Pharmacy School Questions

[tongtong]

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I am a high school senior (1880 SATs, top 5% of class, live in MD, AP/IB program) and I'm pretty sure I want to have a career in pharmacy (research/work for a company instead of retail). Right now I'm trying to get into University of Maryland, which follows a 2 year pre req program then 4 year pharm school, but I hear that there are other schools that are 0-6 or early assurance which may be better if I know that I want to pursue pharmacy as of now. So far I've applied to UMD, UMBC, Northeastern (0-6 but really expensive 🙁 ), and St. John's in NY (also 0-6..).

What is more recommended if I know that I want to major in pharmacy now?

Option 1: 2 years at UMD and 4 years at a 4-year pharmacy school. I would get in state tuition at MD, but it might be harder to get into a pharmacy school and I want to finish schooling as soon as possible. I would also prefer to go to an out of state pharmacy school.

Option 2: 0-6 program or 2+4 early assurance. would have to move away from home, and I would prefer to stay on the eastern half of the USA.

I don't want to acquire a lot of debt, but eventually would like to live in a big city area such as Boston, Chicago, or NY. Can anyone offer some insight on what I should do or apply to?

 

[hillwilliam]

Out of state tuition rates can be sky high compared to in-state rates. I don't see how you can avoid significant debt by going out of state.

 

[tongtong]

Out of state tuition rates can be sky high compared to in-state rates. I don't see how you can avoid significant debt by going out of state.

Well I meant saving money by going to my public state university for 2 years as opposed to a private or out of state school, then transferring to a 4-year out of state pharmacy school and possibly getting in state tuition by the 2nd year if possible? Or doing a 0-6 school from the beginning? I don't really know what is the normal thing that most people do, any suggestions on how to save money or where to apply?? Thanks

 

[dazzled]

Well I meant saving money by going to my public state university for 2 years as opposed to a private or out of state school, then transferring to a 4-year out of state pharmacy school and possibly getting in state tuition by the 2nd year if possible? Or doing a 0-6 school from the beginning? I don't really know what is the normal thing that most people do, any suggestions on how to save money or where to apply?? Thanks

Apply everywhere you think you might want to go. Then, see how the financial aid awards fall. With your stats, you may end up getting enough grants and scholarships to make out of state tuition about the same as in state. If not, then you need to weigh your finances vs. where you want to go to school. I would avoid private schools like the plague, though, and stick with state schools - that's just me though.

If you do go in state for undergrad, there is the possibility of going out of state for pharm and then getting residency 2nd year. However, read up on the state guidelines....I know, for example, Ohio is very easy to get residency. Some other states are a royal pain.