<p>One of my friends that I volunteer in a hospital with is going off to college this fall. She and I both want to be pharmacists (I'm a junior in high school by the way), so we talk a lot. </p>
<p>My friend is currently torn between University of Southern California (USC) and University of the Pacific (UOP). She's been accepted into both of the schools' pharmacy programs, TAP at USC and 2+3 at UOP. </p>
<p>She definitely likes USC better and would choose it in a heartbeat if money was not a problem. I guess she visited both and liked the busy, crowded atmosphere of USC better (she's currently attending a small, private high school and she just wants to get out). However, her parents, while they do have money, are not super rich and also have another child to put through college. </p>
<p>If she went to UOP, she would be done with school and have her PharmD in 5 years. That would cost a total of about $300,000. USC would take 8 years, and she would get a bachelor's degree along with a PharmD, but it would cost $500,000. And those prices aren't including interest on loans that she would have to get, but her parents would be able to pay for about half of it. (Actually, I'm not sure of the money issue so I'm putting numbers that she estimated, but USC is definitely more expensive). </p>
<p>As far as other factors, she definitely likes Los Angeles better than Stockton, but of course, it is more expensive. She wants to do some research, and I heard that USC is better for that (they give out more money for research or something like that). Her parents want her to go to UOP. They want her to finish school as fast as possible and start to work soon. I understand her parents' point of view, but at the same time, I feel like college should be a time to explore, make new friends, and enjoy life a little, not just study 24/7. </p>
<p>My friend is super stressed out about this decision. And just talking to her today made me stressed to. She initially told her parents that she was going to attend UOP, but now she's second guessing herself (luckily, she hasn't paid the deposit yet and the deadline is May 1). And I felt so bad for her because when I asked her which college she was going to, she said UOP and then burst into tears. She told me she felt like she was missing out on a great opportunity to go to USC, which might have better connections and better job placement in the future. And it's sad because she worked so hard to get into USC but didn't really try for UOP. </p>
<p>Anyways, I'm sorry it's a long post (and it's my first time posting on College Confidential). I just wanted some insight from others, since I might be going through this whole process next year. I think my friend is making the logical choice to go to UOP (if she does), but I feel that she's going to regret not going to USC. I think she might be happier at USC too. But on the other hand, it is much cheaper. Even if she makes $65,000-$70,000, she's going to be paying back loans for a long time. </p>
<p>So what would you do? Go to where you feel like you should be? Go to a school that makes you happy? Go to the cheaper one? Has anyone been to either school? Or been in a situation of choosing between your personal preference and a more affordable school?</p>