Texas A&M

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Does anyone know which area around kingsville or corpus christi has a good school district? I am planning to move from north texas to the bay area with my family and I already looked at the Texas Education Agency ratings for elementary schools; I justed wanted any opinions/comments about the topic.
Thanks 😍
 
Does anyone know which area around kingsville or corpus christi has a good school district? I am planning to move from north texas to the bay area with my family and I already looked at the Texas Education Agency ratings for elementary schools; I justed wanted any opinions/comments about the topic.
Thanks 😍

I don't know much about the Kingsville area but growing up in Corpus I might be able to shed some light in that area. If you do decide on living there I would recommend the southern part of Corpus. This would include areas south of Holly road. This is the newest part of Corpus and most likely better schools. A lot of people that I grew up with went to private schools so that may also be an option if you aren't satisfied with the schools in your area. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I might be able to help you out.
 
The class of 2012 class had 87 people in it (though I think it downsized to 84 by the end of the year), so being #88 sounds just about right for the last spot (or one of the last spots).

Congratulations again to everyone who got in! Hope to see you guys around in August.

--Garfield3d
 
Does anyone know which area around kingsville or corpus christi has a good school district? I am planning to move from north texas to the bay area with my family and I already looked at the Texas Education Agency ratings for elementary schools; I justed wanted any opinions/comments about the topic.
Thanks 😍

It's a bit of a haul from Kingsville to Flour Bluff (still part of Corpus), but Flour Bluff Independent School District has some pretty high ratings. You'd just have to get over the stigma of being a "bluff rat." :laugh:
 
Thank you guys, I greatly appreciate your input🙂
I went to Coprus Christi in Memorial Day weekend and I could not find any private non parochial elementary schools in the area. Now, the public schools look great around the Christus Memorial Hospital but they lack a before/after school care (some have after school care only). Since pharmacy school schedule start bright and early at 8 a.m. I will need a child care for my kids before and after school starts in case of scheduling conflicts in my family. I learned from my pre-pahrmacy years that problems in child care arrangements can be a real pain.So here is my list of questions:
1. An elementary school with the 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. time table within 40 miles from A&M kingsville.
2. We will be living in an apartement, so if the kids school require that we rent a home, it will not be a viable choice.
3.please no parochial school,I will teach the kids any thing they ever want to know about faith for the time being.
4. The montessori schools are already full for next fall,so we will be on the wait list for, oh a year or two.
Again, thank you in advance for any comment😍
 
Does anyone know which area around kingsville or corpus christi has a good school district? I am planning to move from north texas to the bay area with my family and I already looked at the Texas Education Agency ratings for elementary schools; I justed wanted any opinions/comments about the topic.
Thanks 😍


Windsor Park Elementary on Alameda (Southside of Corpus) has earned several awards and has become kind of the magnet elementary of the city. Flour Bluff high school is the top high school in the area, I'm not sure if that extends to their elementary though.
 
I don't know much about the Kingsville area but growing up in Corpus I might be able to shed some light in that area. If you do decide on living there I would recommend the southern part of Corpus. This would include areas south of Holly road. This is the newest part of Corpus and most likely better schools. A lot of people that I grew up with went to private schools so that may also be an option if you aren't satisfied with the schools in your area. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I might be able to help you out.

Southside of Corpus is definitely one of the nicer areas to live, but I've heard of a few disturbing incidents at Mireles (elementary) and Kaffie (Middle school). The schools/facilities themselves though are new and quite nice.
 
Not sure if this is the right place to ask... :scared:

I wanted to go to A&M for my undergrad, but it didn't end up in the cards for me. If you graduate A&M's School of Pharmacy, are you entitled to wear "the Ring" of A&M? Or is it a special SOP ring, or is it not normal to get a class ring for graduating from a SOP?
 
Does anyone know what the $500 pre orientation deposit is for? Do we get that back at some point?
 
Not sure if this is the right place to ask... :scared:

I wanted to go to A&M for my undergrad, but it didn't end up in the cards for me. If you graduate A&M's School of Pharmacy, are you entitled to wear "the Ring" of A&M? Or is it a special SOP ring, or is it not normal to get a class ring for graduating from a SOP?

