Need opinions please!!

[Amanda C]

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Ok here is the situation..

I am currently going to my local university (East Stroudsburg University to be specific). Which, academically, doesn't have the BEST reputation. Let's just say that people who fail out of other universities mysteriously wind up at ESU. The reason I go there is because it's convenient being 15 minutes away from me, and for those that don't know, I am a single mom and I live with my parents so I am kinda stuck geographically.

Anyway - not being too impressed my first semester (as a transfer after my community college, which sadly I gained a lot more from), I decided to apply to 3 other schools which are all 45 minutes away from me. That includes Lehigh University, which is my ULTIMATE dream school, had 2 sisters who went there, and always dreamed of going there. I got my acceptance letter today!!! I was ecstatic 🙂

I'm torn because I decided just this semester that I wanted to get into pharmacy school. Lehigh is about 20 times more reputable than my school, thus, the classes are probably a lot more intensive. Should I stick it out at ESU, ace my pre-reqs, and apply to pharm school? Or would it be better to go to Lehigh, take part in their rigorous curriculum (I'd probably stick it out and get my BS in bio if I go there), then try and get into pharm school?

I'm going to have to decide soon. What would you guys do?

 

[PharmApp2008]

It looks like you really want to go to Lehigh but need to gain more confidence. Might you be thinking that you can't have the same opportunities as your peers (maybe it is the responsibility of being a mom)? I'm not a parent but I bet that makes being a student a lot harder. Since your parents are helping you out I think you should go for the opportunity at Lehigh. Do your best there and when you write your personal statement for pharmacy school put in there that you transfered and commuted the extra distance because you wanted a more challenging curriculum. This will look really good as long as you still do relatively well (try for a 3.5 at least).

 

[Amanda C]

It looks like you really want to go to Lehigh but need to gain more confidence. Might you be thinking that you can't have the same opportunities as your peers (maybe it is the responsibility of being a mom)? I'm not a parent but I bet that makes being a student a lot harder. Since your parents are helping you out I think you should go for the opportunity at Lehigh. Do your best there and when you write your personal statement for pharmacy school put in there that you transfered and commuted the extra distance because you wanted a more challenging curriculum. This will look really good as long as you still do relatively well (try for a 3.5 at least).

You hit the nail on the head with that - I do feel a little bit scared just because of Lehigh's reputation. But hey, I got in, so they must think I'd do well right? I have always been a good student, but always felt that Lehigh was out of my league. If I went there, I'd be sure to work my A** off every day. I definitely wouldn't take my education there lightly, just because of the sheer gratitude I'd have of being a student there 🙂

Maybe it would be good preparation for pharm school, with the high difficult level of it all.

 

[Amanda C]

bump 😀

 

[Happy Hounds]

I agree. If that is the school you want to go to, and you are accepted, and you have help from your family, well, you're in a pretty good boat. 🙂

I understand your anxiety. I was just accepted to my first choice school, and I'm wondering if I can handle the load as well, not because of the school's reputation, but because my schedule for the past 2 years (as a returning student) has been only to take 6-10 credit hours each semester while working full time, trying to volunteer, etc. So this is a major recalibration for me--going about 60% work and 40% school to 100% school. It's been 7 years since I took a full courseload, let alone 16 credit hours! But all in all, I'll adjust, even if it takes a while. This is most likely just another adjustment for you as well, so...

Celebrate your acceptance, take some time to relax and recharge, then get ready for a very rigorous (and enriching) experience! 😀

 

[Amanda C]

I agree. If that is the school you want to go to, and you are accepted, and you have help from your family, well, you're in a pretty good boat. 🙂

I understand your anxiety. I was just accepted to my first choice school, and I'm wondering if I can handle the load as well, not because of the school's reputation, but because my schedule for the past 2 years (as a returning student) has been only to take 6-10 credit hours each semester while working full time, trying to volunteer, etc. So this is a major recalibration for me--going about 60% work and 40% school to 100% school. It's been 7 years since I took a full courseload, let alone 16 credit hours! But all in all, I'll adjust, even if it takes a while. This is most likely just another adjustment for you as well, so...

Celebrate your acceptance, take some time to relax and recharge, then get ready for a very rigorous (and enriching) experience! 😀

Thanks, and good luck to you! 🙂