4 year versus 3 year

[PolarBear21]

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Anyone have thoughts about choosing a 4 year program versus a 3 year program.

I've been fortunate enough to have been accepted to both and I'm now weighing the pro's and cons and just wanted other people's viewpoints on the matter.

I think going to a 3 year program is an amazing opportunity, get out a year earlier and pay off less loans faster. But I'm worried the material may be too jam packed and I will not have time to breath. I'm also worried I'll go to rotations and just draw a complete blank. Also 3 years of school non-stop, it sounds fine on paper, but I personally don't know what thats like in real life.

4 Year programs, the one I was accepted to at least is A LOT more expensive for me. But the school I got accepted to is closer to my family (I have a sister who is having a baby girl this may and if I go to this school I will be only an hour away from my new niece). But I am worried I will graduate with HEAPS of debt and will be eating top ramen when I start working as a pharmacist (ok that might be an exaggeration but you get where I am going..)

Its really a tough choice

edit: I might as well stop being so vague, I'm talking about USC versus Midwestern-CPG, I'm from the bay area, but my sister lives an hour north of LA. I like both schools when I visited during my interview, its just basically cost versus other more vague factors.

Sorry if this post annoys people I just really have been on SDN since August posting away and I want lots of people's opinions and I know this is my decision and in the end it will be up to me of course, I just want other people's input.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jackanese]

Definitely USC. Its a really good school, you'll like it for sure. I'm from the bay area too; its much easier visiting home from LA then whereever that other school is. As for the debt, its only $35,000/year. Most California nonpublic schools are around that range anyways, western is $34,000 year, and UOP is roughly $50,000 year x 3 years. I am sure you know all this already. Don't even think anymore, just go with USC! 👍

 

[KellyBean]

I don't know about USC, but Midwestern CPG's tuition is VERY EXPENSIVE. If I'm not mistake, it's $30,000+ a year. So it is about just as expensive as going to a 4-year school. But for me personally, I'd pick a 3-year school over a 4-year school. I like the idea of being able to get it a year earlier. I'm not afraid of the workload. I've never taken a summer off. I'm just afraid of not having enough exposure in the pharmacy and that I might look stupid when I do rotations. But I hope that won't happen since I've worked both hospital and retail before.

Your sister graduated from Glendale right? You can ask her about the workload and how she manged it.

Good luck in choosing.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

I don't know what your situation is (living single or supporting a family), sounds like living single. This is something to seriously consider. If you are single, then I would not be so concerned about 3 versus 4 years or cost even, but consider which school would provide the better education and set you up for long-term success. If you support a family, time might be a deciding factor and the 3 year school looks like a winner.

 

[PolarBear21]

Midwestern's tution may be in the same range as USC, but I keep in mind I'll only be paying it for 3 years versus 4 years.

Also I am not married and don't have kids.

Right now I'm sort of leaning towards USC, but I'm not sure if thats mainly because I JUST got accepted and the excitement hasn't worn down, and I also have friends who aren't pre-pharmers who keep telling me to go to USC (I think mainly because of the name).

If this helps I've sort of always wanted to go to USC, but I'm a californian and I didn't even apply in undergrad just because I always knew it would be cheaper to go to a UC so I went to a UC for undergrad, and now I've gotten into USC pharm school I'm sort of really excited, but I also like the idea of being a pharmacist by the age of 25 (Midwestern).

Also if I go to Midwestern, if you exlude this summer I have off, by the time I graduate I would have been in school 6 years straight! (I took summer school these past two summers). Also I've never really worked retail (just volunteered), so I really want to be FULLY prepared while in school because I don't have much experience to draw on.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I appreciate anymore comments.

 

[PolarBear21]

Your sister graduated from Glendale right? You can ask her about the workload and how she manged it.

Good luck in choosing.

Thanks for the advice!

My sister says all she did was study during her three years, but there is also a new dean at the school and current students tell me they are at school ALL day now.

Its really tough because I liked both school so much when I visited during my interviews. I don't mean to sound too picky, I know I'm in such a good position to be in, but its just really tough because I know I will win some and lose some in either scenario.

