Affordable PreReq Education in CA

[PoorSanDiegan]

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Hi Everyone - I'm new to these forums. I'm currently working in San Diego and am really interested in getting started on a new career path in pharmacology.

But~
1) I don't have much money
2) I already have a degree
3) I live in California.

Living in California means that schools that would be cheaper for me are UCSD, and UCSF - which are very competitive.

I need about a year's worth of prereqs (ochem, bio, anat, econ, pub. speaking, etc.)

Does anyone know of California schools that offer these classes at affordable rates, which will still make me a competitive applicant to UCSF and UCSD? Would SDSU be my best bet? Should I avoid affordable JCs?

 

[OPharmX]

How early does xavier send out their acceptance letter?

 

[Glycerin]

How early does xavier send out their acceptance letter?

This should probably be a new thread.

 

[PoorSanDiegan]

Do most schools accept credits from out-of-state JCs/Community colleges?

 

[Glycerin]

Do most schools accept credits from out-of-state JCs/Community colleges?

Most do. However, check with each school to which you'd like to apply just to be sure. There are a few pharmacy schools that will not take certain classes (i.e. Microbiology, A&P, etc.) from community colleges. Also, while it may not be necessary to take all of your classes at a 4-year university, many schools look upon that more favorably.

 

[JD_USD]

Hi Everyone - I'm new to these forums. I'm currently working in San Diego and am really interested in getting started on a new career path in pharmacology.

But~
1) I don't have much money
2) I already have a degree
3) I live in California.

Living in California means that schools that would be cheaper for me are UCSD, and UCSF - which are very competitive.

I need about a year's worth of prereqs (ochem, bio, anat, econ, pub. speaking, etc.)

Does anyone know of California schools that offer these classes at affordable rates, which will still make me a competitive applicant to UCSF and UCSD? Would SDSU be my best bet? Should I avoid affordable JCs?

Hey PoorSanDiegan,

I'm completing my undergraduate degree at USD (University of San Diego) but for interssessions and summers I take classes at either Mesa College, City College (downtown SD), or Southwestern CC (Chula Vista). All are affordable and most have physiology during the summer and microbiology during the regular semesters. All the other prereqs are definately covered by all also. If you're poor, apply for the Board of Governor's fee waiver that waives all your class fees except for the $3 or $5 associated student fee. If poor enough and enrolled full time, there is even a program that'll pay for your books!

 

[JD_USD]

Do most schools accept credits from out-of-state JCs/Community colleges?

JC and CC credits are definately accepted. CA pharm. schools are the most accepting of individual's attempts in education. For UCSD & UCSF go to www.assist.org where you can look up course equivalencies for any public university, college, or cc for their pharm. program prereq's.! Most other CA pharm schools also have a section on their own website w/ course equivalencies.

However, I must warn that due to high competition it is advised by most universities to have a bachelor's degree or be completing them before attriculation in order to be a competative applicant. Every program will accept 1 or 2 ppl each year who only completed prereq's though, so there's hope if you're a stellar, super, awesome dude (or dudett to be p.c.)

 

[PoorSanDiegan]

JC and CC credits are definately accepted. CA pharm. schools are the most accepting of individual's attempts in education. For UCSD & UCSF go to www.assist.org where you can look up course equivalencies for any public university, college, or cc for their pharm. program prereq's.! Most other CA pharm schools also have a section on their own website w/ course equivalencies.

However, I must warn that due to high competition it is advised by most universities to have a bachelor's degree or be completing them before attriculation in order to be a competative applicant. Every program will accept 1 or 2 ppl each year who only completed prereq's though, so there's hope if you're a stellar, super, awesome dude (or dudett to be p.c.)

Hi JD_USD - thank you for the very helpful information! I already have a BS in electrical engineering - but I feel like I still need to prove that I can perform well in o-chem and bio to pharm schools. I'm going to take your advice, and take my econ, public speaking, and possibily microbio at City college to save some money. But to stay competitive - I'm going to pull some money to go to SDSU for bio and o-chem... I just needed some reassurance that going to City college wouldn't put me out of the running. Thanks JD 🙂

 

[JD_USD]

Hi JD_USD - thank you for the very helpful information! I already have a BS in electrical engineering - but I feel like I still need to prove that I can perform well in o-chem and bio to pharm schools. I'm going to take your advice, and take my econ, public speaking, and possibily microbio at City college to save some money. But to stay competitive - I'm going to pull some money to go to SDSU for bio and o-chem... I just needed some reassurance that going to City college wouldn't put me out of the running. Thanks JD 🙂

Sounds good...but I wouldn't really waste money w/ taking some classes at SDSU. Taking prereqs at a university or 4-yr college really only matters when you're working towards a bachelor's. Since you already have one you might as well take the rest of the coursed at City College for less than a quarter of the price.

Do the rest of you agree??

 

[PoorSanDiegan]

Sounds good...but I wouldn't really waste money w/ taking some classes at SDSU. Taking prereqs at a university or 4-yr college really only matters when you're working towards a bachelor's. Since you already have one you might as well take the rest of the coursed at City College for less than a quarter of the price.

Do the rest of you agree??

I think most everyone does agree. (See responses in "UCSF Pharmacy Questions"). Thanks for the valuable input JD_USD - otherwise I wouldn't have known better!