UCLA Thread... part 01

[EyeAmCommi]

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UCSF just rejected me.

 

[mcshow2]

UCSF just rejected me.

F 'em. they just got wind you were gonna go to la anywayz. they are just trying to save face. 😉

 

[dat_student]

UCSF just rejected me.

Be happy. your #1 choice (i.e. UCLA) accepted you. 🙂

P.S. @predents.com UCLA has the highest %attending (close to 80%).

 

[howui3]

in case anybody else wanted to know:

i contacted frank douccette at the financial aid office about the dean's scholarships and he siad:

All Dean's Scholarships for your class have been offered. If an opening comes up, and you are selected, you would receive a letter from Dean Park and an email from me.

 

[mcshow2]

Question... For the 2x2 pic for the bruin card... how did you guys do that...? Digital pic on regular paper? Photo paper...? Regular pic cut it with scissors...? etc?

Thanks.

 

[dat_student]

Question... For the 2x2 pic for the bruin card... how did you guys do that...? Digital pic on regular paper? Photo paper...? Regular pic cut it with scissors...? etc?

Thanks.

Photo paper & white background. FedEx Kinko's 2x2 photos aren't bad.

 

[KAP]

you can get passport photos at CVS/Eckerds

 

[vikings022000]

off topic, but my dental advisor asked where I got in, and I told him I was going to UCLA. he went off about this thing about how uscf was the best in the nation in research and clinical... 😡 made me kinda mad. i know ucsf is a great school, not taking anything away from them, but an unheard of amount of specialization and 2nd highest board scores in the country do argue otherwise. in my opinion no one school is "better" than the other. you just go to the school that you feel more comfortable with. i guess what burst my bubble was the fact that he was so heavily biased towards uscf in our convo., which i guess is ok since it's just his perspective.

btw the same advisor told me to apply after i took my dat's in summer, so essentially i applied late by following his advice.

again, 😡

 

[dat_student]

off topic, but my dental advisor asked where I got in, and I told him I was going to UCLA. he went off about this thing about how uscf was the best in the nation in research and clinical... 😡 made me kinda mad. i know ucsf is a great school, not taking anything away from them, but an unheard of amount of specialization and 2nd highest board scores in the country do argue otherwise. in my opinion no one school is "better" than the other. you just go to the school that you feel more comfortable with. i guess what burst my bubble was the fact that he was so heavily biased towards uscf in our convo., which i guess is ok since it's just his perspective.

btw the same advisor told me to apply after i took my dat's in summer, so essentially i applied late by following his advice.

again, 😡

My advisor, my dentist and former classmates have told me to pick UCSF over UCLA but I still think UCLA is better. I just don't get why UCSF's match rate is low. Outside the Bay Area people seem to think UCLA School of Dentistry is better and harder to get into. Vikings, you are making me second guess my decision. I hope I am not making a mistake by choosing UCLA over UCSF.

 

[vikings022000]

DAT, maybe the crowd applying to ucsf want's go to into general dentistry, and ucsf offers them an affordable avenue to do so. consider the alternatives for general dentistry in CA... loma linda, usc, uop (all are private and cost quite a bit more), and maybe ucla (although ucla is known for specialization). so, even though they can specialize if they choose to do so, they choose instead to go into general practice. Of course, this is just my little theory, lol.

I feel you should be able to specialize coming out of both schools, as both schools are great, but go with the one that you feel more comfortable with, because in the end, you'll be happier there.

ps-how can u go wrong being blocks away from santa monica 😀

 

[dat_student]

DAT, maybe the crowd applying to ucsf want's go to into general dentistry, and ucsf offers them an affordable avenue to do so. consider the alternatives for general dentistry in CA... loma linda, usc, uop (all are private and cost quite a bit more), and maybe ucla (although ucla is known for specialization). so, even though they can specialize if they choose to do so, they choose instead to go into general practice. Of course, this is just my little theory, lol.

I feel you should be able to specialize coming out of both schools, as both schools are great, but go with the one that you feel more comfortable with, because in the end, you'll be happier there.

ps-how can u go wrong being blocks away from santa monica 😀

Vikings, I am so torn again. I cannot focus on my readings anymore. I am going to UCSF to talk to someone in person. I so want to do extremely well on that NBDE-I test. UCSF gives me a hella lota time to study for that test. The match rate is the only thing that is preventing me to choose UCSF over UCLA.

