Pre-pharm program at UOP?

[hkbornazn]

I have been accepted into the UOP (University of the Pacific) pharmacy program with the $10k scholarship. I want to go there, but currently I'm undecided because I've been hearing so much stuff about a bad community and super expensive tuition. I have a few questions can you guys please clarify thanks!

What is the community like? Is it really as bad as people say it is with shooting and violent crimes occurring constantly? Does this bother the students in anyway?

What is the cost of tuition at UOP for this specific program?

How difficult is are the classes? I've been hearing some people say they wanna die at UOP, but other people say the courses are tolerable if you study?

How is dorm life at UOP? Are the meals good are you required to purchase one of those year long meal passes for the school cafeteria?

How is the social life at UOP? Or is life too bogged down by studying?

Are the chances good that someone would get into the UOP pharmacy school if they are in the UOP pharmacy program?

Comparing the two pre pharmacy programs at UOP and UCSD is one better than the other? Do I have the misconception that the UOP program is basically guaranteed graduate school? If not should I go to UCSD instead of UOP?

I know that's a lot of questions, but thanks all before hand!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[kidkay]

Check out the link.... http://web.pacific.edu/Admission/Professional/Pharmacy/Pharm-DTuition-and-Fees.html

Pretty costly, but look at it as an investment...good luck!👍

I have been accepted into the UOP (University of the Pacific) pharmacy program with the $10k scholarship. I want to go there, but currently I'm undecided because I've been hearing so much stuff about a bad community and super expensive tuition. I have a few questions can you guys please clarify thanks!

What is the community like? Is it really as bad as people say it is with shooting and violent crimes occurring constantly? Does this bother the students in anyway?

What is the cost of tuition at UOP for this specific program?

How difficult is are the classes? I've been hearing some people say they wanna die at UOP, but other people say the courses are tolerable if you study?

How is dorm life at UOP? Are the meals good are you required to purchase one of those year long meal passes for the school cafeteria?

How is the social life at UOP? Or is life too bogged down by studying?

Are the chances good that someone would get into the UOP pharmacy school if they are in the UOP pharmacy program?

Comparing the two pre pharmacy programs at UOP and UCSD is one better than the other? Do I have the misconception that the UOP program is basically guaranteed graduate school? If not should I go to UCSD instead of UOP?

I know that's a lot of questions, but thanks all before hand!

 

[hkbornazn]

ty kidkay i saw this too, but i wasn't sure if this was referring to the graduate school three years i was wondering about the cost going in as a freshman

 

[kidkay]

ty kidkay i saw this too, but i wasn't sure if this was referring to the graduate school three years i was wondering about the cost going in as a freshman

My mistake. Chk out http://web.pacific.edu/Student-Life...ent-Accounts/Tuition-and-Fees-(Stockton).html , shows a brkdown of costs, then.

 

[delano2000]

Sounds like someone didn't actually do their homework. A lot of the answers to those questions can be found on their website.

When I visited Stockton in October, it seemed pretty nice to me. I think the school is located in a safe part of town.

 

[Project2015]

When I visited Stockton in October, it seemed pretty nice to me. I think the school is located in a safer part of an unsafe town ranked as the most miserable city in the US by Forbes.

Central California isn't the most economic prosperous part of the state despite accounting for a large part of its economy.

Where's P4Sci with the real deal?!

 

[JaySid]

I go to UOP right now and live in Stockton. There are parts that are unsafe even around campus, but I've never had a problem here.

 

[delano2000]

Central California isn't the most economic prosperous part of the state despite accounting for a large part of its economy.

Where's P4Sci with the real deal?!

😡

 

[Project2015]

😡

ouch. 😛

 

[hkbornazn]

Sounds like someone didn't actually do their homework. A lot of the answers to those questions can be found on their website.

When I visited Stockton in October, it seemed pretty nice to me. I think the school is located in a safe part of town.

Yes a lot of information is on the website except a lot of the numbers aren't exactly clear. Like the pharmacy school the costs is shown there, but is the cost the same for students who are in the pre-pharm 3+3 program etc. The numbers are vague and offers little explanation that's what I want to know.

 

[pianoiscool]

btw, which program did you get into? 2+3 or 3+3?

 

[watermelonhead8]

I have been accepted into the UOP (University of the Pacific) pharmacy program with the $10k scholarship. I want to go there, but currently I'm undecided because I've been hearing so much stuff about a bad community and super expensive tuition. I have a few questions can you guys please clarify thanks!

