UOP or LOMA LINDA???? Please Help!

[dentalnitemares]

---

Members don't see this ad.

i dink from your posts, youve already decided on loma linda. good luck with dental school.

 

[DREDAY]

i dink from your posts, youve already decided on loma linda. good luck with dental school.

Actually, I have not yet decided where to go. This is really a tough decision.

 

[USUaggie]

i hear you on that one. Is your LLU deposite due at the end of this week? I'm considering putting down the $1000 ($500 refundable) as well as my second $300 at Maryland just because I'm having such a tough time deciding.

 

[DREDAY]

i hear you on that one. Is your LLU deposite due at the end of this week? I'm considering putting down the $1000 ($500 refundable) as well as my second $300 at Maryland just because I'm having such a tough time deciding.

yeah im thinking imma put my deposit down for it. But then UOP requires their second deposit soon..... so i dont know, if it will be worth buying 15 days of time to decide for 500 dollars.

 

[crazy_sherm]

They're both great schools, so I don't think you can make a wrong choice as far as who will prepare you well enough for dentistry. Since Loma Linda looks like a much better financial situation for you, what is it about UOP that you feel is missing at Loma Linda?

I know for me, I was choosing between UCSF and UOP. Even though UCSF might have given me a better academic background and cost less, after working out the math, I would only save about $45k due to tuition increases. I would also have to stay in school one more year. I could use that extra year to either work, or do a GPR/AEGD if I felt it was necessary. But the main thing that won me over at UOP were those qualities that are hard to measure. I just liked the vibe at UOP more and felt I would be happier there.

So I guess you really have to weigh the advantages of going to either Loma Linda or UOP and really decide which one holds more value for you. If you haven't already, make a list of all the pros and cons of each school to help you quantify and justify your reasons.

Good luck deciding!

 

[DREDAY]

They're both great schools, so I don't think you can make a wrong choice as far as who will prepare you well enough for dentistry. Since Loma Linda looks like a much better financial situation for you, what is it about UOP that you feel is missing at Loma Linda?

I know for me, I was choosing between UCSF and UOP. Even though UCSF might have given me a better academic background and cost less, after working out the math, I would only save about $45k due to tuition increases. I would also have to stay in school one more year. I could use that extra year to either work, or do a GPR/AEGD if I felt it was necessary. But the main thing that won me over at UOP were those qualities that are hard to measure. I just liked the vibe at UOP more and felt I would be happier there.

So I guess you really have to weigh the advantages of going to either Loma Linda or UOP and really decide which one holds more value for you. If you haven't already, make a list of all the pros and cons of each school to help you quantify and justify your reasons.

Good luck deciding!

thanks alot i appreciate your advice. but remember the 45 thousand increase still has to have interest taken into account as well as the fact that money today is worth more than money tomorrow.

 

[nothen2do]

thanks alot i appreciate your advice. but remember the 45 thousand increase still has to have interest taken into account as well as the fact that money today is worth more than money tomorrow.

The econ major in me had to say this...Interest is what makes money today worth more than tomorrow in the form of inflation. So the 45k will acrrue interest but at the same time it will also be subject to inflation. What im getting at is you should say either 45K today is more than tomorrow, or the 45K will accrue interest. Not both.

 

[DREDAY]

The econ major in me had to say this...Interest is what makes money today worth more than tomorrow in the form of inflation. So the 45k will acrrue interest but at the same time it will also be subject to inflation. What im getting at is you should say either 45K today is more than tomorrow, or the 45K will accrue interest. Not both.

i stand corrected thanks

 

[EyeAmCommi]

How come no one mentioned that Loma Linda is a Christian school? I'm sure that you will be a fine dentist by going to either Pacific or Loma Linda but do you want religious studies shoved down your throat at LLU? Honestly, the last thing I need is for Jesus to tell me whether I or not should believe in stem cell research. Don't get me wrong, I'm Catholic and would really fit into a religious environment but I am also an advocate of diversity in education. What is important is that you get real world experience and what better way to get real world experience than to meet Christians AND non-Christians in beautiful San Francisco?

