CA Northstate Interview

[Nae614]

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I am still leaning towards MCPHS. I'm probably 99% sure I'm going to go there although it's hecka difficult there as well (and I really will miss California *sniff!*). MCPHS started as my #3 choice (the only 2 I had above were SF and SD). CNCP meanwhile started at the very bottom of both my friend's and my list, but it made a very unusual (and huge) jump after our interviews lol.

Well there is at least still some time to decide. Congratulations on your acceptance to Touro by the way! You did it!!!

Thanks a lot!! 😀

Yeah, you definitely have time to decide.

 

[steveysmith54]

1. Why do you want to be a pharmacist if you think it's sooo hard to get a job?

2.Have you been accepted to Northstate or are you even planning to attend the school?

3. I'm not attacking you, I'm really trying to understand your purpose/role in these forums.

4. You also might want to try applying at other pharmacies as a tech b/c I read what you're making and that's really low compared to other places...(I make almost double that per hour as a tech)...

1. You're still unable to understand my point. I am explaining the long term consequences of having 9-11 new schools opened and that the perception of a shortage.I already made my point I am not going to repeat it,

2. No, i didn't apply for the reason i said 3 times already and also read Jenfromsocal post in the forum about it. I am going to WesternU next yr.

3. I get many people thanking me for providing admission information for schools in Cali and other info. You obvious don't read enough of my posts to understand that as evidenced by u asking these questions.

4. I am full time student and work as a tech one day a week, i am a CPhT. In this job i get to type scripts, dispense, and almost everything other than counsel and take verbal orders from the doctors. I couldn't ask for anything more from this job.

 

[oink2655]

1. You're still unable to understand my point. I am explaining the long term consequences of having 9-11 new schools opened and that the perception of a shortage.I already made my point I am not going to repeat it,

2. No, i didn't apply for the reason i said 3 times already and also read Jenfromsocal post in the forum about it. I am going to WesternU next yr.

3. I get many people thanking me for providing admission information for schools in Cali and other info. You obvious don't read enough of my posts to understand that as evidenced by u asking these questions.

4. I am full time student and work as a tech one day a week, i am a CPhT. In this job i get to type scripts, dispense, and almost everything other than counsel and take verbal orders from the doctors. I couldn't ask for anything more from this job.

Gosh, take it easy everyone. Everyone is getting so defensive of CNCP. I know it's almost the end of the admission cycle and ppl will be upset by minor comments. But, everyone have the right to express his/her opinion about the school and there is no need to dumb down or insult anyone. We are soon to be pharmacy students and will be pharmacist a couple of years from now. Let's be more civilized here!!!

 

[RXist]

Alright Stevey, sounds good....I live 5 minutes away from Western, congrats.. 🙂

 

[steveysmith54]

Alright Stevey, sounds good....I live 5 minutes away from Western, congrats.. 🙂

thank you. I appreciate that. I wish you luck as well, i know many nice people who are interested in CNCP and i hope they all have good experiences there.

 

[moolman]

haha aw you sounded like a lil kid 🙂 Ok ok well lets all play nice! 😳

I'm having some reservations abt cncp guys. I think the deans is a really cool guy. But i'm just scared of the rate at which he wants cncp to become a really competitive school. I wonder if this will have negative effect on the student attending cncp. Will he fail students left and right until only a few of the brightest are left. It feels like his expectations are extraordinary and he will stop at nothing to become a competitive school in 10yrs or less.

There's a lot of assumptions and guessing going on so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents in a logical way. Take my opinion for what it is. 😀 I'm a believer that at this point in time that having a pharmacist license is more important than the school you come out of.

CNCP is not going to fail students left and right, trying to be competitive or anything like that, that's to me sounds rediculous, the dean is being optimistic and just wants to convey a good image. The main logical reason, I think they won't do that is because they are a "for profit" school/instiution. They are there to make money, they have investors to pay back. If you read that article from Sac, they talk about all the investors, those investor expect to get paid back and then some, failing a lot of students will give the school a bad rep and student will choose not to attend. The boards of SDN will be on fire cursing the school. Hence, they will make it easy on the students.

Let's be a little realistic here, CNCP does not have a good chance of being a top pharm school in California. Realistically, I think the best that they could do is be at the same level as Western or Touro. The reasons are that varied. First off, CNCP has no name recongnition and never will because it has no distinguished undergrad program. Look at UCSD, it's a new school but attracts top students off the bat because it's THE UCSD, compare that to CNCP who? Money is a big factor, the only money that CNCP can invest towards the students is tuition money and the couple of million that investors put in, I'm sure most of the money was already spent on the building, teachers, etc. That means the tuition money will the main source of income. CNCP has the use that tuiton money for the students and to pay back their investors. Other schools since they are nonprofits will use the tuition on the students only and have more money from having an overall big school with an undergrad and grad, money from a huge alumni base, endowments, money from the state, if it's a state school, etc. Another factor is the quality of students attending. Straight up, the best students are not going to go to CNCP. I think there a couple of people that claim to have gotten into USC, UCSF, UOP, Western, or UCSD but say they are going to choose CNCP. I call BS on that. Unless you live in Sac or your uncle is the dean, there is no way that someone will choose to go to CNCP at this point, a new school with not even preaccreditation vs those other schools in Cali, come on. If you got into an out of state, I could understand why to choose CNCP but this is the internet and I call BS. 😀 Straight up, we all know that CNCP is first choice for Californians that couldn't get into any other Cali school but want to stay in Cali instead of going out of state. Even CNCP knows that, I took the PCAT and got a letter from CNCP telling me they saw my PCAT and to apply to their school. I'm a good candidate to send that to because obviously, I'm taking the PCAT in Cali because I plan on trying an out of state school because it's easier to get in and no school in Cali takes PCAT.

There's nothing wrong with CNCP, if everything works out it'll be great for the students but let's keep things realistic. For the reasons I gave above, CNCP, no offense to Western will become the Western of Northern California. Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now. And I'll state again, there's nothing wrong with becoming like Western, it's an awesome school, All I'm saying is let's not get carried away and think that anytime soon, CNCP will be on the same level as the other top California schools.

Like I stated before, these are my own OPINIONS and observations. 😛

 

[sunday1]

There's a lot of assumptions and guessing going on so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents in a logical way. Take my opinion for what it is. 😀 I'm a believer that at this point in time that having a pharmacist license is more important than the school you come out of.

That is a baller response. I feel better now 🙂 I guess I forgot about the fact that it is afterall a profit organization. I think the future looks good for cncp. Im a licensed fortune teller. jp . But seriously, I think that the school will overcome many obstacles, and will hopefully be successful very soon! Thanks moolman!

 

[PharmDee2Bee]

I should get a pep talk from moolman before all of my interviews. I think you managed to twist this thread around a bit for those of us who started worrying about "CNCP failing students left and right." 👍

 

[CHARMO]

There's a lot of assumptions and guessing going on so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents in a logical way. Take my opinion for what it is. 😀 I'm a believer that at this point in time that having a pharmacist license is more important than the school you come out of.

CNCP is not going to fail students left and right, trying to be competitive or anything like that, that's to me sounds rediculous, the dean is being optimistic and just wants to convey a good image. The main logical reason, I think they won't do that is because they are a "for profit" school/instiution. They are there to make money, they have investors to pay back. If you read that article from Sac, they talk about all the investors, those investor expect to get paid back and then some, failing a lot of students will give the school a bad rep and student will choose not to attend. The boards of SDN will be on fire cursing the school. Hence, they will make it easy on the students.