 

[JJRAZ]

The people that I have talked to say that because Midwestern-CPG is an accelerated program, and they have 2 tests every week, means that they are constantly craming and many students are not able to retain alot of information that is relavent in practice. Many of the pharmacists I have talked to say that the majority of students that come through on rotations and or work at their stores as interns do not seem to have a solid foundation of knowldege to draw from, thus the reason to pull out the palm pilot everychance they get to answer a question. Some of the people that have told me this are midwestern graduates, and most I have had the chance to interact with say that they wish they would have choose a different school, for the debt factor when they are done ($31,000+++ and increasing this year again) and several have stated that they felt they may have got a better education at a 4 year college....just a few thoughts others have told me......From both Midwestern and Non-Midwestern graduates...

In my case I was deciding between 4 schools I was accepted to....Midwestern-CCP (far from home, about $100,000 for 4 years), Minnesota (far from home, about $120,000 for 4 years, but awesome program!), Midwestern-CPG (4 miles from my house, $95,000ish for 3 years!!) and the University of Arizona ( 2 hours from home, $52,000 for 4 years, great program!!). The two Midwesterns were probably the least impressive during the interview process, they both had nice campuses but did not take us into any of the pharmacy classrooms or labs, Minnesota for example took us into their labs, we sat in on a lecture the P3 students were recieving and made a point to showcase ther facilities and what they have to offer to incoming students. Univeristy of Arizona was somewhat similar to Minnesota as far as the showcasing their facilities. I thought that University of Minnesota and Arizona made it clear that they were competing for the top students and were trying to sell us on why we should choose their schools, the Midwesterns really did not put forth that effort. I put down my deposit at Midwestern-CPG before i heard from UofA, it was the cheaper than CCP and Minnesota and they have a 3 year program, when I heard from UofA I put my deposit down and decided to lose the money at Midwestern-CPG, for me it was the fact that UofA is close, cheaper, and is a great school!! I consulted my pharmacists, counselors, professors, and family and friends and everyone seemed to agree with my desicion. It is tuff but I would almost say to head to USC....

 

[Farmercyst]

When I was at Western, I talked to one of the P1's who took us on the tour. He was on his hospital rotation and said that there was a USN student there with him. His preceptor and he had noticed pretty much the same mentioned above. Less background knowledge, very little experience and it showed. It seems that additional year makes picking up the material a little easier and getting in the Pharmacy makes a huge difference. There's just not much time for either in a 3 year program. I'm sure there are some really good students that come from 3 yr programs, but it sounds like it may stack the deck against you in terms of learning/applying everything you should.

 

[PolarBear21]

OK I think i've made up my mind, I'm going to USC! I just need to call them and make sure all my pre-reqs next quarter are good to go, and I'm going to make the deposit.

I figure I'm still young (21) and there's no rush to graduate in 3 years and I'd rather have a more relaxed 4 years where I can have adequate time to absorb all the material i need in order to make the best pharmacist I can be. Plus I'll be closer to home.

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[howsoonisnow]

Although I have been accepted and am attending Midwester CPG this fall, my opinion is unbiased when it comes to this decision.
I ONLY applied to Midwestern. I am in my 30s and have live in Phoenix Metro for nine years. Many of my colleagues told me U of A would be a better choice, but I still chose Midwestern.
My reasons?
1) Will be 37 rather than 38 when I graduate
2) Plan on doing residency, making me 39 when I'm done.
3) Don't really want to move.
4) I have A LOT of retail AND hospital pharmacy experience
5) My friends are here

I know I should pick my school based on the quality of the program, but frankly I have a huge headstart with 16+ years experience and I feel like I will come out with as much knowledge as a less seasoned U of A student will from that program. I've heard accelerated programs basically cram the info down your throat, but I work best under pressure, and like I said, I already have a ton of pharmacy knowledge.

You sound like you're in a different situation entirely. 25 or 26 when you graduate, who cares? That's really young!! I'm 33 and I feel really young. No worries. Trust me, you'll be making plenty of money when you get the degree, so don't worry about the extra cost of the 4th year.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to dissuade you from Midwestern. But in my opinion, you sound like you've already chosen USC. Either way, your education is what you make it. Every student has to look in a palm pilot to pull up information. You aren't expected to retain it all right away. Pharmacists that have been practicing for decades still have to consult resources. Only you know how much knowledge you're capable of retaining.

Good luck, & I hope you make the choice that works best for you.

 

[Swanchick84]

OK I think i've made up my mind, I'm going to USC! I just need to call them and make sure all my pre-reqs next quarter are good to go, and I'm going to make the deposit.

