What do u think about UCSF?

Top notch school in all aspects.

 

UCSF's reputation is bigger than what the school actually offers. The reputation is really good because of the medical school, and because it is one of the top research centers in the world. I've heard complaints about the lack of clinical exposure, and some of the beaucracy that dental students deal with. Also, I've heard that it is quite competitive. However, I think they are trying to change that by making it pass/no pass, which is think would be a good improvement.
It is a public school, so it is cheaper than private schools. However, with the governator in office, all graduate programs in Cali are increasing by about 40% next year, including UCSF. So it might not be as cheap.
I hear it is a good school for specialization, but I don't have any stats on that.

 

The UCSF School of Dentistry ranks first among U.S. dental schools in research funding from the National Institutes of Health -- more than $17 million per year and a ranking that has stood for the past ten years. Faculty research interests range from molecular and developmental biology to the neurobiology of pain, from biomaterials to dental public health, with internationally recognized research centers for oral biology, oral AIDS, craniofacial anomalies and oral cancer research. The 122-year-old School also is known as a national leader in dental education and clinical care.


It's not just the med school that excels in research. The School of Dentistry is a major research leader itself.

The comment about lack of clinical exposure is inaccurate, but the bureaucracy comment is correct.

All dental schools can be competitive environments, but that is always going to be an individual choice.

Actually, I think that the school does not do a good enough job marketing itself. There's a lot to be said about this school, both for those who aspire to specialties, and to those who want to be ready to practice after graduation.

The increase in tuition is bad news, but as a dental school, UCSF is truly hard to beat. I am certainly not shy about my partisanship, but that only comes after 2 years of active involvement in many areas on this campus, and extensive travel to other schools/organized dentistry conferences.

 

Would you please elaborate more on bureaucracy issues at UCSF and at dental schools in general?

As a predental student, I wonder what kind of bureaucray I need to expect. Thanks!

 

What I meant by my "bureaucracy" points more towards the fact that big sweeping changes are hard to come by, because there are a myriad of rules/paperwork involved along the way.
That being said, the biggest struggle over the past few years had revolved around the issue of going Pass/Fail. While perhaps in private schools such matters are more easily handled, I believe that the dental school at UCSF went through a lot, to not only get faculty approval, but consent from the greater UC system as well. For those of you coming in next year, the curriculum is going towards a more integrated "block" approach, and that classes will be P/F. It's great news for you guys.

 

For those of us already at UCSF, the P/F system starts this summer. It will be in place for you coming in 2004 fall.

 

100% correct there, UNLV. Are u gonna give the ucsf OMS program a shot? It's one of the best program in the country.

 

I am currently a second year. I will be taking next year off though. Are you enterring this fall?

 

StandfordFencer

if you don't mind my asking, why are you going to take a year off next year?
I don't intend to be nosy at all, but tuition in UC system is skyrocketing every year, the cost of running a dental office is going up fast, even though it is only one year, you might want to think about the pros and cons of taking this year off, the later you are out of dental school, the more it will cost you .

 

Hi Organic, those are really good points.

I'm taking the year off for the following program:

http://www.hhmi.org/research/cloister/

 

Hi Standford, Fencer,

I just took a look at the website, it seems to be a very interesting program. Good for you! I think this is a very good reason for you to leave UCSF for a year. If you want to go into research in the future, I believe UCSF offers DDS/ PhD program and you might want to pursuit that after this program.

Supposing that you also had experience at UCSF, could I also ask you how the research environment is like at UCSF in terms of craniofacial deformities, craniofacial development? My understanding is that UCSF has a craniofacial center ( not sure the exat name) led by the dental school. I was wondering how the research and clinical parts are like in this field.


thanks,

 

You all sound pretty familiar with UCSF!
Do you know about the UCSF Undegraduate Mentorship Program? It's an 8-week program for predental students offered during the summer.
Please reply if you do.
Thanks.

 

It's the best program for predental students out there. Try to get in if you could. They accept about 30 students/summer. And most of them get in the dental school of their choice. Every entering class at UCSF has about 10 UMP students.

