Help me decide which to go to?
Western U or USN?
- Thread starter bubbl3s
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Hi Bubbl3s,
I chose Western. I got an invitation to USN and canceled it. It was really hard to decide. I chose Western because I wanted to stay in CA near my family. That was a big part of my decision. I know the program is a 4-year instead of a 3-year, but I was able to visit Western and they have so much more to offer and it is an older program that is well established. Good luck in deciding what you want.
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usn isn't that far from cali...my friends that go there take a short flight (1.5 hours) from sacramento to henderson...and btw, USN was founded by a dean who left western...hence, there block program format--- sit down in a quiet room and write down all the pros in going to both schools...then weigh them out~ gl
I'm debating about the two schools as well ..
The way i see it,
USN: 3 years, less expensive in the long run, offers more pharmacy experience hours that must be completed in order to get licensed, block schedule right from the beginning and ... VEGAS! right around the corner .. lol
Western: 4 years, more expensive, BUT it is in SoCal (about an hour away from where i live (LA)) which is important, program is older (i believe?) ...
So suggestions/opinions/comments are appreciated!! 😍
The way i see it,
USN: 3 years, less expensive in the long run, offers more pharmacy experience hours that must be completed in order to get licensed, block schedule right from the beginning and ... VEGAS! right around the corner .. lol
Western: 4 years, more expensive, BUT it is in SoCal (about an hour away from where i live (LA)) which is important, program is older (i believe?) ...
So suggestions/opinions/comments are appreciated!! 😍
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i'm in the same situation as you but mine is between Western(4 year) and Midwestern CPG( 3 year)........I guess the greatest factor in choosing a school is which one will provide you with the best education and opportunities when you graduate.
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I'm in the same situation trying to decide between Midwestern-G and Lecom-B, and I've got to make the choice very freakin soon!
As for opportunities when you graduate from what I have gathered, the only real difference is if you want to go into research, where attending a public university will be in your favor, since you're debating between 2 private universities I doubt that matters.
As for the best education. A lot of the education you recieve is based on the effort you put in. I spoke to a pharmacy director at a sister hospital who has had interns from Midwestern-G, Lecom-E, USN, and U of U. He said some were amazingly intelligent, and others he couldn't believe were actually in their final year they were so dense. Keep in mind that these schools realize that you are a representation of them and therefore are going to provide you with an education that will help you be a great pharmacist, but your effort is important too.
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i agree that your effort affects your education. In addition, the faculty and the resources that the school provides, also affects your education. Location and the age of the school affects the opportunities you get when you graduate..well at least that's what I think.....by the way when do you have to make your deposit for Midwestern CPG?
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I already put down my deposit for both.
You seem to be guiding yourself to your answer. During the interviews which school do feel had the better faculty/resources?
Midwestern has a good location, I don't know about Western though.
Yes, you are right, age of the school will effect your opportunities, as a more well-known school is, well, more well-known. But I also believe that no matter where you go you are going to be responsible for making your own opportunities. A great CV at a lesser known school will be better than a weak CV at a more recognized school. Which school is older by the way?
Gotta go, I'll be checkin forums tomorrow though.
Well, both Western and USN are block schedules so that is a plus factor for both (for me!)
USN: 3 years, cheaper, pass/no pass (90%), younger school
Western: 4 years, standard grading scale, clinical rotations during the last 1.5 years of study (half of 3rd year and all of 4th year), established over 30 years ago (i think)
and as jyw003 mentioned, USN was founded by a dean from Western so that is why it's so hard to choose between both!
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Western as a whole is old...I don't know how long...but the pharmacy school started in 1996....which I think is well established enough not to be considered a new school...
With any 3 year accerelated program, I don't think your educational experience will be as great as a 4 year program. With a 4 year program, you can work during the weekends plus you have more time to truly understand what you are learning. With a 3 year program, you are kinda rushed through the program and really don't have time to work during the school year. So you don't really get to integrate what you learn with your work as you go along. That's just my opinion..
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I actually used Vegas as a joke during my interview when they asked me why I wanted to go to USN. Even though they were laughing during the interview, I got rejected. I even wrote the interviewer a thank email letter and got no response back.....😳
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I graduated from WU. It is a good school and you get to stay in CA. You can't beat that.
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I'd say they might be about even except that I attend WU. That alone puts it over the fence in by book about being a better choice 🙂
Honestly I think the choice just comes down to if you want to stay in CA or if you want to finish in 3 rather than 4 years.
Your pharmacy "experience" will of course be better at Western cause it's one year longer which gives it some more depth but if thats really not that important to you and you just want to finish and get out to practice, then USN is probably for you.
Honestly I think the choice just comes down to if you want to stay in CA or if you want to finish in 3 rather than 4 years.
Your pharmacy "experience" will of course be better at Western cause it's one year longer which gives it some more depth but if thats really not that important to you and you just want to finish and get out to practice, then USN is probably for you.
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maybe i am biased cause i go to western. But, i think we have a good reputation among retail chains. cvs, walgreens, and others are very good about hiring our grads. Some of our grads also got good residencies and such...
With the job market getting more competitive, might be better idea to got western for the long run.
but, both are fine school with high naplex passing rates, western being 100%... so u can't go wrong.
gl
With the job market getting more competitive, might be better idea to got western for the long run.
but, both are fine school with high naplex passing rates, western being 100%... so u can't go wrong.
gl
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I'm in the exact same situation, acceptances from both USN and Western and I'm 34 so time isn't exactly on my side....but I'm still most likely choosing Western. I know graduates of this school and have talked to a lot of pharmacists and pharm students. Not many said that a three year school was better than a four year school, and a school being in California, your going to be educated on the California law (important if you plan on staying in CA)...you obviously won't get the CA law education when going to USN....but so many factors to consider...$$$$. You will be saving $$ by going to the three year program and also start paying it off a year earlier. Good luck everyone!
If you don't have to worry about family, USN might sound like a good idea considering you don't have to live in CA (unless you really want to live in CA then obviosly western is the way to go). Nevada is not a bad place to be really, I wish I can move to the area close to lake Tahoe and work there as a pharmacist ! That would be awesome. The real estate might be problematic though since I think Tahoe area is gonna be very expensive.
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