USC Questions!

[kittywalker]

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I know there is a lot of drama surrounding USC but I am very interested in applying there for dental school...or at least going for an interview to see what they're all about. Before I spend all the extra money (their app fee is $80. on top of AADSAS!) I am wondering if anyone has any idea whether or not I would even have a chance at being offered an interview. I think they typically accept about 30% out of state?? I am from Ohio, graduating with a 3.6 overall and a 3.5 science; 21 DAT and 19 PAT.

I would appreciate any feedback before I spend my money!

I've also been told, if you don't go to dental school in Cali, you probably won't ever be able to practice there. Has anyone else heard this and/or know if it's true?? Also, does that work both ways??

Thanks for all your help!!

 

[Hysteria24]

I know there is a lot of drama surrounding USC

Although it isn't 100% perfect here, I'd say there is more USC drama on SDN than there is here at the actual school.

I am wondering if anyone has any idea whether or not I would even have a chance at being offered an interview. I think they typically accept about 30% out of state?? I am from Ohio, graduating with a 3.6 overall and a 3.5 science; 21 DAT and 19 PAT.

You have as good a chance as anyone:

"The entering class science GPA is 3.45 and the average overall GPA is 3.40."
"The average DAT scores were: Academic Average 18.2; Science Average 18; and PAT 19."
"California residents compose 62% of the class. 38% are out‐of‐state student."
http://dentistry.usc.edu/doctoral.aspx?id=910&linkidentifier=id&itemid=910&menu_id=258

The important thing to note is that the 38% number represents those out of staters who chose to attend USC. This number would be far different than the actual number of out of state applicants who were accepted. Many of those out of staters probably earned an acceptance but chose to attend a local state school or another for a variety of reasons. (This disparity between the actual percentage of acceptances vs the reported number of enrollees will be seen at every school.)

I've also been told, if you don't go to dental school in Cali, you probably won't ever be able to practice there. Has anyone else heard this and/or know if it's true?? Also, does that work both ways??

This used to be the case back in the day before California accepted the WREB. At that time, in order to get a license, one would have to pass the CA boards. These were administered on site at all the local CA schools, and as such, CA schools probably prepared their students to well on these (as they do now with the WREB). Students who went to school outside of CA had to come to CA and pass the boards which had a reputation for being more difficult.

Nowadays you can get a license to practice in CA by one of three ways:
1. Pass the WREB (now offered at many schools all over the US).
2. Complete a 1 year AEGD/GPR anywhere in the country.
3. Work 5 years in another state
(I think the CA board is still an option but us here in CA don't even go that route)

 

[kittywalker]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to see you are a student there! How are you liking it so far? Are you originally from cali and do you mind me asking about how much you pay for living each year??

Thanks again! 🙂

 

[Hysteria24]

How are you liking it so far?

I can say without a doubt that USC has already given me many experiences not attainable at other institutions I was considering. However, like at many schools, there are improvements to be made and that are being made in order to make things run as smoothly as possible.

Are you originally from cali

Yes. Contributed to my decision to come here.

do you mind me asking about how much you pay for living each year??

$925/month. But that is on the upper end for the immediate area around the school. Paying extra for my own bed/bath, underground parking, and security was worth it for me. A few classmates are paying in the $550 range, with many averaging around $700-$800 (I think?).