UCSD Vs. USC

[UCSD FARM]

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hey guys..
What do you think.. UCSD or USC .. Which school has a better pharm school? and why? UCSD is a lot harder to get in. I think it is the hardest pharm school to get in to in CAlifornia (harder than UCSF). but i don't know if it is better than USC.. so let me know what you think!

 

[TrjTraddie]

i dont know about 'better', but it's definetely cheaper.

just a thought

 

[moolman]

USC is by far better than UCSD for a couple of real reasons. USC has a long history, they've been teaching the material for decades, UCSD just started. That alone is a good enough reason to attend USC over UCSD.

UCSD the University is a top quality school for undergrad and grad. UCSD Pharmacy started a few years ago and is not. The name recognition is helping the school, that's why automatically UCSD Pharmacy gets to be a school that people want to attend over Western which does not have a highly ranked undergrad like UCSD. I would contend a longer established school would be a better choice than UCSD. But in the end any pharm school in California is a good choice and it really won't matter where you graduate from. Just get your license.

UCSD is hard to get into only because they are accepting 80 students a year, they just started the program and don't have the resources yet to take the "normal" class size of about 200.

 

[UCSD FARM]

No... UCSD accept only 60 students not 80. It is true that UCSD only started their pharmacy school for about 6 years ago, but even that I think UCSD has a really good standing. i don't think they will increase their class size.

 

[moolman]

60,70, 80 what difference does it make, it's a small class size hence the reason they are the hardest to get in. You already seem to like UCSD and that's fine, so why did you post here. USC is great and UCSD is great but if you really think UCSD for pharmacy compares to any of the more established schools in california, UCSF, USC, UOP, Western, you're fooling yourself. The only reason that UCSD is even relevent is that they are associated with UCSD. It's a new program and like any new program, they will go through growing pains and need to know how to train their students, get good rotation sites, etc. UCSD currently is at the same level of Touro and Loma Linda, all newer schools that recently started. I'm sure USCD will become a better school joining the other 4 I mentioned eventually, after all they are UCSD but as of the current moment they are not. And how do you know they won't increase their class size. They might because it takes very little effort to increase the class size to 200 since they already have the teachers and facilities in place. But besides that most schools increase their class sizes for the simple reason of money, more students equal more money coming in and you have to justify salaries and the new building costs etc. In the end just get your license and don't worry about the school.

 

[phamer]

60,70, 80 what difference does it make, it's a small class size hence the reason they are the hardest to get in. You already seem to like UCSD and that's fine, so why did you post here. USC is great and UCSD is great but if you really think UCSD for pharmacy compares to any of the more established schools in california, UCSF, USC, UOP, Western, you're fooling yourself. The only reason that UCSD is even relevent is that they are associated with UCSD. It's a new program and like any new program, they will go through growing pains and need to know how to train their students, get good rotation sites, etc. UCSD currently is at the same level of Touro and Loma Linda, all newer schools that recently started. I'm sure USCD will become a better school joining the other 4 I mentioned eventually, after all they are UCSD but as of the current moment they are not. And how do you know they won't increase their class size. They might because it takes very little effort to increase the class size to 200 since they already have the teachers and facilities in place. But besides that most schools increase their class sizes for the simple reason of money, more students equal more money coming in and you have to justify salaries and the new building costs etc. In the end just get your license and don't worry about the school.

