UCSF students

[drpsuedonym]

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I don't want to ask one of those questions that results in people wanting to rip me a new one (as sometimes happens with even pretty harmless questions on the predents board), so bear with me here.

I really want to go to school in San Francisco, so UoP and UCSF are two of my top choices, and lately I've been crushing on UCSF because of the low tuition, but I was just reading some stuff online and I ran into the blogs of these people at UCSF (med and pharm) and they were horribly boring and now I'm scared that UCSF is boring, which is draining all of my enthusiasm to finish my secondary (which needs to be mailed out tomorrow/later today as it's already past midnight.)

So someone please convince me that the blog was boring because med school overachievers are boring, or this girl in particular was boring, and that the dental students at UCSF are actually awesome and funny and interesting.

 

[crazy_sherm]

I don't think you can judge a whole school, especially students in another department based on a couple blogs. If you're serious about getting into dental school, much less one specific to a particular city, you're going to want to increase your chances as much as possible. By not turning in your UCSF secondary, you're giving yourself zero chance at the school. Don't start being lazy now, because you'll be in for a big surprise when dental school starts.

And on a side note, according to their websites, the tuition and fees for UCSF is $165,887 and for UOP is $237,247. UOP might cost $71,360 more, but you get out a year earlier. Unless you decide to only work 2 days a week, you should be able to make up that during that one year extra you get to work.

 

[KOM]

UOP might cost $71,360 more, but you get out a year earlier. Unless you decide to only work 2 days a week, you should be able to make up that during that one year extra you get to work.

I'd say more like 3-4 days a week and that's only if you live on the street eating garbage with absolutely no bills to pay.

Did you happen to forget about living expenses? 😉

 

[djeffreyt]

Don't judge the schools based on a couple people. Frankly, if you took the 5-10 people on these boards that attend Pacific and looked at them, they aren't a clear representation of the whole 500+ students at our school. I don't think reading a few blogs of UCSF students is a good representation of them either.

I know a few UCSF dental students and they are fun people...don't get me wrong though...Pacific is better.

 

[UNR.Grad]

I don't think you can judge a whole school, especially students in another department based on a couple blogs. If you're serious about getting into dental school, much less one specific to a particular city, you're going to want to increase your chances as much as possible. By not turning in your UCSF secondary, you're giving yourself zero chance at the school. Don't start being lazy now, because you'll be in for a big surprise when dental school starts.

And on a side note, according to their websites, the tuition and fees for UCSF is $165,887 and for UOP is $237,247. UOP might cost $71,360 more, but you get out a year earlier. Unless you decide to only work 2 days a week, you should be able to make up that during that one year extra you get to work.

Are you sure about the UoP figure? I thought I remember it being above $275k in tuition/fees. You're most likely correct; you did go to school there, but for some reason >$275k stands out to me.

BTW, I agree with above. Why would you cut your potential schools in SF in half? Both are great schools and not easy to get into, don't limit yourself now! Especially not before at least interviewing there and seeing them for yourself.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Did you happen to forget about living expenses? 😉

I didn't include living expenses since they are the same whether you're in school during that 4th year at UCSF or that first year when you're working, if you graduate from UOP.

Are you sure about the UoP figure? I thought I remember it being above $275k in tuition/fees. You're most likely correct; you did go to school there, but for some reason >$275k stands out to me.

I only went by the figures listed on the websites, but did not include living expenses since both schools are in SF. Living expenses should be roughly the same at both schools. I believe the $275k figure is a rough estimate of how much UOP costs for the 3 years if you live in campus housing.

 

[armorshell]

Did you happen to forget about living expenses? 😉

Even if he did include living expenses, it would narrow the gap between Pacific and UCSF, simply because they're both in SF and Pacific has a year less of living expenses.

 

[KOM]

Even if he did include living expenses, it would narrow the gap between Pacific and UCSF, simply because they're both in SF and Pacific has a year less of living expenses.

You're right, this would narrow the gap.

However, I was actually speaking generally of the living expenses any person incurs while working and how that will detract from one being able to put their ENTIRE salary into paying off in your case, 72K worth of extra loans.

What I was suggesting is that if you figure an average salary of say 120K, work 3 days a week you'd be pulling in 3/5 that value or 72K.

Put your entire 72K salary into that loan and yes you can make up the difference. But...you'd be living on the street eating garbage. That was simply my point.

Reading back though, I realize I was probably reading a little too much into sherm's numbers.

What does an average, recent dental graduate pay per year in loans anyhow?
I know if you wanted to wipe out 72K that comes out to 6K/month...higher if you factor interest of course.

 

[tinker bell]

72K plus compound interest of 7% for a period of 10 yr.

 

[armorshell]

When you factor in a year of capitalization on your loans while in dental school at UCSF, and the year of living which you pay for with loans, the gap narrows to something like 30-40k, and that's without figuring in any "extra-year in practice" fancy math.

