Deciding between 2 schools

[rasdent1234]

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Hello there,

I've been fortunate to have received multiple acceptances and have narrowed down my decision to 2 schools. I am aware of what I'm getting myself into with the supply of pharmacists but I am ready for it. With that said, I want to go to a school that will be the most valuable for networking/job prospects without financially going overboard. Based on what I've gathered from researching on this website, reputation means little but I do believe that it will make a difference in the future with the diploma mill schools. I wanted to ask you all for your insight/advice on what would make more sense for choosing a school. Both are great schools and I have found it difficult to decide because of the different opportunities each provide. I would be OOS (California was too expensive) for both schools and tuition is roughly the same at around 36k. I'm focused on long term with job prospects and networking and am willing to go to either school. Ideally, I'd want to work as a pharmacist in a clinical setting but understand the reality of most of the jobs are in retail and can accept working in that setting. Would any of you be able to chime in on either of these schools and have an idea as to which location will have a stronger demand for pharmacists or could help put me in a better position when school is over. I'm taking the statistics from Pharmacy Manpower with a grain of salt.

 

[starberrst]

Tuition doesn't seem to be much of a factor but you should take cost of living into account. Look at the number of schools in the state as an indication of saturation. Pennsylvania has 7 schools whereas Oregon has 2.

 

[OmiPharmD]

Out of those 2 I'd pick Oregon. If you ever want to move back toward home a network based in Oregon makes much more sense. It will also be easier to visit your family.

 

[rasdent1234]

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[RxStudentatUB]

Anything northeast is just awful, this includes Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, MA, PA, NJ/NY. New Hampshire. Maryland, DC and anything further south seems okay, but once you hit Florida you're in saturation-ville. I would stay in Oregon, where I applied to (Minnesota), that seemed like a fairly friendly market for pharmacists, but I am not sure how things will be 4 yrs from now. (Probably worse)

 

[daoyangsw]

Look at the number of schools in the state as an indication of saturation. Pennsylvania has 7 schools whereas Oregon has 2.

 

[rasdent1234]

.

 

[YOWAT]

Anything northeast is just awful, this includes Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, MA, PA, NJ/NY. New Hampshire. Maryland, DC and anything further south seems okay, but once you hit Florida you're in saturation-ville. I would stay in Oregon, where I applied to (Minnesota), that seemed like a fairly friendly market for pharmacists, but I am not sure how things will be 4 yrs from now. (Probably worse)

is it because north is cold and mal/sad study?

 

[Grace184]

I went to school in Pittsburgh- no problem finding a retail intern job. I interned for CVS and at beginning on my 6th year they asked me where I wanted to live (I picked the beaches of North Carolina) and the district manager sent me an offer letter about a month or so later ( apx 135k plus moving expenses and early 10k sign on). A lot (I think about 7 at least in my local neighborhood where I grew up) of my class mates have their own stores at Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, but the fact is, if you want a job NOW you are probably going to have to relocate.

 

[rasdent1234]

I went to school in Pittsburgh- no problem finding a retail intern job. I interned for CVS and at beginning on my 6th year they asked me where I wanted to live (I picked the beaches of North Carolina) and the district manager sent me an offer letter about a month or so later ( apx 135k plus moving expenses and early 10k sign on). A lot (I think about 7 at least in my local neighborhood where I grew up) of my class mates have their own stores at Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, but the fact is, if you want a job NOW you are probably going to have to relocate.

Out of curiosity, was this before or after 2008?

 

[Grace184]

After

 

[Grace184]

But I re read your post and found it prudent to tell you that I turned down the offer for a residency (not in Pittsburgh). Either way, both schools can set you up in the direction you want to go.