As May 1st approaches, I have to make my decision. But, I am having a difficult time choosing and would like to receive some advice from others…
As the title says, I’ve narrowed my schools down to UOP 5 Year Accelerated Dental, NYU BA/DDS, and Duke undergraduate. Obviously, all three opportunities are great. I am nearly certain (as sure as one can be at 18 years old) that I want to obtain a dental degree, so I’m leaning towards UOP and NYU, but it’s hard to turn down Duke education and brand name…
If anyone could provide any insight at all to any of the three schools, it would be so greatly appreciated.
My wife is a practicing dentist. When we lived out in California, she considered attending UOP for dental school, but she ended up at a dental school in the Northeast.
If you are sure you want to become a dentist, I would recommend the 5 year UOP program. While it doesn’t have the same undergraduate reputation as NYU or Duke, it does have a respected dental program. And instead of paying for 8 years of school, you will pay for 5 and work the other 3.
Once you are a practicing dentist, the key factors to your success will be maintaining your existing patient base (if you buy a practice), and your ability to win over new patients (primarily by word of mouth). It has to do much more with your personality and your skill than where you attended dental school.
Hi! I am another student who was admitted to NYU’s BA/DDS program just a few days ago. I was also admitted to Duke and have to choose between the two.
I will attend NYU because the program is 7 years long as opposed to the normal 8 and if I went to Duke, applying to dental school would be a much harder process than the joint BA-DDS program. As for UOP vs. NYU, I think it is your call but remember that NYU is one of the top dental schools in the world and I think it’ll be worth all the time/money you spend.
I think visiting the schools would also be a good idea!
Hi,
what is the chance for my son to be accepted at UOP if he can maintain his GPA 3.85 and SAT 2000 ?
what’s total cost for 5 or 6 years of DDS program at UOP ?
does UOP generously give out scholarships ? Thanks in advance.
@blessing3kids I’m a student at UOP’s 5 Year dental program. With 3.85 GPA and 2000 SAT, the 5 is definitely a stretch and 6 year program may still be a stretch. Most of my peers in 5 year program had a GPA close to 3.95 and SAT score close to 2300, some even higher (FYI, I received 3.94 and 2360 during high school. My best friend received had 4.0/2380) Obviously, numbers aren’t everything to gaining admissions, but there is a certain range that you probably want to be at. Your son should seriously consider retaking SAT if he wants to have a chance at getting accepted to at least a 6 year program.
The dental program is quite competitive because only about 15 ~ 20 students are accepted to each 5,6,7 year program.
UOP undergrad is known for not providing good financial aid package; plus, 3 years at Dugoni School of Dentistry will cost about $400,000. But, the education you receive at UOP’s Biological Sciences Department and at the dental school is definitely worth it.
Very helpful hints. Thanks
I’m going to enroll in a 7 year dental program and from what I can tell, you might want to go with your BA/DDS program or Duke.
The 5 year program really limits your college experience and I feel like you might regret not having the fun times others had. It might seem cool now, and maybe when you enroll in dental school, but afterwards, you might regret making the choice to do the 5 year program. Plus, you won’t receive a bachelor’s degree (which wouldn’t really matter after getting your DDS or DMD) but what if you end up dropping out of dental school? You won’t have a bachelor’s degree to fall back on.
I recommend NYU’s program it seems the one in the middle that lets you pursue dentistry without missing on your undergrad experience.
Of course, if you know with confidence you will not have any regrets picking the 5 year program, go ahead with that. UoP is an awesome school and you’ll have a great time regardless.
Is the NYU program 7 years long, btw?