Help: Purdue vs. Creighton web-based

[jmhousem]

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I've been accepted to Purdue and Creighton (web-based pathway), and I'm having difficulty deciding which to attend. The basic choice (as I see it) is cost vs. convenience. Any suggestions?

 

[skp]

Personally - I think the web-based pathway would be more difficult, unless you possess uncanny motivation and self-learning ability. Also, the professional interaction component, which is an essential aspect of day-to-day pharmacy practice in almost any setting, seems lacking.

Great to have options though, eh? 🙂

 

[skp]

Which one are you leaning towards?

 

[endlesslove]

Personally - I think the web-based pathway would be more difficult, unless you possess uncanny motivation and self-learning ability. Also, the professional interaction component, which is an essential aspect of day-to-day pharmacy practice in almost any setting, seems lacking.

Great to have options though, eh? 🙂

You took the words right out of my mouth. I was wondering how web-based programs work given that there is an essential component missing, the human interaction (whether it be with professors, fellow PharmD students (!), patients, although the latter can be achieved by you doing rotations). Seems kind of like a lonely thing to me. Wouldn't you need interaction with your peers, professors, and patients to help you get through pharmacy school through the very rough times?

Just out of curiosity, what have the passing rates on the boards exam been like for web-based programs? Also, given the lack of professional interaction, what has the drop-out rate been like?

 

[gablet]

I've been accepted to Purdue and Creighton (web-based pathway), and I'm having difficulty deciding which to attend. The basic choice (as I see it) is cost vs. convenience. Any suggestions?

I have been in contact with several current creighton (web-based) students. They have been very helpful in answering my many questions about the program. The admissions office (Tim O'Shea- to be specific) gave me their email addresses.

Also, I have a phone interview with Creighton on April 1st. Any suggestions?

 

[Glycerin]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I was wondering how web-based programs work given that there is an essential component missing, the human interaction (whether it be with professors, fellow PharmD students (!), patients, although the latter can be achieved by you doing rotations). Seems kind of like a lonely thing to me. Wouldn't you need interaction with your peers, professors, and patients to help you get through pharmacy school through the very rough times?

Just out of curiosity, what have the passing rates on the boards exam been like for web-based programs? Also, given the lack of professional interaction, what has the drop-out rate been like?

unicornsinger's post in this thread puts a positive light on the web-based program at Creighton. 🙂

 

[jmhousem]

I think this is the program's first year to take the boards, so I don't know the passing rates. I don't have the stats on drop-out rates, but I don't imagine they're too high.

I'm not too worried about the lack of interaction with fellow students. I don't usually study with other students, and I seldom go out with them, either. I have too many outside commitments to do much interacting, anyway. The lack of a face-to-face relationship with my professors is a little more distressing, but not that much. I would still be communicating with everyone (professors and students) regularly, just not in person. As Endlesslove pointed out, the patient interaction will still be there in the rotations.

Really, the main concerns about Creighton are the motivation and self-learning required and the expense of the program. I figure that Creighton will cost around $40k more than Purdue. That's a number that's hard to ignore.

 

[jmhousem]

unicornsinger's post in this thread puts a positive light on the web-based program at Creighton. 🙂

Thanks for the reference, FutureRxGal. And congratulations on being named co-mod!

 

[kwakster928]

I think this is the program's first year to take the boards, so I don't know the passing rates. I don't have the stats on drop-out rates, but I don't imagine they're too high.

I'm not too worried about the lack of interaction with fellow students. I don't usually study with other students, and I seldom go out with them, either. I have too many outside commitments to do much interacting, anyway. The lack of a face-to-face relationship with my professors is a little more distressing, but not that much. I would still be communicating with everyone (professors and students) regularly, just not in person. As Endlesslove pointed out, the patient interaction will still be there in the rotations.

Really, the main concerns about Creighton are the motivation and self-learning required and the expense of the program. I figure that Creighton will cost around $40k more than Purdue. That's a number that's hard to ignore.

also please dont forget all the disadvantages that you will have not participating in the professional organizaiton or the student activities. even though it many not sound so much, but i have been very active in school and and other organization, and have learned tremendously about what the pharmacy is about. plus it looks pretty good on your resume, and networking oppourtunity is limit less. i think web-base program for some, but i think you are missing too many of the crucial part of the schooling that doesn't necessaily involves academics. i would choose purdue. but that's just me.

 

[skp]

also please dont forget all the disadvantages that you will have not participating in the professional organizaiton or the student activities. even though it many not sound so much, but i have been very active in school and and other organization, and have learned tremendously about what the pharmacy is about. plus it looks pretty good on your resume, and networking oppourtunity is limit less. i think web-base program for some, but i think you are missing too many of the crucial part of the schooling that doesn't necessaily involves academics. i would choose purdue. but that's just me.

agreed.

 

[jmhousem]

I have been in contact with several current creighton (web-based) students. They have been very helpful in answering my many questions about the program. The admissions office (Tim O'Shea- to be specific) gave me their email addresses.

Also, I have a phone interview with Creighton on April 1st. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the info, gablet. My interview with Creighton was pretty informal, and I had a much better impression of the school after the interview than I had of the other schools that interviewed me. They will probably have your basic questions: why do you want to be a pharmacist; what are your long-term goals; why Creighton; tell me about a time when you were (fill in the blank - a leader, put in an unethical situation, etc...). I do recall that the woman who interviewed me also asked a couple of pharmacy-specific questions... kind of a "what would you do if this happened"? Nothing that requires specialized knowledge - just getting at your thinking process.

In general, it's your basic interview, but friendlier. Stay upbeat, and you'll do well.

 

[jmhousem]

also please dont forget all the disadvantages that you will have not participating in the professional organizaiton or the student activities. even though it many not sound so much, but i have been very active in school and and other organization, and have learned tremendously about what the pharmacy is about. plus it looks pretty good on your resume, and networking oppourtunity is limit less. i think web-base program for some, but i think you are missing too many of the crucial part of the schooling that doesn't necessaily involves academics. i would choose purdue. but that's just me.

Thanks for the input. I don't know that I put a whole lot of weight on those points, but that's just me. I mostly keep to myself these days (or, more to the point, with my wife and kids), so I'm not sure how much I would get involved in school organizations, even at Purdue. I've never been big on student groups. In my limited experience, I've found that they are too often an overrated waste of time and resources. I've been involved in a number of them, and, while they do look nice on a resume, I can't honestly say that they accomplished anything significant. Perhaps I've misjudged these particular organizations, though. Could you give me more information on the groups with which you're involved and what they do?

I see your point on networking, but I'm not altogether convinced that you couldn't build a significant relationship with your peers and mentors in this environment. Working in consulting over the last 7 years, my main contact with my clients has not been through face to face meetings, but through e-mail and phone calls. I feel that I've built up a good relationship with them, despite the lack of personal contact. I realize it isn't quite the same, but I think a person could make it work.

All that said, you're right. These are important considerations, and they certainly weigh in Purdue's favor. Thanks again!

 

[jmhousem]

Thanks for all the help. I decided to go with Creighton. When I figured in the costs for selling my house, moving, buying a new house, and getting daycare, the two choices were about even financially. The ability to stay where I live and study on a flexible schedule tipped the scales in Creighton's favor. It isn't the decision everyone would make, and I may regret it later, but I think it's the best choice for me and my family. Thanks again!

 

[Glycerin]

Thanks for the reference, FutureRxGal. And congratulations on being named co-mod!

You're very welcome, and thank you. 🙂