Let's be a little realistic here, CNCP does not have a good chance of being a top pharm school in California. Realistically, I think the best that they could do is be at the same level as Western or Touro. The reasons are that varied. First off, CNCP has no name recongnition and never will because it has no distinguished undergrad program. Look at UCSD, it's a new school but attracts top students off the bat because it's THE UCSD, compare that to CNCP who? Money is a big factor, the only money that CNCP can invest towards the students is tuition money and the couple of million that investors put in, I'm sure most of the money was already spent on the building, teachers, etc. That means the tuition money will the main source of income. CNCP has the use that tuiton money for the students and to pay back their investors. Other schools since they are nonprofits will use the tuition on the students only and have more money from having an overall big school with an undergrad and grad, money from a huge alumni base, endowments, money from the state, if it's a state school, etc. Another factor is the quality of students attending. Straight up, the best students are not going to go to CNCP. I think there a couple of people that claim to have gotten into USC, UCSF, UOP, Western, or UCSD but say they are going to choose CNCP. I call BS on that. Unless you live in Sac or your uncle is the dean, there is no way that someone will choose to go to CNCP at this point, a new school with not even preaccreditation vs those other schools in Cali, come on. If you got into an out of state, I could understand why to choose CNCP but this is the internet and I call BS. 😀 Straight up, we all know that CNCP is first choice for Californians that couldn't get into any other Cali school but want to stay in Cali instead of going out of state. Even CNCP knows that, I took the PCAT and got a letter from CNCP telling me they saw my PCAT and to apply to their school. I'm a good candidate to send that to because obviously, I'm taking the PCAT in Cali because I plan on trying an out of state school because it's easier to get in and no school in Cali takes PCAT.

There's nothing wrong with CNCP, if everything works out it'll be great for the students but let's keep things realistic. For the reasons I gave above, CNCP, no offense to Western will become the Western of Northern California. Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now. And I'll state again, there's nothing wrong with becoming like Western, it's an awesome school, All I'm saying is let's not get carried away and think that anytime soon, CNCP will be on the same level as the other top California schools.

Like I stated before, these are my own OPINIONS and observations. 😛

Good points moolman👍👍

 

[yazzman]

There's a lot of assumptions and guessing going on so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents in a logical way. Take my opinion for what it is. 😀 I'm a believer that at this point in time that having a pharmacist license is more important than the school you come out of.

CNCP is not going to fail students left and right, trying to be competitive or anything like that, that's to me sounds rediculous, the dean is being optimistic and just wants to convey a good image. The main logical reason, I think they won't do that is because they are a "for profit" school/instiution. They are there to make money, they have investors to pay back. If you read that article from Sac, they talk about all the investors, those investor expect to get paid back and then some, failing a lot of students will give the school a bad rep and student will choose not to attend. The boards of SDN will be on fire cursing the school. Hence, they will make it easy on the students.

Let's be a little realistic here, CNCP does not have a good chance of being a top pharm school in California. Realistically, I think the best that they could do is be at the same level as Western or Touro. The reasons are that varied. First off, CNCP has no name recongnition and never will because it has no distinguished undergrad program. Look at UCSD, it's a new school but attracts top students off the bat because it's THE UCSD, compare that to CNCP who? Money is a big factor, the only money that CNCP can invest towards the students is tuition money and the couple of million that investors put in, I'm sure most of the money was already spent on the building, teachers, etc. That means the tuition money will the main source of income. CNCP has the use that tuiton money for the students and to pay back their investors. Other schools since they are nonprofits will use the tuition on the students only and have more money from having an overall big school with an undergrad and grad, money from a huge alumni base, endowments, money from the state, if it's a state school, etc. Another factor is the quality of students attending. Straight up, the best students are not going to go to CNCP. I think there a couple of people that claim to have gotten into USC, UCSF, UOP, Western, or UCSD but say they are going to choose CNCP. I call BS on that. Unless you live in Sac or your uncle is the dean, there is no way that someone will choose to go to CNCP at this point, a new school with not even preaccreditation vs those other schools in Cali, come on. If you got into an out of state, I could understand why to choose CNCP but this is the internet and I call BS. 😀 Straight up, we all know that CNCP is first choice for Californians that couldn't get into any other Cali school but want to stay in Cali instead of going out of state. Even CNCP knows that, I took the PCAT and got a letter from CNCP telling me they saw my PCAT and to apply to their school. I'm a good candidate to send that to because obviously, I'm taking the PCAT in Cali because I plan on trying an out of state school because it's easier to get in and no school in Cali takes PCAT.

There's nothing wrong with CNCP, if everything works out it'll be great for the students but let's keep things realistic. For the reasons I gave above, CNCP, no offense to Western will become the Western of Northern California. Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now. And I'll state again, there's nothing wrong with becoming like Western, it's an awesome school, All I'm saying is let's not get carried away and think that anytime soon, CNCP will be on the same level as the other top California schools.

Like I stated before, these are my own OPINIONS and observations. 😛

I see your point...good arguements..........I would apply to this school if I did not have any more opitions....People who are applying to this school are because its their last option * I would bet a zillion dollars that is the reaon***....If I was in that position I would apply to this school also...

 

[Nae614]

There's a lot of assumptions and guessing going on so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents in a logical way. Take my opinion for what it is. 😀 I'm a believer that at this point in time that having a pharmacist license is more important than the school you come out of.

CNCP is not going to fail students left and right, trying to be competitive or anything like that, that's to me sounds rediculous, the dean is being optimistic and just wants to convey a good image. The main logical reason, I think they won't do that is because they are a "for profit" school/instiution. They are there to make money, they have investors to pay back. If you read that article from Sac, they talk about all the investors, those investor expect to get paid back and then some, failing a lot of students will give the school a bad rep and student will choose not to attend. The boards of SDN will be on fire cursing the school. Hence, they will make it easy on the students.

Let's be a little realistic here, CNCP does not have a good chance of being a top pharm school in California. Realistically, I think the best that they could do is be at the same level as Western or Touro. The reasons are that varied. First off, CNCP has no name recongnition and never will because it has no distinguished undergrad program. Look at UCSD, it's a new school but attracts top students off the bat because it's THE UCSD, compare that to CNCP who? Money is a big factor, the only money that CNCP can invest towards the students is tuition money and the couple of million that investors put in, I'm sure most of the money was already spent on the building, teachers, etc. That means the tuition money will the main source of income. CNCP has the use that tuiton money for the students and to pay back their investors. Other schools since they are nonprofits will use the tuition on the students only and have more money from having an overall big school with an undergrad and grad, money from a huge alumni base, endowments, money from the state, if it's a state school, etc. Another factor is the quality of students attending. Straight up, the best students are not going to go to CNCP. I think there a couple of people that claim to have gotten into USC, UCSF, UOP, Western, or UCSD but say they are going to choose CNCP. I call BS on that. Unless you live in Sac or your uncle is the dean, there is no way that someone will choose to go to CNCP at this point, a new school with not even preaccreditation vs those other schools in Cali, come on. If you got into an out of state, I could understand why to choose CNCP but this is the internet and I call BS. 😀 Straight up, we all know that CNCP is first choice for Californians that couldn't get into any other Cali school but want to stay in Cali instead of going out of state. Even CNCP knows that, I took the PCAT and got a letter from CNCP telling me they saw my PCAT and to apply to their school. I'm a good candidate to send that to because obviously, I'm taking the PCAT in Cali because I plan on trying an out of state school because it's easier to get in and no school in Cali takes PCAT.

There's nothing wrong with CNCP, if everything works out it'll be great for the students but let's keep things realistic. For the reasons I gave above, CNCP, no offense to Western will become the Western of Northern California. Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now. And I'll state again, there's nothing wrong with becoming like Western, it's an awesome school, All I'm saying is let's not get carried away and think that anytime soon, CNCP will be on the same level as the other top California schools.

Like I stated before, these are my own OPINIONS and observations. 😛

You have a point but I'm curious about why you say that "Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now."
I don't think thats necessarily true. I have absolutely no interest in UCSD or USC...I didn't even apply there--not because I thought I couldn't get in but because I'm just not interested in those schools. There are people who choose to go to Western because it is actually their first choice.
I don't understand why people think that Touro and Western are the schools to choose when you don't get in anywhere else?!? 😕 I mean there could be a possibility that people are actually interested in those schools.
I just had to state my thoughts on this, after reading your post.

