UCLA vs. UoP vs. UCSF

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Really unreliable ranking, but it makes you feel good when the school you attend makes the list. Just so you know, dental school stopped their own ranking system in the mid 90s. Each program brings its unique personality and very different curriculum. It's really unfair to place all the schools on the same scale and measure them.

http://toptennation.blogspot.com/2011/07/top-10-best-dental-schools-in-us-and.html
 
UCLA > UCSF = UOP

Lmao. Jkkkkkk. It all depends on which one you get into as all of them are very competitive. Also depends on what you want to do later on. UCLA has the highest stats for getting into real specialties of the 3. But UOP is great if you just wanna get in, get out, and make money. But If you're serious about specializing, then the school you choose won't matter. The top 5% of any school will probably get into any specialty they want. Probably.
 
YoHomey said:
How do these three schools compare in terms of quality of program and prestige?

Who's the top dog?
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There is no reliable measure of prestige in Dental School "rankings," and in addition, each school is different in terms of "quality" of the program.

Some focus on a hardcore integrative didactics, while others focus on developing excellent hand skills.

Finally, I believe this is a troll thread. Nice try, but you aren't fooling anyone. 👍
 
That's simple: UCLA is the best, hands down😉
 
Rainee said:
Finally, I believe this is a troll thread. Nice try, but you aren't fooling anyone. 👍
Click to expand...

This isn't a troll thread genius. I applied to all three schools, scored an interview with one of them and anticipate possibly getting interviews to the other two. The quality of program and prestige (along with location in CA) are going to be the determining factors when I make my final choice and thus why I specifically asked for opinions from these two standpoints. So I guess you're the one who got fooled lol.
 
YoHomey said:
This isn't a troll thread genius. I applied to all three schools, scored an interview with one of them and anticipate possibly getting interviews to the other two. The quality of program and prestige (along with location in CA) are going to be the determining factors when I make my final choice and thus why I specifically asked for opinions from these two standpoints. So I guess you're the one who got fooled lol.
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UOP, UCLA, and UCSF from what i understand are pretty much all equally respected in the world of dentistry. So as far as prestige goes... not really a difference in my eyes, they just have different advantages depending on what you are looking for. All 3 are known to produce solid clinicians.

UOP - 3 years, Arthur Dugoni basically revolutionized Dental education
UCSF - Lots of research, exposure to other professional students, p/f
UCLA - Reputation for consistently placing in specialties, have football team, SoCal need i say more?

First get the interviews, then choose a school based on your personal fit.... not on "prestige" whatever that means?!
 
UltimateHombre said:
UOP, UCLA, and UCSF from what i understand are pretty much all equally respected in the world of dentistry. So as far as prestige goes... not really a difference in my eyes, they just have different advantages depending on what you are looking for. All 3 are known to produce solid clinicians.

UOP - 3 years, Arthur Dugoni basically revolutionized Dental education
UCSF - Lots of research, exposure to other professional students, p/f
UCLA - Reputation for consistently placing in specialties, have football team, SoCal need i say more?

First get the interviews, then choose a school based on your personal fit.... not on "prestige" whatever that means?!
Click to expand...

I would like to correct that statement to "Get in first" before counting your eggs. Is your interview so far from Pacific Dugoni? Is yes then I would like to congrat you for a hair away from being accepted.
 
peerless218 said:
I would like to correct that statement to "Get in first" before counting your eggs. Is your interview so far from Pacific Dugoni? Is yes then I would like to congrat you for a hair away from being accepted.
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Yes for me!!! Woohoo!! My interview is coming up. Btw peerless, what year are you now? Do you know if they decided to have new housing near the new building?
 
UltimateHombre said:
UOP, UCLA, and UCSF from what i understand are pretty much all equally respected in the world of dentistry. So as far as prestige goes... not really a difference in my eyes, they just have different advantages depending on what you are looking for. All 3 are known to produce solid clinicians.

UOP - 3 years, Arthur Dugoni basically revolutionized Dental education
UCSF - Lots of research, exposure to other professional students, p/f
UCLA - Reputation for consistently placing in specialties, have football team, SoCal need i say more?

