Why is UOP so special?

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gfunkmoney 06

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For those applying to UOP and those who are already students there, why did u choose that school? This is not some cheap way to get some ideas for my essay or anything like that, but I truly want to know. In my mind, UOP is up there as a top notch program, but I really don't know why that is and what it has to offer over other schools. I can't really find much on their website.

Also, what is Stockton like? What kind of a place is it....small community feel, big city, party life, etc...

Thanks guys.
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gfunkmoney 06 said:
For those applying to UOP and those who are already students there, why did u choose that school? This is not some cheap way to get some ideas for my essay or anything like that, but I truly want to know. In my mind, UOP is up there as a top notch program, but I really don't know why that is and what it has to offer over other schools. I can't really find much on their website.

Also, what is Stockton like? What kind of a place is it....small community feel, big city, party life, etc...

Thanks guys.
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Won't help you with your essay, which is what you want, whether you say it is or isn't. There aren't enough unique things to be able to write your own essay without using someone else's ideas in this case.

Also, what is Stockton like? What kind of a place is it....small community feel, big city, party life, etc...
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It's a hell-hole. The only party life is "down town" and a smattering of clubs throughout. They're all pretty skeevy, low-brow, and there is basically zero night-life outside of bowling alleys and other undesirable places to congregate. The wrong crowd congregates there, also. The crime rate is unbelievable, with a 12-person shootout/slaying there over the weekend, constant drive-by shootings, daylight mugging, etc. Going out after dark anywhere south of Pershing / UoP location is a bad idea unless you're traveling in a group and you know exactly what to avoid.

That said, it's got lots of great restaurants, basically anything you could imagine, two shopping malls (very nice ones and one newly renovated) nearly across from the campus, as well as access to clothing outlets (Target, Walmart x2, etc). A little north and you have Lodi, which is a fairly nice hovel in comparison to Stockton. Stockton is mostly fine in the daylight, and has a number of large throughputs and is, over-all, a "large city feel". The people are not nice, or friendly, and everyone basically seems like they hate it there.

I grew up in Stockton and I've seen it evolve, that's for sure.

None of the reasons above are really valid for not going to TJL, that's for sure. But it's good to know what kind of place you're getting into. The crime is really bad.
 
by the way, i really don't need help w/ the essay as ive written it already...though i must admit there is a lot of bs in there. lol..

but anyway, im really having second thoughts about even applying there. i guess i will because i've already completed the app and the more schools i apply the better for my chances. but, that city does give me doubts as to whether i would even attend if im accepted. after creating this thread i asked some of my friends from norcal about it and they all say stockton is really ghetto...kind of like riverside here in socal but worse. i mean im going to be living there for 4 years so location does matter. idk..
 
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gfunkmoney 06 said:
by the way, i really don't need help w/ the essay as ive written it already...though i must admit there is a lot of bs in there. lol..

but anyway, im really having second thoughts about even applying there. i guess i will because i've already completed the app and the more schools i apply the better for my chances. but, that city does give me doubts as to whether i would even attend if im accepted. after creating this thread i asked some of my friends from norcal about it and they all say stockton is really ghetto...kind of like riverside here in socal but worse. i mean im going to be living there for 4 years so location does matter. idk..
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It is "ghetto" - Well, a lot of it is. That said, a lot of the world is ghetto, and you might end up working in somewhere like Stockton no matter where you go to school, so might as well learn to live with it. File for a weapons permit, and you can at least be armed when you're in your home and/or at work (when the time comes).

That said, I had no reservations about attending TJL. It's a fine school with a great, long-standing reputation and therefore amazing opportunities for interning and residency, which is all I care about.
 
i agree, very true. i guess id be spending most of my time around campus anyway, so the city itself doesn't matter too much.

again, im still struggling to find out why UOP is so special. why does it have the most applicants of any pharm school? do they have like world renowned staff/faculty? and when it comes to funding and such it doesnt seem like they're that great as they're ranked 51 in that us news ranking. i have to admit w/ so much good vibes from word of mouth seeing that ranking was a shocker.
 
gfunkmoney 06 said:
i agree, very true. i guess id be spending most of my time around campus anyway, so the city itself doesn't matter too much.

again, im still struggling to find out why UOP is so special. why does it have the most applicants of any pharm school? do they have like world renowned staff/faculty? and when it comes to funding and such it doesnt seem like they're that great as they're ranked 51 in that us news ranking. i have to admit w/ so much good vibes from word of mouth seeing that ranking was a shocker.
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Ranking in pharmacy means nothing.

