Loma Linda and their "Relgious Application"

[BioKim]

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Hi, im new here to register but I lurk occasionally. Right now I am apply to pharmacy schools and Loma Linda being one of my choices.

Now I'm avid member of the Catholic church and very active in my community. My problem is that i love religious based teaching but Loma Linda being Seventh Day Adventist would I get accepted. As far as grades and experience Im good but would they not pick me because Im not the same religious affliation and impossible to convert to their church.

I heard many stories of people who apply there becoming Adventist. Knowing a muslim who is now an Adventist ever since she been to the school it must be hardcore.

Can someone touch on this because I actually like the school.

 

[YiYaoYue]

Being non-adventist will only put you in a disadvantage against someone who is adventist, but it puts you in the same field as those of all other religious affiliations or lack thereof. You probably follow some basic tenants of non-smoking, not drinking heavily, no illicit drug use, etc. and if someone who did those things were honest about it or came to the interview after smoking (pot or cigarrette) you will have an edge over them. Basically they expect you to be "pure or clean" while in the school and have some mandatory religious stuff once a week, so being religious might give you slight edge as they expect you to already follow some of their beliefs and wouldn't be hard to adjust to those rules. Their cafeteria i believe is meat-free, so might take some adjusting for those that love meat.

 

[jdh71]

Hi, im new here to register but I lurk occasionally. Right now I am apply to pharmacy schools and Loma Linda being one of my choices.

Now I'm avid member of the Catholic church and very active in my community. My problem is that i love religious based teaching but Loma Linda being Seventh Day Adventist would I get accepted. As far as grades and experience Im good but would they not pick me because Im not the same religious affliation and impossible to convert to their church.

I heard many stories of people who apply there becoming Adventist. Knowing a muslim who is now an Adventist ever since she been to the school it must be hardcore.

Can someone touch on this because I actually like the school.

I went to medical school there, but I can't imagine the pharm school being so different in this regard, and we had more than just one or two of Roman Catholics in my class.

No one tried to convert you I promise. You'll probably have a religion class the first year or two - mostly ethics and very non-denominational stuff - probably once or twice a week for an hour, and chapel once a week, also very non-denominational. (If people do convert, I suppose that is their business, but from my experience that is the exception not the norm)

EDIT: Coincidentally . . . I wound up at a Jesuit institution for residency and you guys aren't forcing me to convert either. Modern life . . . ;-)

 

[BioKim]

I went to medical school there, but I can't imagine the pharm school being so different in this regard, and we had more than just one or two of Roman Catholics in my class.

No one tried to convert you I promise. You'll probably have a religion class the first year or two - mostly ethics and very non-denominational stuff - probably once or twice a week for an hour, and chapel once a week, also very non-denominational. (If people do convert, I suppose that is their business, but from my experience that is the exception not the norm)

Thanks ....I was just wondered because I know how some people feel about Catholics and if given an interview hopefully the questions wont go there.

 

[jdh71]

Thanks ....I was just wondered because I know how some people feel about Catholics and if given an interview hopefully the questions wont go there.

Actually, I think as someone who identifies as being serious about your faith, it will only help. You won't be discriminated against because you are RC.

 

[elpolloblanco33]

Loma Linda is a pretty good school. I've had friends that went there. My wife is SDA and went to La Sierra in riverside (it's SDA also). From what I hear the main advantage to becoming SDA is that you get a break on tuition. I dunno how true that is or how it works i just know that My wife and some of her cousins got a big break at La Sierra.

 

[BioKim]

Loma Linda is a pretty good school. I've had friends that went there. My wife is SDA and went to La Sierra in riverside (it's SDA also). From what I hear the main advantage to becoming SDA is that you get a break on tuition. I dunno how true that is or how it works i just know that My wife and some of her cousins got a big break at La Sierra.

grades vs being of their religion

which one would you think weighs better in their favor since your wife is SDA
because honestly I'm thinking twice before I pay the money for the application fee, things are pretty tight for me.

