Choosing a school

[Yeahca]

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I am having trouble making a decision when it comes to choosing a school. I have worked retail as a pharmacy tech for over 5 years and am in the process of interviewing at schools. I have been accepted at Western in pomona, CA and Pacific in hillsboro, OR among others that I have chosen to decline. I have an interview in january at ucsd.

Tuition at Western is 192k for 4 years and Pacific is 136k for 3 years.
I have a house in CA that would require an 80 mile commute to western but I would have to take equity or loans to cover some living expenses to manage bills.
We could sell the house if we move to OR and use the profit for living expenses or debt.
I know I will have a job where I am at currently but I could potentially transfer to a location in OR as well. No gurantee though.
Each school is requiring a deposit in the next week to hold a spot and money is tight. Any input from graduates of the two schools or others would help.

 

[a student]

Recent pacific grad here.

It is cheaper than most cali schools and you have an extra year worth of opportunity cost since it is a 3-year program. Hillsboro is dirt cheap to live in (plus no sales tax in Oregon) and it's right by Portland and 3 hrs drive to Seattle.

The downside is that there is an exam every 2 weeks on which you need a 90% to pass. Everyday classes go from 8/9 to 3/4. So you won't have much time for your family. The rotation sites are spread around the state. Only about 50% students stay in the portland area, the rest get sent somewhere far so you might have to move again. Sometimes people end up moving more than once during rotation year.

 

[Yeahca]

Recent pacific grad here.

It is cheaper than most cali schools and you have an extra year worth of opportunity cost since it is a 3-year program. Hillsboro is dirt cheap to live in (plus no sales tax in Oregon) and it's right by Portland and 3 hrs drive to Seattle.

The downside is that there is an exam every 2 weeks on which you need a 90% to pass. Everyday classes go from 8/9 to 3/4. So you won't have much time for your family. The rotation sites are spread around the state. Only about 50% students stay in the portland area, the rest get sent somewhere far so you might have to move again. Sometimes people end up moving more than once during rotation year.

I like the idea of the block style better. I would rather one example every 2 weeks then a whole week of finals to study for all together. So I'm not too worried about that. I've been working full time with a full time course load undergrad so I have no life as it is. Im typically gone 9-9 and work weekends as well. I expect I should have more time if I cut back work to maybe 1 day a week.

I don't really like the idea of having to move again but that seems to be the case for most schools I've looked into. Not too sure about where westerns rotation sites are or how far they spread. I'll look into that. Thanks for the input. Have you had trouble finding a job? Where did you go after graduating?

 

[a student]

I like the idea of the block style better. I would rather one example every 2 weeks then a whole week of finals to study for all together. So I'm not too worried about that. I've been working full time with a full time course load undergrad so I have no life as it is. Im typically gone 9-9 and work weekends as well. I expect I should have more time if I cut back work to maybe 1 day a week.

I don't really like the idea of having to move again but that seems to be the case for most schools I've looked into. Not too sure about where westerns rotation sites are or how far they spread. I'll look into that. Thanks for the input. Have you had trouble finding a job? Where did you go after graduating?

I came back to the bay area with a retail job lined up. I don't know any classmate who doesn't have a job or residency. But I feel like I wasted a lot of opportunities during rotations because I didn't plan to stay in the area.

 

[ldiot]

Well the school in CA not only costs more but you'd have an 80 mile commute. I'd sell the house and go to the cheaper school. Is it worth an extra 50k and 2+ hours of driving a day just for a "guaranteed" retail job that isn't even in writing?

 

[Yeahca]

Well the school in CA not only costs more but you'd have an 80 mile commute. I'd sell the house and go to the cheaper school. Is it worth an extra 50k and 2+ hours of driving a day just for a "guaranteed" retail job that isn't even in writing?

That's kind of what I'm leaning toward. I hate traffic and couldn't imagine spending that much time every day commuting. Having a motorcycle helps but it's not always practical having only a backpack. I also don't want to be burdened with excess loans.
I'm more worried about the potential job opportunities. But the area I'm in isn't too impacted currently.

 

[PromisedNeverland]

80 miles is nothing, you may have to commute to Fresno for rotations or for a future job position in CA which will probably be 160 + miles (unfortunately)

 

[PromisedNeverland]

Recent pacific grad here.

It is cheaper than most cali schools and you have an extra year worth of opportunity cost since it is a 3-year program. Hillsboro is dirt cheap to live in (plus no sales tax in Oregon) and it's right by Portland and 3 hrs drive to Seattle.

The downside is that there is an exam every 2 weeks on which you need a 90% to pass. Everyday classes go from 8/9 to 3/4. So you won't have much time for your family. The rotation sites are spread around the state. Only about 50% students stay in the portland area, the rest get sent somewhere far so you might have to move again. Sometimes people end up moving more than once during rotation year.

Lame, just like Roseman's 90% rule , but exams are easier apparently

 

[ldiot]

Recent pacific grad here.

It is cheaper than most cali schools and you have an extra year worth of opportunity cost since it is a 3-year program. Hillsboro is dirt cheap to live in (plus no sales tax in Oregon) and it's right by Portland and 3 hrs drive to Seattle.

The downside is that there is an exam every 2 weeks on which you need a 90% to pass. Everyday classes go from 8/9 to 3/4. So you won't have much time for your family. The rotation sites are spread around the state. Only about 50% students stay in the portland area, the rest get sent somewhere far so you might have to move again. Sometimes people end up moving more than once during rotation year.

90% to pass? What in the hell? I'm guessing the exams are way easier?

 

[a student]

90% to pass? What in the hell? I'm guessing the exams are way easier?

I haven't seen any exams from other schools but I'm pretty sure it is easier.