Mercer vs. Creighton

[rxlynn]

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OK guys and gals - I've asked almost everyone I know their opinion, so now I thought I'd ask all of you. Which way would you go? I know there are a lot of people on this board who have interviewed and been accepted to Mercer - I'm particularly interested in any positives or negatives you might have considered when making your decision.

 

[Robinbird]

I've talked to you before, but I don't think I've given my opinion on the matter. If I was accepted to Creighton (online) and Mercer I would definately pick Mercer for a few reasons. You mentioned a pharmacist telling you that it would be better to go to a traditional school. Awhile back I was talking to my pharmacy manager about one of my friends who is currently going to the school, and she didn't like the sound of an online school at all. She said if she had to pick between a pharmacist who went to a traditional school and one who chose the online path she would pick the one who went to the traditional school. However, I do believe that Creighton's program is pretty good (although I really don't know too much about it), and at this point no one should really have a problem getting a job based on where they went to school. Personally, I didn't apply to an web-based programs because I don't think it would suit me. I'm the sort of person who benefits more from being in class. I think if you actually have to go to class you'll be more active in school and it will be a little easier to learn the material. I'm a bit younger than you though so you're probably better at prioritizing and handling that sort of thing. I'm not a partier or a slacker, but I think it would be hard to set my schedule so that I didn't get behind in studying. I would rather go to class and learn and then do more studying at home. Then you have to set up a proctor for your tests which shouldn't be too hard really, and then you have to take a trip out to Nebraska for the labs each summer. With Creighton you might have more time at home with your children, but with Mercer you could spend the summers with them and not have to worry about school. Either way, school will take up a lot of you time. In my opinion, Mercer is a great school. They have a really good program, and if you're interested several student organizations and services on campus that you could take advantage of. You would have access to their library and even the fitness center 😉. You would also be around students all the time and you could learn a lot from each other about the material and even little tid bits about the field and such that might come up in conversation. I'm sure you would be communicating with other Creighton students as well, but a lot comes up in random conversations that might not come up in emails and such.
Either way I think both are good schools, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully in either school you decide on. It's nice to hear what other people feel about situations, but in the end, just go with what you would feel more comfortable with, not what other people think.

 

[PbintoAu]

I have friends who went to Mercer and to CU via the web based program. Both of them loved each program, but both programs had their pros and cons. AFter talking to them, it seems as if the decision really comes down to what you want out of a program and what your personality and situations are. You will be getting the same degree, only if you choose to do a web based path you will have to actively search out networking opportunities on your own vs hearing about opportunities through your classmates.

My friend who went to Mercer liked the program, but thought the administration was difficult to deal with (this was a few years ago, though). She didnt participate in any of the organizations b/c she had a kid and a husband and felt she would rather spend her down time with them. She did feel she was the "outcast" b/c she didnt belong to any of the groups and such. But she ended up graduating and getting a great job.

On the other hand, my friend who did the CU web based program did a TON of networking. She got involved with local professional groups and networked with people...eventually met her future boss at a convention. She applied for and got scholarships, did a ton of volunteering and had fun doing the oncampus part b/c it was a change in the routine. She is close to several of her profs and has a great job as well.

Sorry I guess it doesnt really help you out thought

Just to reply to a previous post about web based degrees: I got my master's degree from a web based program. It worked for me since I was working full time and wanted to keep my job. Even though I got the degree online I have NEVER had anyone down play it, thinking it was less valuable than a traditional masters. I liked doing school online. I also did not have a hard time making connections b/c I was employed and had connections through my job and the societies and organizations I was part of.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[rxlynn]

Thanks to both of you for your insightful comments. I had sort of already figured out that I might not be the most popular person on campus at Mercer - late 30's with two kids and a husband is not their typical student. However, I thought that everyone I met there was super nice - I didn't feel too out of place at the interview. (Well, except for the fact that 2 of the very young interviewees in my group brought their moms with them, which did almost make me laugh out loud, but that's another story). Also, I casually know a couple of P1s at Mercer through my job, so I will ask them their opinion also.

PbintoAu, did your friend at Creighton mention anything about setting up rotations? This is one of my big worries with the Creighton program. I know that I would have to arrange those where I live, and I was told in the interview that they have had difficulties in the Atlanta area because a lot of the rotation sites have contracts with Mercer and w/UGA that they have to fill first.

Also, did your Mercer friend attend Mercer while they were in the process of switching to the block schedule? I was intrigued by your friend's comment that the administration was hard to deal with, because I was told the exact same thing by another Mercer grad class of 2000. He seemed to think that part of the problem was that he was there while they were changing from the traditional schedule to the block.

Thanks again.

 

[Julianne]

Thanks to both of you for your insightful comments. I had sort of already figured out that I might not be the most popular person on campus at Mercer - late 30's with two kids and a husband is not their typical student. However, I thought that everyone I met there was super nice - I didn't feel too out of place at the interview. (Well, except for the fact that 2 of the very young interviewees in my group brought their moms with them, which did almost make me laugh out loud, but that's another story). Also, I casually know a couple of P1s at Mercer through my job, so I will ask them their opinion also.

rxlynn,

This is a totally selfish response, but I'd say go to Mercer... I'm also in my 30's and married with children - I really don't want to be odd man out 🙂

Hehe, were the moms slicking down the the younguns hair and stuff before they went in to interview? J/K

 

[Robinbird]

Ha, I remember those girls with their moms. They were asked to tell which ones brought their parents, but the one girl forgot to tell and the guy asked something like, "so who do you belong too?". I guess its understandable though if they had to check out early and had nowhere else to go...although if I had 3 hours of free time in Atlanta I would have trouble picking out where I wanted to go first. I love that city.
I guess its natural for the older people to feel left out, but I go to a community college that has many people 30+ and I always end up making friends with them before I do anyone else and I'm only 20. (The summer after my first year I had comp with this 40 something yr old woman who I had previously had chem 1 with and we would go to her house to work on our papers and then play in the pool and hot tub...and that's the most I've hung out with anyone from school that I didn't already know) For some reason I feel more comfortable with them and feel like I relate to them more..which I guess is odd.
Sorry for the long and slightly off topic response.

 

[rxlynn]

No, not really. One of them was sitting behind the conference table taking notes, and for awhile I really thought that she was with the school. It was making me sort of paranoid - I had just walked in the room and sat down, and they were already taking notes on me??? Then, when we did intros it turned out she was a mom. The Dean didn't act like this was particularly unusual, or maybe he was just hiding it well.

 

[rxlynn]

Ha, I remember those girls with their moms. They were asked to tell which ones brought their parents, but the one girl forgot to tell and the guy asked something like, "so who do you belong too?". I guess its understandable though if they had to check out early and had nowhere else to go...although if I had 3 hours of free time in Atlanta I would have trouble picking out where I wanted to go first. I love that city.
I guess its natural for the older people to feel left out, but I go to a community college that has many people 30+ and I always end up making friends with them before I do anyone else and I'm only 20. (The summer after my first year I had comp with this 40 something yr old woman who I had previously had chem 1 with and we would go to her house to work on our papers and then play in the pool and hot tub...and that's the most I've hung out with anyone from school that I didn't already know) For some reason I feel more comfortable with them and feel like I relate to them more..which I guess is odd.
Sorry for the long and slightly off topic response.

Robinbird, you make a good point! No, I don't think it's odd at all - after reading your posts and meeting you, I'd say you are more intelligent and mature than a lot of 20 year olds, so it doesn't surprise me that you have older friends. Really, I guess friends are where you look for them. One of my best friends right now is in her 60's.