Sidenote: I'm coming from a catholic university.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Uh....yeah....I'm pretty sure it's illegal to chose one candidate over another with religion being any sort of factor in said choice.

Forcing people to take religion classes is beyond f'd up, anyway. Especially in a science program. Talk about cognitive dissonance....

 

[Drug Doc]

LLU being a private university, can't they do whatever they want?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

LLU being a private university, can't they do whatever they want?

Can a private business not hire black people based upon the fact that they are black? No. And if they did, the ACLU would begin pelting them with bb guns or some crap, I dunno....

 

[YiYaoYue]

Can a private business not hire black people based upon the fact that they are black? No. And if they did, the ACLU would begin pelting them with bb guns or some crap, I dunno....

Even though in a just society everyone should be looked equally and be based completely on qualification, the reality is that even private or public businesses make decisions based on qualifications that can be considered unethical or unjust. Take for example Hooters, you won't find woman who is "flat chest" and "below-average figure/looks" ever being hired nor would u ever see a male being hired as a waiter there either. Even in prestigious businesses do not completely base their decisions on qualification and often candidates that have connections within the business have a leg up against others.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Even though in a just society everyone should be looked equally and be based completely on qualification, the reality is that even private or public businesses make decisions based on qualifications that can be considered unethical or unjust. Take for example Hooters, you won't find woman who is "flat chest" and "below-average figure/looks" ever being hired nor would u ever see a male being hired as a waiter there either. Even in prestigious businesses do not completely base their decisions on qualification and often candidates that have connections within the business have a leg up against others.

Those are physical qualifications though. Such things make them actually better for the job. That's why not hiring a blind school bus driver is not illegal. You can't, however, refuse to hire the most qualified candidate due to a secondary characteristic that's irrelevant to their job. Being a member of suchandsuch religion doesn't make a person a better candidate for pharmacy school. And if they actually claimed that and based their acceptance criteria upon it, they would be sued....and they would lose.

 

[YiYaoYue]

Those are physical qualifications though. Such things make them actually better for the job. That's why not hiring a blind school bus driver is not illegal. You can't, however, refuse to hire the most qualified candidate due to a secondary characteristic that's irrelevant to their job. Being a member of suchandsuch religion doesn't make a person a better candidate for pharmacy school. And if they actually claimed that and based their acceptance criteria upon it, they would be sued....and they would lose.

well I was just playing Devil's Advocate. I honestly don't like the idea that some are considered over others due to religions nor do to I like the idea of legacy where students who are children of someone from the school is damn near guaranteed to get into the school despite being less qualified.

 

[jdh71]

Loma Linda is a pretty good school. I've had friends that went there. My wife is SDA and went to La Sierra in riverside (it's SDA also). From what I hear the main advantage to becoming SDA is that you get a break on tuition. I dunno how true that is or how it works i just know that My wife and some of her cousins got a big break at La Sierra.

Not true

 

[jdh71]

grades vs being of their religion

which one would you think weighs better in their favor since your wife is SDA
because honestly I'm thinking twice before I pay the money for the application fee, things are pretty tight for me.

Sidenote: I'm coming from a catholic university.

😕 This is professional school, YOUR grades!

What kind of funny misconceptions there are . . .

 

[jdh71]

Uh....yeah....I'm pretty sure it's illegal to chose one candidate over another with religion being any sort of factor in said choice.

Forcing people to take religion classes is beyond f'd up, anyway. Especially in a science program. Talk about cognitive dissonance....

What are you, an idiot?

Of course a private christian school can discriminate based on religion, and they do.

Also, you are not "forced" to go to any religious classes. As a free moral agent, if you choose to apply to Loma Linda, you are also choosing to play by their rules. No one makes you send them an app . . . how's that for cognitive dissonance killer?

 

[elpolloblanco33]

So after talking to my wife Grades and who you know seem to be the biggest deciding factors. Where being SDA helps is that the SDA community is really tight knit. It seems everyone knows everyone there. So it comes down to who you know, and who writes your recommendation letters. It's not really your religious preference that matters. However the SDA denomination is very very conservative so if you apply to their school you are also applying to play by there rules like someone else said. You will be required to take some sort of religious course at some point I can tell you that. I have friends that are going there currently (not pharmacy school) that aren't SDA and they like it. I say go ahead and apply if you can afford to go there.

