UCSF vs UF

[yavster5]

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I just got my acceptances from pharm schools and am pretty much deciding between UCSF and UF. This is a difficult choice for me and I'm wondering if I could get some advice here.

Reasons for UCSF

1) Top ranked pharm school in the country
2) Great prestige in biomedical sciences
3) Since I'm interested in clinical/academic pharmacy it would be an ideal
place
4) Top class faculty
5) The fact that I was lucky enough to be chosen out of a very competitive
applicant pool (1,500) makes the acceptance all the more rewarding
6) San Francisco is a great cosmopolitan center


Reasons for UF

1) Since I'm a Florida resident: cheaper tuition!
2) Still a relatively high-ranked pharm school
3) Closer to home
4) Would not have to take any summer classes to fulfill pre-pharm pre-reqs
5) Better weather

I'd appreciate any feedback you would have in helping me make my decision easier 😉 Thanks

 

[AggiePharmer]

Reasons for UF

1) Since I'm a Florida resident: cheaper tuition!
2) Still a relatively high-ranked pharm school
3) Closer to home
4) Would not have to take any summer classes to fulfill pre-pharm pre-reqs
5) Better weather

I'd appreciate any feedback you would have in helping me make my decision easier 😉 Thanks

Allow me to take a crack at your dilemma 😛

1) it's relatively easy to become a CA resident, and paying 1 yr's out of state tuition to UCSF would still amount to be pennies by the time you get out in the workplace for 10 years.
2) UF's well respected in the South-Eastern US, but UCSF's arguably the best in the world. And from talking with my interviewers, they're really understanding and supportive if you're looking to network abroad and do some work overseas for some research! Nothing wrong with mixing business/pleasure, right?
3) a trip to the east coast is only 6 hrs by plane and graduating from UCSF will practically allow you to write your own ticket to practicing Pharm ANYWHERE in the US because it's universally respected in all aspects of pharmacy (retail, clinical, industry, academia).
4) summer classes are nothing in the grand-scheme of life - besides, what's wrong with learning and prepping yourself for next fall?
5) there's plenty of places to visit in CA like Tahoe, Monterrey, and Napa IF you grow weary of SF fog. And I could be wrong here, but that's only really in the winter/summer months.

UF's a great program, but you can interpret my thoughts with a grain of sand if you'd like. Just do what really feels right for YOU in the end! 😉

 

[cdpiano27]

Very, very tough decision. UCSF is a better school, no doubt. But there is a HUGE difference in debt that you will have to incur. I would personally go for the less debt and go to UF. What you need to do is to pursue research projects with the professors in Gainesville according to your area of interest during the summer. There are no summer classes in UF COP and I know this for a fact. So you could use those summers to work with professors in the clinical area of your specialty. Dr. Julie Johnson, from what I have heard from a UF alumni, is a GREAT person to work with if you want to work in the clinical side.

Hence, I recommend going to UF, saving the money, and doing extra research work during the summers. Also, UF has a pharmaceutical industry experience program. I do not know much about it but it is on their website. You should inquite about that.

 

[Zwigglez]

There are no summer classes in UF COP and I know this for a fact.

UCSF doesn't have summer courses either, just FYI. And since you've been accepted, I'm sure you're knowledgeable about the pathway options here at UCSF, which sound like something you may be interested in (pharm care vs. health policy & management vs. pharmaceutical science). For research, you really can't beat UCSF. Everyday it seems like one of our guest lecturers is a world-renowned so-and-so who flew all the way across the country to lecture for us (it can be intimidating at times, actually). And finally, if your interest is clinical pharmacy you REALLY can't beat UCSF. It was started here and the curriculum is light years ahead of any other program in the country in regards to it.

Are you interested in outreach and leadership? Here at UCSF, we're pretty much expected to be involved in something since this school prides itself on producing leaders in the profession. If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then that might also be something to consider.

Whatever way you choose, consider yourself very lucky. Many people on these boards would kill to have to make the "tough" decision you are being forced to make 😀 Good luck!!

 

[yavster5]

thx!

 

[yavster5]

anyone with a similar dilemma?

 

[FLPharm2Be]

Where do you want to end up (location-wise) once you graduate? If you see yourself working as a professor in a top-ranked pharmacy school, then probably go to UCSF. If you prefer to teach in FL (or even the southeast) or you just want to be a pharmacist anywhere, then either school will get you where you want to be. Most pharmacy schools will not penalize you for going to your state-school's program, chances are likely that you are still a competitive candidate for an academic position at any pharmacy school with a UF degree.