I know that we have a class ring (and that it was on display a few weeks before the end of the semester). However, I do not know if it is a ring specific to the College of Pharmacy or if it shares its design with the rest of Texas A&M or the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

Does anyone know what the $500 pre orientation deposit is for? Do we get that back at some point?

The $500 deposit is supposed to be to confirm and secure your admission into the College of Pharmacy. Every pharmacy school practices this, although the deposit amount varies from school to school (the largest amount that I've ever seen was $1,000). The College refunds your $500 sometime during the semester, but we didn't get our $500 back until late into our first semester, so I wouldn't your hold breath on waiting for it.

--Garfield3d
 
Thanks for reply, Garfield3d! Do you know if now is a terrible time to try and arrange a tour of the campus? I live in Corpus and I'm applying next application cycle, so I was hoping to set up a tour and maybe ask someone a few questions. Should I just wait until further in the summer when all the admissions craziness of this cycle dies down?
 
Thanks for reply, Garfield3d! Do you know if now is a terrible time to try and arrange a tour of the campus? I live in Corpus and I'm applying next application cycle, so I was hoping to set up a tour and maybe ask someone a few questions. Should I just wait until further in the summer when all the admissions craziness of this cycle dies down?

In terms of busyness, I would say things should be pretty dull right now. The application due date is usually during February, the interview dates were spread out between March and April, and the acceptance letters came out throughout April and May. Right now, things should be pretty dull in comparison to the rest the spring activities. Classes are done now and the only problem that you would have right now is that maybe some people are taking a quick summer vacation.

By all means, you should go ahead and shoot a phone call to their number at (361) 593-4271. I don't know if they have any nuances about touring schedules, but right now sounds like just as good as a time as any other for a tour.

--Garfield3d
 
the $500 deposit is to secure your spot, and it is nonrefundable. if you decide not to attend, they keep the money...if you follow through and attend, then the deposit is applied to the balance of your tuition. that's what was explained to me.
 
the $500 deposit is to secure your spot, and it is nonrefundable. if you decide not to attend, they keep the money...if you follow through and attend, then the deposit is applied to the balance of your tuition. that's what was explained to me.

That's true. It's nonrefundable in the sense that if you decide to attend another school or withdraw from the school of pharmacy, then you will not be refunded the $500 deposit. It's also true that your deposit is supposed to be applied to your cost of tuition (basically, you're paying $500 of your tuition in advance).

What happened for us last year was that, for one reason or another, the amount of our deposit was not applied towards our cost of tuition. Instead, the $500 was refunded to us via check or direct deposit during our Fall semester. You guys may or may not see a similar thing this time through. To say the least, it would be better if they follow through and apply the deposit to the cost of tuition for your first semester.

--Garfield3d
 
They schedule the tours a week or two in advance. Guess I'll be there next week to take a look around!

Ah, cool beans, have fun in there! For interview day, you're going to spend your waiting period in the Fish Bowl, so you can make a mental note of that when you're on your tour.

--Garfield3d
 
I know that we have a class ring (and that it was on display a few weeks before the end of the semester). However, I do not know if it is a ring specific to the College of Pharmacy or if it shares its design with the rest of Texas A&M or the Texas A&M Health Science Center.



The $500 deposit is supposed to be to confirm and secure your admission into the College of Pharmacy. Every pharmacy school practices this, although the deposit amount varies from school to school (the largest amount that I've ever seen was $1,000). The College refunds your $500 sometime during the semester, but we didn't get our $500 back until late into our first semester, so I wouldn't your hold breath on waiting for it.

--Garfield3d

I know UH-COP does not require a deposit of any kind. Darn, was hoping we would get that back sooner as it would really help pay for clothes to meet their business dress code.
 
I know UH-COP does not require a deposit of any kind. Darn, was hoping we would get that back sooner as it would really help pay for clothes to meet their business dress code.

When is there a dress code in effect? I just made the switch from pre-allo to pre-pharm, and I know a lot of med schools let you attend classes in pretty much whatever you wanted.
 
apparently the dress code is already in effect lol. the pre-orientation is business casual (cause it lands on a friday). i feel ya on buying the clothes too =/. gonna be weird dressing up everyday just to go to class
 
I'm a little bummed by the dress code. I didn't even wear a suit to the interview. It just seems a little excessive/expensive. Do they expect you to wear that for labs?
 