 

[Transformer]

What are you, an idiot?

Of course a private christian school can discriminate based on religion, and they do.

Also, you are not "forced" to go to any religious classes. As a free moral agent, if you choose to apply to Loma Linda, you are also choosing to play by their rules. No one makes you send them an app . . . how's that for cognitive dissonance killer?

Unfortunately the world is not completely fair and I have to agree on this one. LLU privately reserves a certain percentage (range varies year to year) of its student population for students of SDA faith. Standards for SDA students are slightly and sometimes dramatically lower than non-SDA applicants.

Like many religious schools, LLU won't admit they discriminate by religion or else no one would bother applying to their schools. Even worse, LLU would be in a lot of trouble.

Like many places; especially Loma Linda, often accepts students from "within." This means if you are an applicant who have decent or even okay grades, you can get in or at least get an interview if you get the "right" person in SDA community to write you a recommendation.

Moral of all this is to apply broadly. Apply to where you want to go to school and where you wouldn't mind going to school. if you don't get into the school of your choice, then maybe it's not meant to be this year and try again next year. Better yet, you might be a better fit at another school. 🙂

 

[WVUPharm2007]

What are you, an idiot?

Most people would say yes. Though calling me an "idiot" is against the terms of service and you've been reported.

Of course a private christian school can discriminate based on religion, and they do.

And if someone could prove that and they weren't accepted because of it, they should sue them and they would have a hell of a chance at winning. Especially in crazy, liberal-ass California. Hell, I hope somebody actually does it. I'd get a chuckle out of the entire thing.

Now, granted, realistically it would be impossible to prove that they did as such, so for all intents and purposes they probably do so. And if that's true, it's rather pathetic. They would have no true reason to do so. Religion and science don't mix very well. In one room you are learning about Yahweh creating the Earth in 7 days and then down the hall you are learning about how mitochondria are proof that species evolved from a common microbial ancestor. That is unless they suppress current scientific thought to mirror their religious view. And if that's the case...um....yikes.

Also, you are not "forced" to go to any religious classes.

How am I supposed to know that? People in this thread have said classes and weekly chapel are required so I assumed they were right. And if actual religious rituals or classes aren't incorporated into the program, it makes the idea of giving a specific group of people preference due to religion an even more pathetic practice because there isn't even a bad reason for it anymore. They are just giving them preference because they "can."

As a free moral agent, if you choose to apply to Loma Linda, you are also choosing to play by their rules.

Oh, I agree. Hence I have never applied. But as a hypothetical, they shouldn't discriminate religiously, either. If it was a theology school, I'd understand and agree because a practitioner of said religion is by definition more prepared for such a program. But this is a science program we are talking about. Being a whatever it was again doesn't make you a better pharmacist, person, singer, tapdancer, whatever.

Of course, you could just lie and say you were a member of their religion. That'd work, too. It's not like it actually matters. That's what I'd recommend to the OP.

No one makes you send them an app . . . how's that for cognitive dissonance killer?

Um....what are you talking about...? Do you know what cognitive dissonance means?

 

[YiYaoYue]

Is evolution even taught in pharmacy school? Teaching that mitochondria have their own mtDNA doesn't exactly prove evolution, nor is it important to being a pharmacist that you know how it got there. You just need to know that it exist and what conclusion you make about how it got there is your own conviction.

 

[zeg]

Biology makes better sense within the framework of evolution. Evolution is one unifying theme that connects the whole of biology together. I agree that as a pharmacist, understanding evolution isn't usually essential to the job unless your career is steered towards research. But you can't escape evolution. For example, why does one drug may be effective for one person, but has no effect or adverse affects for others? Why are bacteria becoming resistant to our antibiotics? Ever wonder why penicillin class antibiotics are commonly packaged together with clavulanic acid/clavulanate? To counter bacteria penicillin defense mechanism that has evolved from them. These mechanisms didn't appear out of thin air, but through modification of existing mechanism. Knowing these changes can help us find better drug targets. This sounds kinda sci-fi, perhaps, we will eventually be at the point where we can project resistance mechanisms that will arise and develop counter measures in advance.

