USC Class of 2013

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Parth

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Hello EVERYONE!

I am been waiting since November for someone to start a THREAD for upcoming Fall 2009!

Please post:
1. any question you may have! (especially Finanacial! that I never thought of until i got the acceptance letter!)
2. any rooming situation you may have figured out!
3. Any tips that may help us better PREPARE before we move START!!!

SEEE YA all for NEXT 4 years!!!!
 
I'm really excited about USC.

Is there some sort of a centralized website where USC pharmacy and other grad students can search for/post housing options?

What are you guys going to do about housing next year?
 
im planning to move back home with my parents in alhambra
 
I'm not from L.A. I heard though that living downtown may not be the smartest idea. Where do USC students live? Where can I find some inexpensive, safe, and relatively close apartments?
 
Hi guys!!! I'm so excited to be starting pharm school this fall at USC!!! I can't wait to meet everyone!!! I plan to dorm for the 1st year at Seaver Hall since I will be new to Cali, so I can meet some people then try to live in an apartment for the remaining three years.
 
I'm not from L.A. I heard though that living downtown may not be the smartest idea. Where do USC students live? Where can I find some inexpensive, safe, and relatively close apartments?

i grew up in alhambra (san gabriel valley), its not the nicest place to live in but nothing bad has ever happened. i heard of others staying in monterey hills? or pasadena. hope that helps!
 
Have you guys joined the facebook group yet? PM me. I'd love to add you! 🙂 Someone posted a very useful resource on the wall about housing: usc-housing.googlegroups.com

Here's USC's Housing website. Looks like there are a lot of options, but Seaver's the only one at the Health Science Campus. Wish they had apartment options 🙁 You can get a 360 view of the rooms at Seaver on the site. They don't look too bad, but not many people that I've spoken to really want to live there. You'd literally be sleeping and going to class in the same building (if not, then the building next door.) Not my kinda lifestyle, but it IS convenient.
 
im planning to move back home with my parents in alhambra

I'm doing the exact same thing 🙂. Does anyone know if there is any free parking near the campus since parking permits cost more than $500 a year? I willing to walk as long as it doesn't take to long.
 
there's free parking on Valley, on the other side of the train tracks. it's about a 5-7 minute walk to class, but the train tends to like stopping right in front of the campus for 30 minutes at a time.

just realized i forgot to post the housing website in my previous post. here it is (though it shouldn't have been hard to find). http://housing.usc.edu/
 
A spacious and quiet 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms apartment located in North Alhambra area is available for sublet this summer. The apartment is fully furnished and will be available from late-May till mid-August. We are currently paying $1500/ month for the apartment but will be subletting it for $1200 including all utilities. Amazing location! Close to Atlantic exit of the 10 freeway and only 10 mins local drive to USC health science campus. 10-15 mins walking distance to Ralph's supermarket, restaurants and theatres. Ideal for new students who need a place to stay on temp while doing some apartment-hunting around the area.

- Safe and convenient location
- Air conditioned
- Gated area/ underground parking lot
- Washer and dryer in the apartment complex
- Wireless Internet and cable TV included
- No pets and No smokers

Price and dates are negotiable. If interested, please contact Liza @ 617-953-7607 or [email protected]
 
Hello EVERYONE!

I am been waiting since November for someone to start a THREAD for upcoming Fall 2009!

Please post:
1. any question you may have! (especially Finanacial! that I never thought of until i got the acceptance letter!)
2. any rooming situation you may have figured out!
3. Any tips that may help us better PREPARE before we move START!!!

SEEE YA all for NEXT 4 years!!!!

I totally agree with number one. It was one of those "oh, I'll worry about that later" moments. Yep, now I'm worrying about it 😀

I guess in continuation with the financial aid topic, is everyone just going to take out a Stafford Loan and then use the Grad Plus Loan to top it off?
 
I totally agree with number one. It was one of those "oh, I'll worry about that later" moments. Yep, now I'm worrying about it 😀

I guess in continuation with the financial aid topic, is everyone just going to take out a Stafford Loan and then use the Grad Plus Loan to top it off?

Yup pretty much. I am also going to use the Health professional loan as well. Ugh, it starts.....:scared:
 
Yup pretty much. I am also going to use the Health professional loan as well. Ugh, it starts.....:scared:

For the Health professionals loan, did they have to say that you could use it in the letter they sent or could you just apply for it? I want to make sure because when I spoke with the FA advisor, it sounded like I had to qualify to get it...and my letter didn't state anything besides the Stafford.
 
I only got the Stafford loan to and that doesn't even cover the tuition and fees 🙁. I just really wish they would put up the total cost of tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 school year already. So I know how much money to save to cover the difference. Which lender is anybody using for their loans? Any suggestions on which one is better?
 
anyone sign up for the orientation yet?? is anyone going to the grad student one? or just the pharmd one?
 
anyone sign up for the orientation yet?? is anyone going to the grad student one? or just the pharmd one?