First get the interviews, then choose a school based on your personal fit.... not on "prestige" whatever that means?!
Click to expand...
👍 very solid advice.. Yeah get accepted first then take it from there
 
destinedsirius said:
Yes for me!!! Woohoo!! My interview is coming up. Btw peerless, what year are you now? Do you know if they decided to have new housing near the new building?
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Hey congrats. When's your interview? I am currently a 2nd year student. To answer your question, they're currently scoping for buildings for housing next year. There's a possibility for them not having housing right next by the new school. One thing the Dean kept on emphasizing is the easy access of public transportation for the new location. The school will be 1 block away from BART, MUNI, and bus stops. So even if housing won’t end up right next by the new building, you’ll have lots of options to select for transportation. I am very excited for the new facility after seeing the design. Even though I will not have the chance to utilize the campus (being the last class to graduate from the current facility,) this is a very exciting time for Pacific Dugoni. My blood boils with excitement every time there’s an update for the new school.
 
I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question, but do Cal dental schools favor in-state applicants? My state only has one dental school so I'm scoping out other ones that my GPA is falling under.
 
Undecipherable said:
I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question, but do Cal dental schools favor in-state applicants? My state only has one dental school so I'm scoping out other ones that my GPA is falling under.
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UCLA and UCSF favors instate because they are state schools, but USC, Loma Linda, UOP and Western are private schools so they don't care as much.
 
peerless218 said:
Hey congrats. When's your interview? I am currently a 2nd year student. To answer your question, they're currently scoping for buildings for housing next year. There's a possibility for them not having housing right next by the new school. One thing the Dean kept on emphasizing is the easy access of public transportation for the new location. The school will be 1 block away from BART, MUNI, and bus stops. So even if housing won’t end up right next by the new building, you’ll have lots of options to select for transportation. I am very excited for the new facility after seeing the design. Even though I will not have the chance to utilize the campus (being the last class to graduate from the current facility,) this is a very exciting time for Pacific Dugoni. My blood boils with excitement every time there’s an update for the new school.
Click to expand...

My interview is Nov 7. I wish they would do a tour of the new building as well is the current building during the interview since people who are matriculating next year isn't just signing up for the current building.
 
Undecipherable said:
I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question, but do Cal dental schools favor in-state applicants? My state only has one dental school so I'm scoping out other ones that my GPA is falling under.
Click to expand...

You gotta look to see which schools are private (OOS friendly) public
 
destinedsirius said:
My interview is Nov 7. I wish they would do a tour of the new building as well is the current building during the interview since people who are matriculating next year isn't just signing up for the current building.
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ya......according to Dean F, there really isn't much to see right now at the new site. They're in the process or ripping the building apart. I imagine you'll only see a torn down building with lots of framework showing.
 
Going to d-school in calif is a very risky thing to do considering the saturated market there.
From what I know about these schools from my friends currently studying there:

UOP -> gr8 to get in and get out and practice dentistry

UCSF -> heavy didactics, enough work on hand skills

UCLA -> this one you just need to find UCLA students and ask them to tell you how things are done over there. I'm afraid you won't believe me if I told you what I've heard about them.

Disclaimer: ppl from UOP and any other school can get into specialties, so plz dont bash this post cause I said get in and get out and practice dentistry


Personally, I think the best d-school in Cal is LLU, b/c south of Riverside is not saturated, LLU teaches good dentistry to its students, they have enough internal spots for ppl who want to specialize. My $0.02
 
Charmm said:
Going to d-school in calif is a very risky thing to do considering the saturated market there.
From what I know about these schools from my friends currently studying there:

UOP -> gr8 to get in and get out and practice dentistry

UCSF -> heavy didactics, enough work on hand skills

UCLA -> this one you just need to find UCLA students and ask them to tell you how things are done over there. I'm afraid you won't believe me if I told you what I've heard about them.

Disclaimer: ppl from UOP and any other school can get into specialties, so plz dont bash this post cause I said get in and get out and practice dentistry


Personally, I think the best d-school in Cal is LLU, b/c south of Riverside is not saturated, LLU teaches good dentistry to its students, they have enough internal spots for ppl who want to specialize. My $0.02
Click to expand...