no offend but get your facts straight before stating your opinions. I am not defending USCD because I graduated from USC but I think you are providing a lot of misleading information. Here are just what I learned about UCSD through the Dean last week at the interview (all of these are from the presentation not my opinion so take it for what it's worth). First, 60, 70, 80 students do make a difference because there are not enough rotation sites to send students in the San Diego area in addition to the combination of medical and pharmacy class size. Thus, they will not expand their class size in a near future. Second, UCSD is a PUBLIC school plus they are receiving a huge if not the largest contribution from their community (ala 3rd largest Biotechnology industry in the nation and from their medical school) and from the STATE government. Thus, your argument about increasing class size to generate more income is totally irrelevant and ignorant. Third, UCSD pharmacy school is the hardest to gain acceptance because their pharm students will take class with medical students and are required to learn more and beyond what a typical pharmacist would have learned. Therefore, they are looking for "serious" committed students who are willing to go above and beyond in a pharmacy school. Even the dean said so himself, if you are looking for a quick 4 years and out, you are in the wrong school. They are a research oriented pharmacy school and very well funded by their contributors and state government. Just looking at their curriculum and you would know what they are talking about. Oh, they already had a plan for a pharmacy school in the early 1990s but their budget was limited so the plan was pushed back until the year 2000 when they were funded by sacramento to supply more pharmacists for the state. You just can't put USCD on par with other private schools because they have a undergraduate school. Pharmacy schools are professional school, you just can't group them with undergraduate institutes to rate a school. so please stop sending misinformed info. btw, there are a lot more factors in rating a school than solely on their ages. I do agree with you regarding USC long history but that alone won't make it better than UCSD because USC focuses on retail-pharmacy... while UCSD concentrates on research and academia...

 

[moolman]

I'm not saying UCSD is a bad school but let's face it, USC a school that has been around for decades versus a relatively new school. Who has their ciriculum down and who's still getting a feeler for things. I'm not even attending USC nor UCSD in the fall but between the two, I can objectively say that USC is will teach and train you to be a better pharmacist. Sure as UCSD in the future could be better but as of now USC is it.

When did I group UCSD pharm with the undergrad, I'm saying the only reason that UCSD gets any respect right now is because of their undergrad and current school rep, not because they are any good at pharmacy. If that same school opened up at San Diego State but everything else was the same, same funding, same teachers, same difficulty to get in. You'd put the school on the bottom of the list below Loma Linda, Touro and Western. That's a fact, jack.

 

[BMBiology]

I do agree with you regarding USC long history but that alone won't make it better than UCSD because USC focuses on retail-pharmacy... while UCSD concentrates on research and academia...

when i interviewed there, it seems like ucsd focuses a lot on hospital pharmacy which is good and bad. Not sure if taking classes with med students really make a big difference and may be counterproductive since the classes are tailored toward med students.

I am sure ucsd is doing fine. A few of their founding faculty members were from ucsf and their program is also very similar to ucsf. USC is not retail oriented. I would say it is 40% hospital, 40% community and ambulatory care, 20% industry like managed care and drug companies. It does offer a combination of things which can also be good and bad, depending on what you want to do.

I say if you know you want to go into hospital pharmacy, then ucsd is a better place. It seems like they work their students hard which is probably good in the end. Both schools are good and whether you will become a good pharmacist depends more on you than the school you attend.

 

[TrjTraddie]

I do agree with you regarding USC long history but that alone won't make it better than UCSD because USC focuses on retail-pharmacy... while UCSD concentrates on research and academia...

USC award MBAs, MPHs, MSs (Gerontology), and PhDs in conjunction with the PharmD (which in itself is a pretty broad field of study until you actually get to choose your rotations and residencies in the area) exactly for that reason... not to let ppl like you say that it is retail-phrmacy oriented. Im sure that as the trojan that you are you havent forgotten the fact that USC is also a research institution.

Now... i may not be completely right since I only went to USC for undergrad (and base my argument on my personal conclusions and experience talking to my friends already in the program), but if you are already in the pharm.D program, then i'll take your word for it.

 

[nerv12345]

I'm saying the only reason that UCSD gets any respect right now is because of their undergrad and current school rep, not because they are any good at pharmacy. If that same school opened up at San Diego State but everything else was the same, same funding, same teachers, same difficulty to get in. You'd put the school on the bottom of the list below Loma Linda, Touro and Western. That's a fact, jack.

i agree

 

[shikamaru]

i agree

Make that 2 😀.