 

[Mrxle3]

My decision to attend UCLA had nothing to do with statistics, numbers, match rates, or any of that stuff. BOTH schools to me are on equal ground in terms of school and students; the only factors that I considered were location and housing. That is it. Both schools are great, I love both schools, and I feel honored that I had the choice to choose between the two.

 

[KAP]

you guys needs to realize that UCLA is one of the best schools for dentistry. Who cares what your advisor said. I know that certain people can have a huge influence over the decision you make, but in the end, everyone becomes a dentist... REGARDLESS of where you went to get the education for it. With that said, pick the school that's best for YOU, not what other people believe is best for you. i guarantee you all will become successful dentists in the future.

and for people who are truely torn between UCSF and UCLA... go to ucla and match at UCSF for whatever specialty program you choose... its a win-win situation.

 

[Mrxle3]

Hi KAP, hope to meet you in the fall.

I wanted to ask, what makes you guys so sure that you want to specialize? What are the factors in your motivation? I seem to be one of the few entering UCLA students who as of now want my options open, but do not plan on specializing.

 

[vikings022000]

you guys needs to realize that UCLA is one of the best schools for dentistry. Who cares what your advisor said. I know that certain people can have a huge influence over the decision you make, but in the end, everyone becomes a dentist... REGARDLESS of where you went to get the education for it. With that said, pick the school that's best for YOU, not what other people believe is best for you. i guarantee you all will become successful dentists in the future.

and for people who are truely torn between UCSF and UCLA... go to ucla and match at UCSF for whatever specialty program you choose... its a win-win situation.

i agree kap, i don't really care what my advisor said. it's not a dilemma for me. i was just saying i was upset that he was so biased. now that i think about it, though, i know just as many people that are biased towards ucla. DAT, i would stick with your first choice (UCLA).

 

[vikings022000]

Hi KAP, hope to meet you in the fall.

I wanted to ask, what makes you guys so sure that you want to specialize? What are the factors in your motivation? I seem to be one of the few entering UCLA students who as of now want my options open, but do not plan on specializing.

hello mrxle. i just have an inclination towards specializing. i think it is because when shadowing, i had much better experiences with specialists (ortho, endo, perio) than i did with general dentists. however, i am not 100% sure as to which specialty i want to pursue, or even if i want to specialize at this point. i am hoping i can make these decisions within the first year or two.

 

[Mrxle3]

Hope to see you in the fall viking!

 

[howui3]

wanted to chime in as well.

unlike some of you guys i was never torn between sf and la, since only la accepted me. nevertheless, i am very happy about my decision. i'm from socal and product of the uc system and ucla was my #1 choice from the start.

what you should realize that any dental school will allow you to specialize, if you put your mid to it and study very hard. from talking to students and looking at the #s both uc's are amazing. both schools will teach you the material to do well on the boards and the dental procedures to be a great dentist. i have shadowed 3 ucla dental alums, two are general and one omfs and all of them rave about ucla.


as for specialties, i am also leaning towards specializing only because of what i've seen while shadowing. but i am also keeping my options open. so far i really enjoyed watching/helping out at a omfs office. but if in dental school i fall in love with dentures or want to help kids set off metal detectors, i'll do that.

see you all in September!

 

[mcshow2]

DATman: you should be more confident in yourself than this! UCLA with the same cirriculum and study preperation was tenth of percentage points away from being the best NBDE 1 school in the nation. I'm sure you will have ample time to study. I wouldn't make my decision based on who has more time to study for the boards. Look at what school HAS DONE BETTER on the boards, and look at WHAT SCHOOL has matched the most students. I think the studying for the boards is supposed to be the first two years of DENTAL SCHOOL, not the first two summers. I hope you understand that your life course will not be altered (in terms of your long term goals) by choosing ucla over ucsf or vice versa. Both can get you where you want to go. Me and DJSahand both declined invites to ucsf interviews because we didn't want this dilemma. 👍

Vikings: I have learned one steadfast truth in my pre-dental career... The best dental school in the world is the one that the person you are talking to went to or is familiar with. Never fails. That said, I do think that up until a few years ago, UCSF was regarded as the better school. That has all changed with the improvements to the clinical side at UCLA, rennovations, etc. But what school really is the best...? UCLA! Thats where I'm going!

