I got into my top three schools- UOP, UCSF, and UCLA. I am having such a hard time trying to decide which one to pick and was wanting others' advice! I would love to hear the positives and negatives of the three schools!
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UOP vs UCLA vs UCSF
- Thread starter ryannwalker
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I wouldn't lie... I'm just looking for advice
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well i may be a bit biased cuz i go to UoP, but i'll give you my feedback one what I think life's been lnike the first 2 quarters of school here. 🙂
Positives
#1: the ppl are AWESOME here!!!!! ppl help each other out and so to the faculty. they're all really approachable and they WANT you to learn and succeed. they do what they can to help you along with the other students.
#2: you're in SF... WONDERFUL places to eat... just down the street from school too!!!!
#3: you'll be done in 3 years. 🙂
#4: no specialty programs really (other than ortho) so that means you get ot see really really really complex cases and get to work & treat them vs sending it to the prosth or endo programs.
Negatives
#1: cost... it's a bit pricey to go here, but I love it here tho. I love the ppl here
#2: it's an intense program.... there's like literally no time to go out much.. (but somehow we manage anyways 😉 )
Ucla & UCSF
Positive: cost. tuition is really really cheap even if you're OOS cuz after one year you can apply for residency and get residency tuition
Negative: not UoP... so you'll be in dental school for FOUR years... 🙂
hopefully this gives you some insight in your decision.
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J
junkemails44
Hey I think I know who you are! Good job! She's the president at a csu dental club. I'd go with UCSF if I was in your shoes. Congrats Ryan
thanks! yup, that's me... did I meet you at an interview? i'm so thankful that i'm in, but this will be an EXTREMELY hard decision! how are you doing in this process?
J
junkemails44
Lol no I go to the same school and I am on your email listing for dental club. And I recognized your name. Well Good job lol I am sitting on 3 acceptances but not the ones that you're contemplating on. I am heavily leaning toward to either Pitt (accepted) or buffalo (interview soon). I do not have much dental experience at all.
I would consider a few things:
1. Location: San Francisco and LA are fairly different in terms of weather and culture.
2. Money: UOP costs about 100k more than UCSF or UCLA, assuming the current UC budget crisis won't affect the UC tuition (questionable). I know undergrad tuition is raising 32%, if the same happens to the UC dental schools the costs will be much closer.
3. Time spent: UOP is done in 3 years...that's an extra year to start practicing, finish in AEGD/GPR etc. If you calculate the amount of money you make in that year (especially if you consider it an extra year at the end of your career) UoP's cost is equivalent or even better than either UC. That being said, paying back a $360k loan right out of dental school could be very difficult w/ a 10 year term (might have to switch to 30 year = more interest) unless you have some supplemental income (family or spousal $)
4. Research: UCLA and UCSF will give you better research opportunities (partially simply because you have more time to do them ie summers), which may help you match certain residencies.That being said, I think anyone who is motivated enough will get into their chosen specialty at any of the 3 schools.
I didn't get into UCSF and haven't heard from UCLA but I'd choose UoP over UCLA. I want to live in San Francisco, I'm a bit older than the avg starting dental student so the extra year is worth a lot to me and the questionable funding / tuition raising of the UCs wasn't worth the risk. If I had gotten into UCSF I think it'd be a tough decision to weigh between the ~100k saved vs the extra year saved. I think I'd still choose UoP simply because I got a better vibe from the students/faculty when visiting both schools.
1. Location: San Francisco and LA are fairly different in terms of weather and culture.
2. Money: UOP costs about 100k more than UCSF or UCLA, assuming the current UC budget crisis won't affect the UC tuition (questionable). I know undergrad tuition is raising 32%, if the same happens to the UC dental schools the costs will be much closer.
3. Time spent: UOP is done in 3 years...that's an extra year to start practicing, finish in AEGD/GPR etc. If you calculate the amount of money you make in that year (especially if you consider it an extra year at the end of your career) UoP's cost is equivalent or even better than either UC. That being said, paying back a $360k loan right out of dental school could be very difficult w/ a 10 year term (might have to switch to 30 year = more interest) unless you have some supplemental income (family or spousal $)
4. Research: UCLA and UCSF will give you better research opportunities (partially simply because you have more time to do them ie summers), which may help you match certain residencies.That being said, I think anyone who is motivated enough will get into their chosen specialty at any of the 3 schools.
I didn't get into UCSF and haven't heard from UCLA but I'd choose UoP over UCLA. I want to live in San Francisco, I'm a bit older than the avg starting dental student so the extra year is worth a lot to me and the questionable funding / tuition raising of the UCs wasn't worth the risk. If I had gotten into UCSF I think it'd be a tough decision to weigh between the ~100k saved vs the extra year saved. I think I'd still choose UoP simply because I got a better vibe from the students/faculty when visiting both schools.
well, hey, great job! at least you know that you're going to dental school next year! congrats! are you coming to the meeting tomorrow? haha 🙂
thanks, g23armani! the tuition IS going up for the UC's by 32%... which is horrible.