Please share your info about UCLA. It's always good to hear different viewpoints.

As for saturated market, I don't believe in that. If you're good and likeable, then you will always get new patients and they will be willing to leave their "saturated" dentists for a better one.
 
well I can say that UCLA is amazing so far! I know I have only had 6 weeks in school so far but from what I have heard from others here and from what types of opportunities I have seeen available to students, this is a great place.....Best in the country if you ask me!
 
During the last dental school ranking (1994), there is probably a reason UCLA was ranked first.
 
flapaTron said:
so why did you perpetuate this nonsense blog by referring the OP to it?
Click to expand...

Maybe to hint the OP that prestige doesn't really matter when it comes to dental schools? Correct me if I am wrong, but in my own little world, prestige = rankings right?

Like I said before, it's really an unreliable and unofficial ranking. However, it's one of the very few ranking system on-line with its "reliable sources" ::cough cough:: that still do rankings for folks who care.

Back to the question, it's really more of an open ended thread and a controversial topic for a fun little discussion on this forum.

As for the UCs vs UOP. Students on this forum, like myself, are really bias for their own schools. You're not really going to hear students bad mouthing their programs. Those who do, probably don't even care about typing anything on SDN's pre-dental section the moment they got into DSs. I know a good # of students from both UCs who absolutely dislike their programs, I also know a person or 2 in my class who are not enjoying their times at Pacific. On this forum, everyone's school is #1 :laugh: so just learn what you can and gather info for each school.
 
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KillaCam said:
Yeah but UCLA is still the best....seriously
Click to expand...

I know UCLA is one of the best research school in the country, GREAT GREAT specializing rate. The school usually takes the best of the best applicants academically so the brain is def there.

When you say it's the best, are we comparing technology advancement? patient pool? clinical training?
Last time I visited the school in LA, I did not see a paperless clinic nor digital x-rays. Hopefully things have changed in the last 2 years.
Couple things I kinda don't like about my school are definitely the tuition, and also the pretty rushed 2 weeks of pre-clin endo course. We did 2 plastic teeth and 2 real teeth and BOOM. Now we're seeing actual pt; which I am just scratching my head saying "really?" I haven't done one yet but my classmates who did get the chance to do endo said endo is really not that bad.
 
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peerless218 said:
I know UCLA is one of the best research school in the country, GREAT GREAT specializing rate. The school usually takes the best of the best applicants academically so the brain is def there.

When you say it's the best, are we comparing technology advancement? patient pool? clinical training?
Last time I visited the school in LA, I did not see a paperless clinic nor digital x-rays. Hopefully things have changed in the last 2 years.
Couple things I kinda don't like about my school are definitely the tuition, and also the pretty rushed 2 weeks of pre-clin endo course. We did 2 plastic teeth and 2 real teeth and BOOM. Now we're seeing actual pt; which I am just scratching my head saying "really?" I haven't done one yet but my classmates who did get the chance to do endo said endo is really not that bad.
Click to expand...

this is how people should give info about their schools, clear and unbiased. Again, a good dentistry program is different from which school houses more " smart" kids. Also, this whole subject of specializing rate should be re-evaluated for each school after the NBDE I becomes P/F. I think specializing rates after P/F NBDE I will show which school is better in training skilled dentists.
 
JBieber said:
yea, D1 here too, at UCLA. UCLA is the best... IN THE WORLD. Our dean said so at our white coat ceremony 😎
Click to expand...

I just pictured you as Milhouse and UCLA's Dean as Milhouse's Mom :laugh:
 
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JBieber said:
yea, D1 here too, at UCLA. UCLA is the best... IN THE WORLD. Our dean said so at our white coat ceremony 😎
Click to expand...

Hate breaking the news to you on "the being biased" issue. My dean also said the exact same words your dean mentioned during your white coat ceremony. Since there's no existing official ranking, I guess it's ok for all the schools to claim the # 1 title without offending other schools. It's not like the schools are going to go at it with a last man standing death match for the #1 title. Although that'll be.........really interesting.

