Washington (UW) vs UoP

[LenPredent]

Currently debating between the University of Washington school of dentistry and Pacific.

I'm an in state student for UW and have a scholarship for UoP to where the overall cost of attending UoP is only ~20k more total. UW is a highly regarded dental school but I'm not sure if I want to practice in Washington or California yet, or if I want to specialize.

UoP has very high percentage of students accepted into their top choice for specialty school (95% they told us at the interview), is a 3 year school, and has a great alumni network.

My questions about UoP:
-I know UW produces great clinicians, but haven't heard as much about UoP
-Is the 3 year program looked down upon by specialty admissions boards?

I really want to live in San Francisco so I'm leaning strongly towards UoP, especially since the difference in debt is not very significant. Any advice is appreciated!

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[Incis0r]

Since debt is roughly equal, you'll come out ahead financially speaking if you go UoP since you get an extra year of income.

I vote UoP.

 

[Typical Average Student]

I believe a 3 year program looks a lot better for specialties especially if you do well in your classes. This is because things move a lot faster and that means you can handle the workload. Also, UoP is established enough to be competitive with UW.

With your expected debt being relatively equal, I would choose UoP over UW. So I agree with Incis0r, you will save 1 year which means 1 year of income.

In terms of where you want to practice, it doesn't matter which school you choose since they both take the WREB.

 

[sampu88]

Both are great schools (congratulations btw!!) and I'm sure you'll do well in life having graduated from either of them.
3 pointers: 1) Living in SF is expensive. Most dental students at Pacific live in Oakland, Fremont or somewhere down south (daly city, etc). So, you wouldn't be living in SF per say. Seattle is much more affordable in the long run. Consider living expenses too! 2) Pacific produces excellent clinicians! Their clinical program has been known to produce great general dentists. My recc- If you're looking for a specific residency, consider looking at faculty in each university and analyzing which one would give you better mentors. 3) On graduating from either uni you'll be most likely writing the WREB- that allows you to practice anywhere on the west coast, so state doesn't matter. I feel the connections you build matter more.

Best of luck!
PS- I made the same choice a little while back. I chose UW and I'm very happy to be here 🙂

 

[dyesht]

Currently debating between the University of Washington school of dentistry and Pacific.

I'm an in state student for UW and have a scholarship for UoP to where the overall cost of attending UoP is only ~20k more total. UW is a highly regarded dental school but I'm not sure if I want to practice in Washington or California yet, or if I want to specialize.

UoP has very high percentage of students accepted into their top choice for specialty school (95% they told us at the interview), is a 3 year school, and has a great alumni network.

My questions about UoP:
-I know UW produces great clinicians, but haven't heard as much about UoP
-Is the 3 year program looked down upon by specialty admissions boards?

I really want to live in San Francisco so I'm leaning strongly towards UoP, especially since the difference in debt is not very significant. Any advice is appreciated!

UOP all day, everyday!

 

[jamez654]

I posted this in another thread but will also post it here

This is addressing the specializing at UOP issue.
Yes you can specialize if you go to UOP, IF you have good grades.
They have a high specializing percentage of acceptance because only those with high grades apply for the specialties.
At my UOP interview a current student told me that if you do not have high enough grades the faculty will discourage you from pursuing a speciality.

 

[curious.potato]

Currently debating between the University of Washington school of dentistry and Pacific.

I'm an in state student for UW and have a scholarship for UoP to where the overall cost of attending UoP is only ~20k more total. UW is a highly regarded dental school but I'm not sure if I want to practice in Washington or California yet, or if I want to specialize.

UoP has very high percentage of students accepted into their top choice for specialty school (95% they told us at the interview), is a 3 year school, and has a great alumni network.

My questions about UoP:
-I know UW produces great clinicians, but haven't heard as much about UoP
-Is the 3 year program looked down upon by specialty admissions boards?

I really want to live in San Francisco so I'm leaning strongly towards UoP, especially since the difference in debt is not very significant. Any advice is appreciated!

Personally, I think I would go with UoP because it would be a new experience for you since you are a WA resident. Consider the 3 year program and how difficult it is though. You're basically putting 4 years worth of education into 3, which will be hard. Dental school is already difficult. Also take into consideration the new curriculum change at UW. As much as I love UW (I went there for undergrad), the new changes didn't seem to impress me, mostly because they were still figuring everything out. So you will KIND OF be a guinea pig in that aspect.

Ultimately, both schools are great and in the long run, you'll still be a dentist with amazing clinical skills.

 

[schmoob]

If OP chose Pacific, they are over halfway done with dental school by now 😉