What is the community like? Is it really as bad as people say it is with shooting and violent crimes occurring constantly? Does this bother the students in anyway?

What is the cost of tuition at UOP for this specific program?

How difficult is are the classes? I've been hearing some people say they wanna die at UOP, but other people say the courses are tolerable if you study?

How is dorm life at UOP? Are the meals good are you required to purchase one of those year long meal passes for the school cafeteria?

How is the social life at UOP? Or is life too bogged down by studying?

Are the chances good that someone would get into the UOP pharmacy school if they are in the UOP pharmacy program?

Comparing the two pre pharmacy programs at UOP and UCSD is one better than the other? Do I have the misconception that the UOP program is basically guaranteed graduate school? If not should I go to UCSD instead of UOP?

I know that's a lot of questions, but thanks all before hand!

I was in the 3 plus 3 pre-pharmacy program at UOP for 3 years. I was very excited to get into a direct program, and I also was awarded the ten thousand dollar scholarship. Unfortunately, I was one of the students that got screwed over by going there (many do). I thought I would directly get into the pharm school, because all you need is a 2.7 math/science gpa - but let me tell you, it is very difficult to maintain. Most people who are in the prepharm program there BARELY make the 2.7 to get in. I did bad in a couple of science classes my freshman year, and it was impossible to get my gpa to 2.7. I went there for three years, hoping to bring that gpa to 2.7, but I ultimately failed. I withdrew last year, because I wasn't going to keep wasting money for something that I could not achieve anymore. I transferred, and I am applying to pharmacy schools now. I have a couple of interview invites, only because I have a decent Pcat score. The Pcat was so much easier than undergrad at Pacific, let me tell you. Pacific costs way too much, and they weed out prepharms like crazy. Going to Pacific was actually the biggest mistake of my life, and I hate myself for it. If I were you, I would go the traditional route. Get good grades and a good Pcat, and there will be no reason you can't get into any other pharmacy school. Plus, even with a scholarship, Pacific is crazy expensive. And their pharmacy school runs at about 75k per year. Even if you didn't screw up there and studied hard, I would say it's not worth the money. As for the city, yeah, Stockton sucks. I heard gun shots and sirens almost everyday. But if you're not an idiot and play it safe, you won't get hurt. The campus itself is beautiful, because all of your tuition money is used to maintain the campus. Oh, and the office of the registrar is slow and caused be many problems.
In conclusion, don't make the same mistake I did. And I'm sorry if I scared you!

 

[watermelonhead8]

I was in the 3 plus 3 pre-pharmacy program at UOP for 3 years. I was very excited to get into a direct program, and I also was awarded the ten thousand dollar scholarship. Unfortunately, I was one of the students that got screwed over by going there (many do). I thought I would directly get into the pharm school, because all you need is a 2.7 math/science gpa - but let me tell you, it is very difficult to maintain. Most people who are in the prepharm program there BARELY make the 2.7 to get in. I did bad in a couple of science classes my freshman year, and it was impossible to get my gpa to 2.7. I went there for three years, hoping to bring that gpa to 2.7, but I ultimately failed. I withdrew last year, because I wasn't going to keep wasting money for something that I could not achieve anymore. I transferred, and I am applying to pharmacy schools now. I have a couple of interview invites, only because I have a decent Pcat score. The Pcat was so much easier than undergrad at Pacific, let me tell you. Pacific costs way too much, and they weed out prepharms like crazy. Going to Pacific was actually the biggest mistake of my life, and I hate myself for it. If I were you, I would go the traditional route. Get good grades and a good Pcat, and there will be no reason you can't get into any other pharmacy school. Plus, even with a scholarship, Pacific is crazy expensive. And their pharmacy school runs at about 75k per year. Even if you didn't screw up there and studied hard, I would say it's not worth the money. As for the city, yeah, Stockton sucks. I heard gun shots and sirens almost everyday. But if you're not an idiot and play it safe, you won't get hurt. The campus itself is beautiful, because all of your tuition money is used to maintain the campus. Oh, and the office of the registrar is slow and caused be many problems.
In conclusion, don't make the same mistake I did. And I'm sorry if I scared you!

Oh yeah, and all the pharm kids there are Asian. Nothing against Asians - I am Asian myself! But I prefer diversity.

