Reapply or Stick it Out?

[05silvergt]

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I feel as if I am in a interesting and unique situation and would like the opinions of some outsiders.

Anyhow, I was accepted to Midway College School of Pharmacy class of 2015 and was told we would be starting this fall. I would have been a part of the school's inaugural class, as they were just opening up. However, in May we were informed that the school decided to delay their visitation from ACPE in which they hoped they would be granted their pre-candidate status. I recently learned that ACPE will be visiting the school sometime this fall, but depending on how the visit goes, classes could begin in January of 2012 or even later. Not to mention the issue of gaining accreditation at all.

Having known this for a couple of months now, I'm not sure if I want to stick it out with Midway or go back and finish my bachelors and applying elsewhere. I would be graduating in May.

One thing to keep in mind is that I live 25 minutes from Midway and will be able to live at home until classes start and even once they begin until I find a place of my own.

Also, I don't have the best of stats and do plan on retaking the PCAT in September if I do decide to reapply. Anyhow ~3.1 GPA and 51st PCAT which I took last August.

Thanks

 

[Passion4Sci]

Let's talk financials. W/o accreditation you would not be able to secure federal loans. What're your contingency plans there? Living at home would ease the burden but you're still looking at needing privately financed loans like the ones Discover & Chase offer.

Let's also discuss your stats. We need to get a better idea of how likely it is you'd be accepted elsewhere. If you're chillin' at 3.85 with a 93 PCAT, I'd feel a whole lot better suggesting you don't go to the unaccredited school than if you had a 2.85 and a 63 PCAT, naw'mean?

 

[05silvergt]

Edited the OP to include my stats.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Edited the OP to include my stats.

Hm. You'd almost assuredly need to re-take the PCAT to have a competitive shot at a lot of schools.

OK, say you want to continue @ Midway. How do you intend to finance it since you are ineligible for federal direct loans? It's July, you have 1 month to secure the funding from private lenders?

 

[05silvergt]

As far as financing at Midway, the school mentioned in an email that we would be receiving a financial aid packet sometime this fall with information about loans and other options. I know it seems I'm being vague about what I know about the school, but they really haven't given out much information about what is going on with them. It is rather frustrating.

And as you mentioned, had I had excellent stats I would definitely go back to graduate, although with those kind of stats I probably wouldn't be in the situation in the first place.

 

[Passion4Sci]

As far as financing at Midway, the school mentioned in an email that we would be receiving a financial aid packet sometime this fall with information about loans and other options. I know it seems I'm being vague about what I know about the school, but they really haven't given out much information about what is going on with them. It is rather frustrating.

And as you mentioned, had I had excellent stats I would definitely go back to graduate, although with those kind of stats I probably wouldn't be in the situation in the first place.

If I were you right now I'd just stick it out. If Midway is not going to "dock" you for not having private loans then go for it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush especially when it comes to admissions to professional schools.

 

[05silvergt]

Thanks for the advice, Passion. I still have a week or so until I have to make a final decision, so I'm going to weigh my options carefully and hopefully make a sound decision.

 

[R2pharmD2]

Thanks for the advice, Passion. I still have a week or so until I have to make a final decision, so I'm going to weigh my options carefully and hopefully make a sound decision.

Have you considered Sullivan? They're a new school, but they were just accredited and they don't require the PCAT. I personally know students who go there and it seems like they're getting a pretty good education. Depending on where you live, it could be a reasonable driving distance for you too. I know they're actually taking apps/doing interviews for the class entering 2012 right now.

 

[gotgame740]

to the OP: i am just curious, what were your ec's and how much pharmacy experience did you have? I am going to apply this coming fall without my bachelor's

 

[misty124]

Let's talk financials. W/o accreditation you would not be able to secure federal loans. What're your contingency plans there? Living at home would ease the burden but you're still looking at needing privately financed loans like the ones Discover & Chase offer.

The school I will (hopefully) be attending next fall is pre-candidate status and I was told we would be able to take Graduate PLUS loans for the last two years of pharmacy school. Was i misinformed? If so where can I find information? I looked on the .gov website for the graduate PLUS loan and i didn't see anything about being ineligible due to no acpe accreditation.

 

[Passion4Sci]

The school I will (hopefully) be attending next fall is pre-candidate status and I was told we would be able to take Graduate PLUS loans for the last two years of pharmacy school. Was i misinformed? If so where can I find information? I looked on the .gov website for the graduate PLUS loan and i didn't see anything about being ineligible due to no acpe accreditation.

Ah, I think I was mistaken - The school must be regionally accredited.

So yeah you're OK, as is OP! (As long as it's regionally accredited).

