UoP Interview

[pine88]

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I've taken all of them but histology. That isn't even an option unless you are a biochem major at my school. Is that an open class at your guys' schools?

I don't know till I go them, but right now UoP is tied for first.

 

[Lemming]

I took histology in vet school...fun class. Most people take it in undergrad as "Microscopic Anatomy" or some sort of a Cellular Biology knock off.

 

[crazy_sherm]

UOP higly recommends (although not required) anatomy, physiology, bioChem, micro biology & histology....anyone completed all of them? If not, which ones are taking or plan to take?

If you can only take one, I would recommend taking anatomy. Make sure it's one that also has a lab portion with a cadaver. I would say to take physiology before histology if you have the time. Physiology is a much more involved course where as histology is combined with anatomy here. The anatomy/histo class is taught really well here with the majority of people never having had histology and do fine. Biochem and micro at UOP are very different from what I took in undergrad. I found the dental school version much more concise and less about learning about the field of biochem or micro, but more about memorizing subjects that will be on boards.

 

[cbc32]

I have taken all of the fab 5 with exception to histology. My school doesn't offer it but I wish they did. I have an interview with 4/5 though.

 

[cbc32]

I will be interviewing at UoP 10/30. If the offer is there Dec 1st, I will be first in line to sign my life away.

I am right there with you man. I am interviewing on 10/30 and if you are the first in line then I am a very close second. Congrats on the interviews to all you UoP wishfulls.

 

[in her drawer]

UOP higly recommends (although not required) anatomy, physiology, bioChem, micro biology & histology....anyone completed all of them? If not, which ones are taking or plan to take?

I've only taken micro and I'm in biochem now. My interview is 11/16.

 

[pine88]

I posted this on another thread but I was wondering what you all thought of it:

I met a bunch of UoP D3 students that were on vacation here. I hung out with them for the weekend and they told me lots about the school, and everything was positive, except - they said that if you want to specialize it might be better to go somewhere else. In their opinion UoP attracts a lot of book smart people which makes it tough to get good grades.
I've also heard bias against the 3 year program from older practicing dentists, which whether unfounded or not, these people could be deciding the fate of a residency, specialty, etc.

Opinions?

 

[crazy_sherm]

There are smart students at every school and getting good grades if more about how much time you put into it. The school is not known as a specializing factory like UCLA or the Ivy Leagues, but it's no worse than most schools. Around 10% of every class goes onto a specialty program not including AEGD/GPR.

Things I think that may make it harder to specialize at UOP is we have a much higher clinical emphasis compared to the academic program. The didactic courses are on the basic side, which is adequate to get licensed, but may not prepare you to score 90+ on the boards without some real effort by most. Our breaks are also pretty short, so the ability to do externships is quite limited requiring good planning and forethought. You have to come into school knowing you want to specialize, hit the ground running, and not waver under the pressure.

There are some real smart kids in my class who are total go-getters that should be able to match pretty easily. I find it amazing they can have so much energy to get everything done and done well.

I posted this on another thread but I was wondering what you all thought of it:

I met a bunch of UoP D3 students that were on vacation here. I hung out with them for the weekend and they told me lots about the school, and everything was positive, except - they said that if you want to specialize it might be better to go somewhere else. In their opinion UoP attracts a lot of book smart people which makes it tough to get good grades.
I've also heard bias against the 3 year program from older practicing dentists, which whether unfounded or not, these people could be deciding the fate of a residency, specialty, etc.

Opinions?

 

[kittylover]

i interviewed this past feb, and still got accepted (not waitlist) 2 weeks after the interview. of the 10 people i interviewed with, 8 of them are my classmates now so even if you aren't accepted by 12/1, you still have a lot of hope.

i would highly recommend taking histology. that was the only "recommended" class i did not take in undergrad and find histo to be pretty difficult. all the microscopic pictures start to look the same after a while! of course there are others who did not take gross anatomy and find that part difficult also. anatomy/histo (combined course) being a 7-unit class will definitely make or break your ranking & gpa.

in general i feel the school is preparing us very adequately in terms of clinical abilities. i don't think the 3-year program puts us in any disadvantage at all. just be prepared for really short breaks and work your ass off.

 

[Lemming]

Does anyone know if UOP offers any scholarships and to what percentage of students? Also, do you buy and therefore actually own your instruments at UOP?

 

[crazy_sherm]

Does anyone know if UOP offers any scholarships and to what percentage of students? Also, do you buy and therefore actually own your instruments at UOP?

UOP offers a Dean's scholarship upon acceptance that is merit based. The amount of the scholarship ranges from $30k-60k and is spread across all three years. There are no conditions to the scholarship, once you agree to attend school, you'll automatically get it even if you drop to the minimum allowed GPA. I haven't taken an official survey, but I believe about 20 people from each class qualified, so roughly 12-15%. From what I can tell, the scholarship is based mainly on your DAT score. Students who also had a high GPA received a little more money. For example, I had a 23 on the DAT but a 3.2 GPA so they gave me $30k. One of my classmates also had a 23 on the DAT but a 4.1 GPA. She got $45k. Someone else had a 26 on the DAT and a 3.9 GPA, she got $60k.

The majority of the hand instruments are rented from the school. You get a set during the first year that you keep the whole year, but then return before second year. While in clinic, you can borrow most of the instruments depending on the procedure you are doing that day. All other equipment like handpieces, curing lights, rubber dam clamps, etc you own and have to keep track of on your own. Some students like to buy their own set of instruments that they prefer to use or cooler gadgets that cost more than they're worth in my opinion. I find the stuff the school has for us more than adequate.

 

[Lemming]

Thank you. That is more $$$ than I expected they would give out, and really makes a difference over 3 years.

So the $17K mostly goes to hand pieces etc. vs. instruments? Please excuse my ignorance in terminology...

 

[Mackerel]

I just scheduled an interview for Jan 8!

 

[azbioc]

I scheduled mine for the 18th of january!

 

[catytweety]

Me too! See you there on the 18th

 

[keibee82]

Me too! See you there on the 18th

i'm still waiting... i want one too!!!!! my app was completed late Aug.
Is it time for me to wait for rejection letter???

 

[Envision]

January? are you guys getting primary interviews or alternate? thanx.

 

[DrAverageJoe]

UOP offers a Dean's scholarship upon acceptance that is merit based. The amount of the scholarship ranges from $30k-60k and is spread across all three years. There are no conditions to the scholarship, once you agree to attend school, you'll automatically get it even if you drop to the minimum allowed GPA. I haven't taken an official survey, but I believe about 20 people from each class qualified, so roughly 12-15%. From what I can tell, the scholarship is based mainly on your DAT score. Students who also had a high GPA received a little more money. For example, I had a 23 on the DAT but a 3.2 GPA so they gave me $30k. One of my classmates also had a 23 on the DAT but a 4.1 GPA. She got $45k. Someone else had a 26 on the DAT and a 3.9 GPA, she got $60k.

The majority of the hand instruments are rented from the school. You get a set during the first year that you keep the whole year, but then return before second year. While in clinic, you can borrow most of the instruments depending on the procedure you are doing that day. All other equipment like handpieces, curing lights, rubber dam clamps, etc you own and have to keep track of on your own. Some students like to buy their own set of instruments that they prefer to use or cooler gadgets that cost more than they're worth in my opinion. I find the stuff the school has for us more than adequate.

Is a 23 on the DAT a cut-off for the scholarship? Do you know of any ppl with 22s that have gotten them?

 

[Mackerel]

January? are you guys getting primary interviews or alternate? thanx.

I asked and they said it was not for the wait list.