 

[wongton]

Hi BioKim,

I applied to Loma Linda last year. I applied really late (near the deadline), and amazingly I was given an interview. My interview was also really late (in April) and they told me I was being interviewed for the alternate list. Well, I got on the alternate list, and now I am waiting to see if I can get in the pharmacy school. Now, I am not Christian, or affiliated with any religion and I stated that in the personal essay. However, I did say that Loma Linda would be giving me an opportunity to be exposed to Christian beliefs and values.

Also, during the interview process, LLU makes it seem that they are accepting of all religions, and I don't think that you being Roman Catholic would cause them not to consider your application. There are 2 religious classes that you have to take for the LLU curriculum. One of them is on SDA so that you can familiarize yourself with SDA religion and the beliefs of the school. The other class is World Religions which is to familiarize yourself with other religions. All of this information was given at the interview, so it makes me feel they are tolerant of all religions.

Some side notes: I didn't realize until later that I actually had my evolution and ecology professor who I had TAed for write a recommendation letter for me to LLU, and since I got an interview I guess it didn't affect my chances on being considered for the school.

Hope this helps!

 

[BioKim]

Hi BioKim,

I applied to Loma Linda last year. I applied really late (near the deadline), and amazingly I was given an interview. My interview was also really late (in April) and they told me I was being interviewed for the alternate list. Well, I got on the alternate list, and now I am waiting to see if I can get in the pharmacy school. Now, I am not Christian, or affiliated with any religion and I stated that in the personal essay. However, I did say that Loma Linda would be giving me an opportunity to be exposed to Christian beliefs and values.

Also, during the interview process, LLU makes it seem that they are accepting of all religions, and I don't think that you being Roman Catholic would cause them not to consider your application. There are 2 religious classes that you have to take for the LLU curriculum. One of them is on SDA so that you can familiarize yourself with SDA religion and the beliefs of the school. The other class is World Religions which is to familiarize yourself with other religions. All of this information was given at the interview, so it makes me feel they are tolerant of all religions.

Some side notes: I didn't realize until later that I actually had my evolution and ecology professor who I had TAed for write a recommendation letter for me to LLU, and since I got an interview I guess it didn't affect my chances on being considered for the school.

Hope this helps!

Thanks.... the most useful comment in this thread besides the folks arguing about evolution. With that said I just finish my essay questions its best I turn in my application early.

 

[mrblah]

LLU is like any religious based school. They won't force you to convert to their religion, but it doesn't mean they won't try to indoctrinate you or pursuade you to convert.

From my friends who attend LLU, it isn't that bad at all. Its no different than any other college except for the hourly church sessions, and a few classes on theology/ethics.

 

[BillLy120]

Hey there BioKim

I got into the Loma Linda this year and guess what, I am Buddhist. they were very nice during the interview and didn't ask me any religious questions. During my supplementals I just gave my point of view of how every religion has similar goals....which is to make an individual better and stuff. They might look at religion but I don't think its a huge deal. I would not let the religion dictate whether u should apply or not. My suggestion would be to just be prepared to give them your point of view since catholicism is basically a form of christianity and so is SDA. I feel its more of grades, research and recomendation

Stats:

Went to Cal Poly Pomona - Chemistry Major 3.6 overall 3.5 science
3 years research, 1 year pharmacy clerk, 1 summer internship
Recomendation from research professor, head pharmacist, and tenured professor who i've taken many classes with.


P.S. I also recomend to get different types of recomendations...don't get all pharmacist or all professors, very your recomendations sicne each will have different things to say about u.

For example, my research professor can talk about my techincal, independant, and organizational skills. Pharmacist talked about working in a pharmacy and how well I adapt to customers, and professor talked about her experience with me in and out of hte classroom.

Good Luck I wish you the best.