U of Pacific (pre-dent) or UCLA (Bio)?

<p>I have to start choosing which college I will be attending this fall.
I am pretty much set on wanting to become a dentist.
I got accepted into the U of Pacific's accelerated dental program and UCLA as a bio major.
If I choose to go to UOP, I plan to get my bachelor's degree in 3 years, and finish dental school in their 3 year program.
If I choose to go to UCLA, I will have to take 4+4 years of education.</p>

<p>I am leaning towards UOP but I still want that "college experience." At UOP, there doesn't seem to be nearly as much events going on as in UCLA. The student population is so small and I feel that there is no great sense of school pride. Also, LA is WAYY better than Stockton... But, if I want to be a dentist, I think UOP is a more secure and also a faster route.
On the other hand, although I got a 10,000 grant from UOP, attending UOP undergrad+dental school is STILL MORE expensive than going to UCLA undergrad+public Dental School (UCLA or UCSF).</p>

<p>So,,, What are your opinions?</p>

<p>Can’t you go to UCLA for 4 years, then apply to UOP dental school after that? This gives you the ‘college’ experience for undergrad, and then a great dental school after that</p>

<p>I’m still kind of confused by the reasons you would want to go to University of the Pacific. Are you guaranteed into their dental school? Also, I would never attend a private university if I could not afford it.</p>

<p>Yes, I am almost guaranteed admission into their dental school (I have to keep up my GPA and receive a certain score on my DAT). Also, out of 3000 application that apply to UOP Dental School, less than 200 get to attend. That being said, out of about 40 students in the UOP Pre-Dental Program, 38 were accepted. This is the big advantage of going to UOP.</p>

<p>My childhood friend moved to Stockton and got shot and killed soon after. Granted he was in a gang, but regardless Stockton is not a pleasant place to be in based on what I’ve heard. </p>

<p>You’d save yourself two years at the expense of paying more money and the college experience. You can always become a dentist. You only really get the college experience once. I’d go for UCLA. Trust me, once you’re there, you won’t regret it.</p>

<p>I’d go for UCLA because it is the cheapest option. You may find yourself not interested in becoming a dentist after a couple of years in undergrad at U of P. If this were to happen, not only would you have payed more, but you would have sacrificed UCLA(which has location and the college experience you desire).</p>

<p>Wait when did you get accepted to Pacific’s dental program!
And would you mind posting your stats on here?
Thanks:)</p>

<p>Personally, I’d choose UCLA just because you’ve obviously proven that you ARE capable of getting into dental school!</p>

<p>The 2 are probably equal in cost when you factor in the 2 years extra you work if you go to UOP. So choose the one you like.</p>

<p>UCLA dental and medical schools are well known.</p>