I am speaking for Pacific because I have taken a tour there and love the environment and feel of the faculty and students regardless of the "recruiting" techniques you guys say they might have used. By looking at the statistics for Pacific, the low GPA doesn't do it any justice. I know a couple of UC Davis alumni whose GPAs are 3.8 who go to Pacific now, and if Pacific's class size had been 27 like Harvard's instead of the large class of 130+ students, then the GPAs would easily shoot to 3.7 and we wouldn't have this discussion about which school is better. I also think Pacific is the most competitive DAT-wise, maybe even more so than Harvard but numbers tell you little about how good a school is... Anyway, Go Pacific!

 

[mbapharmd77066]

Yeah go Pacific, RANKED #16 IN THE NATION. They're going all the way to the FINAL FOUR!!!

 

[DREDAY]

there is a big misconscenption about loma linda. only 30% of its students are 7th day adventist.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

there is a big misconscenption about loma linda. only 30% of its students are 7th day adventist.

Awww I see, but they still advocate religious beliefs and ethics for all their students I'm sure.

 

[DREDAY]

Awww I see, but they still advocate religious beliefs and ethics for all their students I'm sure.

Actually no.... After speaking to the dean, he told me they only make you take 1 50 minute religion class on wednesdays. The reason for that is that they want you to learn about 7th day beliefs because they want to make sure you know what the school stands for when you are out in the clinic and patients ask you what the school believes in. He went on to tell me, that if anyone tried to impose the 7th day beliefs on me, for me to go talk to him and he would take care of them.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Actually no.... After speaking to the dean, he told me they only make you take 1 50 minute religion class on wednesdays. The reason for that is that they want you to learn about 7th day beliefs because they want to make sure you know what the school stands for when you are out in the clinic and patients ask you what the school believes in. He went on to tell me, that if anyone tried to impose the 7th day beliefs on me, for me to go talk to him and he would take care of them.

How come the LLU website says this:
"Loma Linda University is a health science university and part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's system of higher education. It provides an environment for learning that emphasizes individual commitment to Christ"
http://www.llu.edu/llu/dentistry/geninfo.html

I don't dispute what you're saying because no school should literally shove religion down anyones throat but the fact that the school is deeply rooted in religion says a lot about its student body and their beliefs. "[LLU] emphasizes individual commitment to Christ." They even admit it.

"Real world experience," achieved by cultural diversity, is important to me and the fact that they require you take a class about a specific religion is enough of a deterent for me.

 

[USUaggie]

Yeah go Pacific, RANKED #16 IN THE NATION. They're going all the way to the FINAL FOUR!!!

Boooooo!!!! Y'all had a 1 point double overtime win over us in Stockton and a 1 point win here because we blew a big lead in the last minute. Afterwards, your players showed some of the worst class I've ever seen on the court. Anyway, sorry this is off topic but I'll see you in Aneheim this weekend buddy. 'Sgoaggies!

 

[nothen2do]

The question is how that apsect of the school affects you. I'm not a 7th day adventist, but I was seriously considering that school. Its cheap, extremely known for its program, and you could easily buy a condo there instead of rent. On the other hand, UOP is in the heart of san francisco, which is a lot of fun. Where are you leaning to right now? Well, good luck and let us know your decision

 

[DREDAY]

The question is how that apsect of the school affects you. I'm not a 7th day adventist, but I was seriously considering that school. Its cheap, extremely known for its program, and you could easily buy a condo there instead of rent. On the other hand, UOP is in the heart of san francisco, which is a lot of fun. Where are you leaning to right now? Well, good luck and let us know your decision

I am not leaning towards any of them right now. I am seriously on the middle of the fence. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

 

[egpndoc]

