandibular and maxillary molars for Endodontics lab...if you're lucky, the OMS will be pullling these teeth for someone who wants dentures/implants, but don't neglect the GPs since they'll pull easier molars and anteriors (who wants to refer away an easy case and lose $?).

 

[caliluv]

Hey everyone!

im gonna be goin to ucla this fall with the rest of you guys 🙂 im comin from DC..... and i am really worried about the whole living situation. i applied to weyburn and the rest of the graduate apts and i have no idea when they are supposed to let us know if we've received housing or not. the whole system is really disappointing actually, they are really bad at giving information and tryin to help students out (esp those comin from the other side of the continent!!). anyway my alternative plan is to find an apt really close to the school, and so i am looking for a roommate (female)... i'm prolly goin to come at the end of this month to look for apts, so anyone interested let me know!

 

[deejay]

congratulations

 

[mcshow2]

Thank you ziptree for your info. I will definitely PM you when I have other questions. 😀

 

[drhobie7]

Check out www.craigslist.com for apartments. You can search under 'westwood', 'brentwood', 'beverly hills', and 'west LA', all of which will be close enough to get you to school in 15-20 minutes. Regarding living in Westwood, unless you're on the east side by Hilgard, you're going to spend at least 15 minutes walking to class. Some of the hills are pretty steep too. I'd rather save the $ and live in west LA than the undergrad area of Westwood. The time to drive from other areas is similar to the time to walk from undergrad Westwood....unless you're a powerwalker. 😛

 

[ziptree]

Wow, that is an AMAZING avatar, Sol. =)

Oh, dude...Oral Medicine with Younai is so hard...or maybe I'm so dumb. 🙁

PS: http://losangeles.craigslist.org Make sure you're looking in the LA section of craigslist. =P

 

[drhobie7]

Wow, that is an AMAZING avatar, Sol. =)

I got it in Japan. There's some weird stuff over there. For those of you who don't know, possibly the greatest thing about UCLA is the opportunity to be 1 of 10 students who go to Japan for free during Spring Break of 3rd year on an exchange trip. You meet awesome people and have the time of your life. Without question the best trip I've ever been on.

 

[mitosis]

Have you guys done your health stuff yet? Like physical, shots, etc? I haven't done any of it (studying for finals!). So far, I've only done housing, financial aid, and got my formalin jars!

I finished all my health stuff last week - The whole thing costed me only $50. I suggest that if you still have access to your school's health center, get the blood tests done before you graduate (so it's cheaper).