 

[fsupharmguy]

I was actually in the exact same predicament last year. In the end, I chose UF due to financial reasons. Do I feel like I have limited my opportunities in pharmacy? Not at all. I am willing to say that UF and UCSF faculty are on par with each other. We actually have some faculty who are UCSF grads. If you're worried about research positions then UF is a great choice as well. There are connections everywhere. In fact, one of the recent UF grads is working at Genentech. There are also grads who work for the FDA. So to say that UF isn't world renowned, I beg to differ.
UCSF is a great program, don't get me wrong. Yes, they have prestige and you wouldn't be making a mistake going to either institution. I still want more experience of living in the bay area since I do love that area, but I've decided to do that after school when I'll have a lot less debt as opposed to if I would have gone to UCSF. Also, who can beat being able to watch lectures online? I love that fact mainly because I am able to watch the lectures several times to focus more in depth on the material being discussed.
As far as I see it...Gainesville is no SF. The debt though, will stay with you a while. Who knows, maybe your family is able to help out more than mine. If I could have afforded UCSF then I would have gone simply because I love that area, but in the more practical sense, UF has been great for me.

 

[yavster5]

is it easy to establish california residency for out-of-staters attending UCSF?

 

[chibipinkbunny]

I'm no expert on this, but I heard that most out of state UCSF'ers work during the summer, and are then able to establish residency for the second year. You'd have to talk to an out of state student for the specifics, but that's what I've heard. That's good because UCSF's tuition is likely to increase next year because of the budget cuts in California. Ugh 🙁

 

[clementine4s]

This might not help much, but I'm sort of in a similar situation deciding between UF and UNC. I was convinced I was going to UNC because it's higher ranked, I wanted to get out of FL, etc. Now I'm leaning towards UF simply for the practical aspects of moving, tuition, etc. It might not be worth all the debt in the end because hopefully I'll still have choices after I graduate.

 

[adams08]

Congrats on two great acceptances! I went to UF as an undergrad, and went to a UC professional school in the Bay Area (law), so here is my advice:

UCSF's tuition is going up, year on year. Here is a letter from the dean explaining how tuition will increase from about $20K a year to $27K in four years. http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/2007/09/27/
UF will probably have increases too, but maybe not as dramatic.

Rankings don't mean as much as you think - I would chose a school based more on where you want to live. As an undergrad, I used to think rankings were everything, but in the real, working world, people like what is familiar to them. If you are interviewing at the Jacksonville VA, they know UF College of Pharmacy. UCSF is a world away to them. Although if you are looking to get an academic job, UCSF might be a better choice.

Loans. I'm paying back student loans right now, and I wish I had less to payback. There is a big difference between what you'll have to take out at UCSF and UF. If you want to live in Florida or the Southeast after school, go to UF. Your UF loans will reflect your salary in that area. Likewise, if you want to live on the West Coast, go to UCSF. Your loans will be higher coming out of UCSF, but you will also make more in the Bay Area.

I don't know how going to UF or UCSF will affect your chances of getting a residency.

Personally, I would go to UF because it is a good school at a great value, but it may also be nostalgia after watching UF win three national championships in two years. Go Gators!

 

[chibipinkbunny]

Yes it is true, they are planning to increase the tuition for the next three years because of the budget cuts. UCSF is a publicly funded school, so when the funds get cut they will need to increase tuition to maintain their current financial status. Boooo. . . I'm a first year at UCSF, and was very unhappy to hear about all of this 😡 As a side note, I don't know if you should let this stop you from going to UCSF. If financial problems are you're only worry then I wouldn't let it come in your way.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

I'm trying to decide between UNC and U of Arizona. I'm leaning towards staying in-state. I think the move and leaving everything I know is not very appealing right now. Of course I keep changing my mind every few hours. Logically I know I should stay here, but I feel for you on turning down a top program. I know there are lots of people who would kill for this opportunity!

 

[yavster5]

thx!

 

[prepharmwithquestions]

I just got my acceptances from pharm schools and am pretty much deciding between UCSF and UF. This is a difficult choice for me and I'm wondering if I could get some advice here.

Reasons for UCSF

1) Top ranked pharm school in the country
2) Great prestige in biomedical sciences
3) Since I'm interested in clinical/academic pharmacy it would be an ideal
place
4) Top class faculty
5) The fact that I was lucky enough to be chosen out of a very competitive
applicant pool (1,500) makes the acceptance all the more rewarding
6) San Francisco is a great cosmopolitan center


Reasons for UF

1) Since I'm a Florida resident: cheaper tuition!
2) Still a relatively high-ranked pharm school
3) Closer to home
4) Would not have to take any summer classes to fulfill pre-pharm pre-reqs
5) Better weather

I'd appreciate any feedback you would have in helping me make my decision easier 😉 Thanks

what did you decide? any regrets?

 

[exiangwsu]

I got accepted to UF but decided on UCSF. UF is great pharmacy school. However, I wish it is more research oriented. Also I am very scared of the large class size. It seems there will also be online classes offers to the student.