 

[shikamaru]

You have a point but I'm curious about why you say that "Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now."
I don't think thats necessarily true. I have absolutely no interest in UCSD or USC...I didn't even apply there--not because I thought I couldn't get in but because I'm just not interested in those schools. There are people who choose to go to Western because it is actually their first choice.
I don't understand why people think that Touro and Western are the schools to choose when you don't get in anywhere else?!? 😕 I mean there could be a possibility that people are actually interested in those schools.
I just had to state my thoughts on this, after reading your post.

I agree almost completely with moolman as well, but in this regard I agree with you. I mean, I can totally see why moolman said that. I'm sure that *most* people probably apply based off name or whatever. However, there actually are people who do choose to apply to "lower name" schools for other reasons.

Unless you live in Sac or your uncle is the dean, there is no way that someone will choose to go to CNCP at this point, a new school with not even preaccreditation vs those other schools in Cali, come on.

And yet there is...

Can't always over-generalize enough and yet can't always be specific enough... Some people just want to wait and see. I have plenty of friends who chose "lower name" schools over "better" ones. For a long time I thought my life was upside down hehe.

 

[moolman]

You have a point but I'm curious about why you say that "Students will choose CNCP because they couldn't get in to UCSF or UOP, just like students choose Western because they couldn't get into USC and probably UCSD now."
I don't think thats necessarily true. I have absolutely no interest in UCSD or USC...I didn't even apply there--not because I thought I couldn't get in but because I'm just not interested in those schools. There are people who choose to go to Western because it is actually their first choice.
I don't understand why people think that Touro and Western are the schools to choose when you don't get in anywhere else?!? 😕 I mean there could be a possibility that people are actually interested in those schools.
I just had to state my thoughts on this, after reading your post.

It was a broad generalization and I'm sure there are people who's first choice is Western or Touro and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if we honestly talk about it without worry about offending people. I think the majority of the people applying to pharm school in SoCal would choose USC first. At least from my experience Western is the 2nd choice school for most people, saying that the majority of the people that go to Western was their first choice would be just trying to be nice and politically correct to not offend those people. I think some people don't even bother to apply to USC because they know their chances of getting in are low and they rather use the application money to apply somewhere else, but later they won't admit that they really wanted to go to a better school and just claim that Western was their first choice because of pride, nobody wants to admit that they took 2nd choice. I think that some it is those types of people that might make you think more people choose Western first but let's be less sensitive to feelings and go with facts. You go to the people who are going to Western and tell them they could switch to USC, I think you'll get a lot of volunteers to switch, do the same thing at USC and ask those people to switch, if you honestly answer this, I think you have your answer. And like I said, this isn't the case for everybody, there are people who's first choice is Western but it's fair to say that for most it is not. I don't think Western and Touro are the schools of last resort for most people. I think for Southern Californians they are because let's face it, if you didn't get into Western you didn't get into USC, so you probably have to go out of state. I think in general California schools are the hardest to get in because of the amount of people applying and quality of students and being accepted to any Cali school is saying alot.

 

[moolman]

And yet there is...

Can't always over-generalize enough and yet can't always be specific enough... Some people just want to wait and see. I have plenty of friends who chose "lower name" schools over "better" ones. For a long time I thought my life was upside down hehe.

Hi,
Well, like I said before, I'm calling bull **** to those people who are claiming that they got into UCSF, USC, UOP, UCSD, Western, Loma Linda, or Touro and are waiting on CNCP. If someone is really claiming that they got into those schools and will choose CNCP which doesn't have preaccreditation, I don't believe them. I honestly don't think anybody would take a chance on their future that they worked years for on. We can all try to be nice and not offend people but we all know that CNCP is last choice for californians that don't want to leave the state. I never said people never choose lower ranked schools, I personally know people that got into an Ivy League school but chose to go to USC or UCLA. I was specifically refering only to CNCP and that at this point in time with all these things about CNCP not known, not in a couple of years when we'll get feedback from students, I'm just talking about at this current moment with CNCP having no status, no history, no feedback, that somebody that got into the other Californian schools would not choose CNCP unless they live in Sacramento or the uncle is the dean. If we had to really analyze this, maybe someone would choose CNCP over Touro since it's a relatively new school too and not want to go to Loma Linda because they don't want to deal with the 7th day adventist thing but any of the other schools....

 

[shikamaru]

Hi,
Well, like I said before, I'm calling bull **** to those people who are claiming that they got into UCSF, USC, UOP, UCSD, Western, Loma Linda, or Touro and are waiting on CNCP. If someone is really claiming that they got into those schools and will choose CNCP which doesn't have preaccreditation, I don't believe them. I honestly don't think anybody would take a chance on their future that they worked years for on. We can all try to be nice and not offend people but we all know that CNCP is last choice for californians that don't want to leave the state. I never said people never choose lower ranked schools, I personally know people that got into an Ivy League school but chose to go to USC or UCLA. I was specifically refering only to CNCP and that at this point in time with all these things about CNCP not known, not in a couple of years when we'll get feedback from students, I'm just talking about at this current moment with CNCP having no status, no history, no feedback, that somebody that got into the other Californian schools would not choose CNCP unless they live in Sacramento or the uncle is the dean. If we had to really analyze this, maybe someone would choose CNCP over Touro since it's a relatively new school too and not want to go to Loma Linda because they don't want to deal with the 7th day adventist thing but any of the other schools....

I think what is lacking in your logic is that you are automatically assuming people are picking CNCP over the rest of the CA schools right at this very instant. That is simply not the case. They are waiting until June to see if CNCP gains its pre-candidate status. Then their real decisions will begin. The fact that multiple people have said they might consider CNCP over other places shows that there must have been something about CNCP that they liked a lot.

I can tell you are a very, very ambitious person from how you think. But believe it or not there *are* people who would be happy to stay in their school even if they suddenly had an "in" at USC or whatever. I just don't agree with calling bs to everyone who've said they might consider CNCP later despite their other acceptances. By your logic also then entrepreneurship, testing the new waters, and not relearning the wheel is only for the weak. These applicants like you said have worked years and years for the opportunity to go to pharmacy school, for building their future. However, calling bs to those who might pick CNCP later over their other acceptances is ignorant--they must have seen potential in CNCP to be bold enough to wait until June.

The bottom line is that these people have been to all the different interviews, along with CNCP's. You have not. I would also like to suggest the idea that in reality, NONE of us really knows exactly what quality pharmacy education is. We've never been to pharmacy school. How would we know? The only way we can tell then is by comparing the pharmacists we work with. I for one work with many different pharmacists in our clinic. They are graduates from all sorts of schools, and I think the most amazing thing is that none is better than the other. If anything, it shows to me at least that what *ultimately* matters, besides your license, is how much you put in, regardless of which school you end up in.

 

[BMBiology]

I would understand if someone chooses a established small college over a big name university but it is rare for someone to choose a non accreditated private college over a well established university based on the mere words and promises of the dean.

 

[steveysmith54]

I would understand if someone chooses CNCP over a big name university but it is rare for someone to choose a non accreditated private school over a well established school based on the mere words and promises of the dean.

I agree. I think 99.99% of the people would never even think about doing that.

I mean putting in sooooo much work to get into a top school, I'd want to be rewarded.

 

[BMBiology]

The Electives will included offerings of retail, hospital, Ambulatory Care (anti-coagulation, hypertension, diabetes), Administrative (CPhA), BPM (HealthNet, DHS), Compounding…there are many opportunities to consider. I have begun contacting all of these.

Dave Carroll, Pharm. D.
Director of Experiential Education
California Northstate College of Pharmacy
11081 International Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 288-4500 (Office)
(916) 244-7134 (Fax)
(916) 284-6258 (Cell)
[email protected]

What happend to the UC Davis site? It's a good thing they have contacted these sites. We will have to see if they can establish a relationship and contract with these sites.