 

[namiie]

As a Pre-Dent I usually don't wander into this part of SDN, but seeing watermelonhead8's post.... I just have to stick up for my alma mater here. I'm a senior at UOP, graduating this May. I was/am in the Pre-Dent program and was admitted to a few dental schools, including UOP's.

I'll try to address all your questions...despite a rough start at UOP, I don't regret my choice to go there for undergrad.

1) What is the community like?
There is Stockton, and then there is the UOP campus--two very different things. The campus itself is quite safe. LIVE ON CAMPUS. I lived on campus all 4 years, and trust me, expensive or not, you cannot put a price on peace of mind. I've had friends living off campus that had their catalytic converters stolen from their cars overnight, so yeah. My advice is just to be SMART, like you should be anywhere you go. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't go downtown alone. Use UOP's escort service for getting around campus at night. Go to the newer developments if you want to wine and dine off-campus, etc.

How difficult is are the classes? I've been hearing some people say they wanna die at UOP, but other people say the courses are tolerable if you study?
Tolerable if you study, definitely. Professors are great because they welcome questions any time and really try to help you...at least the ones I've had are like that. You need to realize that stuff like ochem is going to be hard no matter where you go, but how you condition yourself to think about it/how much effort you put into it matters.

How is dorm life at UOP? Are the meals good are you required to purchase one of those year long meal passes for the school cafeteria?
Dorm life is cozy. I liked it. Pick roommates well and there shouldn't be a problem. Dining hall food does get pretty bad after a while and yes, you need to buy a meal plan. Once you get old enough/have enough units to get into the apartments though, try. Apartments are NIIIIICE (except for the Townies).

How is the social life at UOP? Or is life too bogged down by studying?
One word: Greek. Probably 90% of people are involved with Greek life...I wasn't, but I was still fine. People play as hard as they work. Not too boring.

Are the chances good that someone would get into the UOP pharmacy school if they are in the UOP pharmacy program?
YES. It's practically a guarantee. Compared to how difficult it is to get into even the UOP dental school as a Pre-Dent, getting into Pharm as a Pre-Pharm is simple. 98% of the Pre-Pharms I knew got in successfully. 2.7 and no PCAT is not a high asking price, if I may say so. The problem is doing well once you actually get in--in my opinion UOP makes it a bit TOO easy for their Pre-Pharms to get in that the students don't prepare themselves enough for the rigor of grad school. I've seen it happen to some friends.

 

[namiie]

I was in the 3 plus 3 pre-pharmacy program at UOP for 3 years. I was very excited to get into a direct program, and I also was awarded the ten thousand dollar scholarship. Unfortunately, I was one of the students that got screwed over by going there (many do). I thought I would directly get into the pharm school, because all you need is a 2.7 math/science gpa - but let me tell you, it is very difficult to maintain. Most people who are in the prepharm program there BARELY make the 2.7 to get in. I did bad in a couple of science classes my freshman year, and it was impossible to get my gpa to 2.7. I went there for three years, hoping to bring that gpa to 2.7, but I ultimately failed. I withdrew last year, because I wasn't going to keep wasting money for something that I could not achieve anymore. I transferred, and I am applying to pharmacy schools now. I have a couple of interview invites, only because I have a decent Pcat score. The Pcat was so much easier than undergrad at Pacific, let me tell you. Pacific costs way too much, and they weed out prepharms like crazy. Going to Pacific was actually the biggest mistake of my life, and I hate myself for it. If I were you, I would go the traditional route. Get good grades and a good Pcat, and there will be no reason you can't get into any other pharmacy school. Plus, even with a scholarship, Pacific is crazy expensive. And their pharmacy school runs at about 75k per year. Even if you didn't screw up there and studied hard, I would say it's not worth the money. As for the city, yeah, Stockton sucks. I heard gun shots and sirens almost everyday. But if you're not an idiot and play it safe, you won't get hurt. The campus itself is beautiful, because all of your tuition money is used to maintain the campus. Oh, and the office of the registrar is slow and caused be many problems.
In conclusion, don't make the same mistake I did. And I'm sorry if I scared you!