I am not leaning towards any of them right now. I am seriously on the middle of the fence. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

I feel your pain, I love both schools but I decided to go to UoP. To be able to finish studying a whole year earlier.....you cant beat that with a stick. I was thinking back to undergrad, and if I had the opportunity to finish a year earlier I would have taken it. Plus dental school is hard anyway, you might as well get it over with as soon as possible. Trust me on this one. I also live by LLU (10 minutes away), and it is booooooorrrrrriiiiinnnnggg. theres nothing to do out there and its like 110 degrees in the summer. I dont think you will regret going to either school when you end up graduating, but I think SF has more to offer as a city than Loma Linda. ANyways, good luck to you, but say you cannot decided which school is better for you, call it a tie and pick which city is better for you. that will make the decision a whole lot easier.

 

[ecrdoubles15]

dreday is correct, everyone that doesn't really know what they are talking about seem to think that just because LLU is as school with a religious background that you are going to be forced to be religious or something. like he said only 30% are 7th day adventists and of those 30% alot of them are not even religious. people go there for dental school not for religion. and if you have ever talked to the admissions staff, they are the most kind-hearted people of all schools since they probbaly have a kind religious heart. and alot of students from there get recruited to practices just because they are from LLU because the dentists know that the students are mainly there to help other people. They are the only dental school that has a huge international program where EVERYONE get a chance to travel to like 20 different countries. but it all depends on where you want to go. if you have to put down other schools to make yoru school look better, then maybe your school is not the best.

just think of it like this: you will never hear about a LLU student talk bad about another school, but you will always hear a UOP student talk trash. so you have to say to yourself do you want to have classmates who are conceited about nothing or classmates at LLU who are totally down to earth. laters. and I know alot of UOP people are probably going to write back saying the same bs as usually, so let me go ahead and tell you guys for them: "UOP is the best because its in the city and you finish in 3 years. go UOP!!!" yeah right. bye.

 

[hootanfellows]

and I know alot of UOP people are probably going to write back saying the same bs as usually, so let me go ahead and tell you guys for them: "UOP is the best because its in the city and you finish in 3 years. go UOP!!!" yeah right. bye.

I personally like the panoramic windows at UOP. I also like the fact that faculty is so nice, they even eat lunch with the students. These are a couple of the intangibles that you can keep in mind too. They might not be pertinent to you, but they might be to someone else. Good luck deciding!!

 

[USUaggie]

I just heard from a professor here that Loma Linda gets unbearably smoggy in the summertime, like it hurts your lungs to run around. Can anyone confirm this or is it just a nasty rumor?

 

[ecrdoubles15]

I just heard from a professor here that Loma Linda gets unbearably smoggy in the summertime, like it hurts your lungs to run around. Can anyone confirm this or is it just a nasty rumor?

i dont know who told you, but no it doesn't. it is actually los angeles that get really smoggy. LLU is based near mountainous areas so you can see los angeles from the school and you do see alot of smog. but not in loma linda.

 

[nothen2do]

I just heard from a professor here that Loma Linda gets unbearably smoggy in the summertime, like it hurts your lungs to run around. Can anyone confirm this or is it just a nasty rumor?

the trick is to suck on popsickles. They cool your insides. Ah, Childhood memories

 

[EyeAmCommi]

if you have to put down other schools to make yoru school look better, then maybe your school is not the best.[...]just think of it like this: you will never hear about a LLU student talk bad about another school, but you will always hear a UOP student talk trash.

That is a generalization that is neither relevant nor true. I am in the same position as any other pre-dental student looking for the best schools to apply to. I'm not a student of Pacific and if you think that discussing the religious aspect of a school is trashtalk, then excuse me for bringing up one of the main differences between Pacific and LLU. All I'm saying is that overall, Pacific seems like a good option because 1) I've taken a tour there and their facilities are truly outstanding. The faculty really is nice and the students there indeed have nothing bad to say about there school. What's wrong with that? And I have never once heard them talk trash about any other school and even if one individual did, what does it matter? 2) It's located in the heart of San Francisco, what's not to love about that? The only con to that is it is in the most expensive part of SF, Pacific Heights.

