UMN- Twin Cities vs UNC-Chapel Hill Decision

[SplitTablet]

I consider myself as very fortunate to have been accepted into these two fine schools, so I'm having a tough time in deciding which one I'd rather attend. The core of my problem is that they're both equally great in their opportunities and annual costs (inclusive of all school and living expenses), so it's hard for me to choose one over the other. Here's a jist of what I'm trying to balance out:

UMN: I got a scholarship along with the opportunity to work on a public health-related pharmacy project. I didn't interview at Twin Cities, but its reputation speaks highly of itself. Their faculty and admissions staffs are some of the nicest out of all the schools that I've applied to. The school's also the top public research institution in the US (or so I've heard), so I doubt there's any deficiency in that aspect. In terms of ranking, their pharmacy is 3rd in nation, and their public health school is 8th (I'm aiming for PharmD and MPH).

UNC: There's an excellent pharmacogenomics research I'm dying to take part of at the school, so I'll have (or seek) an opportunity to be part of it in the future. The school is charming, to say the least. Some of the staffs are...not the nicest, but maybe that's just my luck with the interviewers that I got. The school's also highly funded by NIH for research and is world-class when it comes to the plethora of their past research achievements and awards. Both of their pharmacy and public health schools are 2nd in nation.

I should also mention that I compared Minneapolis and Chapel Hill through Sterlings' Best Places website and found that they're somewhat equal when the housing part's taken out of the equation (I'm not planning on buying one). With all of these things in mind, would anyone have any advice on how I should go about and choose my final choice? Please let me know as I only have less than a week left to decide.

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[DrDrugs2012]

Honestly, both are great schools with solid programs and you won't go wrong with either. I will say UMN just because of the dual degree option because that has the potential to open more doors for you after completing school.

 

[smithek]

I was also faced with this decision, and it was a hard one. I loved both schools, and felt honored to be accepted to these great programs. The facilities at UNC were nicer and more impressive, but I liked the curriculum better at the U of MN. For me it came down to where I wanted to live long term. I have connections to MN and decided it was really where I pictured myself. Luckily I don't think you can really make a mistake here, either way you will have a first rate education.

 

[SplitTablet]

Thanks for the inputs, DrDrugs2012 and Smithek. Since I have no connection in either state, I guess I'll just pick the one that offers a better opportunity. By the way, would you guys happen to know whether the deadline for admission acceptance is based on the time I postmark my letter or when it arrives at the office? In terms of finding a job during school, does it matter if you're considered as an intern or not?

 

[Rx MPLS]

I attend UMN and enjoy it, but try to consider the things smithek mentioned.

Where would you prefer to put down roots long term? Do you prefer the warmer weather of the Carolinas (after today's disgusting snow/rain, I think I would! )?

You have two excellent choices; I don't think there is a wrong answer. Well done!

 

[SplitTablet]

Thanks, Rx MPLS 🙂 It sounds like there's a lot of support from you UMN folks, and I gotta admit that I am leaning towards that direction. It'd be nice if I could get an opinion or advice from someone on the UNC side, but alas, everyone's probably busy with their own agenda.

In any case, there's a high possibility that I'll be seeing you guys at UMN-TC in the very near future. Thanks again for your response!

 

[HCl]

I also think you'll be extremely happy with either choice. I'm a PDII at the U of M - TC and love it, but I know UNC's program is awesome too. As far as the deadline is concerned, I don't know about UNC but I'm 99% sure it's postmark for the U of M -- just give the admissions office a quick call. (I'm fully convinced Peter and the rest of the student services people here are god's gift to students, by the way -- they're unbelievable.) And in MN, you need to accumulate up to 360 hours as an intern on your own (not just as a tech), but there's never a problem finding an intern position if you spend a little time applying due to the plethora of hospitals and retail pharmacies around here. Also, I don't think you necessarily need to consider where you'd like to plant roots too much. I know people who are planning on returning to their home state after graduation, and where I work, most of the pharmacists graduated from the U of M but many came from other programs and/or did residencies in other states too. That said, and I'm biased here of course, but Minneapolis is an incredibly fun place to live and features some of the most forward-thinking pharmacy practice sites in the country! BOTH the incoming presidents of APhA and ASHP practice here, which says a lot I think. Congrats on being accepted into two great programs!!

 

[SplitTablet]

I also think you'll be extremely happy with either choice. I'm a PDII at the U of M - TC and love it, but I know UNC's program is awesome too. As far as the deadline is concerned, I don't know about UNC but I'm 99% sure it's postmark for the U of M -- just give the admissions office a quick call. (I'm fully convinced Peter and the rest of the student services people here are god's gift to students, by the way -- they're unbelievable.) And in MN, you need to accumulate up to 360 hours as an intern on your own (not just as a tech), but there's never a problem finding an intern position if you spend a little time applying due to the plethora of hospitals and retail pharmacies around here. Also, I don't think you necessarily need to consider where you'd like to plant roots too much. I know people who are planning on returning to their home state after graduation, and where I work, most of the pharmacists graduated from the U of M but many came from other programs and/or did residencies in other states too. That said, and I'm biased here of course, but Minneapolis is an incredibly fun place to live and features some of the most forward-thinking pharmacy practice sites in the country! BOTH the incoming presidents of APhA and ASHP practice here, which says a lot I think. Congrats on being accepted into two great programs!!

Thanks for your inputs! I love the UMN spirit that you guys have shown 🙂. It's clear to see that there's a lot love and enthusiasm for the program. To me, that speaks volumes. Now I gotta shop for thick winter gears!

 

[PharmyDoc]

If you are interested in pharmacogenomics then UNC is absolutely the place you should be.

 

[SplitTablet]

If you are interested in pharmacogenomics then UNC is absolutely the place you should be.

You're absolutely right about that. May I ask if you're a current student at the school? It seems so rare to see someone from UNC posting on a pre-pharm thread outside of the pharm school specific class thread.

 

[PharmyDoc]

You're absolutely right about that. May I ask if you're a current student at the school? It seems so rare to see someone from UNC posting on a pre-pharm thread outside of the pharm school specific class thread.

I am indeed a current student at UNC. I wonder why we do not post here too much, but I can speak with the appropriate people about that and try to increase our presence. If you are considering UNC and have any questions, feel free to PM me and we can set up a chat of some kind over GChat.

 

[SplitTablet]

Thanks for being a good rep for UNC, pharmyDoc 🙂 Your prompt responses were really helpful.

Now all I have to do is wait and see how my selection turns out in 5+ years