So basically, my questions are the following:
How do you feel about the class sizes at your school... are you still able to develop relationships w/your professors and seek their help? Are they available?
As mentioned above, close relationships between students and professors also occur at UCSD. From my experience at the SOM, professors were very helpful towards their students. One of my professors, who is an ever-so-busy MD, was generous enough to host a couple parties at his house and welcomes his students to visit anytime (well, almost). At one point, he even was nice enough to write one of the grad students a prescription for his bad cold to save him a costly trip to the ER. Until now, I still keep in touch with this professor and will continue to do so throughout my career. From what I hear from other students, many other professors are the same as well - it's widely known that professors here go out of their course in order to help students in every way possible. The class sizes at the Skaggs SPPS are also small, and 60 students/class this year is the largest thus far. Because the pharmacy program is relatively new, it is made clear that the faculty and staff highly welcome student concerns and suggestions regarding the program, etc.
How are your classmates.. .are they a diverse bunch, friendly, social... please be honest 😉
Like UCSF, diversity is evident. UCSD's atmosphere is also very "laid-back" and friendly. Because the pharmacy school uses a P/NP grading system, competition between colleagues is virtually nonexistent, which promotes a comfortable and cooperative learning environment. Also, from what I've heard, the pharmacy and medical students get along quite well and respect each other - especially when taking 2 years of classes together. And, because of great weather 267 days/year (
http://www.mensjournal.com/feature/0504/bestPlaces.html), people are generally pleasant in nature.
How do you like the rotation system at your school?
From what I learned, the rotation system at UCSD strongly involves clinical settings as well. I am not sure if rotations are also held in different cities as they are at UCSF (which I think is really awesome). Perhaps this is currently in consideration and may be available in the future? Only time will tell. Additionally, due to the vast pharmaceutical and biotech industries that surrounds UCSD, clerkships could also be achieved at such places in order to gain further exposure to current, cutting-edge technology exclusive to these companies.
Where do you see UCSF and UCSD in four years?
Undoubtedly, both UCSF and UCSD will continue to be highly-acclaimed institutions, and UCSD will be fully accredited by then. At that time, our class should be graduating
😀 and the future alumni currently enrolled at both schools today will be completing their residencies or will be at the start of their great careers. Both schools also have similar pathways, with the exception of the UCSD pharmacy program's future involvement with their b-school (if you're interested in obtaining Pharm. D/MBA degrees).
Will I be "selling myself short" if I go to UCSD?
Certainly not. Although the pharmacy program is quite young at UCSD, it has all the potential and resources to establish itself as one of the top programs in pharmacy, if not already. UCSD is also backed by high-caliber research and medical programs, and will soon also feature their own b-school. For certain, the pharmacy program will unquestionably continue to attract high-achieving students and remain extremely competitive in future admissions cycles (which will still be around 60 students/year for at least the next 4 years). Perhaps certain aspects of the program will be implemented "UCSF-style," as several of the faculty, including associate deans, are alumni of UCSF. As an added privilege to those at UCSD in the spring of '06, you get to be one of the first to celebrate and enjoy the use of a brand-new building and its built-in facilities.
In short, either school is an excellent choice - it's just all up to your preference. You can also factor in the lifestyle at SF and SD and see what fits you best. In their own ways, each city is truly one of the most beautiful areas in the nation, with SF being a classic place and SD a growing city. In either case, however, beauty definitely comes with a price; in high living expenses, that is.
Without further ado, I wish you the best of luck in your decision!
😉