If you get in UMP. Thanks your lucky star. Because you're on your way to become a dentist for sure.

Good luck,
Tink

 

Thanks a lot for the reply.
Did you attend the program?
Honestly, which predental summer program would you choose? UCSF UMP or UConn Medical/Dental Preparatory program?
Des UCSF UMP give enough DAT preparation? Will I have the opportunity to shadow a dentist?
I believe that the program ends in August. Isn't that a little bit too late to take the DAT for the 2005 cycle?
Please reply soon. Thanks again.

 

Why don't you go to the program offered by whichever school you're more interested in. If you do one schools gig, you have a very high chance of getting in at that place.

I did the UCSF UMP. You get plenty of shadow opportunity and DAT prep and, as always, is whatever you make of it. They'll lecture the material for every subject, kinda like Kaplan will. Then you just study on your own.

And no, August is not too late to take the DAT. You can send in your app anytime schools begin accepting them and let them know that your scores will forwarded whenever you take the test. Some school might hold off on an in depth review until they receive your scores though.

Good luck.

 

I did not attend the UMP, so Loudy is the man to ask. He is also my classmate, so you can ask all about UMP info from him.

One thing Loudy forgot to mention. The UMP also gives you guys a head start with a morphology class. You will get to do wax up, observing dentist. You will also get a student mentor and a faculty mentor to specifically just helps you with your process, etc...

Last year I helped 2 students, and they will be at ucsf for the class of 2008.
Think about it, you will get a UCSF sweater, morphology class, Kaplan course, room & board for seven weeks, mentors, connection, all of that for free. I do not believe if any other schools will do that kind of extended mentorship for you.

I took my DAT on Aug 19, and I received acceptance in Dec.

 

Oh, and one other thing. Not only is the program free, but they pay you !

 

I graduated from UCSF dental a few years ago and am now in specialty training. Honestly, after having talked to many other people from other programs, I think students at UCSF have it made!

The education (pre-clin) is HARD, BUT you don't have to tak unecessary classes with med-students. All classes are just for dental. Also, unlike other schools the actual "fail" rate is low.. in my experience you've got to work pretty hard (or just be SUPER lazy) to fail...
Getting A's is another story, though.... that's rough!

Unless things have changed since I've graduated, I think their clincial program is one of the best in the program. You have plenty of patients, but the system is "comp care" meaning there are no actual requirements for amount of restorations to do... each procedure has a value associated with it. You have a minimum amount of points you need to graduate. This take a TON of stress off you because you don't have to move around patients to graduate because you have to get 30 crowns. You just have to do what your patients have to offer. If you want to have more experience with something in particular, the'll help you out.

In terms of burocracy, I think it has WAY less than the school I am at now. A public school will always have burocracy, though. At least at UCSF people will listen to you if you are upset or have a problem! I think the faculty is super nice.

Who doesn't want to have a view of the sunset out of their operatory over the ocean through the panoramic windows??? I'd see patients and watch the sunset, check out the surf, the golden gate bridge... watch the fog roll in...
I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!

PLus.... boy does the name get you far upon graduation!

 

I totally agree, even school is hard, I still think that I'm living in my dream now. The nice thing about this school is, faculty and deans do listen to students. If we complain, they do change things and give us some breaks. I believe that school is hard any where, and people are competitive doesn't matter whether it's UCSF or Kentucky. This is a good and fun place to be, and they don't weed students out like other schools. The new curriculum would be fantastic. I'm looking forward to second year.

But now, I have to study for finals still

 

Ya, I agree! I think I was spoiled! In my ortho program now, nobody cares how I think, feel or if I am not learning. It's a lot smaller school, too!! At least UCSF Listened to me!!!

I met my husband at UCSF, we sat next to eachother in pre-clin lab...too! Who would have thought?? Must have bonded over stressing over Mendoza's waxing class.
I think it's gotten a bad rap over the years, I hope that changes!
GOOD LUCK at SF! hee hee! I feel so old!

 

Can anyone provide more specific information on the financial side of the UCSF Undergraduate Mentorship Program? The website says that the stipend is "To Be Announced" and I couldn't find anywhere on the website where it said the program was free.