While it is beyond evident that UOP has a far better didactic approach than USC's lackluster PBL, I would be remiss to say that USC does not have better clinical skills than UOP, although not by much. Not only that but USC's name and networking surpasses almost all dental schools in that aspect. These opinions are not my own but are the general consensus of various successful dentists and dental specialists that I have talked with throughout California many of whom have no bias towards either school having never attended them rather just hired graduates of their given programs. As a result I am having such a difficult time figuring out what I should do and where I should attend (the 3 years of UOP versus the 4 years of USC really does not figure into this decision for me personally). Yes I know that UOP probably is the better school overall but I know that when all is said and done, it does not open the same doors as being a USC alumni. I welcome any and all advice....
First, You are not going to be a more "successful" dentist by going to a specific school based on name alone. Period. There are many other things that factor into equation, mainly: how good are you at business/selling yourself.
Secondly, if "name were the case" then you're out of luck because "ucsf" "ucla" theoretically have a "higher name" then both schools. I honestly don't think it factors into the equation as to getting hired. If you want the job, you'll get the job by selling yourself, being persistent, being personable, and by having the skills good dentist. Every school can theoretically provide those grounds.
Disclaimer: Some people that argue that "some schools better prepare you clinically. While that maybe true, after a few years, your skills will even you out with the rest of the field. And finally, Dentistry is what you put into it. You can be the best damn clinician provided u put the time and effort in it. Being placed in a program automatically doesn't make you a great clinician unless you put the time and effort in it.
Lastly, name in dentistry means very little. The average ordinary person doesn't ask or know where their dentist got their degree from. They care more about A) Price, B) Store hours, C) Personality D) Location. All these are "business" aspects of dentistry.
How will an average patient know the difference between a good root canal and an average one? They won't.
For those that argue that name in the medical field does matter, well it does to an extent. If I wanted to get a heart surgery, I would want someone from Case, John Hopkins, Harvard etc. If I wanted to get a OMFS surgery that replaced my entire jaw, I would want someone from an IVY. If I wanted someone to clean my teeth, I want someone that is cheap, quick and efficient. Dentistry's name means very little in the scope of the general picture.
Yes, some schools have better "chances" to specialize or whatnot; however, if you want to, you can have just as much of a chance to specialize in any school provided u put the work and effort.
In my opinion, name means very little.
In every education system, you receive what you put into it. You can be successful in both programs provided you try. That being said, my personal decision is based on happiness. =)