UCSF specialization ??

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pjscholar

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I emailed UCSF about their specialization rates (trying to decide between here and U of Mich) and I wanted to get a statistical idea of how successful the students are in getting into the residency of their choice. Here is the response I got from admissions:

My Question: I was wondering if there are any statistics available concerning the post-graduate plans of the students for the past number of years (how many applied, how many got in, and to which specialty areas)?

Answer: Unfortunately, our office does not keep specific records of which post-grad specailty programs our students go into. The reason for this is that not all go into a post-graduate program right away. Many go into private practice and return to post-grad work at a later time. Others do go in directly after receiving their DDS. What we are able to boast is that (as far as we know) all students who apply to post-grad programs (either at UCSF or at another school) gain acceptance to the program of their choice- and are consistently well prepared.

My questions (esp to UCSF students) is--is this what you've found? It seems that they are saying is that everyone who applies to residency gets in (whether right after grad or a bit after). That sounds great, but almost too good to be true??

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UCSF has a great reputation for being among the top schools for those who want to specialize. This is likely because there are a ton of awesome research opportunities there that are looked upon very favorably by specialty programs. The research at UCSF is something other schools focusing primarily on preparing general dentists don't always have. The reason UCSF can make a statement like this is probably due to the fact that many students who go there are ready to work their hearts out to specialize in the first place. That being said, if you really want to specialize, I think you could get in from just about anywhere if you graduate near the top of your class, participate in research and have meaningful relationships with faculty who can eventually write great letters of rec.
 
Hey OP,

UCSF is great for specializing. I know this because I've talked to so many people from there. Something not everyone knows is that it is relatively easier to specialize at the school you went to dental school for. Not that getting into a specialty program is easy, but it is easier to do if you do it at your own school. Because UCSF has so many specialty programs, you can get to know the specialty directors and teachers as a dental student while you shadow or observe the residents (should you choose to). This puts you ahead of the game compared to someone else who is applying to a specialty program from some other school because the directors don't know them. My friend at UCSF was telling me about his friend who wasn't an honor student in their H/P/F system and wasn't top notch, but because he took the time to shadow, observe, and help out the people in the specialty programs that he got into his specialty. I'm not saying this is just at UCSF. I'm sure most specialty programs would rather take a top student from their respective programs, but because UCSF also has great recognition, you also wouldn't have a hard time getting into a specialty program else where (given that you already have what it takes).
 
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If UCSF is pass/fail then what do specialty programs judge your application on? How can you be considered at the top of your class when everyone has the same amount of passes? Is it then primarily based on your recommendations, research, extra curriculars, etc?
 
This thread is really old but I thought I might post something for future reference.

2009

AEGD: 10
Dental Public Health: 1
Endodontics: 3
GPR: 12
OMFS: 4
Orthodontics: 6
Pediatric: 7
Other: 4
None: 53


2010

AEGD: 5
Dental Public Health: 1
Endodontics: 2
GPR: 9
OMFS: 6
Orthodontics: 5
Pediatric: 5
Prosthodontics: 1
Other: 5


2011
AEGD: 12
Endodontics: 1
GPR: 13
OMFS: 3
Orthodontics: 13
Pediatric: 9
Periodontics: 4
Prosthodontics: 2
Other: 3
None: 47


2012
AEGD: 11
Endodontics: 1
GPR: 17
OMFS: 5
Orthodontics: 10
Pediatrics: 7
Periodontics: 3
Prosthodontics: 0
Other: 5
None: 45
 
This thread is really old but I thought I might post something for future reference.

2009

AEGD: 10
Dental Public Health: 1
Endodontics: 3
GPR: 12
OMFS: 4
Orthodontics: 6
Pediatric: 7
Other: 4
None: 53


2010

AEGD: 5
Dental Public Health: 1
Endodontics: 2
GPR: 9
OMFS: 6
Orthodontics: 5
Pediatric: 5
Prosthodontics: 1
Other: 5


2011
AEGD: 12
Endodontics: 1
GPR: 13
OMFS: 3
Orthodontics: 13
Pediatric: 9
Periodontics: 4
Prosthodontics: 2
Other: 3
None: 47


2012
AEGD: 11
Endodontics: 1
GPR: 17
OMFS: 5
Orthodontics: 10
Pediatrics: 7
Periodontics: 3
Prosthodontics: 0
Other: 5
None: 45

These stats are super helpful. Do you have the specialization rates for 2013-2016?
 
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