 

[moolman]

Well, nothing is absolute and there's always somebody that is different but like BMBiology said, at this current moment, CNCP is an unaccredated school with not even another school like a nursing program, undergrad, physician assistant etc. to back it up. It's not because I'm a very ambitious person but I'm a realist and don't like to sugar coat things and I say things like it is. To even get to pharmacy school, a person has to put in many years of school and I really don't think when it comes down to it that anybody would choose to go to CNCP if they got into another California school, with maybe a couple of exceptions like I mentioned before about Touro and Loma Linda. We can try to be sensitive and say that there are people who get into the other California schools but still choose yet unaccredited CNCP but I'm calling BS on those people. This is the internet and people could post whatever they want. They did not get into another California school if they are planning on attending CNCP, especially since they probably have to put down a deposit of $500 to $2000 for secure their seat way before June. So they are also going to give up a good amount of money to go to a new school that no student has every given feedback on just because they want to be adventerous. No way, it's my opinion but the only people really considering CNCP as their first choice are people who live in Sacramento or got accepted out of state only and want to stay in California. Nobody got into another California school and is choosing CNCP. It's not to put down CNCP, it would be normal for any school that is trying to start up that is late on their accredidation and has no other school. For example, when Loma Linda was starting up, that's a bit different because LL has an undergrad, nursing, med school, etc already established.

Anyway, all this is a moot point, I'm not trying to put down CNCP in anyway, I think if all goes well, it will be a fine school and you'll get a quality education if you work for it. But I was just responding to the posts about CNCP failing students left and right and about the posts about how CNCP will be a top California school. Without trying to be mean but realistic about it, like I said, they are not going to fail people because they want to make money, if they didn't want to make money they would become a nonprofit school. And because of the whole profit thing and not having other schools attached to it, the chances are slim that they become a top school to rival the any of the other ones in California. Like I said, it will become the Western U of Northern California and there is nothing wrong with that and that's what everyone applying should realize instead of having grandiose thoughts of CNCP rivaling UCSF in ten years.

 

[yazzman]

Well, nothing is absolute and there's always somebody that is different but like BMBiology said, at this current moment, CNCP is an unaccredated school with not even another school like a nursing program, undergrad, physician assistant etc. to back it up. It's not because I'm a very ambitious person but I'm a realist and don't like to sugar coat things and I say things like it is. To even get to pharmacy school, a person has to put in many years of school and I really don't think when it comes down to it that anybody would choose to go to CNCP if they got into another California school, with maybe a couple of exceptions like I mentioned before about Touro and Loma Linda. We can try to be sensitive and say that there are people who get into the other California schools but still choose yet unaccredited CNCP but I'm calling BS on those people. This is the internet and people could post whatever they want. They did not get into another California school if they are planning on attending CNCP, especially since they probably have to put down a deposit of $500 to $2000 for secure their seat way before June. So they are also going to give up a good amount of money to go to a new school that no student has every given feedback on just because they want to be adventerous. No way, it's my opinion but the only people really considering CNCP as their first choice are people who live in Sacramento or got accepted out of state only and want to stay in California. Nobody got into another California school and is choosing CNCP. It's not to put down CNCP, it would be normal for any school that is trying to start up that is late on their accredidation and has no other school. For example, when Loma Linda was starting up, that's a bit different because LL has an undergrad, nursing, med school, etc already established.

Anyway, all this is a moot point, I'm not trying to put down CNCP in anyway, I think if all goes well, it will be a fine school and you'll get a quality education if you work for it. But I was just responding to the posts about CNCP failing students left and right and about the posts about how CNCP will be a top California school. Without trying to be mean but realistic about it, like I said, they are not going to fail people because they want to make money, if they didn't want to make money they would become a nonprofit school. And because of the whole profit thing and not having other schools attached to it, the chances are slim that they become a top school to rival the any of the other ones in California. Like I said, it will become the Western U of Northern California and there is nothing wrong with that and that's what everyone applying should realize instead of having grandiose thoughts of CNCP rivaling UCSF in ten years.

It would have been cool to see UCDavis start a pharmacy school...that would have been sweet...

 

[shikamaru]

Well, nothing is absolute and there's always somebody that is different but like BMBiology said, at this current moment, CNCP is an unaccredated school with not even another school like a nursing program, undergrad, physician assistant etc. to back it up. It's not because I'm a very ambitious person but I'm a realist and don't like to sugar coat things and I say things like it is. To even get to pharmacy school, a person has to put in many years of school and I really don't think when it comes down to it that anybody would choose to go to CNCP if they got into another California school, with maybe a couple of exceptions like I mentioned before about Touro and Loma Linda. We can try to be sensitive and say that there are people who get into the other California schools but still choose yet unaccredited CNCP but I'm calling BS on those people. This is the internet and people could post whatever they want. They did not get into another California school if they are planning on attending CNCP, especially since they probably have to put down a deposit of $500 to $2000 for secure their seat way before June. So they are also going to give up a good amount of money to go to a new school that no student has every given feedback on just because they want to be adventerous. No way, it's my opinion but the only people really considering CNCP as their first choice are people who live in Sacramento or got accepted out of state only and want to stay in California. Nobody got into another California school and is choosing CNCP. It's not to put down CNCP, it would be normal for any school that is trying to start up that is late on their accredidation and has no other school. For example, when Loma Linda was starting up, that's a bit different because LL has an undergrad, nursing, med school, etc already established.

Anyway, all this is a moot point, I'm not trying to put down CNCP in anyway, I think if all goes well, it will be a fine school and you'll get a quality education if you work for it. But I was just responding to the posts about CNCP failing students left and right and about the posts about how CNCP will be a top California school. Without trying to be mean but realistic about it, like I said, they are not going to fail people because they want to make money, if they didn't want to make money they would become a nonprofit school. And because of the whole profit thing and not having other schools attached to it, the chances are slim that they become a top school to rival the any of the other ones in California. Like I said, it will become the Western U of Northern California and there is nothing wrong with that and that's what everyone applying should realize instead of having grandiose thoughts of CNCP rivaling UCSF in ten years.

Ooooh okay I get what you're saying. Well if people want to lie to make themselves feel better (?) then I guess that's their business.

I will be straight up and say that more than a year ago, my list of schools as I was preparing to apply was the same as it is now. I got downright rejected by my top two back in December and so now I'm going to my #3.

As for CNCP, I actually entertained myself with the idea of going there, because my interactions with interviewees and the staff were absolutely phenomenal, but more importantly because I am still unsure of my own ability at an accelerated program with its significantly elevated stress. The decision therefore got much harder because the only 4-year schools I wanted to go to in place of an accelerated school were the 2 that I got rejected from, so naturally I had to decide if CNCP would be okay since it isn't accelerated. So that's me 😳.

CNCP does have a long ways to go. (By the way, BMBiology: I have no clue what's going on with the UCD site). Whatever happens though I hope the inaugural class, 2008 or 2009, have their share of great experiences in their lifetime 🙂.

 

[steveysmith54]

CNCP does have a long ways to go. (By the way, BMBiology: I have no clue what's going on with the UCD site). Whatever happens though I hope the inaugural class, 2008 or 2009, have their share of great experiences in their lifetime 🙂.

I'll be curious to know which hospitals and major chains will be associated with that school. They'll need quite a few with 80 student inaugural class.

 

[moolman]

Ooooh okay I get what you're saying. Well if people want to lie to make themselves feel better (?) then I guess that's their business.

I will be straight up and say that more than a year ago, my list of schools as I was preparing to apply was the same as it is now. I got downright rejected by my top two back in December and so now I'm going to my #3.