Mrxle: I am going to dental school because i want to do ortho or pediatrics. Some people go to dental school to do general. From what i have heard, 90% of people come out doing something different than they intended on. All we have is our shadowing, limited experience if any, and our relationships with people in the field to go off of. I think our eyes will truly be opened starting this september. Dont worry that you dont have your heart set on a specialty, we got a long road with lots of information ahead.

PS My 2x2 mugshot is the ugliest thing i have ever seen, lol. I look like i should be in jail... or in vegas because it looks like I have lipstick on. it wasn't even worthy of photopaper... i printed it out on regular crisp white paper.

 

[KAP]

i woke up and went to CVS.. my pillow did my hair

 

[drhobie7]

OK guys and girls,
If you're trying to decide between the numbers...don't. I don't believe it has any bearing on your potential for success. My advice is to re-visit each school, talk to some students and faculty (while realizing you might catch some at a bad time and others at a good time).

I've made this point before and firmly believe it: Dental school will be the toughest thing you've ever experienced thus far. You need to be in an environment that is supportive and makes you happy. You should go to the school/city/community that makes you feel this way ---> happiest. Your feelings and emotions are not influenced by numbers, your classmates' grades or match rates. They are affected by the people around you and the environment you are in. Making this decision based on NBDE scores or match rates is heading in the wrong direction, regardless of what you want to do. OK? Now get to it!

 

[dat_student]

I just came back from UCSF. I spoke with the assistant dean, the director of the OMFS program, the admissions coordinator, and other admissions people. I'll shortly post a summary of what I found out. It's now UCLA 99.99999999999999999999%: UCSF 0.00000000000000000001%

 

[mcshow2]

Dr. Hobie strikes again with the wisdom!!!

kap- what is cvs?

And dr. hobie... that post sounded borderline impartial... which goes against my theory above. Next time, I would appreciate your advice to have a little more pro-ucla slant. thankyou. 😉

datman- i am looking forward to hearing your reasoning.

All- be well.

 

[Mrxle3]

CVS is a pharmacy.

 

[L8DYV]

go bruins!! 🙂

 

[howui3]

how many votes do you guys think it takes to get a few golden stars next to this thread?

🙂

 

[KAP]

sorry for talking about east coast pharmacy stores.... my bad.. right now i'm WASTED, just took my last final of undergrad!

 

[howui3]

sorry for talking about east coast pharmacy stores.... my bad.. right now i'm WASTED, just took my last final of undergrad!

congrats!!! graduating is good times!!!

there are CVS here in socal as well, infact there is one in westwood, on westwood blvd very close to the ucla caplus.

party on....

 

[drhobie7]

And dr. hobie... that post sounded borderline impartial... which goes against my theory above. Next time, I would appreciate your advice to have a little more pro-ucla slant. thankyou. 😉

Hehe. Yeah, it was impartial. Here's my perspective: I don't need to sell UCLA to anybody. It's like that line in Pulp Fiction: "I don't have to sell this 'cause this **** sells itself." I know it's an outstanding school. If they know it and want to come here great. If they don't know it, that's ok and I'm glad they'll go elsewhere. I certainly don't want people here who would have been happier staying up in SF. So there you have it. The best students to have at UCLA are those who are fun, kind, intelligent, and can think of nowhere else they'd rather be. Regarding that last quality, that's something I can't convince them, nor would I want to. They either feel it or they don't.

Party on. 👍

 

[L8DYV]

go bruins!! 🙂

 

[dat_student]

...
datman- i am looking forward to hearing your reasoning.
...

#1)
No dean's scholarship (UCSF only gives 4 dean's scholarships)
UCLA has given me a dean's scholarship

#2)
All housing options are terrible.
There are two options:
a)
Parnassus (near campus):
I have to share a university-owned house with 5-7 other people. In fact, I even have to share my room with 2-3 other people. That's terrible.
b)
mission bay:
It's a 30-45 min drive (round-trip 60-90 min).

UCLA has selected me "to receive an allocated position in one of the university owned apartments." (most likely weyburn terrace which is a block away from UCLA School of Dentistry). I won't have to share my room and bathroom with anyone. Plus, it's a walking distance to school. I won't have to drive.

#3)
I save at least $18,000-$20,000 if I choose UCLA.

