UACP or Notre Dame?

[Jdario86]

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So after much thinking, I finally narrowed down the 2 pharmacy schools where I'm thinking about attending: College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, MD or University of Appalachia in Grundy, VA. I narrowed it down to these 2 schools mainly because it's closer to home than the other schools where I got into. I already put down my $1000 seat-deposit for UACP and I will only get $500 back if I decide to opt out of UACP by June 1st. Notre Dame did not get back to me until last week about my acceptance and I have to put down $750 deposit by Jan 31st if I decide to hold a seat there. I'm also waiting to hear back from top tier schools and I just got an interview invite from Temple. So I'm kinda in a conundrum because I'm already back in school finishing up the remaining pre-reqs for UACP and if I choose Notre Dame, I'll have to drop a couple pre-reqs that I'm taking now in order to satisfy Notre Dame's pre-reqs before the add/drop period at my school before Feb. 5.
So this is where I need the help & advice from my fellow peers (AKA you) because I'm going nuts and I'm torn between these 2 schools. If you had to choose between Notre Dame and UACP, which one would you choose? Is it smart to put down 2 seat deposits for these 2 schools and decide on which school to attend after finding out whether you get rejected or accepted from the other top tier schools?

I compiled a summarized list of pros and cons for each school:

Notre Dame's Pros: 👍
The school's located in Baltimore, MD (the Mecca of Health research/education ie. NIH, Johns Hopkins, UMBC etc.) and it's only a 3 hr train ride from my home (NJ). I really like how the school's located in Baltimore area because I'm also used to living around/within cities. The faculty is superb. Although it's a new school, it has a lot of potential. The surrounding area has a more liberal atmosphere and I have more friends who live within the area. In terms of academics, there's an impressive state-of-the art library that they share with Loyola and unlike, UACP it's not a free-standing pharm school because there's also an undergrad school, a nursing school and other grad programs. I will only have to take 4 pre-reqs oppose to 5 pre-reqs for UACP (and I don't have to take Physics 2). In terms of student life, the harbor is really close by and Baltimore is known for reputable seafood. Crab Cakes. Cool Dolphin Center in Harbor.

Notre Dame's Cons: 👎
The School is newly established and it only has pre-candidate status. It's a 4 year program ($29,680 a yr).

UACP's Pros:👍
This school's fully accredited and it's been around much longer than Notre Dame. It's also a 3 yr accelerated program (30,300/yr; So I can save $30,000). In terms of academics, the block-scheduling curriculum seems more conducive to my learning and I think the PICs program is great. Although it's located in a rural area, there will be less distractions for me to focus on my studies. And possibly living in a rural area for the next 3 years would be a great eye-opening experience for me (?) . Aside from that, the students and faculty are really nice and down-to-earth. Wild Ponies.

UACP's Cons:👎
It's within the Appalachian region of VA and the commute to & from NJ entails 2 connecting flights and a 2 hr. car ride from TN (much more expensive commute). Crappy housing. If I decide on this school, I'll have to complete 5 remaining pre-reqs (including physics II = bleh). Cell phone service is bad and I will have to get a new plan. The nearest mall/movie theater is 2 hrs away from campus. Student life entails hiking and driving 4 wheelers. Too many cows and sheep.

(Sometimes, I wish making life-decisions were as easy as choosing between glazed or boston crème. Any type of feed-back would be helpful and appreciated!)

 

[internPharmD]

So, Notre Dame already gave out acceptant letter? When was your interview?

 

[Jdario86]

So, Notre Dame already gave out acceptant letter? When was your interview?

My interview was on Nov. 10. I was one of the very first people to be interviewed. I got accepted last friday.

 

[CoffeeDose]

First of all, congratulations on your acceptance! Second, I'm still waiting to hear from Notre Dame. 🙁 I interviewed Dec. 19th! Anyway, back to the topic. In my opinion, I'd pick Notre Dame. I actually interviewed at both schools and I personally like Notre DAme more. To compare the faculty and staff, they both seem very nice and professional. HOwever, I wasn't very fond of UACP's location because it's literally in the middle of....nowhere... and surrounded by... mountains. It seems like you'd have to drive far to just even go grocery shopping. In addition, I remember one of the ladies there said they're not regionally accredited yet, so you'd have to get private loans... which means it will have high interest rates. As for Notre Dame, I think it's a beautiful school and it's located on the nicer side of Baltimore. Since it's an established school, you can get federal loans I think...not quite sure though. And like you, I like the city life. In addition, I thought it'd be nice to take a walk along the harbor to relax with friends and classmates after stressful days of school and work. There are good restaurants around too! The only downside I see in Notre Dame is that the pharmacy program is brand new with a Pre-Candidate status. I do see great potential though. So good luck in deciding! Hope you'll be happy with your decision!🙂

 

[Jdario86]