As for CNCP, I actually entertained myself with the idea of going there, because my interactions with interviewees and the staff were absolutely phenomenal, but more importantly because I am still unsure of my own ability at an accelerated program with its significantly elevated stress. The decision therefore got much harder because the only 4-year schools I wanted to go to in place of an accelerated school were the 2 that I got rejected from, so naturally I had to decide if CNCP would be okay since it isn't accelerated. So that's me 😳.

CNCP does have a long ways to go. (By the way, BMBiology: I have no clue what's going on with the UCD site). Whatever happens though I hope the inaugural class, 2008 or 2009, have their share of great experiences in their lifetime 🙂.

Well, that was the point of my whole long rant. 😀 It's the students like you that got accepted to an out of state school that are considering CNCP. Shikamaru, I don't know what your other 2 top choices were but it says you are from the bay area, if you got into UCSF, UOP or USC, you'd be attending those schools wouldn't you and not even consider CNCP. Hey, I was in the same situation, I applied to 15 schools, yeah, 15 because I was really worried about not getting into any school. That's why I was researching CNCP for the longest time because I personally would rather stay in California. I'm Asian myself and tell you straight up that outside of California, there's a lot of racism and I didn't want to deal with that kind of BS. I don't mean racism at the school but racism in general in the area. The most ******ed statement to get told is that my English is so good. 😀 What kind of ignorant statement is that? haha.. Anyway, I got really fortunate in getting into my first choice school in California by probably a mistake in the admissions committe or an act of God. So I didn't have to do the tour of America for interviews and was able decline the couple I got. Well, good luck to the rest of you.

 

[FutureFarmDee]

After reading these posts about CNCP vs. other CA pharmacy schools...I have to agree with statements by Moolman and BMB...no way ever should someone choose a new, independent-standing unaccredited school over an established accredited school if accepted to both...there is only one, and I do mean ONE logical reason why someone could choose CNCP over a school like UCSD, or USC or UOP, or UCSF: that they live in Sac and will save money on housing. Those who try to make the argument that they were super impressed by the "outstandingly-beautiful-euphoric-phenomenal interactions" with the Dean and Faculty during the interview are only kidding themselves and are sugar-coating their decision to go there. Think about a first-time salesman and their pitch to potential consumers, or a new start-up business trying to entice potential investors: of course they are going to make a GREAT first impression and make all these bold confident statements and promises about the future. WHY? So you will take their offer! Of course CNCP is going to impress their interviewees, they hope to fill their first class and get the ball rolling. Their true success will be measured once they become pre-candidate status and start their pharmacy curriculum. Until then, those who choose to enroll with CNCP before August 2008 are taking a giant risk, and I wish you best of luck. I realize that the CNCP Dean and Faculty come from established pharmacy schools so they are dedicated and passionate. But hey, a top CA pharmacy school in 5-10 years? Please. Touro will get there first. IMO, the best way to get an accurate prediction of your pharmacy school: talk to alumni, and current pharmacy students of the school. Know the school's past so you can predict the future. Every accepted applicant to any school has endured a long journey and sacrificed a lot to get the chance to go to pharmacy school. Choose wisely. Don't get won over by the "sales pitch" at the interviews.

 

[shikamaru]

Well, that was the point of my whole long rant. 😀 It's the students like you that got accepted to an out of state school that are considering CNCP. Shikamaru, I don't know what your other 2 top choices were but it says you are from the bay area, if you got into UCSF, UOP or USC, you'd be attending those schools wouldn't you and not even consider CNCP. Hey, I was in the same situation, I applied to 15 schools, yeah, 15 because I was really worried about not getting into any school. That's why I was researching CNCP for the longest time because I personally would rather stay in California. I'm Asian myself and tell you straight up that outside of California, there's a lot of racism and I didn't want to deal with that kind of BS. I don't mean racism at the school but racism in general in the area. The most ******ed statement to get told is that my English is so good. 😀 What kind of ignorant statement is that? haha.. Anyway, I got really fortunate in getting into my first choice school in California by probably a mistake in the admissions committe or an act of God. So I didn't have to do the tour of America for interviews and was able decline the couple I got. Well, good luck to the rest of you.

Wow. Interesting reason for not going out-of-state. I guess I am lucky to have never experienced racism towards me. I had plenty of white friends when I first came to the US. The people in MA were also VERY nice to me when I was there. Actually I didn't even talk to a single Asian when I was there now that I think about it...

I didn't consider CNCP because it's in California. I considered it because it's a slower-paced, normal 4-year school (assuming it gets its pre-candidate status), whereas MCPHS-Worcester is accelerated and I've been worrying myself blue (for a long time now) about the super high stress and dropout rate there lol.

Location was part of my equation though, but as you can see my equation was much different from most people's. As a undergrad I've taken a full load of summer classes for 3 summers in a row now so I feel I'm burning out and yet I'm still going strong. Personally I want to get all my education over with and get out into the real world and so MCPHS and UOP were the natural choices. They have the largest-recognized, longest-established accelerated PharmD programs in the East and West. I picked MCPHS over UOP because I never want to be in Stockton ever, and plus I have an eerie desire to get a fresh experience in Massachusetts since I've been in CA for sooo long now. My brother also wants to go to MA for grad school so it'd be convenient if we both went to MA.

My top 2 choices were UCSF and UCSD (like many CA applicants lol). They were the only 4-year schools I wanted to go to in place of MCPHS because as I said already I am scared shietless about the higher dropout rate at accelerated programs. In addition, my 3-year vs. 4-year school dilemma also had a threshold where I'd be willing to suffer through an intense 3-year program instead of going to a 4-year school. UCSF and UCSD just happened to make my cutoff (and I won't go into why I don't want to go to USC, Western, and so on; that'd be way too long). I guess I just got too carried away stressing about the insanity at accelerated programs that I considered CNCP. It was interesting to entertain the idea of going to a slower-paced, 4-year school at CNCP while it lasted lol. I had to re-read my personal statements and stuff for MCPHS to be reminded of some things that I've forgotten since my acceptance from them .

Well I wish all who are considering CNCP the best of luck. The school will be going through (as it has been already) some very tough times, and I guess that is what being an inaugural class entails. The negativity, unclear future, etc. etc. will be what brings you guys the heightened sense of responsibility to do well.

As for me, I am not going to worry myself blue over an accelerated school's higher dropout rates, stress, etc. anymore. I WILL BATTLE THROUGH. AND I WILL WIN. Class of 2011 🙂.

 

[moolman]

The racism thing is a minor issue but I was just over generalizing and giving an example. A more pertinent reason for not leaving California for me is the food. I enjoy all Asian food and the majority of the time outside of California, Asian food just sucks. For example, the sushi at Todai sucks so much but that's 5 star sushi compared to some of the the sushi I ate outside of Cali.

I don't know if it was maybe just one of the campuses of MCPHS but I remember posts talking about how the area around there wasn't the greatest. If you think Stockton sucks, I'm not sure MCPHS is a step up. At least in Stockton, you're a couple hours away from SF or Sac and can drive to LA reasonably.🙂

 

[irishspring]

What are you guys referring to about the UCD site? I got to UCD and I dont think there are any plans to start a pharmacy program.

We did just recently receive $100 mill to start a nursing program along with our Vet and Med schools.

 

[shikamaru]

The racism thing is a minor issue but I was just over generalizing and giving an example. A more pertinent reason for not leaving California for me is the food. I enjoy all Asian food and the majority of the time outside of California, Asian food just sucks. For example, the sushi at Todai sucks so much but that's 5 star sushi compared to some of the the sushi I ate outside of Cali.

I don't know if it was maybe just one of the campuses of MCPHS but I remember posts talking about how the area around there wasn't the greatest. If you think Stockton sucks, I'm not sure MCPHS is a step up. At least in Stockton, you're a couple hours away from SF or Sac and can drive to LA reasonably.🙂

That's why you learn that skill called cooking 😉.

