UCLA vs USC

[dentalmama]

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Please HELP! Today I finally was accepted to UCLA!!!!! OMG I'm just beside myself! I was also accepted to USC (in December) and now I have a critical decision and I need help making it... Here are the facts:
1) I will be commuting from home (because I have 2 boys at home - one in middle school and the other entering high school in the fall). I live about 22 miles from UCLA and about 33 miles from USC, live in the west valley - so the traffic isn't great no matter how you slice it, but UCLA is certainly more accessible and a faster drive.
2) I don't plan on specializing (I'm already 43 years old and in 4 years I'd like to be ready to practice!) I've heard you get more clinical experience at USC - which would be good for someone like me.
3) Just like everyone, I certainly like the idea of a lower cost education, and not having to pay back 'insane' loan amounts, but that is not my MAIN consideration.
4) My kids are an important priority, and I while I like the proximity and familiarity I have to UCLA, it seems that with PBL, I will be able to spend less physical time on campus and have more opportunity to still be present for my kids. My sense is that UCLA's program allows little flexibility with respect to life beyond dental school.
5) I was an undergrad at UCLA (probably before many of you were born), so I am very comfortable on the campus, but on the other hand, maybe its time I try a new experience... ?
6) UCLA is higher "ranked", but again, not my MAIN priority-I'm really honored to be accepted to both schools.

So - do I go to UCLA (my alma mater, closer to home, less expensive, great reputation/education, but very competitive, and possibly less time for a life and family) OR do I go to USC (where PBL would likely be a great opportunity and environment for me, a new experience, possibly affords me more time at home (learning of course) - rather than in a classroom - and more balance with my family, probably offers more clinical experience since I want to practice right after graduating, but also much more expensive combined with a further and more treacherous commute)?

I'd really like to get some input!!! THANKS
ps: I know I can't go wrong either way, I'm just hoping to get some thoughts on this.

 

[12345a]

congrats!

from my perspective UCLA makes the most amount of sense

i see that time w/ your family is really important...but i assume that kicking ass in dental school is going to take the same time an effort wherever you go.

 

[Denteest]

Please HELP! Today I finally was accepted to UCLA!!!!! OMG I'm just beside myself! I was also accepted to USC (in December) and now I have a critical decision and I need help making it... Here are the facts:
1) I will be commuting from home (because I have 2 boys at home - one in middle school and the other entering high school in the fall). I live about 22 miles from UCLA and about 33 miles from USC, live in the west valley - so the traffic isn't great no matter how you slice it, but UCLA is certainly more accessible and a faster drive.
2) I don't plan on specializing (I'm already 43 years old and in 4 years I'd like to be ready to practice!) I've heard you get more clinical experience at USC - which would be good for someone like me.
3) Just like everyone, I certainly like the idea of a lower cost education, and not having to pay back 'insane' loan amounts, but that is not my MAIN consideration.
4) My kids are an important priority, and I while I like the proximity and familiarity I have to UCLA, it seems that with PBL, I will be able to spend less physical time on campus and have more opportunity to still be present for my kids. My sense is that UCLA's program allows little flexibility with respect to life beyond dental school.
5) I was an undergrad at UCLA (probably before many of you were born), so I am very comfortable on the campus, but on the other hand, maybe its time I try a new experience... ?
6) UCLA is higher "ranked", but again, not my MAIN priority-I'm really honored to be accepted to both schools.

So - do I go to UCLA (my alma mater, closer to home, less expensive, great reputation/education, but very competitive, and possibly less time for a life and family) OR do I go to USC (where PBL would likely be a great opportunity and environment for me, a new experience, possibly affords me more time at home (learning of course) - rather than in a classroom - and more balance with my family, probably offers more clinical experience since I want to practice right after graduating, but also much more expensive combined with a further and more treacherous commute)?

I'd really like to get some input!!! THANKS
ps: I know I can't go wrong either way, I'm just hoping to get some thoughts on this.

First, congrats.

Second, listen, UCLA is not hard or anymore time consuming than USC.
By choosing UCLA you will not only pay a fraction approx 1/3, of the tuition but you're guaranteed to have no problems with you boards, support, graduation, etc.

Go ahead and make the right decision. I think you already know the right one.👍

Good luck

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[DDS13]

congrats dentalmama,

thats awesome. Its a great feeling. I would personally choose UCLA since I am 21 and definitely planning to specialize and research. But, my friends who are in 3rd or 4th year, they all plan to specialize or do AEGD or GPR because they believe they need more clinical experience. However, I talked to other USC graduates, and they feel absolutely confident with their clinical skills. Also, UCLA curriculum is very heavy for the first two years compare to USC.

But, congrats and you have 2 very good schools to choose from. good luck

 

[UCfan]

I wish that I am in your situation right now.I am applying for 2010 cycle.
At first congratulations! If I were you, I choose UCLA wihout thinking that much. You will pay much less since you are in state resident. I hate PBLs (I took some classes in that format and I did not like it at all- maybe you can like it). I am not a student in DS, but I know you need to study hard to ace your exams and graduate wherever you go.

