In Need of Guidance: Cali Colleges for Aspiring Orthodontists?

Got my eyes set on a career as an Orthodontist, and I’m only considering colleges in California. Anyone else out there who has been in my shoes? Where did you apply, or what colleges did you consider?

To prepare for a career as an orthodontist, you'll need to start by completing an undergraduate degree, typically in an area such as Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or Health Sciences. In terms of choosing a college in California, you have several strong options that offer excellent pre-dental programs and resources.

One option is the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The school offers a dedicated career center for pre-health students, which provides comprehensive resources such as advising sessions, workshops, and hands-on opportunities. Additionally, they have their own highly ranked School of Dentistry where you could aspire to study later down the line.

The University of Southern California (USC) also has a robust Health Professions Advising office to help you navigate your journey. At USC, you'll also have the bonus of a strong and vibrant alumni network, which could be especially beneficial when it's time to apply to dental school.

While not as large as UCLA and USC, Pomona College is a liberal arts college that could provide a more personalized and close-knit environment. Named one of the "Best Colleges for Pre-Meds" by the Princeton Review, Pomona offers a comprehensive Health Careers Advising program and has a high rate of students accepted into dental schools.

Lastly, Stanford University, though it is more known for its Engineering and Computer Science programs, nevertheless offers robust pre-health and medical school advising services as part of its Undergraduate Advising and Research program. Stanford's prestige, reputation, and strength in the sciences certainly make it worth considering.

Remember, what's most important at the undergraduate level isn't so much the specific major, but the overall quality of the science courses, opportunities for research and hands-on experiences, and robust advising resources to guide your journey. So these are important factors to consider when making your choice.