But since religion and diversity isn't an issue to you DREDAY, try reading this thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=183792&page=3 . I have no doubt you will become a competent dentist coming from either schools since both are clinically very strong from what I've heard. But maybe LLU is a better option for you because of proximity.

As for me, I'm sold on San Francisco. If either UCSF or Pacific takes me, I'm there. No question about it I currently live in a farm town/suburb and believe me, there is nothing more desirable than to get out of here and live in the big city by the Bay. The idea of having an active night life in SF's social atmosphere is truly intriguing. And as for 3 or 4 years til graduation time, I don't really care. I hope I helped you make a decision.

 

[jonnytight]

Well said EyeAmCommi.

Does anyone have any info on LLU specialty matching rates...What do you guys think about LLU preparing for boards part 1? Are they REALLY clinically based? Im thinking about going to LLU (still waiting for 1 school) as an option but I dont know how they are in terms of specialty. Anyone know anything?

 

[Jcrichards]

Well said EyeAmCommi.

Does anyone have any info on LLU specialty matching rates...What do you guys think about LLU preparing for boards part 1? Are they REALLY clinically based? Im thinking about going to LLU (still waiting for 1 school) as an option but I dont know how they are in terms of specialty. Anyone know anything?

The good news for you, jonnytight, is that LLU has every specialty program available. The bad news is that LLU's average part 1 boards scores are typically lower than UOP's. However, if you know your stuff, it might stand to reason that your class rank would be higher in a less-competitive school. I'm not exactly sure if it would work that way though.

Regarding the choice between UOP and LLU...apples and oranges, my friend. What kind of experience are you looking to having during dental school? San Francisco is a liberal, bustling metropolis and Loma Linda is a conservative, laid-back suburb. I have lived close to San Francisco most of my life and love the city, but the parking/traffic problems and constant excitement aren't really my thing. However, the fact remains that both are supposed to be very good schools, especially clinically.

Being a Seventh-Day Adventist myself, I hope to attend LLU because many of its students have the same background and lifestyle goals that I do. I'll also admit that marrying a woman who shares my religious convictions appeals to me and LLU will provide those sorts of dating opportunities. I don't agree with LLU's "no drinking/smoking/sex (or else!)" stance, but I'm not into those things anyway so it doesn't affect me.

Some call Loma Linda a boring, sleepy town and others call it a cushy suburb...which way do you lean and what are you looking to get out of your dental school experience?

 

[jonnytight]

JCRichards....thanks fort he reply....I hope you can answer some of the other questions that were posted on the other thread that you started regarding LLU and rumors.....

I have lived in LA for 2/3 of my life and the first part of it I was around the SF bay. I currently live with family, and Im very close with them...im also close to my cousins/aunts/uncles/gparents/etc....... so family is a big part of my life. i have been accepted to usc and loma linda but im waiting for ucsf. i would very much like to go to sf b/c i think i would have the best opportunities there (for me anyways)...but then again i think about not being home and such. i would like to live by myself for the experience and to learn to take care of myself.

i guess what im trying to say is that i need to move out....but i want to enjoy my dental school experience....go out with classmates..have a nightlife and such....and im thinking that LLU is not for me b/c of the suburb kind of town it is.

yes you are correct about the greater opp to be higher ranked in the class, i would like to also be involved in research and during the interview i got the impression that llu dental is not very strong in research. and i am planning to specialize...but i dont think i would like to go to loma linda for 6-7 years if i do get accepted to their specialty program as well..mmmmm.....i gotta decide what im gonna do.

