endlesslove said:
so besides the fact that UCSF is the #1 ranked pharmacy school for several years now and offers many clinical sites and residency programs, why should ppl choose UCSF over another school if they get into both? i mean, sure, they're right near the Golden Gate Bridge so very pretty scenic sites and sure, they've got the 3 pathways, but so do other schools like UCSD.
I'm just curious.
Where do you want to go with it? UCSD has the same curriculum, etc...but it hasn't gotten its feet entirely wet. That's a good and bad thing, mainly, it hasn't worked out its own kinks yet, and UCSF is working out its own, as all schools must do. I don't think ranking has much to do with it, other than the amount of research and opportunities for the future you find here and at UCSD. Here, there are very openminded, dynamic faculty, a history of purpose and accomplishment among all of its schools....as UCSD has.
The pathways do help...but I can't size up UCSD.
It isn't about who's the best...it's where you feel comfortable, where it makes the most sense for you. I visted other campuses, even UCSD, though I didn't get in there (haha, i did interview), I probably would have gone with UCSF anyways bc of the challenging interview and its overall dedication to health professions. My experience was that it wants abstract thinkers, its interviewers were more prepared and asked more thought provoking questions. That meant something to me, it was a good omen, as that is what I like.
More so, it's probably one of the few schools of its reputation purely devoted to medical science, a bustling organism driven by dedication with a singlular mantra. That's pure to me, it has no other focus or distraction. It's basically one heart beating for one purpose. So that was my impressions, my opinion, and that's what drew me here. Everything at UCSD will grow, but obviously by going there you have to build more, wait for more. USCF is ready now and will allow you to grow into the program. Any school can offer that, but it's the feeling you may feel here. So don't sit here and second guess your decisions based on superficiality i.e. rank, as if not going there somehow will diminish your personal accomplishment! That should not play as a factor. It's a mental block.
Simply, weigh it out, where did you feel best, where will it allow you to grow in the area of pharmacy to your liking, and where will you obtain the best education possible.
That's what is truly important.
I love it here and I am thankful each day I go to class, the classmates I have gotten to know better this year, the faculty that are open minded, approachable, mentors, and the city itself. I haven't been to a place like it.
This is all my opinion.