I'm sorry to hear that, but I just had to say.....UOP is a small private school with small classes for a reason: a great student to faculty ratio. Sorry if I am making assumptions here, but did you ever ask for help? Because whenever I needed help, I got it. From the professors, the TAs, the supplemental instructors, ochem workshop, the free tutoring....there are so many resources. My GPA never fell below a ~3.2 but it probably would've if I didn't take advantage of all the help available.

I understand that UOP is not for everyone though, and congrats on your current success. Sometimes time/a different environment does help. And I agree with your registrar complaints

ETA: Just wanted to add that I got in as 2+3 Pre-Dent but decelerated because a) I realized in freshman year I didn't know how to study yet and b) I wanted to prepare myself as much as possible. I'm glad I did because I got to take cool upper div classes like Dev Bio, etc. Don't rush yourself. The average age for grad school entry is 23. A doctorate degree in 5 years sounds enticing but if you find yourself at a point where you just want to "pass" instead of doing better than pass, it's time to slow down.

 

[watermelonhead8]

Yes, on the plus side, Pacific had a nice, cozy atmosphere to it. I made friends there that I know I will have for life. I try and tell myself that I went to Pacific for a reason and that was to make my lifelong best buddies.

AND YESSSSSSSSS, THE DINING HALL SUCKSSSS. I got super annoyed of it fast.

Yes, when I look back, it isn't THAT hard to get the 2.7 (I know it's much worse for the pre-dents... like 3.0 or 3.2?). But when you initially screw up, it's hard to get back up on your feet... especially when they don't do grade replacement. Just don't fudge up and don't get Samoshin for ochem. Get B's and above in math and science classes and you're golden.

If you care about prestige, Pacific's pharmacy school isn't ranked that high. Their dental school is, though!

But still, from my experience, even if I had that 2.7 and got into UOP's pharmacy school, I would say it isn't worth it. Pacific is expensssssiiiivvvveee. Yeah, you might get peace of mind - but honestly, I didn't realize it was so easy to get into pharmacy school. I took the direct route, because I thought going getting in the traditional way was extremely hard for some reason. It's not. Lucky for me, my PCAT was good. Had I not done well, I would have probably switched my major.

The 4-year college I go to right now is pretty well known, and I retook some classes here and they're so breeeezzzzzyyyy compared to Pacific! It makes me kind of cringe. The disparity is enormous. I took 18 units last semester and barely opened my books - what did I end up with? A 4.0.

I did like Pacific for several reasons at first, but it's hard to remember them after feeling so crushed after.

Anyway, good luck with your decision! Either way, you'll get into pharmacy school and that's all that matters in the end!

 

[hkbornazn]

it's a bit long but please bear with me!

I've been accepted into the UOP pharm 3+3 program and i thought i had my mind set on going to UOP. but the financial aid came out and after doing some calculations i would be owing massive debt after 6yrs at UOP. i kid you not debt that would cost me 20+yrs to repay if i made $10k a month. i was wondering if i should take an alternate pathway

ive also been accepted into Pharmaceutical Science at UCI. should i go to UCI because its a lot cheaper than going to UOP? and work my butt off and compete again to get into pharm school?

also ive been reading some old threads and there was this one about a guy getting his pharmD at age 40?! please tell me if i'm mistaken but if i dont go to UOP can't i just take my 4 yrs of undergrad do well on the PCAT and GPA and get into pharm school. by time i get out of pharm school i'll still be in my 20s... or did i miss a memo

please and thank you all! any input is appreciated

 

[hkbornazn]

thanks for all the advice guys! i just got my financial aid info from UOP. it looks like a HUGE burden. it seems as if the program itself is pretty good, maintaining GPA and all as long as u dont screw up. but now i'm wondering do you students worry at all about the MASSIVE debt??? i did some calculating... 20+yrs of repaying with salary of $10k a month.

and thank again for all your advice!

 

[Passion4Sci]

thanks for all the advice guys! i just got my financial aid info from UOP. it looks like a HUGE burden. it seems as if the program itself is pretty good, maintaining GPA and all as long as u dont screw up. but now i'm wondering do you students worry at all about the MASSIVE debt??? i did some calculating... 20+yrs of repaying with salary of $10k a month.

and thank again for all your advice!

It's an investment.

Run the numbers on how long it'll take you to re-pay your home loan! Most of my friends that have homes now (I feel soooo far behind 'cos of school again) are on 30-year plans paying $1,800+ a month for their mortgage. It's an investment... just like a Pharm.D. Yep, the market could tank and you could go upside down on a house and sure, it could happen with a Pharm.D (If you screw up and lose your licensure, or you refuse to move from a saturated area, whatever).