As for MCPHS, like you said this is the internet and so people should take what they read with a grain of salt. However, that doesn't mean all is lost. The greatest, greatest asset of SDN for me has been the PM system. Always always always PM current students (and as many of them as you can) to get the REAL inside scoop of wherever you want to go. Sometimes you'd be amazed at how off the information on these public forums are. Don't just take anything from the public forums as truth.

It sounds to me like you've never been to Worcester. Well it's home to 11 colleges and universities including UMass Medical School, the clinical affiliate of UMass Memorial Medical Center which is also partnered with MCPHS where MCPHS-Worcester students can do their rotations and residencies at. Worcester is like a big college town, not to mention all the IVY leagues in and around Massachusetts. It might not be the most vibrant of cities, but Boston is just a 45-min drive away.

Stockton on the other hand has absolutely no college atmosphere, and was on the news as the worst city to live in just some weeks ago. Its crime rate is also the highest according to Forbes, and my friend's sister who just got her PharmD from UOP moved out of there as fast as she could (and yes, it was because she hated the place and the school that much). So, sorry, but IMO MCPHS-Worcester is eons better than that. I'll give you the weather though (and the money-whoring propaganda called US News Rankings, for those of you who actually believe that NIH funding almost entirely for PhDs is the same as the PharmD degree you're getting ), but I'm not the type to whine about rain and snow, though I do whine about how idiotic many parents are for keeping up-to-date on the US News Rankings religiously .

... Oh and I should say that Worcester life flops compared to Boston. I won't talk about Boston though because I'm not going to the MCPHS campus there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a more relevant note, I think everyone who comes to this thread should think about something that I don't think anybody has seriously thought about. A previous post by someone mentioned that people are "sugar-coating" their decision in attending CNCP. I'd like to suggest the idea that many people are probably "sugar-coating" their decision in attending ANY school. The most relevant about CNCP thus far in this thread has been where their advanced rotation sites will be. Do you guys seriously think that 100% of the SDNers here are going to do a residency right after getting their PharmD? Seriously, how "prestigious" your school's clinical sites are has absolutely no relevance if your goal is not to become a pharmacist going on rounds in Johns Hopkins or the Stanford Hospital or something. I think some people are completely blowing out of proportion the idea of "going to the best rotation sites possible" just to make themselves feel better about whatever school they got into.

Furthermore, do you guys remember why it is that you hear: "Don't be nervous. Remember that you are interviewing them too" when you are preparing for your interviews? There is a good reason to this statement, and I have heard many people say that your perception at your interview is nearly--if not entirely--accurate of how life would be like if you were a student there. This of course doesn't mean that all your interviews would be 100% accurate of how life would be at such-and-such a place, but I'm just reminding you guys of the idea that interview perception can be a good indicator, and usually more often than not.

To people who've been accepted to CNCP as well as other schools:
Pick a school that tends to your needs, your weaknesses, your goals, and your strengths. Oh and of course you should only do that after June when CNCP finds out about their status 😀. Also remember that the pre-candidate status is the hardest status to obtain. After that you are pretty much as safe as those going to candidate and fully-accredited schools. GOOD LUCK ALL.

 

[oink2655]

That's why you learn that skill called cooking 😉.

As for MCPHS, like you said this is the internet and so people should take what they read with a grain of salt. However, that doesn't mean all is lost. The greatest, greatest asset of SDN for me has been the PM system. Always always always PM current students (and as many of them as you can) to get the REAL inside scoop of wherever you want to go. Sometimes you'd be amazed at how off the information on these public forums are. Don't just take anything from the public forums as truth.

It sounds to me like you've never been to Worcester. Well it's home to 11 colleges and universities including UMass Medical School, the clinical affiliate of UMass Memorial Medical Center which is also partnered with MCPHS where MCPHS-Worcester students can do their rotations and residencies at. Worcester is like a big college town, not to mention all the IVY leagues in and around Massachusetts. It might not be the most vibrant of cities, but Boston is just a 45-min drive away.

Stockton on the other hand has absolutely no college atmosphere, and was on the news as the worst city to live in just some weeks ago. Its crime rate is also the highest according to Forbes, and my friend's sister who just got her PharmD from UOP moved out of there as fast as she could (and yes, it was because she hated the place and the school that much). So, sorry, but IMO MCPHS-Worcester is eons better than that. I'll give you the weather though (and the money-whoring propaganda called US News Rankings, for those of you who actually believe that NIH funding almost entirely for PhDs is the same as the PharmD degree you're getting ), but I'm not the type to whine about rain and snow, though I do whine about how idiotic many parents are for keeping up-to-date on the US News Rankings religiously .

... Oh and I should say that Worcester life flops compared to Boston. I won't talk about Boston though because I'm not going to the MCPHS campus there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a more relevant note, I think everyone who comes to this thread should think about something that I don't think anybody has seriously thought about. A previous post by someone mentioned that people are "sugar-coating" their decision in attending CNCP. I'd like to suggest the idea that many people are probably "sugar-coating" their decision in attending ANY school. The most relevant about CNCP thus far in this thread has been where their advanced rotation sites will be. Do you guys seriously think that 100% of the SDNers here are going to do a residency right after getting their PharmD? Seriously, how "prestigious" your school's clinical sites are has absolutely no relevance if your goal is not to become a pharmacist going on rounds in Johns Hopkins or the Stanford Hospital or something. I think some people are completely blowing out of proportion the idea of "going to the best rotation sites possible" just to make themselves feel better about whatever school they got into.

Furthermore, do you guys remember why it is that you hear: "Don't be nervous. Remember that you are interviewing them too" when you are preparing for your interviews? There is a good reason to this statement, and I have heard many people say that your perception at your interview is nearly--if not entirely--accurate of how life would be like if you were a student there. This of course doesn't mean that all your interviews would be 100% accurate of how life would be at such-and-such a place, but I'm just reminding you guys of the idea that interview perception can be a good indicator, and usually more often than not.

To people who've been accepted to CNCP as well as other schools:
Pick a school that tends to your needs, your weaknesses, your goals, and your strengths. Oh and of course you should only do that after June when CNCP finds out about their status 😀. Also remember that the pre-candidate status is the hardest status to obtain. After that you are pretty much as safe as those going to candidate and fully-accredited schools. GOOD LUCK ALL.

Stockton is not all that bad. It just depends on the area that you go to. If you are smart and stay out of trouble you should be fine anywhere you go. I went to UOP for undergrad and did not experience and problems. Keep in mind that you still need to practice safe precautions like don't go out late at night by yourself, stay away from Charter St, do not keep a lot of valuables in open view in the car. I grew up in the bay area and although Stockton is not the same, it is only a little drive away from it. Trust me, I live in Elk Grove and this little town is soooooooo dead. There are hardly any cars on the street at 9:30!! And every where you go in Elk Grove is a 15-20 minute drive even if you are just going to the gym down the street. Hopefully the new mall will be built soon to alleviate the boredom!

 

[yazzman]

That's why you learn that skill called cooking 😉.

As for MCPHS, like you said this is the internet and so people should take what they read with a grain of salt. However, that doesn't mean all is lost. The greatest, greatest asset of SDN for me has been the PM system. Always always always PM current students (and as many of them as you can) to get the REAL inside scoop of wherever you want to go. Sometimes you'd be amazed at how off the information on these public forums are. Don't just take anything from the public forums as truth.

It sounds to me like you've never been to Worcester. Well it's home to 11 colleges and universities including UMass Medical School, the clinical affiliate of UMass Memorial Medical Center which is also partnered with MCPHS where MCPHS-Worcester students can do their rotations and residencies at. Worcester is like a big college town, not to mention all the IVY leagues in and around Massachusetts. It might not be the most vibrant of cities, but Boston is just a 45-min drive away.

