UAMS vs. SUNY-Buffalo

[FishSlayer321]

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Hey all! I’ve been accepted to both schools for the fall semester but I’m having trouble deciding between the two. I’m in Louisiana and wanna venture out, I’ve been wanting to go North for school for awhile now.

In Arkansas, I’d have in state tuition since I’m in a border state as well as having my godparents there to help me adjust to the area. The only dual degree programs of interest are the nuclear program and JD. I’m iffy on both honestly, with nuclear I’ve never done anything like it and I don’t wanna do an extra three years on top of the pharmD with the JD program. In Buffalo, I’d basically be on my own. I’d get a small scholarship off the bat my first year but that’s it. I haven’t seen the campus but I’ve enjoyed being in Buffalo the few times I’ve vacationed there with family. The immense research and heavy focus on clinical pharmacy is a huge draw to me. The JD degree is another draw but again, kinda iffy on those extra years of school. Both the bioinformatics and clinical + translational therapeutics dual degrees have also peaked my interest recently. I also really just wanna get out of the south and my comfort zone while I’m still young.

I know the schools are somewhat on two ends of the spectrum but any advice helps!

 

[BC_89]

Priorities to consider:

1) NAPLEX pass rate
** UAMS - 84.9% (first-time attempt)
** Buffalo - 87.2% (first-time attempt)

2) Cost (Pharmacy Tuition)
** UAMS (Resident) - ~$41,700 (reference UAMS Financial information)
** Buffalo (Non-Resident) - ~$142,880 (reference Buffalo Pharmacy Financial Information)
** Buffalo (Resident) - $118,500 (reference Buffalo Pharmacy Financial Information)

2a) Cost of Living (City Differential)
** New York (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Buffalo) - COLA is 71% Higher than compared to Little Rock...

Lastly, what you "want" and what is "available" in the profession needs to be the front-end goal right now. If you're considering a JD after a PharmD, then are you pursuing a job in regulatory affairs? Bridging hybrid role with FDA/CDC while being a corporate attorney for a pharmaceutical company? Is the extra cost in education worth it and if so, how much more is the pay/work and how many jobs are advertised in the U.S.? I would argue the same thing about bioinformatics and translational therapeutics dual degrees (impressive buzz words) - are you trying to find a niche hybrid role in biomedical research with a PharmD?

As someone who grew up surrounding the Ozarks, I can tell you this - after school, you have your whole life to see the country so I wouldn't base a >$150,000 differential decision (with interest) in hopes of seeing the east coast as a student. The less debt you get the easier it is to move around the country which is something you'll need to consider if pursuing a PharmD.

My humble thought (presuming you've made up your mind that the PharmD route is what you want): Go to UAMS and then apply all over the country after graduation (pay for reciprocation after taking MPJE/NAPLEX).

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

** New York (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Buffalo) - COLA is 71% Higher than compared to Little Rock...

I don't think it really makes that large of a difference in the full context of your response but any COLA estimate that includes both Manhattan and Buffalo in the same region is worthless.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Let me know if this is a better tool.

Cost of Living Calculator - Cost of Living Comparison Index Tool | Bankrate

Use this cost of living calculator to compare the cost of living between U.S. cities and determine if you will be able to maintain your current standard of living in another city.

www.bankrate.com

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Let me know if this is a better tool.

Cost of Living Calculator - Cost of Living Comparison Index Tool | Bankrate

Use this cost of living calculator to compare the cost of living between U.S. cities and determine if you will be able to maintain your current standard of living in another city.

www.bankrate.com

I've used that one before. It has seemed relatively accurate for the cities I lived in.