<p>I applied to University at Buffalo for pre-pharmacy and I got in with a scholarship, but the move is too far and I don’t know if it’s worth it if I am going to finish in 7 years. If I go to Cal Poly Pomona, I will save a load of money, get a BS in Biology, transfer to a grad school and major in Pharmacy. I’m confused as to what is the better option overall. By the way, I live in SoCal so Pomona would save me money on housing and everything else.</p>
<p>Suggestion: Save your money.</p>
<p>You never want to go somewhere for a program and quit out, especially if you start as a freshmen. Some people stick with their major but the average person changes it three times. I got lucky changing it from physics to math and then back. You can fulfill pre-pharmacy requirements anywhere, even at a community college.</p>
<p>Three years ago I wanted to go to school to do pre-pharmacy and I have nearly all my requirements finished. I figured out that I didn’t want to do pharmacy for the rest of my life, though and won’t finish and will go instead to grad school for physics. </p>
<p>If you are willing to commit hard to this for the next 7-8 years of your life, go for it. However, getting a 4 year degree at a regular university and applying for pharmacy school will probably put you at around 8 years total of education (if you decide to go to pharmacy school) and you could figure out if you want to get out of the program or not and do something else after getting a bachelors.</p>
<p>Generally, graduates will get jobs in the area that they graduate in. I know So Cal and I know Buffalo. If you want a growing population, good weather and more job prospects go to Pomona. If you want a decaying town (albeit with some active folks trying to turn it around), very harsh winters and hot humid summers, and a depressed job market go to Buffalo. The only benefit I can see for a So Cal kid to go to Buffalo is that you will be able to buy a nice house early in your career provided you get a job. Housing is depressed there just like Detroit. Don’t forget that you will be very far from your family here and few, if any, direct flights that cost $$$. Buffalo supporters out there please don’t hammer me for my comments. I like the place and had fun there. But, even you gotta admit that it is a hard place to live. You almost gotta be born there to love it.</p>
<p>Thank you for the new perspective…also, I was wondering, would I have a hard time getting into a med school such as UCSF if I am an undergrad from a CSU?
Lastly, where did you attend college CalDud?</p>
<p>Thank you OsakaDad. I have not really had the opportunity to speak to someone familiar with SoCal as well as Buffalo. Yes, I was also worried about where I would get a job and the flights are costly. May I ask where you attained this knowledge about Buffalo?</p>
<p>One of my closest buddies from my MBA program took a job there and we visited him and his family in winter! For years we stayed in touch and still do. So, I’ve heard a lot from him for an extended period of time and we visited there. He had to move to another state to forward his career. He now lives in D.C.</p>
<p>It really doesn’t matter where you study for a pharmacy degree. Graduate from east and you can apply the license in west or vice versa. I studied in Idaho & practice in ca. Hospitals or drug store only look at your license, not your degree. Considering how difficult to get in pharmacy schools nowadays , it will be a big plus if the school garanteed to receive PharmD in 7 years. I saw tons of UC or CS students spent 5 or 6 years and still couldn’t get into pharmacy schools.</p>
<p>Keepchow has some real solid advice here. I am not a pharmacist and she obviously is. She knows the market better than I ever will. I suggest that you correspond with her privately via CC and ask more detailed questions.</p>
<p>Dude. Buffalo is COLD. Really, REALLY cold. That would be the extent of my decision making process right there.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona pre-pharmacy students tend to stay in the state and have a society that could give you an idea where you can go after graduation:</p>
<p>[Pre-Pharmacy</a> Society: Pharmacy Infomation](<a href=“http://www.csupomona.edu/~prepharmsociety/pharmcollege.html]Pre-Pharmacy”>http://www.csupomona.edu/~prepharmsociety/pharmcollege.html)</p>
<p>Also, California has strong pharmaceutical and biotech industries. LA, San Francisco and San Diego are loaded with those. I would stay in the war weather, save a ton of money (which you will need for pharm school anyways) and go to Cal Poly. Also, University of Buffalo is no ivy league, so I don’t think it’s worth paying private school prices for a out-of-state public university–unless they guarantee you an automatic transfer to their pharmacy school (which they don’t). You need a 3.5+ GPA to get into other pharmacy programs anyways. Good luck.</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p>[PHARMACEUTICAL</a> COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA](<a href=“http://www.usmedicine.info/usm/ph/ca.html]PHARMACEUTICAL”>http://www.usmedicine.info/usm/ph/ca.html)
[List</a> of pharmacy schools - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“List of pharmacy schools - Wikipedia”>List of pharmacy schools - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Ranking wise, only UCSF is top in CA. You may need to check out Buffalo’s ranking but more important their passing rate for licensing.
I still surprise how many CA students afraid of cold weather. I studied in Idaho and it was no big deal. My sister studied in Toronto and she was fine. Of course if college life means party on the beach then you should stay in So. Cal.
I suggest you to check out more info. from Buffalo if the scholarship they offered is generous.</p>
I got accepted in Pol Pomona in electronics and computer major and in Buffalo as electrical engineering. Even though electrical is my first choice I do not mind electronics which one should I go for?