First of all, congratulations on your acceptance! Second, I'm still waiting to hear from Notre Dame. 🙁 I interviewed Dec. 19th! Anyway, back to the topic. In my opinion, I'd pick Notre Dame. I actually interviewed at both schools and I personally like Notre DAme more. To compare the faculty and staff, they both seem very nice and professional. HOwever, I wasn't very fond of UACP's location because it's literally in the middle of....nowhere... and surrounded by... mountains. It seems like you'd have to drive far to just even go grocery shopping. In addition, I remember one of the ladies there said they're not regionally accredited yet, so you'd have to get private loans... which means it will have high interest rates. As for Notre Dame, I think it's a beautiful school and it's located on the nicer side of Baltimore. Since it's an established school, you can get federal loans I think...not quite sure though. And like you, I like the city life. In addition, I thought it'd be nice to take a walk along the harbor to relax with friends and classmates after stressful days of school and work. There are good restaurants around too! The only downside I see in Notre Dame is that the pharmacy program is brand new with a Pre-Candidate status. I do see great potential though. So good luck in deciding! Hope you'll be happy with your decision!🙂

Thanks! I really appreciate your advice. I also agree with you on notre dame's campus...it is a beautiful campus indeed. Good luck on the rest of your interviews and getting into notre dame! You should be hearing back from them soon.

 

[Jdario86]

Ok. Let me rephrase the question in a simpler way. Would you rather:

Spend 3 years in Grundy, VA and be $90,000 in debt

-or-

Spend 4 years in Baltimore, MD and be $120,000 in debt?

 

[jawnly211]

ND

hands down

three yrs in the middle of no where???????????? longest three yrs of your life!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[keepingthehope]

Ok. Let me rephrase the question in a simpler way. Would you rather:

Spend 3 years in Grundy, VA and be $90,000 in debt

-or-

Spend 4 years in Baltimore, MD and be $120,000 in debt?

Seems like you made up your mind yourself, why even bother to ask? I personally choose Notre Dame because it's in a much better location, more housing options and part time jobs available, most of my pre-reqs are done, the people there are really nice, and I would rather have a life during pharmacy school than cram everything up into 3 years. I know a couple of people from the accelerated program and they tell me it's hell, the attrition rate is high and people get burn out from the overload.

 

[Allure]

If you are still waiting for your other top schools, then I don't think you should pay that extra $750 deposit. If you get accepted into your top schools by June 1st, then you can get back that $500 from UACP. I think you can do your last year's rotations elsewhere, so you only have to be in the rural areas for 2 years. Can you complete your pre-rep in the summer?

In the end, it is really up to you and where you are in life. If you are still young and want to be in school for a bit longer, then pick the 4-year school. But if you're older, already have a family and just want to be done sooner, then the 3-year one sounds pretty good.

 

[bananaface]

Moving to the pre-pharmacy forum as this is an admissions/school choice question. 🙂

 

[PharMed2016]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think UACP has full accreditation. Also, you have to factor in loan rates since that will effect your final cost. I believe I've heard from somewhere, UACP isn't approved for federal loans, title 4, so potentially you are borrowing at a higher rate as oppose to a school that is approved.

What's the difference? Well... with federal loans, you get subsidized and un-subsidized. The subs, you get the federal gov't to pay your interest while in school as oppose to unsubs which normally don't have this. Your looking at not-needing a cosigner as oppose to non-gov't which you need if you don't have a previous history. In addition, there is also an interest rate difference, 6.8% fixed as oppose to variable that can go as high as 25% (which significantly changes the cost). That's APR, so your looking at that much getting tacked on each year... compound that... you see the point. Granted you get out of work 1-year earlier but the interest more than eliminates the gain. So unless your a trust child, I go where I can get federal loans.

Aside from the financial aspect, both are relatively new programs. You've stated the pros and cons of each region geographically. How about other factors? Do you want to go for a residency? Academia? These are all factors which you must additionally consider.

 

[serpant55]

You don't want to go to UACP. Not knocking UACP or anything, but I lived about an hr from the CC that is a feeder to that school, and I know the area very well. In fact my mom worked as a physician in Grundy for quite some time, and I have a degree from the CC in that area. I lived there practically my entire child life, and if you are used to city life, you will quite possibly be miserable at UACP...most of the people you met there grew up there their entire life so they are used to the emptiness and generally friendly/chill. If you aren't used to it however, you will probably be miserable...life isn't about just getting everything done as soon as possible, so what's an extra year? You get summers off and time to breathe and baltimore I heard is awesome. Even I am from the area and I am not looking to apply there. Yeah there may not be distractions but you will be so miserable and alone and it may mess you up, ya know, I mean you won't be able to focus and everything, you're always going to want to see your family and friends. The people from around the area consider Grundy pretty bad/one of the worst places to live in terms of hick life/ignorance compared to the other places in that appalachian area of virginia--and we are already from around that area. It's always better to study in an environment you are more acquainted with/somewhat close to the people you are familiar with. I went through that personally.

And yes, it is not yet accredited, although with the first class graduating it should be.