I figure I'm still young (21) and there's no rush to graduate in 3 years and I'd rather have a more relaxed 4 years where I can have adequate time to absorb all the material i need in order to make the best pharmacist I can be. Plus I'll be closer to home.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Good choice PolarBear! 👍

Besides..USC will prepare you better for the CA jurisprudence test. 🙂

 

[Vr6]

fyi i was at the midwestern interview and someone asked the dean about the accelerated program and she said, i am 99% sure that the program will no longer be offered for fall 2007 entering class. so that should make your decision easier 🙂

 

[KellyBean]

Are you talking about CPG or CCP?? Because CCP is currently offering the early graduation option which allows the top 50 students out of 200 based on GPA at the end of their first year to graduate about 6 months earlier. I heard they are not doing that anymore, but as for CPG (Glendale), I don't think the program will change.

 

[KARM12]

The information KellyBean gave is correct. CCP is eliminating the Accelerated option, but CPG is not. CCP is traditionally a 4 yr progam.

 

[senzabee]

OK I think i've made up my mind, I'm going to USC! I just need to call them and make sure all my pre-reqs next quarter are good to go, and I'm going to make the deposit.

Yay PolarBear21, I'm glad you decided on USC. I don't think you have to worry about experience because USC requires their P1s to participates in externships throughout the year. You will spend, I believe, 6 weeks during the school year in a hospital and another 6 weeks in the retail setting. It will introduce you to how things are done and all. It's something I really like about USC, and they have so many things to offer. Congratulations again, welcome to the Trojan Family 😀

 

[Vr6]

i was talking about ccp.

 

[KellyBean]

i was talking about ccp.

I know 😛

She got accepted to CPG.

 

[JJRAZ]

Congrats on selecting USC...I am in the same boat as you, I will be 26 when I graduate so there is going to be plenty of time to work when we are done, why rush...lol...At least you heard from USC and Midwestern around the same time, I am losing the $750 dollar deposit at midwestern-cpg.

 

[PolarBear21]

Hey Kellybean I'm a guy 😎 (don't let the stuffed animal avatar confuse you)

But yeah, thanks everyone for the input!

 

[KellyBean]

Hey Kellybean I'm a guy 😎 (don't let the stuffed animal avatar confuse you)

But yeah, thanks everyone for the input!

OMG...you're a guy??? 😳 You don't even "sound" like a guy...lol..

 

[PolarBear21]

OMG...you're a guy??? 😳 You don't even "sound" like a guy...lol..

No i'm just kidding I get that a lot on anonymous messageboards 🙄

Any advice on how to sound more "manly" 😀

Maybe I should change my avatar to something more tough looking haha

 

[calipharming]

Whoa, what a shock! 😱 I guess we have to start using "he/she" just in case. But wait, PolarBear, were you joking about being a guy? I certainly hope so. 😀 Just kidding.

 

[PolarBear21]

NO. I'm not joking

This is getting akward lol

Maybe its my overuse of smileys? Sorry I just like using smileys. Or maybe its because once in a while i have a female friend who asks questions with my sn, but she never uses my SN as far as I know, I just ask what she wants to ask (OT but she should just register already!). 😕 I swear I've tried to remain as anonymous as possible on this msg board I've never stated anywhere except for in PMs if I was a guy or a girl. I guess its my avatar? Who knows.

Anyway thats the end of this discussion lol, back to USC vs Midwestern. BTW I e-mailed them and I just have to wait for a response, whether or not my pre-reqs are ok.

 

[Jitaka]

questioning PolarBear21's gender is providing me with much entertainment 🙂

 

[terse]

yeah, it's because of your girly stuffed polar bear avatar.

maybe you can use this mean one instead.

 

[rx22]

i too th ought u were a girl! and u know i dont think its just the avatar...you dont "sound" "seem" like a guy from your posts!

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I am sure all these posts make polarbear21 feel great, haha. I never noticed whether he sounded one way or the other.

 

[KellyBean]

i too th ought u were a girl! and u know i dont think its just the avatar...you dont "sound" "seem" like a guy from your posts!

I know!!!! He just sounds so feminine and "cute" hahaha ahh...I want to pinch his cheeks right now...lol..

 

[babyvi3thonnie]

i had the same dilema...i didnt know if i can handle going to school all year long...i feel things would be rushed and i just doubt my ability to handle it all especially since i have a 2 yrs old daughter and she'll be living with my parents...i think i have more chances to see her if i got to a 4 yr school than a 3 yr school....well to make things short....after depositing $500 at south university i'm turning it down...and now it comes down to be either Lecom Bradenton or UF....

 

[treetop02]

3 year or 4 year? Anyone having to deal this decision for the upcoming school year?