Jefferson or Colorado??

[ksh12]

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I was lucky enough to get into both Jefferson and University of Colorado this year but am having a hard time making a decision. This forum has been such a great resource for me and I was wondering what everyone's opinions are of these two schools?? Which would you choose if you were in my shoes? Any and all feedback would be great. Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[charfdorn]

I was lucky enough to get into both Jefferson and University of Colorado this year but am having a hard time making a decision. This forum has been such a great resource for me and I was wondering what everyone's opinions are of these two schools?? Which would you choose if you were in my shoes? Any and all feedback would be great. Thanks in advance! 🙂

Wellllll..... where do you live? Does Jefferson's pre-candidate status bother you? If you live in Colorado, it's a lot cheaper... that can be a factor. You can probably get in-state status after the first year anyway, so it could still be cheaper. But if you live in Pennsylvania, not having to move could appeal. Make a list of pros and cons, and share it with us!

 

[WVUPharm2007]

If it were me...Colorado.

 

[Joxer]

I don't know anything about Colorado but Jefferson will give you access to one of the busiest pharmaceutical industries in the east coast. Jefferson has the biggest hospital in Penna. When I went there for an interview, everything impressed me, especially the very high tech hospital pharmacy. Jefferson all the way. I was accepted and I am deciding on whether to go there or Temple.

 

[ksh12]

Wellllll..... where do you live? Does Jefferson's pre-candidate status bother you? If you live in Colorado, it's a lot cheaper... that can be a factor. You can probably get in-state status after the first year anyway, so it could still be cheaper. But if you live in Pennsylvania, not having to move could appeal. Make a list of pros and cons, and share it with us!

ok I live within an hour of Philly so one of the major pros is that it is close to home and the rest of my family. Jefferson's status doesn't bother me so much BUT the fact that I would be in their second class makes me a little uncomfortable. I have faith in the faculty but in the end, this is a new program and there will be kinks to work out. I wasn't exactly impressed on my interview day (I'm willing to chalk it up to it being an off day, as I've read so many rave reviews from others and have high hopes for the school in general) and part of that was due to feedback from both students and faculty that this year was harder than expected..

As for CO, I love the cheaper cost-of-living 🙂 I'm not as familiar with the area, but I loved the campus? I moved across the country for undergrad so another big move wouldn't be too daunting..

Basically, I know I would enjoy going to Jefferson for the most part. I'm still a little hesitant but if I was to stay in the Philly area to work, the Jefferson name would mean a lot more than Colorado and I would be able to start building connections now. I feel like I don't know as much about Colorado to be confident in choosing either way, though. I know the program is older but I still get a bit confused when trying to research the "prestige" of pharmacy schools. From what I gather, CO seems to have a solid program? I think I would be interested in a residency in the future and it would be nice to go to the school thats more nationally recognized in that sense.. I guess my question is where do you guys think I would get a more well-rounded, quality education?

 

[confettiflyer]

Man, tough call...and I go to Jefferson, haha. I don't know what the overriding factors are...you get the extensive industry network and huge hospital system with Jeff, but you also get urine smelling streets and filth.

CO is nice and clean, good reputation.

If I had to choose, I'd pick CO for proximity to home (CA) and cleaner/less ghetto atmosphere & living conditions. BUT, it depends on what your priorities/interests are. You can always fly back to PA (home) over the summer to do internships, just make sure your summers are clear with CO.

 

[charfdorn]

As for CO, I love the cheaper cost-of-living 🙂 I'm not as familiar with the area, but I loved the campus? I moved across the country for undergrad so another big move wouldn't be too daunting..

Colorado is beautiful. The area around the campus isn't that nice, but it's not going to shock someone from Philly, and if you don't mind a short commute you can live in a nice neighborhood for pretty decent money. You're right that the Jefferson name will carry more weight locally, but remember that as a new program, its pharmacy school doesn't come with a reputation. So for national recognition, your degree from CU might be better. Colorado is a respected program, and the degrees are pretty much the same in the end, right? I mean, you and I will both be pharmacists four years from now (barring a catastrophe) regardless of what school we go to.

If you're positive you want to stay in Philly, go to Jefferson. That's a no-brainer. But if you don't know, you have to look at other stuff. Which school impressed you more in your interview? Does the idea of "starting over" in a new city appeal to you?

 

[bluesickle]

TJU is a great school but I would choose UC-Denver because of their track record and the lower cost of living.