J
junkemails44
No I can't. I have to do something for micro class.... I have to make up for many things becasue of all the interviews.....
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hey ryann! congrats! Its Adam from the UCSF outreach! It's great to see you got into your top choices! 🙂
hey adam! it's nice to hear from you. congrats on getting into nova, that's awesome!
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Hey External
Pacific REALLY has that high of specializing rate???? I dont know, I am hearing different things from different Pacific students........Well either way, I am gonna be there so I'll deal with that later😍
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Well that is true for the undergrad, is that going to happen for the dental school?
at my ucla interview they said that it wasn't certain, but when we talked to the dental students they acted like it was a done deal. i guess we'll have to wait on the official announcement!
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Well...32% really isn't that bad. Still gonna be cheaper then private schools. Just don't know if it's going to KEEP going up
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t
thats not true.... what dr. 'dean' ferillo said today was that 95% of Uop graduates who apply to the specialty programs get in the school or the program of their choice. also, UOP gives a priority for the UOP grads for their specialty programs, and to work as faculty at the school after graduating! but, a lot of people choose not to do post grad.... mainly, cuz most of us here fall in love with general dentistry early on, cuz of how much exposure we get to general dentistr and plus, its an intense program. it does burn u out to some extent. 1st year is intense.... life gets better after that.
but, people are AMAZING... cant emphjasize it enough!
aaah..... 8 finals in 3 days!!! time to get back to anatomy
!!!gluck deciding... see u here in july!😉
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t
thats not true.... what dr. 'dean' ferillo said today was that 95% of Uop graduates who apply to the specialty programs get in the school or the program of their choice. also, UOP gives a priority for the UOP grads for their specialty programs, and to work as faculty at the school after graduating! but, a lot of people choose not to do post grad.... mainly, cuz most of us here fall in love with general dentistry early on, cuz of how much exposure we get to general dentistr and plus, its an intense program. it does burn u out to some extent. 1st year is intense.... life gets better after that.
but, people are AMAZING... cant emphjasize it enough!
aaah..... 8 finals in 3 days!!! time to get back to anatomy
gluck deciding... see u here in july!😉
alas... maybe i have selective hearing... i do tend to zone in and out especially after i've had food. 😀
t
thats not true.... what dr. 'dean' ferillo said today was that 95% of Uop graduates who apply to the specialty programs get in the school or the program of their choice. also, UOP gives a priority for the UOP grads for their specialty programs, and to work as faculty at the school after graduating! but, a lot of people choose not to do post grad.... mainly, cuz most of us here fall in love with general dentistry early on, cuz of how much exposure we get to general dentistr and plus, its an intense program. it does burn u out to some extent. 1st year is intense.... life gets better after that.
but, people are AMAZING... cant emphjasize it enough!
aaah..... 8 finals in 3 days!!! time to get back to anatomy
gluck deciding... see u here in july!😉
So UOP gives priority for specialty programs...even though they only have one... Sounds pretty advantageous there. I'm pretty sure if you're looking to specialize, UCLA has arguably the most students specialize percentage-wise. And GPR/AEGD aren't specialties, before someone gives some bogus number of people "specializing" from places like UOP.
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Pacific has one specialty program on-site. There's also an OMFS program in Oakland that has residents rotate through the dental school. So yes, UoP gives you an leg up to get into the two most competitive dental specialties. Also, every student to my knowledge who has applied to endo from Pacific has gotten in directly out of school, as well as prosth/perio.
Sure, but it doesn't really matter to you if everyone else is specializing does it? All that matters is your own personal credentials, class rank, boards scores, EC's/research. P/F is certainly nice, but then you're riding your entire application on the results of a single, stressful day (Boards), and there are many specialty directors (For OMFS at least) who consider P/F grades a weakness in the application.
No one said they were. Historically about 15-20% of the class at Pacific specializes (Yes, actual specialties), but 95% of the people who apply get in their first try. That's what demon was trying to say.
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To the OP: You can't really go wrong here. I have a few friends at UCSF, and I've met a good number of UCLA students along the trail (and my significant other is a pre-clinical RPD row instructor at UCLA), and you'll be a competent dentist and have an excellent chance at getting into your specialty of choice from any of the above schools.
I'd recommend making your decisions based on things like cost, area you'd like to live, class dynamics and teaching styles, not based on garbage thrown around on the internet.
I'd recommend making your decisions based on things like cost, area you'd like to live, class dynamics and teaching styles, not based on garbage thrown around on the internet.
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Thanks everyone for the advice!🙂 It's still going to be a tough decision though...
Haha yea I was thinking the same thing...especially consider that person's thread on this board ripping CA schools...anyway back to the topic at hand....