I'm going to just the pharm one. Apparently we don't even need to sign up for orientation, we just need to show up--at least that's what the pharm admissions office told me. The school of pharmacy will send us more info later in the summer about orientation, etc.
 
I'm planning to live in Seaver. I live about 45 mintes south of LA (don't want to commute everyday), but I can deal with living on campus for a year.
 
Congratulations to the new class of 2013!! I just graduated in May 🙂 I'm supposed to be studying for boards now but as always.. procrastinating! haha..
 
I'm doing the exact same thing 🙂. Does anyone know if there is any free parking near the campus since parking permits cost more than $500 a year? I willing to walk as long as it doesn't take to long.

There's very very limited free parking. You have to get there at 6am or something crazy like that if you want to get free parking. Maybe u can try to carpool with friends/roommate to save on costs..
 
I only got the Stafford loan to and that doesn't even cover the tuition and fees 🙁. I just really wish they would put up the total cost of tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 school year already. So I know how much money to save to cover the difference. Which lender is anybody using for their loans? Any suggestions on which one is better?

I'm using Discover. They had no origination fees which I liked. I like to have my discounts guaranteed upfront. There are some lenders that would give discounts at the end in repayment, but there's too much fine print to go over to get em.. Lenders might even change it up so it's no longer existing by the time you graduate.. who knows?!!
 
For those planning to live in Seaver, how do you plan to coordinate moving in with orientation? Move-in day for Seaver is the 19th, which is the same day as orientation.
 
is it too late to fill out those general pharmacy school scholarship forms? i was accepted after the deadline in april 🙁 😳


also when do we enroll for classes??


i'm still on the waitlist for parking, anyone get off of it yet?
 
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from my understanding, the we enroll for classes during orientation week.

as for the scholarship forms, i was told that they were mainly for 2nd-4th year students and that there weren't any scholarships for the incoming pharm students.
 
thanks!


Anyone have 2 spots for males or looking for just 1 roomate to share a room in arcadia condo on huntington and arcadia ave (2 bedroom, 2.5 bath) rent would be in the ~600-700$ range
 
I graduated from USC (University of Southern California) medical school & for the last 3 years, I have been living in a quiet residential neighborhood tucked away in a safe cul-de-sac. I'm looking for other grad students to join me. My roommate is graduating so we will have a vacant room in our large 4BR-2BA house. Email me if anyone is interested in this: [email protected].
 
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Check out the Advertising section of SDN for housing options
 
Anyone else opt out of the tuition refund plan??

is the "Pharmacy Health Profession Student Loan" a good choice? it's 5 % but doesn't list if it is sub or unsub.
 
Anyone else opt out of the tuition refund plan??

is the "Pharmacy Health Profession Student Loan" a good choice? it's 5 % but doesn't list if it is sub or unsub.

isn't it same as grad PLUS loan?
 
For those planning to live in Seaver, how do you plan to coordinate moving in with orientation? Move-in day for Seaver is the 19th, which is the same day as orientation.

Is it really on the same day?

Well, for me...I guess I would drive down (from Bay Area) the 18th and spend the night at my brother's apartment (he goes to UCLA). Go to orientation on the 19th, and move in right after.
 
Anyone else opt out of the tuition refund plan??

is the "Pharmacy Health Profession Student Loan" a good choice? it's 5 % but doesn't list if it is sub or unsub.

It's subsidized = good! 👍

i opted out all 4 years. if u think you can't finish school for some odd reason then maybe.. but why wouldnt u?
 
from my understanding, the we enroll for classes during orientation week.

as for the scholarship forms, i was told that they were mainly for 2nd-4th year students and that there weren't any scholarships for the incoming pharm students.

i applied as an incoming pharm student and was awarded a scholarship. if the deadline has passed.. might be too late though but never hurts to apply anyway (even if late) if u have nothing else better to do.

the school enrolls for classes for you your first year so you dont have to worry about enrolling in classes til 2nd year.
 
i'm still on the waitlist for parking, anyone get off of it yet?

dont worry too much about parking. everyone gets a spot. usually they're full but you can sign up in person during orientation week too. people who want lot ssp sign up for lot 71 so they want to switch out. that's usually when spots open up.
 
Anyone looking for a roommate to find a place with? I'm a P1 looking to live in a loft downtown or something, and I have a lot of furniture! I don't care if you're M/F, or if you have any pets. I can't really find any postings for USC students in the housing section. PM me if interested.
 
i applied as an incoming pharm student and was awarded a scholarship. if the deadline has passed.. might be too late though but never hurts to apply anyway (even if late) if u have nothing else better to do.

the school enrolls for classes for you your first year so you dont have to worry about enrolling in classes til 2nd year.

They told me that they used to have scholarships for new students, but not anymore. I looked at the scholarship app and some of the questions I couldn't even answer unless I was already a student there.

For classes, I got some emails a few weeks ago on how to register for classes and what classes to register for. The email stated that you could've started registering once you got that email.
 
