<p>Although I haven't been accepted by both colleges yet, these two are at the top of my list. If I somehow were to be accepted by Duke, which would be the better choice? I am an in-state at Texas, so UT Austin started off as my "safety school", but it's now my top choice along with Duke. The tuition will be low at UT for me since its a public school, but Duke's (once again, if I'm lucky enough to be accepted) tuition may not be too high for me either because my family has a fairly low income. UT Austin would also offer an easier transition from high school to college for me because I've been to the campus several times already, and a lot of my friends are planning to go there as well. On the other hand, the academic level, prestige, and opportunity that Duke offers may be too much to decline for UT Austin...what do you think?</p>
<p>I think it depends on several factors. What is your major going to be? Because business, for example, at UT is very well regarded. And how do you feel when just walking around the campus?</p>
<p>I plan on majoring in biochemistry/pre-pharmacy and going on to pharmacy school. I know that UT Austin has a pharmacy school, but since that is graduate stuff, I don’t think it will affect my decision choosing an undergrad school?</p>
<p>Why don’t you wait until you’ve been accepted to both with your FA offers to decide?</p>
<p>UT-Austin may have (it used to) a 6 year pharm program, in which you get your pharm degree (at 6-figure paycheck) in 6 years. Duke does not have that. If you can get in Duke, you’ll likely to get accepted to UT natural science’s honors program - Dean Scholars. With Dean Scholars you are afforded advantages such as small class sizes, priority registration, interesting seminar, strong connection with faculty, etc. </p>
<p>Having gone to UT-Austin for UG, and attending Duke for grad, I would go recommend to go to UT-Austin. I feel that UT-Austin has a much better college experience. Outside of Duke, there isn’t really much to do in Durham. If your ultimate plan is to get in to Pharm school, Duke doesn’t provide you with any significant advantage.</p>
<p>
If you really want to be a pharmacist, you should at least do some homework to find out how to get there.</p>
<p>“The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is the entry-level professional degree for pharmacy. The program includes two years of pre-pharmacy work and four years of pharmacy school.” You apply to the Pharmacy school at the end of your sophomore year. And Texas has a top ranked Pharm.D. program (4th according to USNWR).</p>
<p>If you can get accepted directly into a six year program that would certainly be advantageous. (My niece finished Butler’s six year program several years ago and did, in fact, start out with a six figure salary.)</p>
<p>After reading your post, my question:
Why in the world would you go to Duke?</p>
<p>Go to Texas!! Years from now if you’re living in Texas no one will care if you went to Duke, but UT is highly regarded in TX. Save your money and go to the great public school with the program that you want.</p>
<p>Consider this…I’m older than most of you here and grew up in CA. After High school about 5 students went to UCLA… then others went out of state…one went to Brown, one went to Vassar, one to Carlton, one to Pomona (in-state but not well known)… Fastforward years later, no one cares that those other students went to Brown or Pomona and on top of that they’re the students that still are paying on loans. The UCLA grads had zero loans from undergrad and now get to be part of the fun spirit surrounding college sports. Trust me, go to UT!!</p>
<p>liu02bhs: I’ve actually spent hours previously researching to see if UT Austin’s pharmacy is a 6-yr program, but I don’t believe it is. I think you have to actually apply to their pharmacy school after completing the pre-requisites even if you attend UT Austin for undergrad.</p>
<p>GoBlue81: I actually have done ALOT of research on pharmacy, and I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) you are not required to apply to pharmacy school after your sophomore year. It is acceptable (in fact, some websites actually encouraged it) to complete all four years of undergrad, earn a bachelor’s, and then apply to pharmacy school. If I were to go to Duke, that would be the path I’d choose. But as you said, if I chose UT Austin, then I would try and apply after my 2nd undergrad year.</p>
<p>Pancaked: As I mentioned, I don’t believe UT Austin offers a 6-yr pharmacy program. In that case, I would have to apply and be accepted into their pharmacy program based on my undergrad years, in which case a Duke applicant may be looked upon more favorably than a UT Austin student (don’t get me wrong, UT is an awesome school as well, but I think 99% of America would agree that Duke’s academics is at least a little tiny bit superior).</p>
<p>
There are definite advantages of getting a 4-year liberal arts education. You might change your mind, or you might go for a PhD instead of a PharmD. That said, you have to be prepared to put in another 4 year for your PharmD. Your admission criteria will be the same as a pre-pharmacy applicant.</p>
<p>“Q:I have a B.S. degree in a field other than pharmacy. I am interested in the Pharm.D. program. Am I eligible for admission?
A:You are eligible for admission if you have completed the prerequisites for admission. The professional curriculum will still take a minimum of four years to complete.”</p>
<p>Personally, 8 years is too long to get a PharmD degree.</p>
<p>I’ve considered actually staying all 4 years of college as opposed to just 2 before applying to pharmacy school for the following reasons:</p>
<p>1) I think an an applicant who has completed 4 yrs of study and has a bachelor’s degree would look better than someone who’s only completed 2 yrs and has no degree to the pharmacy school admission staff.
2) I kinda want to experience the entire college experience like most of my friends will, which would require staying through all the years and earning a bachelor’s degree. I think moving on to pharmacy school after only 2 undergrad years would be cutting short the whole “once in a lifetime” college experience.</p>
<p>I’ve considered actually staying all 4 years of college as opposed to just 2 before applying to pharmacy school for the following reasons:</p>
<p>1) I think an an applicant who has completed 4 yrs of study and has a bachelor’s degree would look better than someone who’s only completed 2 yrs and has no degree to the pharmacy school admission staff.
2) I kinda want to experience the entire college experience like most of my friends will, which would require staying through all the years and earning a bachelor’s degree. I think moving on to pharmacy school after only 2 undergrad years would be cutting short the whole “once in a lifetime” college experience.</p>