 

[SPharmN]

So which one would you go for? I definitely like USC better, but the tuition is killing me! Should I sell my soul to UCSD for $100,000 of 4-year tuition differential plus interest?

 

[shikamaru]

I have nothing against USC but I would go for UCSD because it's cheaper. USC no doubt has a strong alumni network in SoCal but I seriously don't think being a UCSD graduate would put you at any disadvantage. A PharmD = a PharmD no matter where you go, and only the very elitist of hospital hirers--whether for jobs or for residencies--will care about which school you got your PharmD from.

 

[Srah]

USC or UCSD, better I dont know. I would go to either one of them . San Diego is beautiful though.

 

[Srah]

So which one would you go for? I definitely like USC better, but the tuition is killing me! Should I sell my soul to UCSD for $100,000 of 4-year tuition differential plus interest?

your soul's expensive jk

 

[Farmercyst]

your soul's expensive jk

I'd go UCSD for the break in tuition. Housing would be roughly the same. Cost of living probably pretty close as well. La Jolla >> Los Angeles in terms of local environs. (Beach vs Slums). Can't beat the football here though.

 

[ViagraPlease]

Where are the better looking ladies? USC or UCSD?

 

[moolman]

I know I was bashing on UCSD above compared to USC but if money is a concern I'd choose UCSD. Money was one of the factors in my decision too so I'm going to UOP in the fall. An extra year earlier to make money makes a bigger difference, at least 100K in salary. Heck, if it's possible for someone to do, you can go to UOP, live like a student the 4th year while working, maybe live with your parents rent free, work overtime, etc and you can have almost all your school loans paid off in the same amount of time as a 4 year school. 😀 But I'm old and even though it was a tough decision not to attend USC since I went there for undergrad, my "oldness" was a factor.

 

[teclhie]

Where are the better looking ladies? USC or UCSD?

hands down USC...

 

[xnm11]

When did I group UCSD pharm with the undergrad, I'm saying the only reason that UCSD gets any respect right now is because of their undergrad and current school rep, not because they are any good at pharmacy. If that same school opened up at San Diego State but everything else was the same, same funding, same teachers, same difficulty to get in. You'd put the school on the bottom of the list below Loma Linda, Touro and Western. That's a fact, jack.

i believe a good portion of their reputation comes from the fact that their curriculum is based off of UCSF's SOP curriculum, and that a large number of their faculty is from UCSF. would you really put a school that known as UCSF's sister school down at the bottom of the list?

 

[moolman]

i believe a good portion of their reputation comes from the fact that their curriculum is based off of UCSF's SOP curriculum, and that a large number of their faculty is from UCSF. would you really put a school that known as UCSF's sister school down at the bottom of the list?

Exactly, my point, they are UCSD in the same university system as UCSF. But realistically, a lot of schools have good curriculum. If Cal State San Deigo opened up the same Pharm school and used the UCSF curriculum, UCSF faculty etc. It would not be a highly thought of school. The UCSD name is more important.

Just because of the name only and nothing to do with pharmacy, UCSD has become a popular school in California. Nothing wrong with it, just pointing it out since this was a USC vs UCSD thread and it is fact at this point that USC is a better school because they have been doing it for a long time, not just a couple of years.

 

[jessica525]

I am in the same situation....I have been accepted to USC, but still waiting to hear from UCSD!


do you think if I do attend san diego, it will be harder for me to get a job in L.A./ san bernardino county after I graduate? I know there are career fairs while your still in pharmacy school but I didn't know if they are only for the area around your school!! anyone know anything about this?

 

[YunaPharm]

Same here. I have been accepted to USC, but waiting to hear from UCSD...hopefully next week.

If I get accepted to UCSD, I'll definitely choose UCSD over USC. I went to UCSD for undergrad. It is MUCH cheaper and La Jolla is a MUCH nicer area. I believe both curriculums are tough and I don't think it's harder to find a job just because you're a UCSD grad instead of USC.