#4)
UCSF's match rate is low. Last year 34 UCSF students successfully matched to post-DDS programs (i.e. including GPR, AEGD, publich health, army & including 24 international dentists). That's usually the norm for UCSF. In 2004 & 2005, ~35 UCSF students got accepted to post-DDS programs (including GPR and AEGD) and ~11-12 of those got accepted to specialty programs.

class size = 80 + 24 international dentists = 104 students


#5)
UCSF's ortho program has no director. UCSF doesn't seem to be a good choice for those who like ortho.

#6)
UCSF won't give me two summers to study for the NBDE-I. There is only one long break. It's after 1st yr from June to October (~3.5-4 months).

------------------

UCSF seems to have one positive. It has an excellent OMFS program. Last year, six UCSF students applied and successfully matched to OMFS programs. Two of those six students were accepted by UCSF.

There is one thing that I haven't figured out. UCLA has told me that ~50% of students successfully match to specialty programs (excluding GPR and AEGD) and ~75% successfully match to post-DDS programs (i.e. including GPR and AEGD).

Current UCLA students say, last year, 17 students got into ortho and 2 successfully matched to OMFS programs.

Class size = 88 + some international dentists = 100

1/2 * class size = 50 students

50 - (17 + 2) = 31 students
Does that mean 31 students sucessfully matched to perio, pediatric, prosthodontics and endodontics???!!!

 

[drhobie7]

There is one thing that I haven't figured out. UCLA has told me that ~50% of students successfully match to specialty programs (excluding GPR and AEGD) and ~75% successfully match to post-DDS programs (i.e. including GPR and AEGD).

Current UCLA students say, last year, 17 students got into ortho and 2 successfully matched to OMFS programs.

Class size = 88 + some international dentists = 100

1/2 * class size = 50 students

50 - (17 + 2) = 31 students
Does that mean 31 students sucessfully matched to perio, pediatric, prosthodontics and endodontics???!!!

Only 1 student applied to OMS. He matched. I don't know if they count the international students when computing graduates who specialize. I wouldn't count them. International students face significant challenges that we won't when they apply to residencies, plus very few of them apply to any kind of residency program. They're generally tired of being in school. Remember most have worked as dentists for a number of years in their own country. They don't need an AEGD or GPR. But, even if you count them, it's entirely possible that 30 people matched to perio, pedo, pros, anesthesia, endo, and pathology. Perio and pedo got a ton of people. Endo usually gets about 5.

 

[U2Me2]

Me, I'm going with Idaho over both UCSF and UCLA. Why?

#1)
Don't need to worry about a scholarship
#2)
Housing is much cheaper than either SF or LA
#3)
4 years from now - no debt
#4)
No Idaho student has ever been rejected from a post-doc match
#5)
Even though both schools are P/NP, there one stat that both try to hide. If you were to do a ranking of board scores for either school, you would fine that half of each class winds up in the bottom 50% of the distribution.

 

[dat_student]

Only 1 student applied to OMS. He matched. I don't know if they count the international students when computing graduates who specialize. I wouldn't count them. International students face significant challenges that we won't when they apply to residencies, plus very few of them apply to any kind of residency program. They're generally tired of being in school. Remember most have worked as dentists for a number of years in their own country. They don't need an AEGD or GPR. But, even if you count them, it's entirely possible that 30 people matched to perio, pedo, pros, anesthesia, endo, and pathology. Perio and pedo got a ton of people. Endo usually gets about 5.

Thanks drhobie7. Now, I am 100% convinced UCLA is better than UCSF.

 

[howui3]

Thanks drhobie7. Now, I am 100% convinced UCLA is better than UCSF.

welcome back to the dark side...

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Hehe. Yeah, it was impartial. Here's my perspective: I don't need to sell UCLA to anybody. It's like that line in Pulp Fiction: "I don't have to sell this 'cause this **** sells itself." I know it's an outstanding school. If they know it and want to come here great. If they don't know it, that's ok and I'm glad they'll go elsewhere. I certainly don't want people here who would have been happier staying up in SF. So there you have it. The best students to have at UCLA are those who are fun, kind, intelligent, and can think of nowhere else they'd rather be. Regarding that last quality, that's something I can't convince them, nor would I want to. They either feel it or they don't.

Party on. 👍

Right on.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Me, I'm going with Idaho over both UCSF and UCLA. Why?

