Vanessa said:
Hello,
My daughter is a senior in high school. She has a 3,87 GPA. She is interested in pharmacy.
Would you suggest enrolling in a 0-6 program or another program and just apply after 2 years.
We live in Michigan. She has been accepted at U of M. But as you know that program is very competive for the actual Pharm D program.
Any suggestions?
thanks
Living in Michigan gives you the opportunity to choose from 3 schools in state...
U of M
Wayne State
Ferris State
I am personally a first year professional student at Ferris (a P1, as they call us) so I am probably a little biased...
U of M has an early entry program, however it is limited to just 20 students, AND if you get less than a B in any prereq, you're out. You should also know that it is very difficult (READ: nearly impossible) to get into their pharmacy school w/out doing your undergrad there. Also, since U of M only takes 60 students a year, your odds are further decreased.
Wayne State only takes 90 students / year, but if you live on that side of Michigan and you can't get into U of M, it's a decent option. I personally don't care for driving in Detroit and Wayne is pretty much a commuter only campus.
Ferris has an early admission program that is associated with their honors college. Although, to be honest, the requirements for the honors students are basically the same as the regular admits. What really works in a student's favor are the numbers...Ferris takes 150 students / year and they count community college credits the same as four-year credits. This means that it is much easier to transfer in to Ferris, than say, U of M.
So, if you want to stay in state...
Ferris takes half the pharmacy students each year (150 / 300)
U of M prefers their own and only take 60 students
Wayne State is in downtown Detroit.
As far as your daughter's situation goes--If she really has her heart set on U of M, she should apply for the guaranteed program, but with only a 3.87 she probably won't get in. If she still feels she wants to go to U of M, she should go there for undergrad. In 2 years, she should apply to all 3 Michigan schools. We have people here (@ Ferris) who didn't make it into U of M's program. If she doesn't have her heart set on Michigan, Ferris's honors option is a good idea--she'd probably get in with her grades...but to be honest, I think that my personal route works pretty well.
I went to community college for the preq's and saved quite a bit over University tuition rates. And, like I said, Ferris counts comm college courses equally.
Just my two cents...