I'm a little bummed by the dress code. I didn't even wear a suit to the interview. It just seems a little excessive/expensive. Do they expect you to wear that for labs?

Yes, you'll have to dress like that for labs (but with a lab coat on top).
 
Finally got to take a tour of the place today, and I was impressed! Pretty sure A&M's my number one choice. Patricia said you practice taking histories and doing physicals, and I was wondering how in-depth students were trained.

Funny thing, I drove right by the school the first time. :laugh:
 
Finally got to take a tour of the place today, and I was impressed! Pretty sure A&M's my number one choice. Patricia said you practice taking histories and doing physicals, and I was wondering how in-depth students were trained.

Funny thing, I drove right by the school the first time. :laugh:

How does the school look in the summer anyways? Must have been pretty quiet.

In the first year, we didn't do very much of the history-taking for physicals, although I imagine that we'll have patient care labs in the later semesters. We did learn a bunch of acronyms concerning that type of stuff, like SOAP notes, but that was a purely didactic exercise, and I'd rather see what it's supposed to be like in, say, a hospital or actual environment. Ideally, your conversation to a patient shouldn't sound like a literal SOAP note (because that would be a bloody boring and disenchanted conversation).

The pharmacy building is easy for me to recognize because, well, it's the nicest looking building on campus. That, and the intersections next to the pharmacy school are a bit bent out of shape.

--Garfield3d
 
The "summer assignment" was mentioned at the pre-orientation meeting (memorizing the Top 200); what should be memorized about each? Generic name, mechanism of action...??
 
:meanie:
The "summer assignment" was mentioned at the pre-orientation meeting (memorizing the Top 200); what should be memorized about each? Generic name, mechanism of action...??

Haha the "summer assignment" again huh? Yeah I do not think very many people completed that...

However, if you are going to do it, learn the brand and generic name for each of the top 200 - 300 drugs (notice I did not say memorize). Also divide the list into what class they belong to starting with the most general and working to specific classes i.e. Cardiac drugs then subclasses, ACE inhibitors, Ca blockers, etc. I have an example below. If you do this now during the summer it will save a lot of time during the year for the Patient Care class and labs. Also Dr. Stanberry will preach about Mnemonics and Mindmapping and learning through them, so if you can try and develop those. Basically most people try and memorize them, which gets tough down the stretch of the semester. Personally I did that and now cannot remember half of them but that is what theraputics classes are for too. It also helps if you have worked in a pharmacy.

As for Mechanism of action and stuff the subclasses hint at those and you go into more detail in the 2nd and 3rd years. Good luck.

Here is an example of the "assignment"
Cardiovascular Agents
ACE Inhibitors
Linsinopril - Pinivil, Zestril
Enalapril - Vasotec
Ramipril - Altace
Benazepril - Lotensin
Quinapril - Accupril
Etc.
Alpha Blockers
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Antianginals
Antiarrhythmics


Gastrointenstinal Drugs
Central Nervous System Drugs
Hormones (Basically all birth control drugs and others)
Respiratory Drugs
Antibiotics
 
Did you end up making use of any of the TAMUK facilities? I saw that a gym was being built pretty close by.

I didn't do much on the TAMUK campus. I've played racquetball a few times at the old gym (which is also next to the pharmacy building), and I've been to the library on a few occasions to do some printing (also next to the pharmacy building). In general, though, I haven't really seen much of TAMUK.

The "summer assignment" was mentioned at the pre-orientation meeting (memorizing the Top 200); what should be memorized about each? Generic name, mechanism of action...??

I actually had no idea that there was any summer assignment, as I had missed the pre-orientation meeting due to a prior obligation. But, as Donkey mentioned, you'll end up covering all of those drugs during the course of your Fall semester, so all you're looking at is a head start with this thing.

--Garfield3d
 
Hi everyone,

I'm going to apply to Texas A&M for the Fall 2010, and I really need your help. Would you mind share your stats and some of your experience so that I know if I have any chance to get in? I dont have a BS/BA, so does it matter when I apply?

Also, I live far away from TX, so can u tell me how to take History of TX course, plz? It's required but my college doesnt offer it 🙁

Thanks guys.
 
I talked to someone just starting their third year at A&M and they mentioned that students don't attend classes on Monday, but rather go to pharmacies and observe. Is this true?

