Midwestern students

[Rx126]

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Hello, please move this thread if I posted in the wrong place.

I have been accepted to the Glendale campus and have a few questions that will help in my decision process. Any response is appreciated.

#1) If I attend, I will live in Chandler with family so I can save on rent. In terms of the "peer groups" how often do they meet? Are their many projects due per quarter? Do you usually meet iduring school hours? do the people putting the groups together take into account where people live. (example: I don't want a group who all live there and want to meet on a saturday morning or at 8:30 pm).

#2) looking at the curriculum I have noticed that many of the classes do not have labs. Other schools I am considering all have (w/lab) listed next to course name if the class has one, and there are many! Is that a correct assumption or do they not write that on the curriculum sheet.

#3) Is there a gym? or intramural sports? don't remember seeing one on the tour.

#4) I am not used to quarter system or block scheduling, is that an easy adjustment?

Thats all I can think of now... thanks for your responses and time!

 

[museabuse]

Hello, please move this thread if I posted in the wrong place.

I have been accepted to the Glendale campus and have a few questions that will help in my decision process. Any response is appreciated.

#1) If I attend, I will live in Chandler with family so I can save on rent. In terms of the "peer groups" how often do they meet? Are their many projects due per quarter? Do you usually meet iduring school hours? do the people putting the groups together take into account where people live. (example: I don't want a group who all live there and want to meet on a saturday morning or at 8:30 pm).

#2) looking at the curriculum I have noticed that many of the classes do not have labs. Other schools I am considering all have (w/lab) listed next to course name if the class has one, and there are many! Is that a correct assumption or do they not write that on the curriculum sheet.

#3) Is there a gym? or intramural sports? don't remember seeing one on the tour.

#4) I am not used to quarter system or block scheduling, is that an easy adjustment?

Thats all I can think of now... thanks for your responses and time!

Since I graduated in 07 the professors have completely changed. There is maybe one or two left. Answers:

#1 Thats great to save on rent but you will have to commute over 30 miles one way to school. It will get old really fast(traffic), I did it for the first year and was so glad when I move close to school. There were a few people that lived that far from school and they began to car pool. I would definitely recommend that. As far as peer groups there are not tons of projects and I don't remember having to stay late to meet, and they do block off in the schedule meeting times for peer groups. You do not get to choose your groups.

#2 The microbiology class has a lab but it was a joke as it was the same stuff you did in undergrad bio and I think there was only 4 labs. The pharmacuetics class has a lab and that mainly deals with compounding, the lab is once a week for 2 quarters. Other than that, no labs. There were some break out sessions in some other classes but I wouldn't cosider it a lab.

#3 There is no gym(unless they have recently built one) which they could have as they are building buildings left and right, glad my 120,000 dollars is being put to good use. THere was a small room that had 3 treadmills and a few weight machines and a shower. There are basketball courts and volleyball courts. There is an intramural sports "club" and they organize basketball, volleyball, and softball "leagues", but nothing really school sponsored.

#4 THere is no ajustment needed for quarters it didn't feel any diferent than semesters. THe only thing is there was a test every week sometimes 2 a week but never on same day and always either monday and fridays or tuesdays and fridays, but you becaome a test studying pro by the third or fourth quarter.

I actually enjoyed the school and would reccomend it, however some in my class would beg to differ. If you are young I would recommend UofA over midwestern however UofA is much more difficult to get into if you are out of state or didn't go to ASU or UofA. UofA really doesn't except many students or any from community colleges in phoenix area, unless you apply numerous times.

Oh and they will discourage you from working but I would definitely work at least 2 shifts a week. I would recommend friday and satudays for working. Sunday and week nights should be reserved for studying.

 

[dangerdog]

Hello, please move this thread if I posted in the wrong place.

I have been accepted to the Glendale campus and have a few questions that will help in my decision process. Any response is appreciated.

#1) If I attend, I will live in Chandler with family so I can save on rent. In terms of the "peer groups" how often do they meet? Are their many projects due per quarter? Do you usually meet iduring school hours? do the people putting the groups together take into account where people live. (example: I don't want a group who all live there and want to meet on a saturday morning or at 8:30 pm).

#2) looking at the curriculum I have noticed that many of the classes do not have labs. Other schools I am considering all have (w/lab) listed next to course name if the class has one, and there are many! Is that a correct assumption or do they not write that on the curriculum sheet.