When I interviewed at the other CA public school, they also made the similar statement of "we're without a doubt the best dental school in the country, if not the world. You should consider yourself to be really special to received an interview here." The only schools who don't dare making the statements are the newer schools. From the recruiters I heard from the newer schools, they're trying to become the best.

The point of this discussion is not to knock on UCLA, UCSF, or Pacific Dugoni with the pros and cons. All 3 schools are excellent schools for an excellent education with your specific area of interest.

I'll be honest, Pacific Dugoni is the only school that truly captured my attention when I was visiting dental schools before I applied. The school is only getting better and is constantly evolving withh the most current PROVEN technology. I mean..... brand new facility coming up that's going to be 3x the size of the current Pacific Dugoni building, moving forward with private practice model, brand new similating station with tongue for more real listic experience. It looks like the upgraded version of the ones that Midwestern has, and MW already has a sick pre-clinc lab. Those are added on top of the already exisiting e4D, multiple endo scopes, digital x-rays, iCAT, Pano, awesome on campus lab techs, and laser for the DDS students to use. That's right, not for SPECIALTY residents, but for the DDS students. I love Pacific Dugoni and it's definitely a top notch school, and that's my personal experience in SF.


P.S. - Allow me to tip my hat after UCLA though, we started modeling our academic curriculum last year with the system based learning for the 1st year curriculum;It's a great model!

Anywayz.............any other dental students out there have heard their deans telling them the exact same line? "We're the best in the world!":meanie:
 
There are only a handful of schools where the dean won't sound like a donkey when he says his school is the best. I mean if the BU dean said that, then he would lose all credibility from Day One.

I can't believe all dental schools aren't using digital x-rays. I mean everyone is going digital these days and 99% of dental grads will be using them in their future practice so why wouldn't dental schools, which are suppose to "train" students, have it in their curriculum? Especially since $200-300K is being collected from each student, why not throw a few bones toward this machinery. Cheap asses.
 
YoHomey said:
I can't believe all dental schools aren't using digital x-rays. I mean everyone is going digital these days and 99% of dental grads will be using them in their future practice so why wouldn't dental schools, which are suppose to "train" students, have it in their curriculum? Especially since $200-300K is being collected from each student, why not throw a few bones toward this machinery. Cheap asses.
Click to expand...
A surprising number of your classmates will find their first jobs in offices with the old-school film that needs to be developed. I work in an office that still has this and it doesn't bother me at all. The old film is much more comfortable for the patient. Also, consider that the annual licensing cost for the software is probably hundreds of thousands of dollars for schools, the sensors get broken often because people are learning on them (these sensors can cost between $3000 and $7000 EACH, not exagerating). The computers the software runs on can also get screwey and it's a pain to have to reboot if you're taking a film mid-procedure. Overall, digital xrays are new and flashy, but it's not THAT huge of an improvement. Your education is certainly not being sacrificed for this technology, believe me. There are so much more important things to be concerned about: i.e. faculty clinic coverage, level of administrative garbage you have to deal with.
 
A lot of GPRs, AEGDs, externships, rotations, etc will require you to use film Xrays. You may or may not have assistants to develop them. Not a bad task to learn, IMO.
 
Do you know how many UCSF/UOP graduates are employed in California last year?

I have visited both UCSF vs UOP. Both schools are very impressive. A faculty in UOP told me if you want to be great general dentist and run your clinic, then UOP is the best choice for you. If you want to do some research or go specialty after graduate, then go to UCSF.


By the way, where is the new building of UOP? when will it be in use?



peerless218 said:
Hate breaking the news to you on "the being biased" issue. My dean also said the exact same words your dean mentioned during your white coat ceremony. Since there's no existing official ranking, I guess it's ok for all the schools to claim the # 1 title without offending other schools. It's not like the schools are going to go at it with a last man standing death match for the #1 title. Although that'll be.........really interesting.

When I interviewed at the other CA public school, they also made the similar statement of "we're without a doubt the best dental school in the country, if not the world. You should consider yourself to be really special to received an interview here." The only schools who don't dare making the statements are the newer schools. From the recruiters I heard from the newer schools, they're trying to become the best.

