You'll be happy at either school. I'd choose UCI since you can do more in Orange County. But as far as the science programs, both schools are basically equivalent. I don't understand how a science program can be better than others. Both institutions have Ph.D teachers who are trained and have experience with those fields. You basically just have to beat average in your classes since most science classes are curved. In college, the grades are composed of basically a midterm and final. You must have to beat the average and maintain a good GPA. What you are studying here, like O Chem and Physics are not going to be needed in dental school. That's why most people just cram the night before to get that A. They don't care about anything else. Both schools go on quarter systems, so every quarter is pretty fast!(10 weeks). Good luck to you.