It's all about reputation and the relationship they have with hospitals and retail joints in and around Stockton. UoP commands tons of facilities in Lodi, Escalon, Modesto, Lathrop, including San Joaquin County General, Dameron Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital.

It's a clear winner for me, despite its "ranking being bad." I couldn't care less. UoP gets their students internships, and their graduates get residencies. All that matters especially ITE.
 
I've always heard UOP is a beautiful campus and a great school. That said, STOCKTON SUCKS. I was born there and I've visited there pretty much every year (family is all still there..mom and dad got out quick!) and it is ghetto and just sucky...It has grown some and gotten better, but not good enough. Everyone in my family (over there) wanted me to apply there, but I wouldn't go back to Cali unless it was Southeren, like LA! G/l with your choice, but if you get in remember it is a great school. 👍
 
Are you going to PCOM Brunette? You're in Florida now right?
 
gfunkmoney 06 said:
i agree, very true. i guess id be spending most of my time around campus anyway, so the city itself doesn't matter too much.

again, im still struggling to find out why UOP is so special. why does it have the most applicants of any pharm school? do they have like world renowned staff/faculty? and when it comes to funding and such it doesnt seem like they're that great as they're ranked 51 in that us news ranking. i have to admit w/ so much good vibes from word of mouth seeing that ranking was a shocker.
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UoP is the only school that offers a 2+3 year program, you can graduate at 22 years old what else can you ask for? LOL...
 
SHC1984 said:
UoP is the only school that offers a 2+3 year program, you can graduate at 22 years old what else can you ask for? LOL...
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Are they the only 3 year school in California? What other schools offer that besides LECOM-E, South-Savannah, Midwestern-Glendale, etc?

>>> I was being lazy and wrote Cali, but I can't stand when people call it that. lol
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Are they the only 3 year school in California? What other schools offer that besides LECOM-E, South-Savannah, Midwestern-Glendale, etc?

>>> I was being lazy and wrote Cali, but I can't stand when people call it that. lol
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Yeah UoP is the only 3 year program in CA and it is also the only 3 year program that isn't a complete diploma mill. LOL... I got accepted into South U and was excited at first, but then look at their average board scores and pass rate and decided NOT to attend. LOL...South is also quite expensive too. Oh and Virgina has a 3 year program too...it's called Applachia or something like that. UoP is special because it is the only 3 year program worth attending, the others are just diploma mills.

UoP dental is the only dental school in the nation that's 3 years long...but that's getting off topic. LOL...
 
SHC1984 said:
Yeah UoP is the only 3 year program in CA and it is also the only 3 year program that isn't a complete diploma mill. LOL... I got accepted into South U and was excited at first, but then look at their average board scores and pass rate and decided NOT to attend. LOL...South is also quite expensive too. Oh and Virgina has a 3 year program too...it's called Applachia or something like that. UoP is special because it is the only 3 year program worth attending, the others are just diploma mills.

UoP dental is the only dental school in the nation that's 3 years long...but that's getting off topic. LOL...
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That's definitely not the only reason UoP is unique and special.
 
Passion4Sci said:
That's definitely not the only reason UoP is unique and special.
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LOL...that's true. I have never been very good at explaining why a school is superior beside using the US Ranking, their reputation, their average test scores/pass rate and their ability to get their students into residencies etc.

UCSF, UCSD and UoP are all very special schools but it will be diffcult for me to give a list of reasons why they are all so special!
 