The point of this discussion is not to knock on UCLA, UCSF, or Pacific Dugoni with the pros and cons. All 3 schools are excellent schools for an excellent education with your specific area of interest.

I'll be honest, Pacific Dugoni is the only school that truly captured my attention when I was visiting dental schools before I applied. The school is only getting better and is constantly evolving withh the most current PROVEN technology. I mean..... brand new facility coming up that's going to be 3x the size of the current Pacific Dugoni building, moving forward with private practice model, brand new similating station with tongue for more real listic experience. It looks like the upgraded version of the ones that Midwestern has, and MW already has a sick pre-clinc lab. Those are added on top of the already exisiting e4D, multiple endo scopes, digital x-rays, iCAT, Pano, awesome on campus lab techs, and laser for the DDS students to use. That's right, not for SPECIALTY residents, but for the DDS students. I love Pacific Dugoni and it's definitely a top notch school, and that's my personal experience in SF.


P.S. - Allow me to tip my hat after UCLA though, we started modeling our academic curriculum last year with the system based learning for the 1st year curriculum;It's a great model!

Anywayz.............any other dental students out there have heard their deans telling them the exact same line? "We're the best in the world!":meanie:
Click to expand...
 
I don't have a number for you because I don't know. From what I heard, a lot of people from Pacific Dugoni went to either a specialty or a GPR residency. On the other hand, for people who didn't do the 1st option, they either are still looking for jobs, moved to some other states for jobs, or simply took over their family business.

As far as the new facility, they're looking at summer of 2014 as the year we're having that transition. As we all know, things this big will most likely result in a delay. So far, they're saying we're right on schedule with the move so who knows. The 1st year this year at Pacific Dugoni will be the 1st 3rd year class to be able to utilize the clinic that's for sure.
 
So those of us who applied now and would start next year 2012 would only get to be in the new building the 3rd year correct? Because summer 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 would be in old building.
 
the employment looks like very tough in California. Even a graduate from UOP can't find a job in the state unless they have a family business.

If the new facility is scheduled to move in Summer 2014, I guess the 1st year this year will not be able to utilize and they will graduate in summer of 2014

peerless218 said:
I don't have a number for you because I don't know. From what I heard, a lot of people from Pacific Dugoni went to either a specialty or a GPR residency. On the other hand, for people who didn't do the 1st option, they either are still looking for jobs, moved to some other states for jobs, or simply took over their family business.

As far as the new facility, they're looking at summer of 2014 as the year we're having that transition. As we all know, things this big will most likely result in a delay. So far, they're saying we're right on schedule with the move so who knows. The 1st year this year at Pacific Dugoni will be the 1st 3rd year class to be able to utilize the clinic that's for sure.
Click to expand...
 
SFDENTIST said:
the employment looks like very tough in California. Even a graduate from UOP can't find a job in the state unless they have a family business.
Click to expand...

Well, one can always start up a practice or buy one right after dschool than having to find an associate position.
 
not that easy.

As a brand new dentist, you will have a hard time to have enough patients to support your office.

YoHomey said:
Well, one can always start up a practice or buy one right after dschool than having to find an associate position.
Click to expand...
 
peerless218 said:
P.S. - Allow me to tip my hat after UCLA though, we started modeling our academic curriculum last year with the system based learning for the 1st year curriculum;It's a great model!
Click to expand...

could you elaborate more on this? does it mean UoP now have a module system learning style? having a test every week rather than having midterms and finals.

Thank you!
 
UCLA: ~$78,000 (includes fees, COL, dental kit, etc)... this is from our school's financial aid office

UOP: ~$98,000 + COL (probably another $30k/year since it's SF)

Think about your grad plus loans and interest rates hovering around 8%. Make a wise decision.

PS: Our sim lab ain't too shabby and we have digital x-rays... I think haha
 
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John Durian said:
UCLA: ~$78,000 (includes fees, COL, dental kit, etc)... this is from our school's financial aid office

UOP: ~$98,000 + COL (probably another $30k/year since it's SF)

Think about your grad plus loans and interest rates hovering around 8%. Make a wise decision.