The HPSL is a low interest loan given to students who meet low income requirements. Compared to the interest rates on Stafford and GradPlus you end up saving money. I wouldn't turn it down if you qualify.

For housing googlegroups.com/groups/usc-housing

I normally just stick to the pre-pharm thread, but saw this here and thought I'd drop in.

Congrats to you all, I'll probably see you at orientation.
 
They told me that they used to have scholarships for new students, but not anymore. I looked at the scholarship app and some of the questions I couldn't even answer unless I was already a student there.

I saved my scholarship essay from when I applied as an incoming first year. One of the questions was: "Discuss the extracurricular activities in which you have participated while attending the School of Pharmacy."

I answered it but of course as extracurricular activities before pharmacy school. I'd say you should do it anyway.. but again.. maybe that's why i was the ONLY first year at the scholarship reception...

there's always new scholarships that pop up from various donors.. and decisions are made by just a few people.. or maybe just 1 lady!! who knows.. who's to say you can't get it if you apply!! worst can happen is they say no. recycle your answers.. im sure you probably have written hundreds of essays already that can fit the question.
 
For classes, I got some emails a few weeks ago on how to register for classes and what classes to register for. The email stated that you could've started registering once you got that email.

must have changed then.. we didnt even get our usc email til first day of orientation i think.. the school doesnt email you at your personal email addresses.. they refuse to!

make sure it's from usc school of pharmacy tho. we usually get spam from usc saying to register but it's not from the school of pharmacy which would have its own instructions and stuff.. Jim Granderson would always have to send out an email saying to IGNORE!!
 
must have changed then.. we didnt even get our usc email til first day of orientation i think.. the school doesnt email you at your personal email addresses.. they refuse to!

make sure it's from usc school of pharmacy tho. we usually get spam from usc saying to register but it's not from the school of pharmacy which would have its own instructions and stuff.. Jim Granderson would always have to send out an email saying to IGNORE!!

Yeah, the orientation emails and class registration emails were all from Jim Granderson. I've been getting stuff from him non-stop. I actually originally got emails to my personal email address--whatever the school had for your original application--till I told them that I activated my usc email...which I hope I was supposed to do...
 
must have changed then.. we didnt even get our usc email til first day of orientation i think.. the school doesnt email you at your personal email addresses.. they refuse to!

make sure it's from usc school of pharmacy tho. we usually get spam from usc saying to register but it's not from the school of pharmacy which would have its own instructions and stuff.. Jim Granderson would always have to send out an email saying to IGNORE!!

Yeah things have changed. When I started in 07 the registration email was sent out about this time (last week of June/early July) and Fin Aid info was sent out late July. I think they got it out earlier this year for the incoming class. Though I still haven't heard yet on my scholarship application.
 
Yeah things have changed. When I started in 07 the registration email was sent out about this time (last week of June/early July) and Fin Aid info was sent out late July. I think they got it out earlier this year for the incoming class. Though I still haven't heard yet on my scholarship application.

haha im an old-timer now...

if things havent changed.. u dont hear back from your scholarship application in any formal way... you just find the money in your usc account around november... then they invite you via email to the scholarship reception but not everyone gets invited either...

that's what has happened all 4 years I got scholarships from them..
👍
 
Apartment available!

I'm finishing a Master's program there and need someone to take over my apartment. I have 3 months left on my lease but if I can fill the vacancy management will release me from it.

It's a spacious studio in Koreatown with hardwood floors and an exposed brick wall and it's pet friendly!!

It's less than a 10 minute walk from the Metro Red Line which will take you to Union Station from which you can take a FREE tram to the USC Health Science Campus. This means you don't have to deal with the absurd prices for parking at USC!!

Or if you do want to drive it's about ~20 minutes with bad traffic or ~10 with no traffic.

Check out my craigslist posting or PM me for more details 🙂

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...268074438.html
 
Hi! I have graduated from USC school of pharmacy 2002 and just dug up a bunch of books I have used back then. I went online and have seen that most of the books have been updated by an edition. These books are mainly for reference during pharmacy school.
1)Pharmaceutical Calculation, 10th edition, Stoklasa/ansel
2)Applied drug info: Strategies for info management. 1998
3)Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms&Drug Delivery Systems Ansel/Papovich, 1995
4)Applied Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Shargel/Yu 1999 4th edition
5)Physical pharmacy, Alfred Martin 1993
6)Textbook of organic and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry Delgado 1998
7)Managed Care pharmacy Practice (Navarro, 1999)
8)Clinical Drug Data, 10th edition 2002
9)Goodman and Gilman's : The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th edition


Let me know if you are interested in any of these books
 
For those planning to live in Seaver, how do you plan to coordinate moving in with orientation? Move-in day for Seaver is the 19th, which is the same day as orientation.

Aug 19 is simply the first day you can start checking in. The best thing to do may be to check in and get your keys then go to orientation and deal with moving all your stuff into your room in the evening. I believe the Seaver CSC hours will be 830-5 pm.

I'll see if I can get more info regarding Seaver move in next week.
 
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