Stockton on the other hand has absolutely no college atmosphere, and was on the news as the worst city to live in just some weeks ago. Its crime rate is also the highest according to Forbes, and my friend's sister who just got her PharmD from UOP moved out of there as fast as she could (and yes, it was because she hated the place and the school that much). So, sorry, but IMO MCPHS-Worcester is eons better than that. I'll give you the weather though (and the money-whoring propaganda called US News Rankings, for those of you who actually believe that NIH funding almost entirely for PhDs is the same as the PharmD degree you're getting ), but I'm not the type to whine about rain and snow, though I do whine about how idiotic many parents are for keeping up-to-date on the US News Rankings religiously .

... Oh and I should say that Worcester life flops compared to Boston. I won't talk about Boston though because I'm not going to the MCPHS campus there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a more relevant note, I think everyone who comes to this thread should think about something that I don't think anybody has seriously thought about. A previous post by someone mentioned that people are "sugar-coating" their decision in attending CNCP. I'd like to suggest the idea that many people are probably "sugar-coating" their decision in attending ANY school. The most relevant about CNCP thus far in this thread has been where their advanced rotation sites will be. Do you guys seriously think that 100% of the SDNers here are going to do a residency right after getting their PharmD? Seriously, how "prestigious" your school's clinical sites are has absolutely no relevance if your goal is not to become a pharmacist going on rounds in Johns Hopkins or the Stanford Hospital or something. I think some people are completely blowing out of proportion the idea of "going to the best rotation sites possible" just to make themselves feel better about whatever school they got into.

Furthermore, do you guys remember why it is that you hear: "Don't be nervous. Remember that you are interviewing them too" when you are preparing for your interviews? There is a good reason to this statement, and I have heard many people say that your perception at your interview is nearly--if not entirely--accurate of how life would be like if you were a student there. This of course doesn't mean that all your interviews would be 100% accurate of how life would be at such-and-such a place, but I'm just reminding you guys of the idea that interview perception can be a good indicator, and usually more often than not.

To people who've been accepted to CNCP as well as other schools:
Pick a school that tends to your needs, your weaknesses, your goals, and your strengths. Oh and of course you should only do that after June when CNCP finds out about their status 😀. Also remember that the pre-candidate status is the hardest status to obtain. After that you are pretty much as safe as those going to candidate and fully-accredited schools. GOOD LUCK ALL.

what are the chances this school not getting fully-accredited....PS....I lived in Stockton all my life and never been victim of any violent crimes.....

 

[lilmunchkin2003]

i got accepted into cal northstate!! i heard they are accepting 80 students total and that they are still holding interviews until the end of april just incase any of those students decide not to go

 

[kismet]

What happend to the UC Davis site? It's a good thing they have contacted these sites. We will have to see if they can establish a relationship and contract with these sites.

Take this with a huge pile of salt, but when my dad was in the hospital at UCDMC, he had a chance to chat with a student pharmacist from UCSF. My guess would be that UCD is taking UC interns, and I'm not sure they would take Northstate interns.. The UCs have to support other UCs.

 

[azpixie]

That's why you learn that skill called cooking 😉.

As for MCPHS, like you said this is the internet and so people should take what they read with a grain of salt. However, that doesn't mean all is lost. The greatest, greatest asset of SDN for me has been the PM system. Always always always PM current students (and as many of them as you can) to get the REAL inside scoop of wherever you want to go. Sometimes you'd be amazed at how off the information on these public forums are. Don't just take anything from the public forums as truth.

It sounds to me like you've never been to Worcester. Well it's home to 11 colleges and universities including UMass Medical School, the clinical affiliate of UMass Memorial Medical Center which is also partnered with MCPHS where MCPHS-Worcester students can do their rotations and residencies at. Worcester is like a big college town, not to mention all the IVY leagues in and around Massachusetts. It might not be the most vibrant of cities, but Boston is just a 45-min drive away.

Stockton on the other hand has absolutely no college atmosphere, and was on the news as the worst city to live in just some weeks ago. Its crime rate is also the highest according to Forbes, and my friend's sister who just got her PharmD from UOP moved out of there as fast as she could (and yes, it was because she hated the place and the school that much). So, sorry, but IMO MCPHS-Worcester is eons better than that. I'll give you the weather though (and the money-whoring propaganda called US News Rankings, for those of you who actually believe that NIH funding almost entirely for PhDs is the same as the PharmD degree you're getting ), but I'm not the type to whine about rain and snow, though I do whine about how idiotic many parents are for keeping up-to-date on the US News Rankings religiously .

... Oh and I should say that Worcester life flops compared to Boston. I won't talk about Boston though because I'm not going to the MCPHS campus there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a more relevant note, I think everyone who comes to this thread should think about something that I don't think anybody has seriously thought about. A previous post by someone mentioned that people are "sugar-coating" their decision in attending CNCP. I'd like to suggest the idea that many people are probably "sugar-coating" their decision in attending ANY school. The most relevant about CNCP thus far in this thread has been where their advanced rotation sites will be. Do you guys seriously think that 100% of the SDNers here are going to do a residency right after getting their PharmD? Seriously, how "prestigious" your school's clinical sites are has absolutely no relevance if your goal is not to become a pharmacist going on rounds in Johns Hopkins or the Stanford Hospital or something. I think some people are completely blowing out of proportion the idea of "going to the best rotation sites possible" just to make themselves feel better about whatever school they got into.

Furthermore, do you guys remember why it is that you hear: "Don't be nervous. Remember that you are interviewing them too" when you are preparing for your interviews? There is a good reason to this statement, and I have heard many people say that your perception at your interview is nearly--if not entirely--accurate of how life would be like if you were a student there. This of course doesn't mean that all your interviews would be 100% accurate of how life would be at such-and-such a place, but I'm just reminding you guys of the idea that interview perception can be a good indicator, and usually more often than not.

To people who've been accepted to CNCP as well as other schools:
Pick a school that tends to your needs, your weaknesses, your goals, and your strengths. Oh and of course you should only do that after June when CNCP finds out about their status 😀. Also remember that the pre-candidate status is the hardest status to obtain. After that you are pretty much as safe as those going to candidate and fully-accredited schools. GOOD LUCK ALL.

good luck at MCPHS!! bring warm clothes! 🙂

 

[CCdarling]

i got accepted into cal northstate!! i heard they are accepting 80 students total and that they are still holding interviews until the end of april just incase any of those students decide not to go

Congratulations!! When did you interview if you don't mind me asking?

 

[moolman]

shikamaru, I'm not stating this to start a flame war, just correct me if I'm wrong. 😀 Your reasoning for picking MCPHS because it's a 3 year school is a good one but when you bash the other Cali 3 year school, UOP by saying it's a crappy neighborhood, etc. make it seem like you couldn't get in and thus the comments. Stockton is like any city and will be dangerous compared to maybe somewhere in Nebraska. Stockton didn't get voted the worst place to live, what it got is the highest foreclosure rate in the US. All the bay area people bought up huge McMansions in stockton and later realized that a 2 hour one way commute to the bay area is crazy. Anyway, nothing wrong with MCPHS, except for the fact they don't take pharmcas. 😛 But UOP vs MCPHS, I guess I am ambitious like you stated before because prestige wise UOP is a level above. Seeing that your from the bay area, I'm surprised that UOP isn't your 3rd choice after UCSF and UCSD. No matter how sucky Stockton is you only stay there for 2 years and the 3rd year you can do rotations back home in the bay area. It doesn't make sense to me that you'd consider CNCP but not UOP. 😉 Afterall you did see that post about MCPHS and how bad it was so you PM'ed the students, well PM some UOP students then, the school is only a 2-3 hour U-Haul truck away. 😀 Anyway, good luck to you, we all different reasons for picking different schools, I'm not bashing you for that.