The good news for you, jonnytight, is that LLU has every specialty program available. The bad news is that LLU's average part 1 boards scores are typically lower than UOP's. However, if you know your stuff, it might stand to reason that your class rank would be higher in a less-competitive school. I'm not exactly sure if it would work that way though.

Regarding the choice between UOP and LLU...apples and oranges, my friend. What kind of experience are you looking to having during dental school? San Francisco is a liberal, bustling metropolis and Loma Linda is a conservative, laid-back suburb. I have lived close to San Francisco most of my life and love the city, but the parking/traffic problems and constant excitement aren't really my thing. However, the fact remains that both are supposed to be very good schools, especially clinically.

Being a Seventh-Day Adventist myself, I hope to attend LLU because many of its students have the same background and lifestyle goals that I do. I'll also admit that marrying a woman who shares my religious convictions appeals to me and LLU will provide those sorts of dating opportunities. I don't agree with LLU's "no drinking/smoking/sex (or else!)" stance, but I'm not into those things anyway so it doesn't affect me.

Some call Loma Linda a boring, sleepy town and others call it a cushy suburb...which way do you lean and what are you looking to get out of your dental school experience?

 

[RiversideS13]

sorry i have entering 2004 class profile with me and it says

85 students out of 95 are SDA.
Chrisitian 2
Baptist 3
Latter-day Saints 3
Catholic 1
None 1

I have no clue where you got the number figure from. (30%?)

 

[EyeAmCommi]

sorry i have entering 2004 class profile with me and it says

85 students out of 95 are SDA.
Chrisitian 2
Baptist 3
Latter-day Saints 3
Catholic 1
None 1

I have no clue where you got the number figure from. (30%?)

Wow, if this is true then I am even more right than I thought I was.

 

[USUaggie]

Could one of you post your source on the figures? I'm so confused.

 

[USUaggie]

And what does the "Christian 2" mean? SDA's, Baptists, Mormons, and Catholics all believe in Christ.

 

[RiversideS13]

I am sorry I dont know what does Chritian mean either. The source i got is very legible from LLU, which was a 2004 class profile with all the statistics.

However, it seens many of people here were accepted as nonSDA students. That might be LLU is trying to change right now or it just happened as many nonSDA students decided not to attend LLU last year..

 

[egpndoc]

And what does the "Christian 2" mean? SDA's, Baptists, Mormons, and Catholics all believe in Christ.

Christian 2 means that there are two people that identified themselves as christian. they probably believe in christ, but do not attend church or some other reason why they specifically identify themselves as christian.

 

[juggamynugga]

Christian 2 means that there are two people that identified themselves as christian. they probably believe in christ, but do not attend church or some other reason why they specifically identify themselves as christian.

probably means they are methodist or something like that

 

[dentallover15]

Do you need a lor from a church leader?

 

[Profchaos]

Do you need a lor from a church leader?

Yes

 

[savvysearch]

It seems to me that financially, your head tells you to go to Loma Linda. But from your post, you didn't really make me understand why exactly you want to go to UOP as it's more expensive in the short and long run.

 

[dentallover15]

Yes

What if you're not too religious or you're a non-christian? How do you go up to a church leader and ask for a recommendation when he/she doesnt know you?

 

[crazy_sherm]

What if you're not too religious or you're a non-christian? How do you go up to a church leader and ask for a recommendation when he/she doesnt know you?

Doesn't have to be a church leader, but maybe a spiritual leader, guiding figure, guru, etc. If you don't have one, or aren't particulary religious/spiritual, then you don't go to LLU.

It seems to me that financially, your head tells you to go to Loma Linda. But from your post, you didn't really make me understand why exactly you want to go to UOP as it's more expensive in the short and long run.

This is a pretty old thread. The OP ended up deciding to go to UCSF instead of either UOP or Loma Linda.

 

[USUaggie]

What if you're not too religious or you're a non-christian? How do you go up to a church leader and ask for a recommendation when he/she doesnt know you?