 

[confettiflyer]

La Jolla is really nice. The place where USC is located is really ghetto. I mean like....whoa, I could get car jacked if I don't pay attention ghetto.

UCSD is cheaper for in-state residents.

This post has nothing to do with their academic programs...but on the advice of my pharmacist at work (who said pick an interesting city/place you like), and the advice of all the USC grads I work with (who really didn't like LA), I would go to UCSD. Nicer area, wayy cheaper, less stuff you have to deal with. Plus, I have family there.

But...I really like college football, so it could be a toss up if I were presented with the two schools as options. In the end...money talks, so UCSD.

 

[xnm11]

Exactly, my point, they are UCSD in the same university system as UCSF. But realistically, a lot of schools have good curriculum. If Cal State San Deigo opened up the same Pharm school and used the UCSF curriculum, UCSF faculty etc. It would not be a highly thought of school. The UCSD name is more important.

Just because of the name only and nothing to do with pharmacy, UCSD has become a popular school in California. Nothing wrong with it, just pointing it out since this was a USC vs UCSD thread and it is fact at this point that USC is a better school because they have been doing it for a long time, not just a couple of years.

ucsd as a brand didn't mean a whole lot to me prior to pharmacy school. my point was that it was ucsf's name that brought it a lot of reputation rather than ucsd's - but we're in agreement that on its own it doesn't have nearly the same history as usc.

 

[moolman]

I am in the same situation....I have been accepted to USC, but still waiting to hear from UCSD!


do you think if I do attend san diego, it will be harder for me to get a job in L.A./ san bernardino county after I graduate? I know there are career fairs while your still in pharmacy school but I didn't know if they are only for the area around your school!! anyone know anything about this?

Especially for retail, it will make no difference on getting a job in LA or San Bernadino, even if you went to an out of state school, as long as you have your license that's good enough. I've actually met more out of state school pharmacists than in state pharmacists for some reason. Currently, sure it could change in the future if the job market gets tight but school has very little to do with getting a job as a pharmacist. It's not like law school where you have to come out of a top program to work for the best firms. When you interview, it's all on you, not the school you attended.

Both schools are great, heck any California school is great but in my opinion, USC is a better choice because they are more established and have been training pharmacists for a longer time. And having over 100 years of graduates is not a bad thing compared to only a couple of year for UCSD. If you were to do hospital pharmacists, I'd tell you to go to USC for sure and not pick any new school. Hospital pharmacy is more difficult to teach and it takes experience to teach it correctly.

 

[BMBiology]

La Jolla is really nice. The place where USC is located is really ghetto. I mean like....whoa, I could get car jacked if I don't pay attention ghetto.

This may be true if you are talking about the main campus but the health campus is pretty safe. Nothing really happen at the health campus. No one is there except patients, students and health care professionals.

 

[BMBiology]

here's the usc crime stats (starting page 19 for the health campus):

http://capsnet.usc.edu/DPS/ASR/AnnualSecurityReport.pdf

 

[pharmtastic]

Ladies and Gentleman, I think we should stop doing head-to-head comparing schools like this or things may get nasty. We dont want our educated forum turned into things like "HD vs BR", do we? We all want to think that the school we attend is the best and no argument can sway that from us. But you know what, for me, it doesn't matter what school you go to. As long as the school met ACPE standard, you know you're getting a good education. The rest is up to YOU and your hard work. To me, a school is like a car. Having an expensive and well-built car does not substitute for your driving skill.

 

[confettiflyer]

This may be true if you are talking about the main campus but the health campus is pretty safe. Nothing really happen at the health campus. No one is there except patients, students and health care professionals.

I was just driving around the health science campus and was not impressed with the surrounding area, but i'm sure it could be fun too.