 

[05silvergt]

Have you considered Sullivan? They're a new school, but they were just accredited and they don't require the PCAT. I personally know students who go there and it seems like they're getting a pretty good education. Depending on where you live, it could be a reasonable driving distance for you too. I know they're actually taking apps/doing interviews for the class entering 2012 right now.

If I decide to reapply, I will definitely be applying to Sullivan. I've heard mixed reviews about their education, but I feel like it may be about how much effort one puts forth towards their education. Driving however, is out of the question. I live in Eastern Kentucky approximately three hours from Louisville. It just so happens I live close enough to Midway to live at home.

to the OP: i am just curious, what were your ec's and how much pharmacy experience did you have? I am going to apply this coming fall without my bachelor's

Honestly, my EC's were/are pretty weak. All I have done is some volunteer stuff at my church. I do however, have a ton of pharmacy experience as I have worked summers at the same pharmacy since I was in high school. And also, I feel like I aced the interview which helped make up for my very mediocre stats.

 

[Adammo]

Have you considered Sullivan? They're a new school, but they were just accredited and they don't require the PCAT. I personally know students who go there and it seems like they're getting a pretty good education. Depending on where you live, it could be a reasonable driving distance for you too. I know they're actually taking apps/doing interviews for the class entering 2012 right now.

Hey R2pharmD2, what kind of stats did those students have if u dont mind me askin? I have about a 3.1 gpa, i was wondering if thats too low to get in? I am takin the pcat in a week, so we will see how that goes haha

 

[R2pharmD2]

Hey R2pharmD2, what kind of stats did those students have if u dont mind me askin? I have about a 3.1 gpa, i was wondering if thats too low to get in? I am takin the pcat in a week, so we will see how that goes haha

Mid to low 3s for GPA, solid extracurrlculars, bachelor's degrees for all. Sullivan doesn't require the PCAT, and as far as I know they could care less about your score, even if it's good. Based strictly on your GPA, I'd say you have a chance but couldn't tell you with any degree of certainty how good your chances are.

 

[rxlea]

If you can secure the loans/fin aid, I say just stick it out. You would have a harder time getting into OOS schools; not saying it isn't possible, though. I would definitely take R2s advice and consider applying to Sullivan. I met some Sullivan students at APhA and they seemed really nice and, from what they said, they really liked their school/education. Even if you couldn't live at home, you would be able to get the fin aid to support you living in Louisville. If I were you, I would apply to Sullivan ASAP since they are rolling admissions.

 

[Donepezil]

I am in the same boat right now. I am going to stick it out. Have you joined the Midway pharmacy facebook group? There's about 60 or so people in there and I have had this sort of conversation with some of them. Most seem to be staying.

 

[RiteAid]

I hate to threadjack, but does anyone know when Midway will be starting classes?

What do you think is more likely: January 2012 or August?

This whole thing is causing me a lot of anxiety. I wish Midway would give us more information.

 

[05silvergt]

I am in the same boat right now. I am going to stick it out. Have you joined the Midway pharmacy facebook group? There's about 60 or so people in there and I have had this sort of conversation with some of them. Most seem to be staying.

I have joined the facebook group, but haven't really posted much. I guess I'm just a little scared of being their $100k + guinea pig.

I hate to threadjack, but does anyone know when Midway will be starting classes?

What do you think is more likely: January 2012 or August?

This whole thing is causing me a lot of anxiety. I wish Midway would give us more information.

We don't know as of yet when classes will be starting, which is what really has me scared. ACPE will be visiting Midway this fall, so depending on if they advance to pre-candidate status will likely determine when classes will begin. If I were for sure 100% classes would start in January, it would weigh heavily on my decision. I haven't heard from the school in three weeks however, so I have no idea on where things are currently.

 

[Squeakapotomus]

I hate to threadjack, but does anyone know when Midway will be starting classes?

What do you think is more likely: January 2012 or August?

This whole thing is causing me a lot of anxiety. I wish Midway would give us more information.

The Midway pharmacy school is opening in January. They said so in their latest webinar:

http://eagles.midway.edu/pharmacy/MidwayCollegeSchoolofPharmacyStudentUpdate.wmv

 

[18294]

The school announced it will be delaying the opening again. They are saying it will be August 2012. They also have a new Dean.


Looks like we will get some more answers from them on November 1st.

 

[R2pharmD2]

I would be extremely hesitant to give this school my money at this point if I were applying. It's been one issue after another. They might get a decent pharmacy school up and running eventually, but I wouldn't bet my future on it.

 

[SadPharma]

I really wish I had reapplied when I had the chance 🙁