This post came from another thread but I'll answer it here.
To summarize, you take an exam once every other Friday
The program has been altered a little. We now have a test on the Monday of our assessment week. This test can cover the Top 200 Drugs, Calculations, Communications, or a combination of the two. Not only do you get the hairy furball of stress that comes with your Friday assessment, but you have those hanging over your head too. Also, there is debate of adding on an additional class to our P1 year. Its not like we have anything else to do, so why not toss on another class? The schedule is already set, so are they going to toss out a block to make room? Nope...word around the campfire is that they are just going to make us cram it in at the end and hope everybody passes their assessments.
After having been here for a couple of months, I can honestly say that Mr. Blah did have some legit concerns (him whining about the kind of cars people were driving was a bit pointless and turned me off of his arguments, but the more I am here, the more I can see the rest of what he is talking about). My favorite thing so far is the $1250 Dell laptop that retails for $500 in the store. Yes, you are REQUIRED to accept their laptop and yes, you are paying the $1250. I wouldn't have been so mad if it was like a Mac Airbook or something worth while, but its a Dell. A $1250 Dell. A number of which have had motherboard issues that had to be replaced and a couple have gone back to the factory...a few times.
In our last assessment, about half of the class had to remediate on Monday. I think there was 15-20 people who bombed the remediation, so they are now looking forward to a Summer remidiation. Worse, there are a couple of people who have 3 summers, as we go into our 4th test. I have had to remediate 2 tests so far. I know what Wiley E. Cyote feels like when he has a safe about to fall on him. Having to take that Monday test is NOT a good place to be.
Also, USN is a community/retail pharmacy school. They don't seem overly interested in teaching you anything clinical related. As far as hospital pharmacy experiences, we only get 1 for our P1 year. I was reading a post in another thread that USN was too retail focused and that they were taking steps to correct that. Well, this is their idea of correction. If you want to become a clinical pharmacist, you must do a 4th year where you do rotations in the hospital. If that is where your interests are, then you will not save any time coming here. Oh and if you are interested in research, you should ask to see their "state of the art" research lab.
I have talked to a number of P2's and have been asking them if they had to do it all over again, would they still come here? There seems to be quite the attitude of "buyers remorse" as I am at 100% of people so far telling me: NO! A couple people tossed in a few explitives that I won't repeat here, but the majority opinion is that USN is not the place to go to school. USN was my first pick, because I wanted to be done in 3 years. All considered, I have to agree with them.
My advice? Decide what kind of career you want. Do you want retail? Clinical? Research? Don't worry about the salary you will be making. Worry about a job you are going to be working for the rest of your life, where you will find happiness for 8+ hrs per day, or misery. Email a couple people working in those settings and tell them you are interested in the work that they do and you want to know more about it. Ask them questions about what kind of schooling they did and what type of skills they need to do their job. Apply to multiple schools. If your PCAT score sucks, retake it. Don't just get your heart set on this one. And of all the schools you guys apply to, look them over CAREFULLY! Talk to as many students as you can after your interview. Make sure you get as much information as you can. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions!! Make sure the school is going to teach you what you need to know for your dream career. If they don't, DO NOT feel bad even for a second. They just aren't the school for you. Weigh your options carefully. Set your face forward, one foot in front of the other, your heart in the right place, and do your best. Good luck and hope everybody finds their dreams!