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UoP does have a good reputation in CA. But to be brutally honest I only applied there as a back up to UCSF, UCSD, USC. I'm sure I'm not the only one who did that. In my opinion it's fairly easier to get accepted at UoP than other schools I just mentioned. Also I was attracted by UoP because of its three year program and doesn't require PCAT.
 
is UoP hard to get into?? would I be able to get in with a 3.00...and great Extra Curriculars, and experience??
 
I think UOP is fairly tough just because of the sheer amt of applicants. Lots of very competitive ppl apply there, so you have to match up with those ppl. Doesn't hurt to apply though. Everyone is unique and there may be something about you that'll stand out above even those w/ a 4.0 gpa.
 
Forget UOP. It's expensive and situates in a ghetto neighborhood. I didn't get in, maybe that's why I'm giving a bad rating.

If you have below 3.0, maybe just apply somewhere else that has a higher chance. Don't waste your money applying there and don't even dream that you'll get an interview. Best of luck.
 
Pharmacy school in California is expensive. They're all expensive. UoP is expensive, but it's also a 3 year program, so you're in the field as a pharmacist 1 year sooner than other programs, too.

The actual campus "situation" is quite nice - A couple blocks from Sherwood/Weberstown Mall, the new Pavilions thing, Chili's, multiple banks, a nice junior college, March and Pacific Avenues... It's a big area. Further South of UoP is not so nice, but generally speaking the area itself surrounding UoP is fine, and the gangbangers do not bother the students.
 
gfunkmoney 06 said:
I think UOP is fairly tough just because of the sheer amt of applicants. Lots of very competitive ppl apply there, so you have to match up with those ppl. Doesn't hurt to apply though. Everyone is unique and there may be something about you that'll stand out above even those w/ a 4.0 gpa.
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We've gone over this in another thread you started about WHY UoP. Now you reworded the question asking why it's "special"... still same question.

If you ask me, it's not special. It's another pharmacy school. Tying into that, you mention competitive people applying here. No ****, they apply everywhere... not just UoP.

*Face palm* man seriously.
 
wow why so much hate? i was just answering the other guys question regarding applying to the school w/ a 3.0 gpa. answers to all questions can be obvious depending on how much u know. some ppl dont know where UOP stands compared to other schools. don't take what im saying out of context.

u know, the reason y i brought these threads up is b/c of this mindset that i have that rankings and location is very important. ive been premed for the past 4 years so im just so used to putting lots of weight into rankings and tiers and such. so, it was a bit tough for me to finally realize that it just doesn't matter what pharm school u go to and that most schools r really just on par w/ one another.
 
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gfunkmoney 06 said:
wow why so much hate? i was just answering the other guys question regarding applying to the school w/ a 3.0 gpa. answers to all questions can be obvious depending on how much u know. some ppl dont know where UOP stands compared to other schools. don't take what im saying out of context.

u know, the reason y i brought these threads up is b/c of this mindset that i have that rankings and location is very important. ive been premed for the past 4 years so im just so used to putting lots of weight into rankings and tiers and such. so, it was a bit tough for me to finally realize that it just doesn't matter what pharm school u go to and that most schools r really just on par w/ one another.
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They are and they aren't... for example, many students at the rank 1 pharmacy school are having trouble finding residencies and getting intern hours whereas at UoP, there is no trouble (because of superior relationships, or more sites, or any combination of reasons).

Not all schools are "on par" with each other and regionality is also very important.
 
sry, when i say "on par" im saying that in comparison to med schools. i know that pharm schools r not all the same and that each is uniquely better in some way than others. it's just not as clear cut.
 
UOP is special because living in Stockton for 3 years will allow you to truly appreciate seeing it in your rear view mirror as you leave town.
 
Passion4Sci said:
They are and they aren't... for example, many students at the rank 1 pharmacy school are having trouble finding residencies and getting intern hours whereas at UoP, there is no trouble (because of superior relationships, or more sites, or any combination of reasons).

Not all schools are "on par" with each other and regionality is also very important.
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I thought that was because UoP pay intern sites to secure spots for their students. I guess that's why UoP tuition is very expensive.
 
