How bad is USP?

[caramel334]

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I know theres only three weeks left before school starts, but i still havent decided where i want to go to college. I put deposits in for both The state school (UMD-college park) where i would just do a 2+4, and USP, where i got into the 6 year program.

At first i was sure i wanted to go to USP, but ive heard some horrible things abt the school. I heard that students study 24/7 and still barely pass. Its not the studying that bothers me, bc honestly i would still have to study my ass off to get into pharmacy school if i went to umd. But ive heard the profs are bad..and just stuff like that. I cant find much info in the search, but does anyone have any advice, or any more info?

 

[medicalCPA]

This may not be useful now, since summer school is probably over, but you could visit USP and sit in on a lecture or two, so that you get a feel for the teaching style. PM the SDN user called OldTimer. He's a pharmacist and doesn't like USP. Also PM WhitewashedDesi. I believe s/he's a current student at USP. They may help you make a decision.

 

[bacillus1]

I go to USP (and I don't think whitewasheddesi is on here much anymore).
First of all, don't listen to oldtimer. USP is constantly changing, and I'm not sure if he knows about these changes. So he will probably not paint you a 100% accurate picture of the college.

USP is OK, not amazing but not horrid. It's a direct-entry program, which is good. Yes, unfortunately people study 24/7, but that is usually because they don't have good study skills. Most people that I know that studied hard did progress into the professional phase of the program. For some reason people here think that the more they look at the material, the better they will know it for the test, without actually attempting to understand the material. The worst thing about the people here IMO is that they all go home on the weekends for one reason or another. Because of this the university can't really plan activities (and the frats can't plan parties then either) so there is really no social life on the weekends. Still, philly is a big city so many times you'll find things to do as long as you can find friends that know how to enjoy life and don't study all the time.

Maryland is 2+4 but it's a good school and you can do dual degrees, if you're interested in that. USP does have some good networking.

As for professors? It's like at any other university. Some are good. Some are not so good. The major change for classes starting with 2012 (my class) is that P&T is split up into 2 years, not 1 as previously. This will make everyone's lives a lot easier (and will probably make USP grads more knowledgeable than previously since they won't need to cram as much).

You can PM or IM me to ask more questions about the school. If I could do it over again, I'd probably go to Rutgers (though I'm not 100% sure about that since I didn't even apply to that school), but USP isn't that bad.

 

[whitewasheddesi]

Go to UMaryland if you want to take chances. But things happen in college and many people often end up not doing as well as they thought they would, and there goes your hope of getting into the professional years of pharmacy school. I have known many in temple (2+4 as well) who have not been able to make it into the Pharmacy school. USP's setting, along with the networking and many opportunities, is what makes it unique. The bad side is that USP doesnt offer graduate level degrees in the dual degree programs. (understandably so, since the program is 6 years and you cannot be expected to work on your PhD while you don't know many things that a bachelors in Chemistry will teach you).

But USP is as good as any other pharmacy schools with a great setting. (SOOOO many things to do in Philadelphia). I'm sure Baltimore is fun as well. As far as residencies, it doesnt really make a difference. UMD and John's Hopkins offer great residencies in Baltimore, whereas Upenn, Jefferson, Temple and USP offer great ones in Philadelphia.

And I agree with Bacillus, many people just dont know how to study or are not willing to put the effort in. Probably the worst thing USP does is accept people easily after high school (although I hear it has gotten harder in past few years). Because students who are just not ready for USP get accepted and fail out and then bitch about how the school is unfair. That is why you hear bad things, IMO

 

[links]

I have a friend who got into a 6 year pharmacy program but her parents wanted her to stay in state thinking that she'll get into Maryland. Now she has graduated and is currently having trouble getting into any pharmacy school.

I didn't decide to go to pharmacy school until my third year of college. First year applying I didn't get accepted. Second year (this year) I barely got accepted. At those times I wished that I went to a 6 year program after hs so that I had a better chance at becoming a pharmacist. Now that I did get accepted, I'm glad to have gotten a chance to get a good college experience before entering pharmacy school.

I'm guessing you're from Maryland? Fyi, there's a new pharmacy school opening soon at Notre Dame in Baltimore just to give you more options.

 

[caramel334]

Wow, thanks for all the replies.
I am from maryland, which is why my parents wanted me to go to umd. But i was stressed out abt what would happen if i didnt get into pharmacy school, plus i wanted to finish my pre-reqs in 2 years, which is hard to do now bc pharmacy school is so competitive, and they prefer their students have bachelors degrees.

Ive just heard a lot of bad things abt usp, but im glad u guys were able to clear that up. I just always assumed that since it was a direct program, and the gpa requirement to get into the pharmacy school is like a 2.7, that people wouldnt study as much, because they didnt have to. soo why do they?

Another question: what are the ppl like there-in general? Ive heard everything from its a preppy school, to everyone there is reallyy emo... I know most schools have a diversity of ppl and all that, but i was just wondering.

And ive heard that there are a lot of desis.....is that a good thing or a bad thing? lol.

 

[bacillus1]

People study because a 2.7 in college is still not that easy. Believe it or not, it is possible to fail classes (and keep in mind that a 2.7 is a B-). Plus, you don't want to graduate with a low GPA especially if you want to go on to a residency/fellowship either.

Yeah, there are a lot of desis, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. As to sum up the people, except all the people in Greek life, they're pretty antisocial. A lot of them go home on the weekends to their parents, which makes the campus kinda suck on weekends.