If you're not very religious you may not enjoy the environment at LLU, but then again, maybe you will, maybe it will change your life, who knows? I think you can just ask somebody who fills that role in your life. Like some kind of a mentor or good example. Some righteous person you really look up to.

Yeah, this thread is old.

 

[AUG2UAG]

This is a pretty old thread. The OP ended up deciding to go to UCSF instead of either UOP or Loma Linda.

so much drama and at the end it meant absolutely nothing
kinda like religion

 

[dentwannabe]

and javadicavity is right, if you don't know what you are talking about STFU

you look like one of those puffy fishes in that pic.

change it asap.

 

[dentallover15]

If you're not very religious you may not enjoy the environment at LLU, but then again, maybe you will, maybe it will change your life, who knows? I think you can just ask somebody who fills that role in your life. Like some kind of a mentor or good example. Some righteous person you really look up to.

Yeah, this thread is old.

Thanks for the info!!! Are you SDA? Do you mind telling me your DAT AA, PAT, GPA, sciGPA? Thanks!!!

 

[ecrdoubles15]

Do you need a lor from a church leader?

you dont need letter from church leader. everyone thinks so too. i know that is what it says it application because that is what they prefer. but they are just looking for character reference. i asked the office of admissions and they said if you didnt have a church leader then you can have someone close to you write it for you. so i had my friend write it. and it obviously didn't hurt me cause i got in. good luck though.

 

[ecrdoubles15]

also, at the interview just be honest. i told the dean, who interviewed me, that i dont go to church and not really religious, but im open to it. they main thing they are looking for is that you are community-oriented, open-minded and family-oriented. if you got those three qualities and/or mention them in the interview then you are in. good luck.

 

[dentallover15]

also, at the interview just be honest. i told the dean, who interviewed me, that i dont go to church and not really religious, but im open to it. they main thing they are looking for is that you are community-oriented, open-minded and family-oriented. if you got those three qualities and/or mention them in the interview then you are in. good luck.

Thank you!Can I ask what your stats are as well? Also, will you be going there?

 

[USUaggie]

so much drama and at the end it meant absolutely nothing
kinda like religion

I know that was a joke but still, I've got a good comeback and can't keep it in!
Here goes: Screw you! no just kidding. My real comeback is what do you mean by "at the end" because you know, neither of us have really reached that point yet, have we? Only then can you tell what was meaningless in your life.....But I don't want to get into a theological discussion here.
Do you really like kumquats or just the way it sounds? I thought they were gross, but it's a funny word.

To answer dentallover's question, no I'm not SDA, I'm LDS.
stats:
3.75 GPA, 3.6 science
DAT 20/19/19
lots of extracurricular service and leadership with Habitat for Humanity

 

[hsc2104]

Late post, but I'll share my opinion anyway.

If there is any chance that you might get into a specialty, then Loma Linda would give you a slight advantage. But in all honesty, I would choose UOP anyday because of their 3 yr program (think about the opportunity cost of that one extra year), they have a GREAT clinical education, and besides, GP's in this day and age take continuing education courses that allows them take on alot of the specialty treatments themselves (they don't have to rely on referrals). Contrary to an opinion posted here, UOP practicioners have a respected reputation in the dental community

Furthermore, you'll have a better party life ("better" in that the school won't bash you for drinking/smoking occasionally).

People, don't get me wrong. Loma Linda is a great school. I'm just presenting my own thoughts about why I would choose UOP over Loma.

Your decision. My unbiased opinion (I don't attend either of those).

 

[KrebsPsycho]

also, at the interview just be honest. i told the dean, who interviewed me, that i dont go to church and not really religious, but im open to it. they main thing they are looking for is that you are community-oriented, open-minded and family-oriented. if you got those three qualities and/or mention them in the interview then you are in. good luck.

This is BS. You are not being honest. We all know SDA population is shrinking and what LLU is trying to do to avoid that