What do you make of this UCLA guy?

[sunsetpeach]

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I recently had a conversation with this oral surgeon who claimed to have been on the UCLA adcom. He said it doesn't really matter what their website tells you, he and his peers will not even look at apps from people who completed their prereqs at community colleges.

When I asked him if there's any hope for me getting admitted since I completed all my prereqs at community colleges, he said "No, sorry. It's the truth. You should have taken them at a UC"

Feeling a little down now ....

 

[beatsdre]

I recently had a conversation with this oral surgeon who claimed to have been on the UCLA adcom. He said it doesn't really matter what their website tells you, he and his peers will not even look at apps from people who completed their prereqs at community colleges.

When I asked him if there's any hope for me getting admitted since I completed all my prereqs at community colleges, he said "No, sorry. It's the truth. You should have taken them at a UC"

Feeling a little down now ....

I think its really a draw of the luck who reviews your APP. I'm assuming its probably more than 10-20 people that review the thousands of APPS that go through the school. Some people don't like CC, some don't care, some like a high DAT, some don't. Its really all a matter of luck and its out of your control. So don't worry about it now.

 

[yappy]

That's too bad. What I make of him is that he is an elitist?

 

[promolion]

Apply anyway. Show him the acceptance letter once u get in.

 

[FreeFallin]

I recently had a conversation with this oral surgeon who claimed to have been on the UCLA adcom. He said it doesn't really matter what their website tells you, he and his peers will not even look at apps from people who completed their prereqs at community colleges.

When I asked him if there's any hope for me getting admitted since I completed all my prereqs at community colleges, he said "No, sorry. It's the truth. You should have taken them at a UC"

Feeling a little down now ....

Don't get too down. There's lots of encouragement around, so try and pick up on that. How's your stats overall? How many total hours are from a CC?

Good luck! Chin up!

 

[Maygyver]

How come you took all your prereqs at a CC? I feel like some times the reason matters.

 

[quillow]

I don't know why some people make negative assumptions about community college. I have many community college credits but I still have a 3.8 GPA. Even without CC credits, I have a 3.7 GPA from my (many) university level classes (which includes engineering classes). And my DAT scores are just as high, if not higher, than some people who took only university classes.

I would hope that schools don't just reject people based on community college classes. There are some pretty good community colleges out there (and yes, there are easy ones, but I'm pretty sure there are easy universities out there too). But the fact is that there are schools that do frown upon CC credits (or don't even accept them at all). It's their choice. So I didn't apply to schools that don't accept CC credits. As for the schools I did apply to (that supposedly accept CC credits), I hope my DAT scores show that my CC classes didn't necessarily provide me with a weaker education.

I applied to UCLA (need to finish up my secondary app though). If they choose to deny me based simply on my CC credits, they're going to lose out on a great future dentist... and lose out on all the money I plan to donate to my alma mater once I become a successful dentist.

 

[Denteeth]

How come you took all your prereqs at a CC? I feel like some times the reason matters.

Of course reason matters !! small class size, 1-on-1 attention from your instructor, flexible schedule (especially for working individuals) and the biggest reason of all - lower tuition... I don't think you can beat any of these reasons...

Having said that, I understand not all CC or universaties are created equal but honestly speaking as a non-trad student, I learned a lot from my CC classes and I can't thank enough to my professors.

 

[amali]

Completely agree with the above post. I have had classes at three UCs and my local community college. The classes I learned the most and had the best instruction was at the community college hands down. The lower tuition is also a plus.

To the OP- I think that oral surgeon may have just been talking about UCLA not liking pre reqs done at a CC. UCLA is a "special" dental school. When I volunteered there, I got the impression that all the students were from top notch universities and got top notch grades as well. I believe there are schools out there that do not care if the majority of your pre-reqs are from CC...as long as you have a high GPA.