 

[Californian]

easy choice UCLA

 

[Hysteria24]

So - do I go to UCLA (my alma mater, closer to home, less expensive, great reputation/education, but very competitive, and possibly less time for a life and family) OR do I go to USC (where PBL would likely be a great opportunity and environment for me, a new experience, possibly affords me more time at home (learning of course) - rather than in a classroom...

This will definitely be true your first year, but second years spend an amazing amount of time in the sim lab and basically camp out at school M - F and into the weekends. I cant wait!

 

[GiTsticker]

UCLA>USC in quality
UCLA<USC in cost


....

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[bruin432]

So....I interviewed with you on April 7th (both from west hills area 😉) if you remember me! First of all, congrats!! I am so happy for you and you absolutely deserve it. To me UCLA sounds like a much much better deal but, I know you will do amazing anywhere you choose! You are a role model to your children, and an example for any "non-traditional" student🙂. 👍

 

[caremkn]

Definitely UCLA. I've heard a lot of negative opinions about USC 🙁

 

[War Eagle]

UCLA hands down!!!

 

[dentalmama]

So....I interviewed with you on April 7th (both from west hills area 😉) if you remember me! First of all, congrats!! I am so happy for you and you absolutely deserve it. To me UCLA sounds like a much much better deal but, I know you will do amazing anywhere you choose! You are a role model to your children, and an example for any "non-traditional" student🙂. 👍

HI! I was hoping to hear from you - and thinking that maybe you got in to UCLA too. Thanks for your supportive words. My fingers are crossed for you too. If you get in, let me know - then FOR SURE I'm going to UCLA!

Anyway - thanks for the feedback, and good luck to you. I think my decision is pretty clear now.

Thanks to everyone for your responses and input! Sometimes you need to step back and see things from another perspective in order to recognize the obvious. I've been committed to USC for 4 and half months now, so it's a bit of a shock and an adjustment for me!
Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[allstardentist]

no brainer. UCLA.

 

[Contach]

I am attending (actually just finished - yay!) an undergraduate program that is intensive in PBL. And I must tell you, that PBL is WAYY more time consuming than lecture, mind you, the skills you learn in PBL are very valuable.. But I feel that if you want to do the bare minimum to pass, traditional lecture-style is way quicker.

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

The environment is very competitive at UCLA. There are a lot of gunners and most of the class wants to specialize. This was a few years back when I was doing research, taking classes there and talking to their students. Financially speaking, you are 43 and probably have the capital to attend both schools but UCLA would just be better for your family. The money you save going to UCLA is enough to put your kids through undergrad 🙂

 

[dentalmama]

The environment is very competitive at UCLA. There are a lot of gunners and most of the class wants to specialize. This was a few years back when I was doing research, taking classes there and talking to their students. Financially speaking, you are 43 and probably have the capital to attend both schools but UCLA would just be better for your family. The money you save going to UCLA is enough to put your kids through undergrad 🙂

HMMMMMM - I didn't think about it that way...
But do the dental students ever have time for a life?

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

HMMMMMM - I didn't think about it that way...
But do the dental students ever have time for a life?

if you just want to pass and get by then i am sure there is time to do other things in life.

Although even my smartest friends have to remediate some classes.

 

[Hysteria24]

I am attending (actually just finished - yay!) an undergraduate program that is intensive in PBL. And I must tell you, that PBL is WAYY more time consuming than lecture, mind you, the skills you learn in PBL are very valuable.. But I feel that if you want to do the bare minimum to pass, traditional lecture-style is way quicker.

With my experience so far in a PBL dental curriculum, I can say this is a pretty accurate statement.

 

[hattrack04]

First, congrats.

Second, listen, UCLA is not hard or anymore time consuming than USC.
By choosing UCLA you will not only pay a fraction approx 1/3, of the tuition but you're guaranteed to have no problems with you boards, support, graduation, etc.

Go ahead and make the right decision. I think you already know the right one.👍

Good luck

I think UCLA is more time consuming, being that we have a lot more required classes, and USC hardly has any required lectures....if you want to have more time to study at home, then USC is better....I'm not saying that USC doesn't require less time overall, but it definitely requires less time for you to be on campus....at least for the first year like Hysteria said.....but if you just want to pass and become a GP, UCLA may not be bad either......I think it depends more on if you want to be at home more or not......But all of my classmates are extremely helpful...we all share notes...pretty sweet if you ask me

 

[Danny289]

UCLA>USC in quality
UCLA<USC in cost


....

^Do you even know what you are saying?

It is so clear what he is saying.
with this logic UCLA 100%.

 

[dentalmama]

Ok, OK ... I'm going to UCLA!!!!!!!!
THANKS for all the input!