UNC vs UCSF dental school

Started by xileanx
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
X

xileanx

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Hey guys- I need advice from anyone who can give it!
I'm currently deciding between 2 schools: UNC and UCSF. I am out of state to each, but according to policy, should get in-state tuition after one year at either school. I also received the air force HPSP scholarship. Therefore, if I decide its the right thing for me, cost doesn't have to be any issue. (By the way, if I go UNC, I will be self financing.) What have y'all heard (or experienced), good and bad about either of these schools? Any info that could help me decide is greatly appreciated 🙂
 
xileanx said:
Hey guys- I need advice from anyone who can give it!
I'm currently deciding between 2 schools: UNC and UCSF. I am out of state to each, but according to policy, should get in-state tuition after one year at either school. I also received the air force HPSP scholarship. Therefore, if I decide its the right thing for me, cost doesn't have to be any issue. (By the way, if I go UNC, I will be self financing.) What have y'all heard (or experienced), good and bad about either of these schools? Any info that could help me decide is greatly appreciated 🙂
Click to expand...

Why will you self finance at UNC but not UCSF? I hope you're not doing HPSP solely for the money.
 
New2Philly said:
Why will you self finance at UNC but not UCSF? I hope you're not doing HPSP solely for the money.
Click to expand...
I like the experience you get from the AF and the great AEGD program, but don't think the 4yrs of uncertainty in the location and possible dental care optimization (very long hours) would be worth it with a manageable debt I would incur from UNC.
 
xileanx said:
I like the experience you get from the AF and the great AEGD program, but don't think the 4yrs of uncertainty in the location and possible dental care optimization (very long hours) would be worth it with a manageable debt I would incur from UNC.
Click to expand...

I would pick UNC.
UNC is really inexpensive, and I have heard a really good school. I know that the editors of "Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative Dentistry" (the bible of operative dentistry) are from UNC.
It sounds like you are a little hesitant about the military, which is understandable. It might be a really good experience, or it might be a living he**.
I don't want to discourage you from the military if that is what you really want to do. There is honor in serving. Have you talked to some retired AF dentists?
 
Yes, I have talked to several Health Professionals in the military, and most of them say they do not regret the time they served but that they joined the civilian world as soon as their time was up. I am now thinking of doing HPSP for either school but can't decide which school is better now! I had originally been all for UCSF (San Francisco is amazing!) but with the recent budget cuts and with boards going to pass/fail too (UCSF is pass/fail curriculum) I don't know if its the best choice anymore :/
 
xileanx said:
Yes, I have talked to several Health Professionals in the military, and most of them say they do not regret the time they served but that they joined the civilian world as soon as their time was up. I am now thinking of doing HPSP for either school but can't decide which school is better now! I had originally been all for UCSF (San Francisco is amazing!) but with the recent budget cuts and with boards going to pass/fail too (UCSF is pass/fail curriculum) I don't know if its the best choice anymore :/
Click to expand...

If you do the HPSP, then money is not an issue. I would strongly encourage you to go where you think you will be most comfortable. UCSF has a really good reputation, and I don't think that their P/F grading system will hurt you, since grad programs will issue their own entrance exams after the boards go P/F.
 
can't go wrong with either choice. it should boil down to location at this point.

i know graduates from both, and they all have expressed good experiences.
 
xileanx said:
Hey guys- I need advice from anyone who can give it!
I'm currently deciding between 2 schools: UNC and UCSF. I am out of state to each, but according to policy, should get in-state tuition after one year at either school. I also received the air force HPSP scholarship. Therefore, if I decide its the right thing for me, cost doesn't have to be any issue. (By the way, if I go UNC, I will be self financing.) What have y'all heard (or experienced), good and bad about either of these schools? Any info that could help me decide is greatly appreciated 🙂
Click to expand...
It sounds like a win/win. I'd make your choice based on geography. Where would you like to live?
 
I would advice you not to go to UCSF unless you want to specialize since the clinical part of the training there is not as strong. They do have a lot or research going on though, so you can easily get recommended by faculty when you apply for a residency program.

The current dean of UNC, Jane Weintraub, left UCSF for that school. I wasn't sorry to see her go though, she was not the best lecturer I've ever had in dental school :laugh:
 
I would choose UNC. It is one of the best schools in the country -- at least top 5, probably top 2.

Plus, I think living in Chapel Hill would be a lot more fun than San Fran.
 
billythekid said:
I would choose UNC. It is one of the best schools in the country -- at least top 5, probably top 2.

Plus, I think living in Chapel Hill would be a lot more fun than San Fran.
Click to expand...

No offense, but everyone thinks their regional school or alma mater is the best. Does that automatically mean its true? No. There are regional biases, personal experiences, and other factors which form people's opinions. Every school has its own strengths and weaknesses.

And San Fran is amazing. I would choose it in a heartbeat over almost any other city. Different strokes for different folks.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.