#3) Is there a gym? or intramural sports? don't remember seeing one on the tour.

#4) I am not used to quarter system or block scheduling, is that an easy adjustment?

Thats all I can think of now... thanks for your responses and time!

I got accepted into midwestern, the chicago campus. Decided not to go simply it costs $40K+ a year. 😱 Talking about sticker shock.

Rule of thumb, the student loans you pile on should NOT exceed 80% of the starting salary (some say 100%). Graduating with $140K debt is a bit excessive for most pharmacy jobs.

Things to keep in mind:
(1) you'll only get $8500/year in subsidized loan (no interest during school)
(2) the rest (unsubsidized) loans accumulate interest during school.
(3) student loan interest is not tax deductable at our salary level.
(4) our Stafford loans are fixed rate (6.8%), can't be lowered as pre-2006.

Lucky for me, I got acceptance from a ton of public schools. I would recommend that you go for a cheaper school if at all possible. Which school you go to doesn't matter (as long as you are going into retail).

 

[Rx126]

Thanks for the response guys, very valuable info!
Here is my situation. I currently live in WI. I have applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but I won't hear from them for a few more weeks. I like my chances to get into that school, however, my 1000 dollar deposit for glendale is due the 13th. So basically, I need to make my decision soon.
I am 31 years old and married, and obviously the 3 year school is very attractive to me. However, the tuition is a big turn off. Its about 3x more expensive per year. What scares me a little is I have read some bad things about the midwestern schools on this site and I am scared I am paying 40k and not getting as good of an education. Danger, I know exactly what you are saying and thats what is making my decision so hard, the tuition is no joke!
Muse, I assume you are a pharmacist now, did you find the education was helpful in your career, if you had to do it over again would you have still gone to CPG? Did the gov't loans cover all the expenses or did you have to take out a private loan? What did some of your classmates who didn't like the school not like?

Thanks again for the responses!

 

[dangerdog]

RX126, how many schools did you apply to? How good is your PCAT and undergrad grades?

I know how you feel. I too was a little freaked out about the possibility of not getting an admission, so ended up applying to 10 schools. But as it turns out in reality, admission isn't that hard to get.

And yes, it drives you crazy when one school is trying to push you and another is making you wait. That was the case between U of M vs OSU for me. I would suggest that you wait until the 12th to hear from other schools. If nothing by then, then put down the deposit. $1K isn't chump change, but if you really want to go to pharmacy school, toss away $1K isn't big in the grand scheme of things. It's the $139K that you should be thinking on. Good luck.

 

[blueclassring]

First of all, I have to say thanks to MUSEABUSE and JEDDEVIL who answered my questions when I first started the process to matriculate to MWU-CPG. Now I'm doing the same. 3 months to go.....


#1) If I attend, I will live in Chandler with family so I can save on rent. In terms of the "peer groups" how often do they meet? Are their many projects due per quarter? Do you usually meet iduring school hours? do the people putting the groups together take into account where people live. (example: I don't want a group who all live there and want to meet on a saturday morning or at 8:30 pm).

I'd advise carpooling if possible to save on gas. There aren't many projects do to. Maybe about six the entire time you are here, but they are easy. You can always meet after class or early in the morning. The school sets aside time for group meetings. We never used it.

#2) looking at the curriculum I have noticed that many of the classes do not have labs. Other schools I am considering all have (w/lab) listed next to course name if the class has one, and there are many! Is that a correct assumption or do they not write that on the curriculum sheet.

Only two classes have labs. Pharmaceutics and Microbiology. Just a warning though, they have revamped the curriculum so there may be a lot more work to do.

#3) Is there a gym? or intramural sports? don't remember seeing one on the tour.

Yes, the gym(weights, weight machines, indoor basketball courts) will be finished in 4 weeks. There are intramural sports, and we even have yoga classes on campus now.

#4) I am not used to quarter system or block scheduling, is that an easy adjustment.

Pharmacy school is not hard, but you will be expected to memorize a lot of information. That being said, I did very well my first year and my college gpa sucked!!!