#1)
Don't need to worry about a scholarship
#2)
Housing is much cheaper than either SF or LA
#3)
4 years from now - no debt
#4)
No Idaho student has ever been rejected from a post-doc match
#5)
Even though both schools are P/NP, there one stat that both try to hide. If you were to do a ranking of board scores for either school, you would fine that half of each class winds up in the bottom 50% of the distribution.

Congratulations! I didn't even know Idaho had a dental school. 😕 I think the UCs used to be that affordable; until Ah-nold came around.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

So guys, when can we officially move over to the Dental Forum and leave the Pre-dental Forum for good?
Is it when we first step foot into UCLA's doors for orientation?
Is it when we first move into our housing units/apartments?
Is it when we first start attending class?
Or is it when dat_student, KAP, mcshow2 decides to go over there that the rest of us will follow? 😀

 

[ribo]

I think its time to add myself to the list. Congratulations to everyone, see you in September.

UCLA Class of 2010
-------------------
1) mcshow2
2) howui3
3) KAP
4) Ali Cat
5) miravyn
6) MolarMamma
7) Eapleitez
8) mkdhappy
9) DentistDevilDog
10) mitosis
11) deejay
12) L8DYV
13) teethextraction
14) vikings022000
15) envirodent
16) VolcomBoy13
17) dat_student
18) djsahand
19) tofufob
20) EyeAmCommi
21) antidote
22) allyzun
23) alba
24) Fliberdigibit
25) Mrxle3[/QUOTE]
26) ribo

UCLA 2010

 

[dat_student]

I think its time to add myself to the list. Congratulations to everyone, see you in September....

Congrats! See you in Sept. 🙂

 

[L8DYV]

So guys, when can we officially move over to the Dental Forum and leave the Pre-dental Forum for good?
Is it when we first step foot into UCLA's doors for orientation?
Is it when we first move into our housing units/apartments?
Is it when we first start attending class?
Or is it when dat_student, KAP, mcshow2 decides to go over there that the rest of us will follow? 😀

I like the new Avatar. =)

 

[mcshow2]

So guys, when can we officially move over to the Dental Forum and leave the Pre-dental Forum for good?

Good question. I say we stay on the predental forum to show the pre-dents how tight we are. 😀 I am hoping that when dental school starts SDN will be far less of an addiction for me.

DatMAN- Based on all that sound logic, I am surprised that you even were even considering ucsf. All that aside, I am glad you will be joining us in the fall. I bet after all your research on the matter, you can finally go to LA in peace and not ever have to second guess your decision.

Alright guys, hang in there, good talk.

 

[L8DYV]

Thanks drhobie7. Now, I am 100% convinced UCLA is better than UCSF.

I'm glad that your decision is final (100%), finally! 😉

 

[dat_student]

I'm glad that your decision is final (100%), finally! 😉

😉 UCLA is a great school. I just can't decline the acceptance. 🙂 Fabulous professors, great students, great housing options, safe & beautiful neighborhood, high match rate, great reputation, excellent board scores, many successful graduates...What else can I ask for? I love the whole package. 🙂

 

[jk5177]

First post on SDN, so be gentle. I received word from Noemi on Wed. that I've been accepted to the best dental school in the country....UCLA. I interviewed on April 13th and they informed me on April 25th. Pretty fast turnaround thankfully.

Cheers to the rest of the Class of 2010 for working their arses off and getting into a great school.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[jk5177]

I went into the admissions office to turn in my paperwork a couple of days ago and I bumped into and met JK5177 from SDN. JK5177 had been really helpful in answering my pm's and I was really happy to meet my first SDN pal. 😀

Thanks mitosis. I bet life is great right now.

 

[jk5177]

Maybe we won't study while we're in school and spend all our time on SDN.

lol. I'm only here on Fridays. Friday afternoon is the time I set for SDN and checking hotmail. No other times. Couple months back. I did a small tabulation of how I organize my time, and I realize that if I only check hotmail and SDN on Fridays, it save me like 3 hours a week - that's 3 hours I could spend doing anything... say Westwod Arcade, day dream, or whatever.

 

[jk5177]

I know this is a very unusual question for a future UCLASOD student, but when we take the physical exam, does it entail a drug test?

LOL! That's hilarious. I wasn't tested.
No, it's not like junior high, and no coughing required. By the way, coughing is suppose to test whether if you have a hernia down there.

 

[KAP]

I Just Graduated!!!!! ... Drunk

 

[dat_student]

I Just Graduated!!!!! ... Drunk

congrats! 🙂