OldPharm said:
I thought that was because UoP pay intern sites to secure spots for their students. I guess that's why UoP tuition is very expensive.
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It's worth its weight in gold. I'd rather pay more money now and be able to a. find a residency and b. take the NAPLEX and CPJE and go to a more expensive school, than go to a less expensive school and face having a Pharm.D but being unable to take even NAPLEX due to a lack of hours...
 
gfunkmoney 06 said:
wow why so much hate? i was just answering the other guys question regarding applying to the school w/ a 3.0 gpa. answers to all questions can be obvious depending on how much u know. some ppl dont know where UOP stands compared to other schools. don't take what im saying out of context.

u know, the reason y i brought these threads up is b/c of this mindset that i have that rankings and location is very important. ive been premed for the past 4 years so im just so used to putting lots of weight into rankings and tiers and such. so, it was a bit tough for me to finally realize that it just doesn't matter what pharm school u go to and that most schools r really just on par w/ one another.
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there was absolutely no hate whatsoever in my previous comment, just straight observations and facts.

i'm sure people are aware where uop stands if they're applying... but yet again, you're dodging the bullet in regards to the point of this whole thread (reasons why UoP is special). I never took what YOU said out of context, I just informed your statement was baseless contingent on the fact competitive people apply to ALL schools versus as you mentioned uop. (maybe it was a wording error on your part?)

And I'm glad you've been pre-med for 4 years... i'm sure a lot of pharm applicants were pre-med at one point. When you find out where you'd like to apply and have valid reasoning instead of asking the people of SDN to help you write your personal statement, let me know.

Good day sir.
 
Seriously y r u being such an ass? What have I done or said to make u think I'm trying to trick people into giving me answers to my personal statement? Do you just assume people have ulterior motives? I know exactly what schools I want to apply to and I finished my personal statement last friday.

U know, I really, truly wanted to know why UOP is so "special", or in other words, POPULAR. When it comes to med schools, the best schools that come to mind like Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Stanford are popular and are special because they really ARE the best schools and that is reflected in the rankings as well. They are in the top 10. SO, when I asked why UOP is so special I just wanted to know what all the hype was given its low rankings (51) and the fact that there doesn't seem to be any clear reasons why it's so great. Why is it hyped so much? That's what I want to know. Great passing rates? Pharmacists from UOP save more lives (lol)? The top med schools are ranked high b/c they have either the best research or their hospitals have accomplished some amazing things in the medical field. Not clear cut w/ pharm schools. Sry if I didn't make myself clear in the beginning.
 
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I didn't even know UoP existed before I came to this forum. In fact, I didn't know about most of the private schools except for Midwestern (and only because I live in the Phoenix area).

As many people have pointed out before, schools are well-known ("special") in their own region.
 
I think you're right. It's very popular to me b/c I'm from socal and I have a bunch of nerdy friends in college, many of whom were prepharm, that talked a lot about which schools they were applying to, etc. Everyone threw out UOP as a school they were interested in.

I think UOP really stands out because of that unique 3 yr program and its high pass rate (especially for a 3 yr prog). Plus it probably has a good reputation because maybe it does have a great campus and staff. Thus, graduates of the school are happier than most and w/ their success they spread the word to others about how great UOP is. makes sense. I can see why it's so popular now.

I realize now that this was kind of a pointless thread. My bad.
 
The important thing is to pick the right school for YOU and the most out of your education. Make some great connections while you are in school- networking is important. Sometimes, it is about who you know.
 
gfunkmoney 06 said:
Everyone threw out UOP as a school they were interested in.
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Only because it's one of only two (other being Western) decent/established school in California that's not crazy hard to get into (UCSF, USC, UCSD) or religiously affiliated (LL).
 
rxlea said:
The important thing is to pick the right school for YOU and the most out of your education. Make some great connections while you are in school- networking is important. Sometimes, it is about who you know.
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Choosing a school based on any one point is a bad idea. Compare each program against others and make an informed decision. UOP has a great program... The school is in the ghetto - but then so are your patients.
 
Its Z said:
UOP is special because living in Stockton for 3 years will allow you to truly appreciate seeing it in your rear view mirror as you leave town.
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Man, I've been here 4 years and I can't wait to get out of here!