Don't get too wrapped up in the cost if it's something you want to do. If it's just something you want to do so you can buy a Porsche and do the models and bottles lifestyle you probably want to look at business / entrepeneurship 🙂

 

[hkbornazn]

It's an investment.

Run the numbers on how long it'll take you to re-pay your home loan! Most of my friends that have homes now (I feel soooo far behind 'cos of school again) are on 30-year plans paying $1,800+ a month for their mortgage. It's an investment... just like a Pharm.D. Yep, the market could tank and you could go upside down on a house and sure, it could happen with a Pharm.D (If you screw up and lose your licensure, or you refuse to move from a saturated area, whatever).

Don't get too wrapped up in the cost if it's something you want to do. If it's just something you want to do so you can buy a Porsche and do the models and bottles lifestyle you probably want to look at business / entrepeneurship 🙂

i agree with the investment part, but is it such a burden that it bogs down ur lifestyle? with so much debt it'll be hard to buy a car or a house until u pay it off. does it change the way you view marriage and children??? how are you suppose to provide for a family with massive debt? =[

 

[pharmschooler]

1. i kid you not debt that would cost me 20+yrs to repay if i made $10k a month. i was wondering if i should take an alternate pathway

2. ive also been accepted into Pharmaceutical Science at UCI. should i go to UCI because its a lot cheaper than going to UOP? and work my butt off and compete again to get into pharm school?

3. also ive been reading some old threads and there was this one about a guy getting his pharmD at age 40?! please tell me if i'm mistaken but if i dont go to UOP can't i just take my 4 yrs of undergrad do well on the PCAT and GPA and get into pharm school. by time i get out of pharm school i'll still be in my 20s... or did i miss a memo

1. YES, you should definitely choose a different pathway if you'll be in that kind of debt when you graduate. That's an insane amount. You don't want that kind of crushing burden upon graduation.

2. Sure. I don't know anything about UCI, but I'm imagining you can get a BA or BS and complete prerequisites there, then apply to pharmacy. This is how most people do it. It's also nice because you could potentially take a break between undergrad and pharm school.

3. People go back to school at all ages. Perhaps he got his bachelor's late in life, or changed careers. Not everybody in pharmacy school will be your age.

EDIT: Here's my take: spend as little as possible on undergrad so you can afford pharm school. Really; I know kids who are 120k in the hole from their undergraduate degrees! That's a no-good, very-bad deal.

 

[Passion4Sci]

it's a bit long but please bear with me!

I've been accepted into the UOP pharm 3+3 program and i thought i had my mind set on going to UOP. but the financial aid came out and after doing some calculations i would be owing massive debt after 6yrs at UOP. i kid you not debt that would cost me 20+yrs to repay if i made $10k a month. i was wondering if i should take an alternate pathway

Like I said in the other thread, it's an investment that you make for your life. A career isn't, and shouldn't be, just another job that you get to live paycheck to paycheck. The Pharm.D, despite being costly in California, is a great way to begin a new career. It doesn't entitle you to anything though and as such it's good to keep your eyes on the ball.

ive also been accepted into Pharmaceutical Science at UCI. should i go to UCI because its a lot cheaper than going to UOP? and work my butt off and compete again to get into pharm school?

That's up to you. Personally, I dislike HS--->Pharm.D programs and I think the "college experience" is important. Not just getting drunk and partying but being able to get a taste of different things in life. Maybe after 2 years of undergraduate study you'll decide, crap, you hate this stuff and want to be an accountant. WHO KNOWS!? I am a very, very different person than I was when I was 18 and I have different life goals and such. I am sure most people are similar. Something to think about, yes?

also ive been reading some old threads and there was this one about a guy getting his pharmD at age 40?! please tell me if i'm mistaken but if i dont go to UOP can't i just take my 4 yrs of undergrad do well on the PCAT and GPA and get into pharm school. by time i get out of pharm school i'll still be in my 20s... or did i miss a memo

