UCSF or UOP?

[alilou]

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Hi! I was wondering if any of you could give me some much needed advice. I have been accepted at both UCSF and UOP, and can't decide between the two. I have already submitted my $1000 deposit to UOP, and my deposit at UCSF is due on 2/12.

I like UOP a lot because of its 3 year program, its close-knit and happy student body, and its great facilities. The only draw back is the price (although I have been given a $45,000 scholarship)! On the otherhand, UCSF is a well respected dental school, much cheaper, and has more research opportunities. However, the facilities are not as nice at UCSF.

I'm having a really hard time making a decision! And I don't know if I want to specialize or not. I'd really appreciate any ideas, suggestions, pro/con thoughts, etc. any of you have to give! Thanks a lot! 😛

 

[ecdoesit]

Do you want to specialize or do research?
If so, UCSF is a much better choice.
UCSF could give you a lot more opportunities
while UOP focuses on training you to be a GP.

 

[surfy]

Does anyone know how full UCSF and UoP classes are right now?

Also people that were accepted to UCSF, when did you interview?

 

[bunjin]

I think that with the proposed curriculum changes at UCSF i.e. P/F grading and more free time for learning, the atmosphere at UCSF will definitely be less competetive and stressful. At UOP you'd be HIGHLY stressed especially during the first year. But yet again, you'd be out in 3 years.... just my 2 cents

 

[toothache]

i go with ucsf, i think it's a better school and plus there are more good looking chicks that want to have fun there too...

 

[busdriver]

i'm not sure about everyone else, but EVERYONE from UOP that i've talked to says that they love it there and that they treat the students really really well so i'm sure it'll be a great environment. of course...i would only go there if i were going to be a gp. so you should think about that...

 

[alilou]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm still not sure if I want to specialize or not...so I'm not ruling it out yet. As for research...that is not one of my top priorities, but I would like to do some if time permits.

I think I'm leaning towards UCSF because of the opportunities it offers and because of the price. But I still like UOP a lot too!

And to surfy...I don't know how many spots are filled up at either school. I interviewed at UCSF in mid Oct. (the 17?), but I didn't hear from them until mid Jan. So...you never know! Good luck!

 

[mofo]

I'm a first year at UOP right now, and they really do treat us great here. Although the first year is stressful, everyone helps each other out a lot. I'm still smiling(most of the time) and I'm in the busiest quarter right now.

Although more people tend to specialize at UCSF, it is definitely possible at Pacific. The only difference is that most people here at Pacific want to be a GP, but those who do want to specialize have many opportunities to do research and have high chances of getting in to a specialty as our school is very well respected. My philosophy in choosing UOP was that I wanted to get the best clinical education first, and then if later on I wanted to specialize I still can. UCSF is a very good school, but don't discount "clinical" schools thinking that you can't specialize at them.