UCSF vs Indiana?

[FutureDDS1]

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Hey everyone,

I'm having a tough time deciding between UCSF and Indiana for the
Fall. I am trying to find out about each of the schools: the strengths,
weaknesses, etc.

Specifically I would really like to know about the:
-Clinical Experience you get. Whether either one is stronger.
Are there enough patients to practice on?
The strength of the teaching faculty.
Atmosphere (Friendly, professional)
Pass Fail vs. ABCD vs. number grades.
-Cost
How much financial aid can you get?
-Finding work afterwards
Is it hard to find a job in the area?
Is it hard to find a job with the diploma?

An answer to any of the previous questions would be of great help. Also,
any tips you can give me would be great, as I have to make a decision very
soon.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[PDizzle]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a tough time deciding between UCSF and Indiana for the
Fall. I am trying to find out about each of the schools: the strengths,
weaknesses, etc.

Specifically I would really like to know about the:
-Clinical Experience you get. Whether either one is stronger.
Are there enough patients to practice on?
The strength of the teaching faculty.
Atmosphere (Friendly, professional)
Pass Fail vs. ABCD vs. number grades.
-Cost
How much financial aid can you get?
-Finding work afterwards
Is it hard to find a job in the area?
Is it hard to find a job with the diploma?

An answer to any of the previous questions would be of great help. Also,
any tips you can give me would be great, as I have to make a decision very
soon.

Thanks,
Alex

Well, I can shed a little light un UCSF.

It's pass/fail.
No problem getting money
SF is cold and overcast 10 months out of the year!
Ceratin parts of CA are completely saturated with dentists. They are like frig'n 7-11's out here!! If you specialize I suspect you will have less of a problem.
Plenty of patients!
Overall, a great school and is considered in the top 5 in the nation by many.


PDizzle has spoken!

 

[dat_student]

.

 

[nini22]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a tough time deciding between UCSF and Indiana for the
Fall. I am trying to find out about each of the schools: the strengths,
weaknesses, etc.

Specifically I would really like to know about the:
-Clinical Experience you get. Whether either one is stronger.
Are there enough patients to practice on?
The strength of the teaching faculty.
Atmosphere (Friendly, professional)
Pass Fail vs. ABCD vs. number grades.
-Cost
How much financial aid can you get?
-Finding work afterwards
Is it hard to find a job in the area?
Is it hard to find a job with the diploma?

An answer to any of the previous questions would be of great help. Also,
any tips you can give me would be great, as I have to make a decision very
soon.

Thanks,
Alex

I live in Indy and I'm applying to IU Dental school, as well. The IUSD is downtown right by IUPUI and the IU Med school, which is nationally recognized. (We cured Lance Armstrong!) The city is continually getting more up-scale, especially the downtown area. The apartments near IUSD are really nice, good party scene. Avg cost for nonresident is $35,524 a year. I don't know much about financial aid, but the director seemed really friendly-- his name is Paul Koch and his e-mail is [email protected]. The atmosphere is pretty friendly/professional and at an info session they talked a lot about having a diverse faculty that wasn't "inbred." They give ABCD grades and you have to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to go on. One thing that sets IU apart from other schools is problem-based learning-- some ppl love it or they hate it. I think it would be pretty easy to get a job after graduation.The north side of Indy is very affluent and one of the fasted growing areas in the US-- it seems like there are new offices popping up all over the place to supply the population need. I don't know much about UCSF, but I heard it focused a lot of research. I'm guessing IU would be more clinically based.

 

[Comet208]

I am starting at IUSD in about 5 weeks! so I might be able to answer some of your questions.

The schools that you are trying to choose from are very different. So with just knowing what you like, the problem could quickly be resolved.

As nini has mentioned, IUSD employes the BPL curriculum where the students, to a certain extent, are resonsible for their own learning. I think its a perfect blend though; we get all the necessary lectures and PBL is designed to put everything together. I took a PBL class while in grad school and it was only then that i had to integrate my previous learnings in anatomy, physiology, biochem, microbio, pathology, etc. to be able to solve the problems properly. This will require that you often solve the problems backwards and in doing so you will have to work very closely with members of your group. you have to really LOVE this method of learning or you will hate about 40% of the curriculum.

Also, IUSD is heavy on clinicals. I have heard that IU grads come out very competent and ready to start working. Whereas UCSF put a lot more emphasis on research. So pick what you rather be doing.

Another thing that you want to consider is the cost. If you are a resident of IN or CA, tuition could be cheap and if you are out of state, it can get very pricy. Also, life in Indy is very different than from SF; midwest vs northwest, cheap vs expensive, etc.

best of luck picking what is right for you.

 

[Dentic]

Clinical vs. Research. Of course IU is cheaper.

 

[luder98]

I thought I'd add some comments on UCSF. Many think that UCSF focuses on researches which is not completely true. I too thought the same while applying. I thought it was one of the key criteria. At the interview, as expected, research was brought up. The faculty member, however, made it very clear to me that the school liked to have their students do research, but it was not a must. The Dean also had similar comment during his speech. Their main goal is to produce "men/women of science, but not scientists". The opportunities are there for the students if they are interested. There are about 15-20% or so of each class interested in researching. As you may guess, these are the ones that have their minds set for specializing. The number reflects very well on the match rate if you notice. IMO, UCSF is balanced by both clinical and research aspects.