At least we got the CNCP things straightened out for everybody. 🙂

 

[kpunk101]

i got accepted into cal northstate!! i heard they are accepting 80 students total and that they are still holding interviews until the end of april just incase any of those students decide not to go

Congrats lilmunchkin~

 

[shikamaru]

shikamaru, I'm not stating this to start a flame war, just correct me if I'm wrong. 😀 Your reasoning for picking MCPHS because it's a 3 year school is a good one but when you bash the other Cali 3 year school, UOP by saying it's a crappy neighborhood, etc. make it seem like you couldn't get in and thus the comments. Stockton is like any city and will be dangerous compared to maybe somewhere in Nebraska. Stockton didn't get voted the worst place to live, what it got is the highest foreclosure rate in the US. All the bay area people bought up huge McMansions in stockton and later realized that a 2 hour one way commute to the bay area is crazy. Anyway, nothing wrong with MCPHS, except for the fact they don't take pharmcas. 😛 But UOP vs MCPHS, I guess I am ambitious like you stated before because prestige wise UOP is a level above. Seeing that your from the bay area, I'm surprised that UOP isn't your 3rd choice after UCSF and UCSD. No matter how sucky Stockton is you only stay there for 2 years and the 3rd year you can do rotations back home in the bay area. It doesn't make sense to me that you'd consider CNCP but not UOP. 😉 Anyway, good luck to you, we all different reasons for picking different schools, I'm not bashing you for that.

At least we got the CNCP things straightened out for everybody. 🙂

I read your post yesterday but put off replying because of schoolwork, but I see that you've updated your post today so I don't remember the original.

Anyways, your posts including this one bring up several important points.

1) I agree that the majority of CA residents want to stay in CA for pharmacy school. I just don't agree with the over-generalization by a few as if they understand all CA applicants. That's why I wrote briefly about my own decisions that were set even a year ago just to implicitly give an example of how people shouldn't talk as if every Californian follows the common "ladder" down, with UCSF/UCSD/USC/UOP as their top choice, Loma Linda/Touro as their near last, and out-of-states as their last last choices. For example, there is a person on these boards who chose MCPHS-Worcester over UCSF... and she like us was also from California. Obviously she had her own reasons too.

2) You mentioned, "nothing wrong with MCPHS, except for the fact they don't take pharmcas. 😛" This is just thing thing! My friends and I believe that with PharmCAS, a lot of applicants just apply for the heck of it, because it is just way too convenient even if they don't want to go there. As we know, all the California pharmacy schools save for Loma Linda utilize PharmCAS, so the application:enrollment ratio is actually skewed as opposed to schools that use their own application system. If the California schools all used their own application system, I assure you I would have applied to way fewer schools. Sure some people follow up and complete the supplementals too, but if it weren't for PharmCAS, they wouldn't need to follow up in the first place. I was desperate like you too and ended up spamming apps, but when it comes down to it, we have our choices and these choices become what defines us. The bottom line is that I, as I am sure is the case for at least a few applicants out there, applied to some schools that we would never want to go to, and...

3) UOP was one of those schools for me. I am not mad about getting put on hold either. I'm not even remotely sad. As I said already, MCPHS was my next school down after UCSF and UCSD, and I yea I was sad when I got rejected from SF. I'm not bashing UOP though--what I said about its surroundings is true. I also know pharmacists who went there, friends who go there, and friends who live there but don't go there. But when it came down to deciding between UOP and MCPHS, I thirsted for some adventure--a new environment, a new world to explore, an opportunity to live and realize how we are so lucky, because California is a big giant bubble.

4) Having said that, after nonstop battling with my schoolwork for so long now, my ultimate choice in the very end will be if I think I can put myself through the chronic stress of an accelerated program (as you can see I am still wavering back and forth despite my earlier post ). Despite the negativity CNCP has been going through, all the people I know who interviewed had an amazing experience, and couple that with a pre-candidate status in June then I think that's a bright green light for a lot of folks. I think you can see that I want to try something new. I have my reasons for considering CNCP, and to each his or her own 🙂. I hope you have a fantastic time at UOP! Well then that is all for now. This was a long enough break from working lol 🙁!

 

[fxok425]

I am applying for pharm/d the next year. My first choice will be CNPC, then UOP, then UCSF. The only reason is the location, location, location. I am a biology PH.D. in UC Davis now, live with my wife, my baby in Sacramento. North Sate will be the best choice for us if it's accredited.

 

[moolman]

Fair enough, I wouldn't stress too much about the whole acclerated thing though. It's not like the classes are taught faster, it's just you don't get a long summer vacation. Every school has people that drop out and have to repeat regardless of a 3 or 4 year school. When I asked one of the students at UOP, they said the pharmacy calculations class is the reason most people failed. Some people are just not good at math to begin with and throw in a couple of variables and word problems and you got some confusion. And it's not like you can get partial credit like other math classes, you mess up on a dosage and the person is dead. 🙄 Good luck to everyone.

 

[beancow]

I am applying for pharm/d the next year. My first choice will be CNPC, then UOP, then UCSF. The only reason is the location, location, location. I am a biology PH.D. in UC Davis now, live with my wife, my baby in Sacramento. North Sate will be the best choice for us if it's accredited.

It won't be accredited by the time you apply and enter pharmacy school... Nonetheless, you should still be able to take the board exams as long as it's in the process of accreditation.

 

[pharmcas514]

did anyone visit the campus yet? what did you think?

 

[3434]

I interviewed there a few weeks ago. The building is beautiful. It is two floors, but the school only has the first floor as of now; the second floor will be ready by August. We only got a tour of the first floor and it is huge!
One thing I really like about the location is that it is on the "newer" side of Rancho cordova.
Overall, I liked the area particularly if you do not want to leave California.

 

[PharmD83]

I also also agree with you. This is a huge and a gorgeous building. I was one of the accepted applicants back in January and was waiting for them to move to the new building. After they had moved, I called Dean Hawkins and asked to a tour of the campus. Being a nice person, he gave me a tour of the entire facility. Again, this building is beautiful, I can't wait until classes begin. The first floor is still being rennovated. Our classroom is going to be very big, and the best thing about it is that we're going to have about 3 flat screen monitors inside the classroom. The location is nice as well. It's located in the newer part of Rancho Cordova with a lot of new stores and resturants still being built. Can't wait!

I interviewed there a few weeks ago. The building is beautiful. It is two floors, but the school only has the first floor as of now; the second floor will be ready by August. We only got a tour of the first floor and it is huge!
One thing I really like about the location is that it is on the "newer" side of Rancho cordova.
Overall, I liked the area particularly if you do not want to leave California.

 

[Nae614]

Did anyone find out about how the schedule will be, once classes start? For ex. will there be classes every day, M-F 9-3 or whatever??

 

[PharmD83]

I called Dr.Frausto and asked a couple of questions concerning orientation and when classes will start. The financial aid, housing, tuition, and orientation information will be mail out sometime in June. The tentitive date for orientation will be on August 16th and classes will start either on the 25th or the 18th of August. I think our White Coat Ceremony will start sometimes after classes begin. Probably classes are held from 9-3 M-F.

Did anyone find out about how the schedule will be, once classes start? For ex. will there be classes every day, M-F 9-3 or whatever??

 

[pnaico0lada]

I've read on some earlier posts that those who interviewed had a "closed-file" one. Did anyone receive an "opened-file" interview by any chance, or is one type of interview file the standard throughout all interviewed applicants?

 

[ApplicantPharmD]

I really hope cncp gets accreditation!!! Sounds like they have good staff and a beautiful campus...

 

[CCdarling]

So I received the official acceptance letter today in the mail so I'm in!!!!!. I hope to see you fellow students in the fall 😀. GL to all of you!!


P.S. Now comes the wait to see if they get pre-cand status 🙄

 

[benzene]

So I received the official acceptance letter today in the mail so I'm in!!!!!. I hope to see you fellow students in the fall 😀. GL to all of you!!


P.S. Now comes the wait to see if they get pre-cand status 🙄

Congratulations! Have fun🙂

 

[pdang]

So I received the official acceptance letter today in the mail so I'm in!!!!!. I hope to see you fellow students in the fall 😀. GL to all of you!!


P.S. Now comes the wait to see if they get pre-cand status 🙄

when was your interview and what were your stat?