Congrats Ryann! I believe I interviewed along with you at Pacific. Honestly the thing that'd scare me the most about the UCs is the whole budget issue. It's not just the increased tuition but whether that will come coupled with cuts through the school's curriculum. Armor probably said it best though, you should go wherever you felt most comfortable because then you know you'll succeed.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll be happy whatever you decide.
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Go to UOP!
I was looking at their cirriculum and in your very first quarter you are doing operative/restorative preclinical stuff! The 2nd quarter you're already at post fixed restorations and by the 4th quarter you'll have already accomplished what everyone does in 2 years. It's really obvious UOP is clinically oriented and probably just goes over enough basic sciences to prepare for the boards. UCSF and UCLA will drill you on the sciences which really is not neccesary.
I was looking at their cirriculum and in your very first quarter you are doing operative/restorative preclinical stuff! The 2nd quarter you're already at post fixed restorations and by the 4th quarter you'll have already accomplished what everyone does in 2 years. It's really obvious UOP is clinically oriented and probably just goes over enough basic sciences to prepare for the boards. UCSF and UCLA will drill you on the sciences which really is not neccesary.
Hard decision. I applied to all three schools. I still haven't heard a peep from UCLA, got waitlisted at UCSF, and got accepted to UoP Dec. 1. During my interview at UCSF, I learned that the school was stuggling to cope with a large shortfall in funding due to California's dismay financial situtation. I asked a number of questions about this issue during my interview and one of the administrators completely skirted the question. Another, told me that it has had a "large impact." One 2nd year student told me that they had to discontinue paying all part-time professors that teach the didactic portion of the program. Out of the kindness of their hearts, and I guess a sense of duty, all of them stayed on to continue teaching part time WITHOUT pay 😱. I think that this is great, but I would be concerned that some of these professors might leave. One other thing I didn't like was that there is a mandatory 3 week externship that students do during their clinical years where they stick you out in Nowheresville, CA (ex. Yreka). It's a quant idea, but its probably a pain in the ass when you really think about it. Nevertheless, the school has a great reputation, smart students, and presumably a good teach facility.
UoP impressed me. Great location, like UCSF, but located closer to Downtown. Situation in Pac Heights, the neighboorhood is safe, cosmopolitan, and situated among great restaurants, a gourmet supermarket, and a pretty park with tremendous views of the bay. UCSF has the advantage of being closer to Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park. The students seemed enthusiastic, down-to-earth, and genuinely friendly to me. Lots of Mormons. If you don't like Mormons for some reason, this isn't the place for you. The facilities are in great condition, and the labs have windows letting natural light in (this is important to me, working in artificial light for long hours makes me depressed). Finally, the the lunch i had was really ****ing good. Great cafeteria.
The three year program seems intense. Nevertheless, I've decided it's the school for me for the above reasons and I've withdrawn my other applications.
- jmay
UoP impressed me. Great location, like UCSF, but located closer to Downtown. Situation in Pac Heights, the neighboorhood is safe, cosmopolitan, and situated among great restaurants, a gourmet supermarket, and a pretty park with tremendous views of the bay. UCSF has the advantage of being closer to Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park. The students seemed enthusiastic, down-to-earth, and genuinely friendly to me. Lots of Mormons. If you don't like Mormons for some reason, this isn't the place for you. The facilities are in great condition, and the labs have windows letting natural light in (this is important to me, working in artificial light for long hours makes me depressed). Finally, the the lunch i had was really ****ing good. Great cafeteria.
The three year program seems intense. Nevertheless, I've decided it's the school for me for the above reasons and I've withdrawn my other applications.
- jmay
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Even though UCSF and UOP are both my #1, but really...I've been hearing a lot about this financial situation the UC schools might be dealing with. To be frank with you guys, it REALLY worries me a little bit at this moment.. My application is still under consideration at UCSF at this point. So as of now, I am a Pacific Tiger. Gonna try to find out more about UCSF's situation so just in case I do get into UCSF later on, I can make the right call. Gosh, my dad is trying SOO hard to brain wash me to go to UCSF, it's making me sick a little bit. I am NOT EVEN ACCEPTED.
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this is easy, eliminate UOP.
UCLA or UCSF. These 2 are both awesome nationally, the only thing you should consider is location. Do u want to spend the next 4 years in smog or in fog
UCLA or UCSF. These 2 are both awesome nationally, the only thing you should consider is location. Do u want to spend the next 4 years in smog or in fog
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what school?
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Dean Ferillo was standing really really close to me when he was talking and all I could focus on was how close he was... so i may have missed a few words here and there during his talk with the first years... T_T haha.
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Haha, were you nervous? He's a really nice person though. I met him during Pride Day.
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,,
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he's really nice yes. but in my space... it was just too close for comfort... 🙁 haha. but then ppl would be like... why the hell were u sitting in the first row then? n i would say i wanted the first seconds. 🙂 haha