No, you're not mistaken. You can perform well at UCI, get your degree, skip the PCAT (In CA, for outside of CA, might as well take it - I did) and get into pharmacy school. That's "the traditional pathway." 4 years UG ---> Grad school. The dude who was 40 was a non-trad career changer just like me. I'll be over 30 when I receive my Pharm.D because I went to UG, then decided to get real life experience in the Army, then when I got out and was sick of people shooting at me and being rolled over in humvees by VBIEDs, I decided to pursue pharmacy and thus, am back in school, more than a decade after I started the whole process to begin with, LOL 🙂

please and thank you all! any input is appreciated

You'll find us all very divided on whether you should go with a 3+3, or the more traditional route. Personally, and I've said it before, I hate 0-6 programs. I think you should mature and age a bit before making a commitment on a career (especially with one like pharmacy) and looking before you leap is never a bad idea (And I see 0-6 programs as leaping, then looking).

 

[Passion4Sci]

i agree with the investment part, but is it such a burden that it bogs down ur lifestyle? with so much debt it'll be hard to buy a car or a house until u pay it off. does it change the way you view marriage and children??? how are you suppose to provide for a family with massive debt? =[

It's not as burdensome as you make it sound.

OK, so we've done this a lot on the forum but I'll do it again.

Let's assume you've got $150,000 in loans @ 7.90% interest (Direct PLUS). You've chosen to go extended (300 months or 25 years), non-graduated program. Your loan payments are about $1100/mo.

You get a job at Rite-Aid or Wags and you make $103,000 not counting any perks/bennies (Will get to that later).

Your gross monthly is about $7922 paid every 2 weeks (3961 x2 basically)

In California, let's say in San Joaquin County, you'll net about 3k from each check (500 bucks fed tax, 150ish Soc Sec, 50 medicare, 150 cali income tax, SDI possibly) making you 6 grand a month.

So you pay your $1200 payment. Now you have ~5k.

How can you not live on $5,000/mo, and have an excellent lifestyle? I seriously don't understand. You'll have dental, vision, 401(k) with matching almost assuredly, the whole 9 yards. 2 weeks vacation... Particularly, if your spouse is also an earner (hopefully s/he will be in this day and age) I think you will have no trouble. Even if you elect the more expensive short-term, but better long-term, $1800/mo payment plan you'll totally be able to save for a house, get a nice new car (Maybe not a Maserati to start with...) and put your child(ren) into a nice school or whatever.

Even if you only net $4,000 a month after everything is said and done, can you honestly not make ends meet and have enough to sock away in savings with 48 grand a year net?????

I know folks that GROSS 48 grand (single earner) and have a decent lifestyle (15 year old car, ok, but they own homes in the central valley and their kids have iPods and iPhones...) so certainly, unless you enjoy sipping Dom Peringion or Glen Levit nightly or enjoy $400 dinners on a weekly basis, I just can't see the issue?

Even at $2,000/mo loan payment... It's completely do-able. Yeah, it'll hurt and it'll suck maybe, but compare it to working doing... what? If you love the work (what I say, time and time and time and time again...) then it doesn't even matter so long as you make a great living wage (which it certainly is). If you just want to put a trophy wife into a ginormous house, yea, you're barking up the wrong tree. Go be a heart surgeon.

 

[owlegrad]

I believe what P4Sci meant to say is, pharmacy is oversaturated and there are no jobs! He just lacks brevity.




OK kidding aside, student debts are temporary, inreased earning potential is forever. Does it suck at first? Of course. You know what sucks more? Not having student debt and being stuck in a deadend do nothing job.

 

[pharmschooler]

I believe what P4Sci meant to say is, pharmacy is oversaturated and there are no jobs! He just lacks brevity.




OK kidding aside, student debts are temporary, inreased earning potential is forever. Does it suck at first? Of course. You know what sucks more? Not having student debt and being stuck in a deadend do nothing job.

While all this is true, I think the bigger question is whether it's a wise idea to do PREPHARM at U of P. While some will disagree, I'd say no. If you can get the same classes for less money elsewhere, then apply at a later point, that might be a better deal.

 

[owlegrad]

While all this is true, I think the bigger question is whether it's a wise idea to do PREPHARM at U of P. While some will disagree, I'd say no. If you can get the same classes for less money elsewhere, then apply at a later point, that might be a better deal.

Is that the bigger question? My bad. I have no idea.

 

[hkbornazn]

Is that the bigger question? My bad. I have no idea.

haha this old thread is gathering more steam than my new one haha but the gist of it is...


it's a bit long but please bear with me!