Unrelated question: How many students do you hear of making the commute from Corpus to Kingsville?
 
First off, it is only partly true that students do not attend on Mondays, that is only for P2's. P1s actually have exams on Mondays the first semester. Second, the P2s are not only observing in pharmacies but are working as pharmacist interns (with no compensation) to accrue internship hours to sit for the state Board exam (you need 1500 hours). So in the first year you do 40 hours of service learning, P2 year has the Monday community and institutional setting sites (~240 hours), P3s do another 40 hours, and the P4 is nothing but rotations (6 wks x 6 rotations x 40 hrs/wk = 1440 hrs). So that is how the IPPE and APPE hours break down.

As for how many students commute from Corpus I could not tell you. In my class I know of at least 6 that made the drive every morning.
 
Does anyone know what other apartments complexes in Kingsville allow large-breed dogs, other than Hunter's Cove and Hawk's Landing? I was initially looking for a house but want to get a list of apts for backup as it seems a good house is a rare find.
 
On our list of textbooks for our first semester, they have one listed as "recommended", .Goodman and Gi..lman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics ..for the Principles of Drug Action I class...is it a good idea to get this text, is it used heavily in the class?
.
 
Sorry, forgot to ask when I made the earlier post....any current students use the international (CHEAPER) versions of the textbooks? I used one for my Biochem class and it was word-for-word the same, the only difference was the pics were black and white instead of color...and it cost about half as much lol
 
On our list of textbooks for our first semester, they have one listed as "recommended", .Goodman and Gi..lman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics ..for the Principles of Drug Action I class...is it a good idea to get this text, is it used heavily in the class?
.

In short: No.

He will use some figures from the book, and undoubtedly, the book will offer a thorough explanation of anything that might confuse you in that class. However, Dr. Sethi goes over things pretty well on his slides, and he will emphasize a lot of the primary concepts to know in class. I wouldn't worry about getting the book for Drug Action.

If you're a completionist, though, I wouldn't mind getting an international edition. They do save a lot of money and the only problem with those is that sometimes the page numbers don't match. Nothing big, though.

--Garfield3d
 
Anyone have any experience living at the Barcelona apartment complex? I'm thinking of signing a lease there (for lack of options).
 
Just got out of class and the app is up. Time to start cranking away.

Do any current students know what happened to Patricia in the admissions office?

Patricia Gonzales voluntarily left the college over the summer for personal reasons. I think it was to help take care of her family. Maria de Leon has, more or less, replaced her position with the title of 'Director of Admissions.'

--Garfield3d
 
Patricia Gonzales voluntarily left the college over the summer for personal reasons. I think it was to help take care of her family. Maria de Leon has, more or less, replaced her position with the title of 'Director of Admissions.'

--Garfield3d


Is the campus really nice?
 
This coming Saturday will be 4 weeks from test day. The rumor on here is that scores should be available online some time around that landmark and in the mail a week or two later.

The A&M admission office stated that there's no benefit to submitting early. I'm wondering if that's 100% true.
 
This coming Saturday will be 4 weeks from test day. The rumor on here is that scores should be available online some time around that landmark and in the mail a week or two later.

The A&M admission office stated that there's no benefit to submitting early. I'm wondering if that's 100% true.


I think so. It's not a rolling admissions school so applying early is not necessarily beneficial. It certainly does not hurt though.
 
First post oh yea...

I'm applying to pretty much all texas schools, Aggieland included.

I'm wondering, which school has the best housing situation? I've been looking around but i can't find any concrete details...

And also, of all the texas schools (yea, UIW included haha), which would you all prefer? cost, housing, passing rate included

Not to say I can get in wherever I want, but you only make the shots you take.
 
As far as housing situation goes, I'll defer to others. Kingsville has a few apartment complexes to choose from, I understand. I don't believe housing is provided (a la dorms), but I could be wrong. We spoke to their housing office about the "married dorms" but couldn't get a clear answer on whether or not they would be available.

I'm sticking with A&M as my top choice. The cost is right (go public schools!) and I've spoken to current students about their experiences. So far, I've heard few real negatives. Passing rate: We'll see when '10 crosses the stage. 😉

Is it normal for a professional school to have dorm plans? I figured they just expected you to find a place to live on your own.

Are you applying this cycle or next?
 
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