 

[KOM]

I'm assuming tuition is higher each year at UoP so don't forget that the extra money you're taking out from year one will have capitalized more than at UCSF during years 1,2, and 3.

If it's 72K that's 24K per year extra accruing interest...hence widening that narrowing gap. 🙂

 

[armorshell]

I'm assuming tuition is higher each year at UoP so don't forget that the extra money you're taking out from year one will have capitalized more than at UCSF during years 1,2, and 3.

If it's 72K that's 24K per year extra accruing interest...hence widening that narrowing gap. 🙂

That ~30k above is a calculated difference, including the discrepancy mentioned above. I've love to fig up the numbers for you if you'd like to see them.

 

[KOM]

That ~30k above is a calculated difference, including the discrepancy mentioned above. I've love to fig up the numbers for you if you'd like to see them.

Morning - I already did a quick and dirty look into them...came up with a 42K difference using a 20K/year living expense for UCSF students, 7% average interest rate, loan total for UCSF students (250K) to determine 4 year interest, etc.

But you live there so I'm sure you have a better idea of the numbers.

At any rate, you put about 1/4 - 1/3rd of your salary (figuring 120K) that first year out in practice into loan repayment and you come out even.

Armor...do you know the breakdown on the monthly payback for an average UoP graduate (is total debt something like 275K?) for both a 10 year and 30 year repayment program? I'd like to see the difference. Thanks.

 

[KOM]

And to the OP-

Consider that UoP had a 98% board passing rate this year. At least I think that's what I read on their webpage. Pretty remarkable, and is something that should definitely factor into your decision. I'm not sure what UCSF's was...

 

[tinker bell]

UCSF passing rate was pretty high up there this year. I heard only 1 student did not make it. You get plenty of time to prepare in your fourth year.

 

[UCSF2012]

Don't forget that UoP ends their class at 9PM!!!! And UCSF starts in OCTOBER!!!!

 

[armorshell]

Don't forget that UoP ends their class at 9PM!!!! And UCSF starts in OCTOBER!!!!

Yeah, but 4th year at UoP class ends whenever I feel like it and i get paid!

 

[UCSF2012]

Yeah, but 4th year at UoP class ends whenever I feel like it and i get paid!

You're probably right. A third of us have a 5th-10th year, depending on the field we go into.

 

[KOM]

You're probably right. A third of us have a 5th-10th year, depending on the field we go into.

Do I sense some competitive spirit among UCSF and UoP students?

 

[UCSF2012]

Do I sense some competitive spirit among UCSF and UoP students?

It's not a competition when we blow them away. 🙂

 

[armorshell]

It's not a competition when we blow them away. 🙂

You can talk about "we" when you've had your first day of class. Until then, you're still just a pre-dent 😉

 

[UCSF2012]

You can talk about "we" when you've had your first day of class. Until then, you're still just a pre-dent 😉

I'd feel bad, if I weren't hanging out at the beach everyday. While you guys slave away. I think the slave labor in 3rd world countries get better hours than UoP students.

 

[armorshell]

You're probably right. A third of us have a 5th-10th year, depending on the field we go into.

13/101 != 1/3, unless you're counting GPRs

http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/about/Mag2007.pdf

 

[armorshell]

I'd feel bad, if I weren't hanging out at the beach everyday. While you guys slave away. I think the slave labor in 3rd world countries get better hours than UoP students.

Gotta work hard to be the best, right?

 

[UCSF2012]

13/101 != 1/3, unless you're counting GPRs

http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/about/Mag2007.pdf

Hard to get a good head count when people don't respond to the survey. And when the survey includes international students, who don't qualify to specialties. Gotta make sure you know what you're reading, Pacific. You guys are supposed to be good at RC!

 

[UCSF2012]

Gotta work hard to be the best, right?

Some do. Some are just born more talented.

 

[armorshell]

Hard to get a good head count when people don't respond to the survey. And when the survey includes international students, who don't qualify to specialties. Gotta make sure you know what you're reading, Pacific. You guys are supposed to be good at RC!

I'm sure all those guys that matched to OS and ortho were the ones who didn't respond, right? 🙄

 

[armorshell]

Some do. Some are just born more talented.

mrrrmrphhrhr Let me know how that goes for you

 

[UCSF2012]

mrrrmrphhrhr Let me know how that goes for you

You should get to bed. You have a 12hr shift tomorrow. What's your cell? I'll text you from the beach tomorrow.

 

[armorshell]

You should get to bed. You have a 12hr shift tomorrow. What's your cell? I'll text you from the beach tomorrow.

Again, meaningless from a pre-dent. The fact that you're sober right now is a little sad considering the freedom you have.

 

[UCSF2012]

Again, meaningless from a pre-dent. The fact that you're sober right now is a little sad considering the freedom you have.

It's a different culture here. We drink socially. You drink to drown away your sorrows from working the 1000hr week.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Hard to get a good head count when people don't respond to the survey. And when the survey includes international students, who don't qualify to specialties. Gotta make sure you know what you're reading, Pacific. You guys are supposed to be good at RC!