PS: Our sim lab ain't too shabby and we have digital x-rays... I think haha
Click to expand...

Balances out since UoP is 3 years and you guys are 4
 
A6project said:
could you elaborate more on this? does it mean UoP now have a module system learning style? having a test every week rather than having midterms and finals.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Pacific Dugoni has an exam every monday even before the change, sometimes even friday exams. I can't really see any students here who enjoyed 2 tests plus 2 practicals and a wax up due that same week, to be "fun."

Back to the question. The change the school made for the 1st years is basically they re-organized all the class schedules so all the topics taught that week are relative. Instead of having anatomy topic being on the heart, biochem on hemoglobin, physiology on GI. Now the classes are more synchronized so the students are learning the science courses on the same topic that same week or 2. It's helpful because a lot of the information overlap with each other so studying anatomy for week 2's exam will actually help you studying for your biochem exam on week 3 . I wouldn't say the professors made any changes to the way they teach, they just re-organized their lectures and test dates. It just makes more sense doing it the way I personally experienced.
 
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John Durian said:
UCLA: ~$78,000 (includes fees, COL, dental kit, etc)... this is from our school's financial aid office

UOP: ~$98,000 + COL (probably another $30k/year since it's SF)

Think about your grad plus loans and interest rates hovering around 8%. Make a wise decision.

PS: Our sim lab ain't too shabby and we have digital x-rays... I think haha
Click to expand...

I don't live in LA so I wouldn't know this, but isn't LA also pretty expensive? Especially where UCLA is located. And your living expensive for SF is not there yet. I am paying $1200/ month for housing. So I would say another $40k-$45k by the time I am done with school.

So you guys have digital x-rays but are not allowed to use them? A friend of mine, a 3rd year, who currently goes to LA said she only uses the old school analog x-rays. Maybe LA wants you guys to learn the old way first before having you guys having the digital experience?
 
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peerless218 said:
Hate breaking the news to you on "the being biased" issue. My dean also said the exact same words your dean mentioned during your white coat ceremony. Since there's no existing official ranking, I guess it's ok for all the schools to claim the # 1 title without offending other schools. It's not like the schools are going to go at it with a last man standing death match for the #1 title. Although that'll be.........really interesting.

When I interviewed at the other CA public school, they also made the similar statement of "we're without a doubt the best dental school in the country, if not the world. You should consider yourself to be really special to received an interview here." The only schools who don't dare making the statements are the newer schools. From the recruiters I heard from the newer schools, they're trying to become the best.

The point of this discussion is not to knock on UCLA, UCSF, or Pacific Dugoni with the pros and cons. All 3 schools are excellent schools for an excellent education with your specific area of interest.

I'll be honest, Pacific Dugoni is the only school that truly captured my attention when I was visiting dental schools before I applied. The school is only getting better and is constantly evolving withh the most current PROVEN technology. I mean..... brand new facility coming up that's going to be 3x the size of the current Pacific Dugoni building, moving forward with private practice model, brand new similating station with tongue for more real listic experience. It looks like the upgraded version of the ones that Midwestern has, and MW already has a sick pre-clinc lab. Those are added on top of the already exisiting e4D, multiple endo scopes, digital x-rays, iCAT, Pano, awesome on campus lab techs, and laser for the DDS students to use. That's right, not for SPECIALTY residents, but for the DDS students. I love Pacific Dugoni and it's definitely a top notch school, and that's my personal experience in SF.


P.S. - Allow me to tip my hat after UCLA though, we started modeling our academic curriculum last year with the system based learning for the 1st year curriculum;It's a great model!

Anywayz.............any other dental students out there have heard their deans telling them the exact same line? "We're the best in the world!":meanie:
Click to expand...

yea....but...no really, ucla is the best :horns: 😀
 
UCLA is the best school cuz I go there...
 
dmdluffy said:
Balances out since UoP is 3 years and you guys are 4
Click to expand...

Uop still has to pay the tuition fee 4 times. Pays 4 9-month period tuition fees
But also gotta take in to account that Uop students graduate an year earlier and they get a head start in pay and experience 😉
 
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