I've been accepted into the UOP pharm 3+3 program and i thought i had my mind set on going to UOP. but the financial aid came out and after doing some calculations i would be owing massive debt after 6yrs at UOP. i kid you not debt that would cost me 20+yrs to repay if i made $10k a month. i was wondering if i should take an alternate pathway

ive also been accepted into Pharmaceutical Science at UCI. should i go to UCI because its a lot cheaper than going to UOP? and work my butt off and compete again to get into pharm school?

also ive been reading some old threads and there was this one about a guy getting his pharmD at age 40?! please tell me if i'm mistaken but if i dont go to UOP can't i just take my 4 yrs of undergrad do well on the PCAT and GPA and get into pharm school. by time i get out of pharm school i'll still be in my 20s... or did i miss a memo

please and thank you all! any input is appreciated

and ppl replied this....

*Quote* pharmschooler

1. YES, you should definitely choose a different pathway if you'll be in that kind of debt when you graduate. That's an insane amount. You don't want that kind of crushing burden upon graduation.

2. Sure. I don't know anything about UCI, but I'm imagining you can get a BA or BS and complete prerequisites there, then apply to pharmacy. This is how most people do it. It's also nice because you could potentially take a break between undergrad and pharm school.

3. People go back to school at all ages. Perhaps he got his bachelor's late in life, or changed careers. Not everybody in pharmacy school will be your age.

EDIT: Here's my take: spend as little as possible on undergrad so you can afford pharm school. Really; I know kids who are 120k in the hole from their undergraduate degrees! That's a no-good, very-bad deal.

*Quote* Passion4Sci

Quote:
Originally Posted by hkbornazn
it's a bit long but please bear with me!

I've been accepted into the UOP pharm 3+3 program and i thought i had my mind set on going to UOP. but the financial aid came out and after doing some calculations i would be owing massive debt after 6yrs at UOP. i kid you not debt that would cost me 20+yrs to repay if i made $10k a month. i was wondering if i should take an alternate pathway

Like I said in the other thread, it's an investment that you make for your life. A career isn't, and shouldn't be, just another job that you get to live paycheck to paycheck. The Pharm.D, despite being costly in California, is a great way to begin a new career. It doesn't entitle you to anything though and as such it's good to keep your eyes on the ball.

Quote:
ive also been accepted into Pharmaceutical Science at UCI. should i go to UCI because its a lot cheaper than going to UOP? and work my butt off and compete again to get into pharm school?
That's up to you. Personally, I dislike HS--->Pharm.D programs and I think the "college experience" is important. Not just getting drunk and partying but being able to get a taste of different things in life. Maybe after 2 years of undergraduate study you'll decide, crap, you hate this stuff and want to be an accountant. WHO KNOWS!? I am a very, very different person than I was when I was 18 and I have different life goals and such. I am sure most people are similar. Something to think about, yes?

Quote:
also ive been reading some old threads and there was this one about a guy getting his pharmD at age 40?! please tell me if i'm mistaken but if i dont go to UOP can't i just take my 4 yrs of undergrad do well on the PCAT and GPA and get into pharm school. by time i get out of pharm school i'll still be in my 20s... or did i miss a memo
No, you're not mistaken. You can perform well at UCI, get your degree, skip the PCAT (In CA, for outside of CA, might as well take it - I did) and get into pharmacy school. That's "the traditional pathway." 4 years UG ---> Grad school. The dude who was 40 was a non-trad career changer just like me. I'll be over 30 when I receive my Pharm.D because I went to UG, then decided to get real life experience in the Army, then when I got out and was sick of people shooting at me and being rolled over in humvees by VBIEDs, I decided to pursue pharmacy and thus, am back in school, more than a decade after I started the whole process to begin with, LOL 🙂

Quote:
please and thank you all! any input is appreciated
You'll find us all very divided on whether you should go with a 3+3, or the more traditional route. Personally, and I've said it before, I hate 0-6 programs. I think you should mature and age a bit before making a commitment on a career (especially with one like pharmacy) and looking before you leap is never a bad idea (And I see 0-6 programs as leaping, then looking).

 

[owlegrad]

I didn't need that much info. Yes you can have a PharmD in your 20's, I will and so will you. Most of us will.

I say go the cheaper route, but neither choice is "wrong".

Listen to P4Sci, he speaks the truth.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Merged for awesomeness.