Sophmore California Community College Student, what should i do?

[steveysmith54]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am closing in on having all my prereqs done for pharm school. GPA is comparitively low 3.55 overall 3.2 science.

I realize transfering to obtain a BA/BS is a must. I could transfer to a competetive school such as UCLA and proly struggle in my science classes.

Or i could transfer to low ranked school schools like CSULB, CSUN, etc.

I'd settle for any pharm school in Cali, what school should i attend to help me get into a pharm school.

thanks...

 

[Pharmwannab]

Ok, as someone who's been to a UC and a Cal State, I highly recommend transferring to a Cal State University. I don't know specifics on UCLA since I went to Berkeley, but from what I understand pretty much all the UC's are very difficult in the sciences. Berkeley was insane, I would doubt that UCLA would be much easier. I knew tons of people that transferred to Berkeley from CC's and all of them said that sciences at their cc's were a complete joke compared to Berkeley sciences.

My understanding (from both here, calling various pharmacy schools, and also talking to pharmacy students) is that the choice of school really does not matter a whole lot, as long as its a 4 year university. That being said, it probably would have been better to take your pre-reqs at a 4 year, but I think its ok. There seem to be quite a few people on this board who've gotten into pharmacy school after having taken their pre-reqs at a CC. I find that kind of odd though considering how admissions officers I spoke to emphasized that you really should take all your coursework at a 4 year. Anyhow... Ok yes, a 4.0 from a UC vs. a 4.0 from a CSU, the UC person will probably come out on top, but 4.0 from a CSU vs a 3.7 from a UC, odds are the CSU person will get in over the UC person. Yeah, it maybe unfair given how much more difficult the UC curriculum is compared to the CSU curriculum, but that's how it is apparantly. And yeah, it's much easier to get a higher GPA at CSU than a UC.

CSU all the way in my opinion.

 

[steveysmith54]

Pharmwannab, thanks for the response.

I unfortunatly predict a a similar fate if i transfer to ucla and take science classes w/ premeds down there.

It's very tough decision wise b/c everyone has a different take on where to take pharm prereqs and importance of attending elite schools.

 

[Smilescali]

I am closing in on having all my prereqs done for pharm school. GPA is comparitively low 3.55 overall 3.2 science.

I realize transfering to obtain a BA/BS is a must. I could transfer to a competetive school such as UCLA and proly struggle in my science classes.

Or i could transfer to low ranked school schools like CSULB, CSUN, etc.

I'd settle for any pharm school in Cali, what school should i attend to help me get into a pharm school.

thanks...

I am in a similar situation. If I don't get into pharmacy school this year, then I will have to make the descision on transferring to UCSD/UCI or Cal State Fullerton / Cal State San Marcos (depending on if I stay in San Diego or move to Laguna Niguel) . Many of my friends that have attended UCI encourage me to go there and are very satisfied with their education. However, the general feeling is that the Cal State schools are a tad less rigorious so you are more likely to receive higher grades. Additionally, Cal State class sizes are smaller and you are more likely to have personal interactions with the professors, which may further benefit your education. I am leaning towards UCI, but I hope I just get into pharmacy school THIS year to avoid the entire dilemma! 🙂

 

[TheChemist]

I would go towards the UC system. I have been interviewing at Pharm Schools and the interviewers have been taking notice of the school that I came from, especially if you are applying to California schools. The professors at the California Pharmacy Schools know the difference in caliber of the different institutions in California. As for having to compete with the Pre-Meds at the UC's, do what I did and get a Biochemistry degree through the chemistry department and take most of your classes through the chemistry department. All the pre-meds are always taking the Biology department classes. It makes the classes a lot more enjoyable when you're not involved in the pre-med GPA competition death match. That's my opinion. Good Luck.