<p>Does the undergrad intuition really matter significantly in determining admission to a good pharmacy school?</p>
<p>Does the undergrad intuition really matter significantly in determining admission to a good pharmacy?
I'm considering to go my local California State University to major in Chemistry and compete Pre-Pharmacy courses to get into UCSF. I have also been admitted to UC Davis, and all the adults around me are urging me to go to UC Davis, saying that UCSF will automatically turn down State University students when there are other applicants with degrees from schools of better reputation. Well i know that at UC Davis, I would not be able to get good grades as I would probably be able to do so at a State university( SF State University, by the way). But they still urge me to go to UC Davis, saying that the institution of undergrad degree matters a lot.</p>
<p>I know the undergrad institution matters, but it's the only thing that matters, and not the thing that matters MOST, right... RIGHT?</p>
<p>Another factor to take into consideration is the budget cuts. The adults around me are using the fact that State Universities, especially SF State University, because it's so heavily impacted, are attack by heavy budget cuts. As a result, it is not unusual for students to graduate in 7-8 years. Thus, they argued, it would be the wise choice to attend Davis instead of SF State University. What do you think? Does undergrad intuition really matter that much? Which school do you suggest I attend?</p>
<p>bump please help me. I need to make a decision quick</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong by going to UCD. It is renown all over the country in the medical field. If you have time, go to UCSF and talk to an advisor, and see how they view SFSU. It’s best to take advice directly from the school you eventually hope to attend.</p>
<p>If you are facing an urgent decision deadline, and you don’t have time to check with UCSF, just pick UCD. As I said, you can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>Even if I major in something completely useless? Say, Literature, chemistry (useless without an advanced degree), biology, history, etc. I would have to go far from home. Also, isn’t it much harder to get good grades at UC Davis than at SFSU? So shouldn’t grades and test scores come first?
Thank you for responding… I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>You’re asking really good questions for an advisor. How long do you have before you have to make a decision?</p>
<p>Let’s not kid ourselves, Davis is tough. By the way, do not major in literature or history if you want to go to med school. Chemistry or biology sound like better majors that would prepare you for what’s ahead, especially biology.</p>
<p>o ok. Thanks for your help :O) But i have another problem… </p>
<p>I have receieved a D last semester for AP Calculus, which is my fourth year of calculus (A-G requirements require only 3 years of math). What is the best way to report this D to UC Davis, so that they will note revoke me? Also, what is the best method to remedy my D, if they should ask? Thanks sooo much! I just learned that you too attend UC Davis, so I thought you could hope me even further than you already did. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I don’t know how they view AP classes that you struck out on. As redundant as it sounds, I’d suggest you talk to an advisor (this time, at UC Davis). Ask them by phone, or even in-person if you can make it up here. It’s a lot harder for them to be rude to you on the phone or in-person, than it is if you just shoot them an email. Let them know you have a back-up plan (SFSU) if you cannot attend UC Davis, but you just need an honest, straight answer on whether you still have a shot.</p>
<p>If they don’t give you a definitive answer, but they do want you to report it, just be honest in your explanation. Tell them that what happened is very unusual, and if you had stopped after your mandated three math courses, you would have a higher grade point average, but you would not have seen the coursework in this fourth course, and you would not have been as prepared as you are.</p>
<p>OMg! Thank you soooooooooo so so sooooooo much! You just made me want to go to UC Davis even more! I hope everyone’s as kind as you there :O)</p>
<p>I would be careful about assuming courses at SFSU would be easier than equivalent courses at UC Davis. I know that for example CSU Sacramento and UC Berkeley use the same textbook (Stewart, “Early Transcendetals”) for Calculus I,II, and III and comparing the midterm and final exam questions that my elder son who is now taking Calculus III at Sac State gets and those for the same course posted on the UC Berkeley web site, they seem to be of about equal difficulty. The difference between in the capabilities between the Sac State and Berkeley student bodies shows up in the statistics that while about 90% of students who matriculate at Berkeley eventually earn a Bachelor’s degree, the figure for Sac State is only about 40%. </p>
<p>Also, no matter where you go, a good undergraduate GPA is essential for admission to medical school. A 3.8 GPA from SFSU may or may not get you admitted to UCSF but a 3.1 from UC Davis or any other school is a certain rejection unless you are a URM.</p>
<p>I know you are desperately trying to figure out the best choice for your future. As long as you are not bombing all your senior year classes, your “D” in calculus should not hinder you from staying accepted to UCD. Calculus is not a required course for acceptance. But don’t take my word for it. Call admissions and ask them.</p>
<p>As for deciding between UCD and SFSU, UCD would be the better choice for any medical related majors. Yes, you may have a lower GPA from UCD but schools like UCSF know that. I was accepted into UCSF right out of UCD with a GPA of 3.4. My classmates who were coming from cal state schools had 3.8 to 4.0’s and it took them 3 years/3 tries to be accepted. I also had a much easier time with the course work than the 4.0’s coming out of state schools. I believe not because I was brighter, just better prepared. Much of the course work was a more detailed review for me vs. brand new info as it was for many of the other students from other schools.</p>
<p>As for the UG major you chose, do not shy away from liberal art type majors. If you look at Med School acceptance rates it is the liberal art majors that have higher acceptance rates. Med schools often want students that have more knowledge than just biology and physiology. If you can be a literature major, history major or music major and get all your med school prerequisites in you are bringing much more into your field than just science. </p>
<p>Just remember you can reach your dream from either school. And to be honest, your dream will probably change a few times before you reach it.</p>
<p>Thank you Camphappy, your comment helped me A LOT. You made me a happy camper. 
</p>
<p>I’m not the liberal arts type of person. I will stick to the sciences and the maths, because that’s what I enjoy. Thanks for the tip, though! :)</p>
<p>Lemaitre1, that’s a really good point. Thanks :)</p>