 

[confettiflyer]

Ladies and Gentleman, I think we should stop doing head-to-head comparing schools like this or things may get nasty. We dont want our educated forum turned into things like "HD vs BR", do we? We all want to think that the school we attend is the best and no argument can sway that from us. But you know what, for me, it doesn't matter what school you go to. As long as the school met ACPE standard, you know you're getting a good education. The rest is up to YOU and your hard work. To me, a school is like a car. Having an expensive and well-built car does not substitute for your driving skill.

lol, you don't have to read the threads if you don't want to. let people hash out "X vs. Y" school if they want.

 

[emi]

I got into USC and also UCSD yesterday. I am a UCSD undergrad and I am having a very hard time deciding where should I go. I think though UCSD is much harder. They teach you a lot of science again (like microbiology, physio, anatomy in separate courses) I asked their students and they told me it was very tough ! ESPecially the second year. I think both programs are good. But I would probably choose USC because it is much more established than UCSD and because I don't think I would go into research in the future. If you like research then for sure UCSD will be better. You can tell that by looking at their curriculums. I think UCS gives you a lot of hand on experience while UCSD teaches you a lot of science (physical chemsitry & more....) that might be beneficial in the future ( that's what the dean said).
The only thing is that USC is much more expensive...is it worthed? I don't know!!! it is so hard to decide!I wish you lots of Luck ....🙂 we might be classmates !Congratzzzzz on USC... I am now comparing their curriculums....😴

 

[mrblah]

reality check:

Pharmacy is one of those fields that employers really don't care what school you go to as long as you are actually a registered pharmacist (i.e. pass the board exam/naplex).

Now if you want more career opportunities as a pharmacist that will have to boil down to whether or not you have chosen to do residency, or whether or not you have the experience in the field you want to go into. Its a big mistake to think that school legacy will open doors for you, or give you a higher pay rate. Some schools are more clinical, others aren't, but those difference are very minor considering that all the schools will gear their curriculum towards the naplex exam. You want to become a clinical pharmacist or work in industry, do residency.

As for curriculum, pick the school that suits you. Some schools offer a block system, others a modified block, others are traditional. In the end, it doesn't matter what curriculum you choose as long as you pass the california law exam/naplex. I believe all the cali. schools have 95% and above pass rates.

As for tuition, I'd go for the cheapest school (which means ucsd, ucsf, over usc, western, loma linda, etc). There is a big difference of owing 80k vs. 130k. You will be paying back in monthly installments, and if you owe above 130k, you are looking at 800 to 900 dollar monthly payments. That is alot of money you are paying out.

Lastly, pharmacists take home about 80k after taxes in cali, or about 6k a month. Now, figure in your rent/car payment/car insurance/health insurance/food bills/utilities/and tuition payments, you won't have alot of money left over.

 

[BMBiology]

reality check:

Pharmacy is one of those fields that employers really don't care what school you go to as long as you are actually a registered pharmacist (i.e. pass the board exam/naplex).

This is true if you want to go into retails but in terms of 4th yr rotation, residency and more competitive jobs, the name of the university does make a difference. For example, UC hospitals generally only take UC pharmacy students while USC has contracts with County-USC hospital, USC University Hospital, VAs, all great teaching facilities.

 

[jawnly211]

My Interviews




me: hello, nice to meet you.

employer: what are your plans after grad?

me: well, I...

employer: when are you planning on taking the boards?

me: I plan on...

employer: SOUNDS TERRIFIC! You should be getting an offer letter in the mail.

me: Uhhhh, thanks?




This is pharmacy kids. People do not care where you went to school. I think a lot of you guys are still stuck with "undergrad syndrome" where you base your whole existance on who you pay your tuition checks to and what school name it says on that sheet of paper after 4 years of writing those checks.

All honesty, people in the REAL WORLD don't give a $hit....as long as you are a great person/pharmacist, it does not matter about your past.

Please, keep this in mind in about 5 years. If you are still tossing around your "credentials", keep a microcopy of your resume in your wallet, hang your graduation tassel on your rear-view mirror..........then reality check time

Toss allthat out the window because all people care about is that license you will get upon completing the NAPLEX and CPJE

BELIEVE IT