Why wouldn't international students qualify for specialties? We had several international students in our ortho program as well as have people from our IDS program match into other specialties.

 

[armorshell]

It's a different culture here. We drink socially. You drink to drown away your sorrows from working the 1000hr week.

Different culture where? At your undergrad? I'm having a hard time recognizing who you're talking about considering that you won't even start dental school for a month and a half. But what do I know, you must be a smart guy right? You haven't even picked up a handpiece but you already know you're a natural 😉

*cough*

Some do. Some are just born more talented.

 

[UCSF2012]

Different culture where? At your undergrad? I'm having a hard time recognizing who you're talking about considering that you won't even start dental school for a month and a half. But what do I know, you must be a smart guy right? You haven't even picked up a handpiece but you already know you're a natural 😉

*cough*

Non-trad here, sorry. No undergrad. And who drinks on a regular Sunday night? UoP students do, after they look at the clock and realize ...yet another hell week coming up. 😎 I think UoP has 54 Hell-weeks/yr, for 3 years.

 

[UCSF2012]

Again, meaningless from a pre-dent. The fact that you're sober right now is a little sad considering the freedom you have.

Some of my classmates are all over the world getting in their vacation on in exotic places. And I'm at the beach close to everyday. It sure doens't FEEL meaningless.

And a bunch of people are getting together tomorrow night for happy hour then a concert at Grant. Wanna come? ...oh, how incredibly insensitive of me! You guys have lab til 3am. Next time you guys can come out with us on a regular weekday, I'll def send you a holla. ...in a few years, that is...

 

[armorshell]

Some of my classmates are all over the continent getting in their vacation in exotic places. And I'm at the beach close to everyday. It sure doens't FEEL meaningless.

Wow, pre-dents on vacation before they start dental school? I am so wowed by how UCSF lets you guys do that! That is never done at any other school. Amazing!

 

[UCSF2012]

Wow, pre-dents on vacation before they start dental school? I am so wowed by how UCSF lets you guys do that! That is never done at any other school. Amazing!

Not during what would be the usual school year they don't. ...Cheaper plane tickets and hotels. Lower traffic.

And pst! Your lunch break's over. You should be in class right now. Stop clowning around on the internet and pay attention to the lecturers. UoP is actually RANKED, in case you forget.

 

[laundry]

So i read half down this thread and got bored....this guy asks for fun things bout UCSF and all you guys have to offer is interest compounding??? comon now...

Now...OP:
You want to fun reasons for going to UCSF? reason 1 - ISO day #1, reason 2 - ISO day #2. 😍

ISO - independent study option. twice a week you're done at noon.

 

[UCSF2012]

So i read half down this thread and got bored....this guy asks for fun things bout UCSF and all you guys have to offer is interest compounding??? comon now...

Now...OP:
You want to fun reasons for going to UCSF? reason 1 - ISO day #1, reason 2 - ISO day #2. 😍

ISO - independent study option. twice a week you're done at noon.

Read the 2nd half and help me throw sand at Armor.

 

[laundry]

...kindergarden flashback 🙄

you two prolly scared the OP away from applying to either SF school by now 😉

 

[UCSF2012]

...kindergarden flashback 🙄

you two prolly scared the OP away from applying to either SF school by now 😉

Aren't cha doing the PhD program now? Don't cha have a PCR reaction to run or something?😎

 

[laundry]

don't you have to go cycling or something 😉

 

[armorshell]

Not during what would be the usual school year they don't. ...Cheaper plane tickets and hotels. Lower traffic.

And pst! Your lunch break's over. You should be in class right now. Stop clowning around on the internet and pay attention to the lecturers. UoP is actually RANKED, in case you forget.

Oh sorry I was gone...I had some patients to see. You know, that thing you'll do for your first time right around the time I graduate.

I do like the way you paint UCSF as the ultimate school for slackers though. Definitely informs the reason all my patients who have gotten treatment at SF say they'd never go there again

 

[armorshell]

Man, your beach must have wireless, considering you've been online all day

 

[crazy_sherm]

Can't we all just get along and bash USC or something instead?

 

[armorshell]

Can't we all just get along and bash USC or something instead?

It's all in good fun, cross town rivalry and all that.

 

[UCSF2012]

Man, your beach must have wireless, considering you've been online all day

I won't spoil the fun and tell you what our beaches have. Yes, OUR beaches. We both have the same beaches, the beaches you guys havn't seen because you're in class til 5am.

 

[BluAvenger]

so is UCSF pretty chill with the ISOs?

 

[IndianGraduate]

...

 

[armorshell]

I won't spoil the fun and tell you what our beaches have. Yes, OUR beaches. We both have the same beaches, the beaches you guys havn't seen because you're in class til 5am.

I'll let the guys in the Pacific surf club know 🙁