One more week!

___________

Passion4Sci is spot on. He's to the point and he knows the area. As I'm typing this, I hear sirens outside my room. hahaha


Stay safe in stockton.
 
Miami is horrible too. Miami, Detroit, and Memphis are the top 3 most dangerous US cities according to Forbes analysis of FBI date on violent crime. I used to have prostitutes and police chases under my balcony every night when I lived on calle ocho. I've had knives pulled on me from other drivers just because they ran stop signs... yeah... it's hard out there in the hood. lol
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Miami is horrible too. Miami, Detroit, and Memphis are the top 3 most dangerous US cities according to Forbes analysis of FBI date on violent crime. I used to have prostitutes and police chases under my balcony every night when I lived on calle ocho. I've had knives pulled on me from other drivers just because they ran stop signs... yeah... it's hard out there in the hood. lol
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I'd put Newark; Baltimore; DC; and Gary, Indiana right up there too.
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Miami is horrible too. Miami, Detroit, and Memphis are the top 3 most dangerous US cities according to Forbes analysis of FBI date on violent crime. I used to have prostitutes and police chases under my balcony every night when I lived on calle ocho. I've had knives pulled on me from other drivers just because they ran stop signs... yeah... it's hard out there in the hood. lol
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Damn that's rough. Can't say that I have ever experienced something like that before.
 
hm... just FYI (UoP is actually no longer used.. University of the Pacific currently preferred to be called Pacific)

picking a school really depends on how u feel about the school itself when u actually visited..

I have a friend who weren't really interested in Pacific in the first place and only applied to it as a back up originally.. but after he visited/ interviewed.. Pacific became one of his top choices...

granted.. Pacific is in the ghetto.. but what about USC, Tuoro, Western?.. i wouldnt say Compton, Vallejo, Pomona are necessary the best place to live either...

it's true that many people applied to UoP as a back up.. but I personally know people who rejected UCSF to come to UoP..

beside its accelerated curriculum (3 years!!! can't beat that)... it also has a solid reputation in CA.. approximately 1/3 of CA pharmacist graduated from Pacific! just the shear volume of alumni connection is incredible...

Pacific is also the choice for many major pharmacy organization's President to send their kids to... eventho those president did not attend Pacific themselves.. they trusted Pacific enough to send their kids there.. i think that speaks for something..

lastly, i think Pacific is attractive because of the environment of the school itself... at least when I was there.. people weren't cut-throat.. they help each other out a lot (often people send out study guides they made to everyone in the class)... the faculty and everyone for the most part are friendly and definitely helpful... also, the school also have a very active study body! (lots of clubs/ fraternities.. and opportunities to volunteer)

anyways.. just my 2 cents.. i loved it when I attended it and i hope u guys would come to like it too.. =)
 
Well, Stockton actually isn't that bad. You just can't walk in the streets at night, and don't go anywhere shady. Pacific Ave and March Lane places are the safest since it's so close to school and nicely lit. A lot of the gated communities are really nice too.
 
aznkukuboi said:
Well, Stockton actually isn't that bad. You just can't walk in the streets at night, and don't go anywhere shady. Pacific Ave and March Lane places are the safest since it's so close to school and nicely lit. A lot of the gated communities are really nice too.
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Gotta watch where you go during the day time too. Plenty of shootings and robberies in broad daylight.
 
aznkukuboi said:
Well, Stockton actually isn't that bad. You just can't walk in the streets at night, and don't go anywhere shady. Pacific Ave and March Lane places are the safest since it's so close to school and nicely lit. A lot of the gated communities are really nice too.
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agreed... NOW GO BACK TO STUDY! and GL on ur ever last couple finals at Pacific!
 
marke said:
granted.. Pacific is in the ghetto.. but what about USC, Tuoro, Western?.. i wouldnt say Compton, Vallejo, Pomona are necessary the best place to live either...
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Both the main campus and medical/pharmacy campus of USC are not located in Compton. The main campus is in downtown LA, which is sketchy, but the pharmacy campus is just east of downtown and in a much nicer area.
 
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