UCLA vs UOP, pros and cons

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sfdent1

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What do you guys think of either school?
pros and cons?

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Double Bonded

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What do you guys think of either school?
pros and cons?

Actual d-students would probably be a better resource but this is what I've heard...


UCLA
Pro: Amazing facilities, smartest kids in the nation, great price for in-state, good research, match rate
Con: I haven't heard anything bad besides the fact that the area can be expensive to live in (not unlike UOP)

UOP
Pro: Great for clinical experience, amazing facilities, everyone I know who has gone there for D-school loves it more than life itself
Con: Haven't called me for an interview :D
 

SLOBrule

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I know that both are great schools, but I believe like any other state university, UCLA would have some emphasis on research. UOP has a higher tuition, but you are done in 3 years instead of 4.

Based off your username I'm gonna assume you're from the Bay, so it would be nice to stay closer to home. Unless, you want to move away and experience what SoCal life is like. I've grown up in SF my whole life and almost all the dentists I know are from Pacific, even the one I currently work for. They do great work and do really well for themselves. If you decide UOP, then hopefully we'll be classmates since I think we both have pre-December interviews.

Goodluck with your decisions!
 
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sfdent1

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I know that both are great schools, but I believe like any other state university, UCLA would have some emphasis on research. UOP has a higher tuition, but you are done in 3 years instead of 4.

Based off your username I'm gonna assume you're from the Bay, so it would be nice to stay closer to home. Unless, you want to move away and experience what SoCal life is like. I've grown up in SF my whole life and almost all the dentists I know are from Pacific, even the one I currently work for. They do great work and do really well for themselves. If you decide UOP, then hopefully we'll be classmates since I think we both have pre-December interviews.

Goodluck with your decisions!



Thank you for your help!! and noo haha, quite the opposite actually. I am from san diego! My username has to do with my actual name haha. But I do think it would be awesome to live in the bay, and yes hopefully we will be. cogratulations on that:)

Do you think UOP would have the same success in achieving any specializing goals?
 

SLOBrule

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Thank you for your help!! and noo haha, quite the opposite actually. I am from san diego! My username has to do with my actual name haha. But I do think it would be awesome to live in the bay, and yes hopefully we will be. cogratulations on that:)

Do you think UOP would have the same success in achieving any specializing goals?

Absolutely. Besides being in the top of the class, NBDE scores are very important as well. The dentists I know that are graduates of Pacific are GPs and specialists as well. They all have positive things to say about the program, and I have yet to meet anyone who thinks otherwise. Keep in mind though, UOP is my top pick so I am a bit biased. However, like I said before, all the dentists I know from UOP were very happy with the school and life afterwards.
 

destinedsirius

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I've never been to UCLA so I won't say it's better or worse but I will say that I have never heard 1 bad thing about UOP from anyone. I talk to a lot of dental students at UOP and people say it's the Disneyland of dental schools. However, the weather is better in LA. SF can be super foggy and depressing at times. But then there's a bit more pollution and traffic in LA... so I guess take your pick.

And on the topic of UOP... does pre December interview really mean acceptance? I have a late interview there in Nov and kinda worried by the fact it's only a couple weeks away from Dec 1.
 

sfdent1

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I've never been to UCLA so I won't say it's better or worse but I will say that I have never heard 1 bad thing about UOP from anyone. I talk to a lot of dental students at UOP and people say it's the Disneyland of dental schools. However, the weather is better in LA. SF can be super foggy and depressing at times. But then there's a bit more pollution and traffic in LA... so I guess take your pick.

And on the topic of UOP... does pre December interview really mean acceptance? I have a late interview there in Nov and kinda worried by the fact it's only a couple weeks away from Dec 1.


makes sense. why cant socal weather be rocked in norcal :( but san fran would be awesome to live in. Honestly I dont think you need to be worried. The fact that you have an interview is awesome and I think it means that you need to have recievedd your interview pre dec. Congrats btw:)
 

destinedsirius

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makes sense. why cant socal weather be rocked in norcal :( but san fran would be awesome to live in. Honestly I dont think you need to be worried. The fact that you have an interview is awesome and I think it means that you need to have recievedd your interview pre dec. Congrats btw:)

Im not sure how often youre in sf... But So cal weather cannt be rocked In the bay especially during non summer days. There is always a thick layer of fog over the city. I'm not saying it's all bad but it's not always sunshine like socal. Also sf has lovely beaches but the water isn't as warm. You'll see sf for yourself when you have the interview.
 

dantemac

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UCLA is cheaper and more prestigous. In the 1994 survey of dental schools (which is the last one), as antediluvian as it is, rated UCLA the top dental school in the nation.

Not to mention I'd rather live in Bel Air than SF. Just saying...
 
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