Hi, I'm currently in the Creighton web-based program (P1). The program is absolutely wonderful, especially for the majority of my classmates, who are already married with kids and jobs. I know there's been a lot of criticism directed toward the web-based program, but like some people have said, the level of success and professionalism depends on the determination and dedication of the student.
I met my classmates during a week of orientation over the summer. We had multiple sessions explaining the program, introducing us to our professors and the class material, and allowing us to ask questions. The evenings were free to spend time exploring Omaha, NE and getting to know each other. The first two weeks were incredibly hard for everyone adjusting to the focus required to learn well in the web-based program.
We adapted quickly and started using all of the message/discussion boards available on the course websites. We communicate with profs mostly through e-mail and occasionally over the phone. We also have weekly online review sessions with profs (chatroom style). Whenever we need to study for pharm. calculations or biochem, we send out an e-mail about an on-line study session either on IM conferencing, or the professional conferencing service available to us through the university. If we have any problems, we have advisors and class liasons and tons of different people to e-mail. Additionally, we have our very own toll-free tech. help service just for the health sciences at Creighton.
I check my e-mail every day, and it's always filled with messages from classmates and profs. The professors are excellent about getting back to students quickly. As a class, we're determined to help each other out; classmates are always e-mailing study guides and tips about newly posted course information to the entire class. The other classes also send us tips and links to old exams to review.
My classmates are also highly involved. Many have jobs that they are working while going to school (some full-time), and they're involved in community organizations and family activities, etc. A lot of classmates work in pharmacies as technicians, like me. On-line or campus-based, we still have people-interaction
All in all, we're a hard-working, very focused bunch. (dare I say it... maybe even more so than the on-campus class)
The summer lab session is 2-3 weeks long, and it involves very loooong days in the labs. Additionally, the web-based program is *year-round,* so there's a fall, spring and summer semester. The lab session falls in the middle of the summer semester. Just like all the other pharmacy programs, we do rotations at various places during P4 year.
The hardest things about the web-based program are focusing, finding a proctor for on-line exams, and missing your classmates. After the first two weeks, I was able to focus on schoolwork and ignore the other household distractions, but if you aren't a very focused person, the web-based program isn't the best idea. Also, finding a proctor for the on-line exams was difficult. The pharm. school needs to approve a proctor of your choice, but they're very strict about references and how well the proctor knows you, etc. Finally, I really miss my web classmates. It's amazing how quickly you can become friends with people when you're thrown together into on-line pharm. school (with a weeklong orientation!). I have some close friends in the program, and we share family pictures and news and e-mail and IM each other often.
Even though the web program is incredible, I'm thinking of transferring to the on-campus Creighton program. For anyone who's going to pharm. school straight from college without a spouse, full-time job and/or kids, the on-campus program is the way to go. I'm still college-age, and I don't have a spouse or family or full-time job, so I miss the campus life a lot. (I also live out in the country in the middle of nowhere, so I miss town/city life). For most of my classmates, though, and anyone who has a family or full-time job, this program is amazing. I'd highly recommend it to people who aren't able to live the campus life.
, and I plan on applying next year. You mentioned that during the fourth year, rotation can be various places? Does that mean in Omaha NE or in the state you are a resident? Also did you have to interview?