Thats all I can think of now... thanks for your responses and time![/QUOTE]

 

[PharmD 13]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping that either a current pharmacy student or a past pharmacy student from Midwestern University could help me. I've been accepted into their program this year which is a HUGE relief! So far it is the only school that I've been accepted into and the most expensive. I've been waitlisted at two others and still waiting on an interview invite from my top choice. Midwestern's pharmacy program seems like a great program to be in, as they have a lot to offer. However, the amount of debt that I am about to incur scares me. Is anyone in the same boat as me? I know being a pharmacist will be a well paying job, but I don't want to be paying student loans off for the rest of my life. Is this school and the experiences that you had worth it? And is their pharmacy program actually affordable? Thank you in advance.

 

[PharmDHawkeye]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping that either a current pharmacy student or a past pharmacy student from Midwestern University could help me. I've been accepted into their program this year which is a HUGE relief! So far it is the only school that I've been accepted into and the most expensive. I've been waitlisted at two others and still waiting on an interview invite from my top choice. Midwestern's pharmacy program seems like a great program to be in, as they have a lot to offer. However, the amount of debt that I am about to incur scares me. Is anyone in the same boat as me? I know being a pharmacist will be a well paying job, but I don't want to be paying student loans off for the rest of my life. Is this school and the experiences that you had worth it? And is their pharmacy program actually affordable? Thank you in advance.

I think the other posters have hit the nail right on the head. Midwestern is a fine program. I was accepted at the campus in the Chicago suburbs, but ended up going to Iowa. If it's the only place you're accepted, go there. If not, go for something more affordable. The market isn't that strong now, and who knows how it will be when you matriculate, but Midwestern is a step above the very new schools.

 

[PharmDHawkeye]

Thanks for the response guys, very valuable info!
Here is my situation. I currently live in WI. I have applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but I won't hear from them for a few more weeks. I like my chances to get into that school, however, my 1000 dollar deposit for glendale is due the 13th. So basically, I need to make my decision soon.
I am 31 years old and married, and obviously the 3 year school is very attractive to me. However, the tuition is a big turn off. Its about 3x more expensive per year. What scares me a little is I have read some bad things about the midwestern schools on this site and I am scared I am paying 40k and not getting as good of an education. Danger, I know exactly what you are saying and thats what is making my decision so hard, the tuition is no joke!
Muse, I assume you are a pharmacist now, did you find the education was helpful in your career, if you had to do it over again would you have still gone to CPG? Did the gov't loans cover all the expenses or did you have to take out a private loan? What did some of your classmates who didn't like the school not like?

Thanks again for the responses!

I rotated at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL, and my preceptor was a Midwestern grad. She was a great representative of what you can do with a Midwestern education, and she was great at providing feedback, giving me thoughtful assignments, and a very willing teacher.

My point is, the education isn't so lackluster that you'll have no chance to succeed. I wouldn't call Midwestern the best school around or anything, but it still gives you the opportunity to be a strong practitioner in the future.

 

[Angela1234]

As long as you get through school, it doesn't really matter what school you go to. The job market is so bad, it's hard to find any work. Better to go there rather than a new school because you can ask other students what to expect, etc. It is also a three year school, so time goes by really fast. You do get a month off the 2nd and 3rd years.

 

[PharmD 13]

Good point. There's a lot to consider here. Thank you for your help!

 

[Angela1234]

They are supposed to be opening another pharmacy school in Phoenix soon allegedly. It all comes down to money, no one cares if any jobs are available for graduates.

 

[Angela1234]

Midwestern has been open since 1998 in Glendale, so it's been around for 15 years. I heard they had an AzPA or APhA meeting at the the new building for a new pharmacy school in Phoenix. U of A already has a pharmacy address in Phoenix.

 

[rxlea]

Midwestern has been open since 1998 in Glendale, so it's been around for 15 years. I heard they had an AzPA or APhA meeting at the the new building for a new pharmacy school in Phoenix. U of A already has a pharmacy address in Phoenix.

They conduct research out of that building. They also manage some Phoenix rotations out of there. The med school is also there.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

 

[Angela1234]

I'm just repeating what I heard from a friend who attended the AzPA or APhA meeting they had several weeks ago. He said the meeting was in a building that they are going to be having a pharmacy school. Fortunately, it doesn't affect any of us now anyways because they haven't graduated the first class.

Revising my answer to say to go to whatever pharmacy school is cheapest because chances are, they won't help you find a job anyways.