Extremely Confused and Undecided

College Search & Selection
1

<p>For the past few years or so, I have been set on becoming a pharmacist. I shadowed a pharmacist on multiple occasions, and thought that clinical pharmacy was awesome. And so, I was trying to decide between USC and their TAP program and UOP and their 2+3 pharmacy program (I posted a thread about this earlier this week). </p>

<p>Yesterday, I decided to attend USC. However, this morning, I was chatting with a family friend, and he were telling me about nurse anesthetists. And that just sounded like an awesome job. When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor, either a radiologist or an anesthesiologist. Then I changed my mind and wanted to be a pharmacist. And now, nursing sounds like a good career path. I could get a BS in nursing and then either go on to become a nurse anesthetist or maybe even medical school if I wanted. But then if I don't make it into a nurse anesthetist program or medical school right away, then I could work as a nurse. So that sounds like a good career path.</p>

<p>Right now, I am extremely confused. I don't know if I should continue with my decision to attend USC or not. I already sent back the form saying I accept admission into USC's TAP program, but I haven't paid the deposit for undergrad yet, so I guess it's still okay if I don't attend USC. I just don't know if I want to become a pharmacist anymore. I had my doubts about pharmacy last week because after visiting UOP, pharmacy just didn't sound as interesting as it did before. Anyways, here are my options:
- Go to USC. If I want to go to pharmacy school, I practically have guaranteed admittance. If I don't want to go to pharmacy school, I could just get a BS degree. But they don't have a BS in nursing. So, I might have to get a BS in nursing, which would take even longer.
- Attend UC Irvine. I'm accepted as a pharmaceutical sciences major, so maybe I could change to nursing science. (By the way, does anyone know if a BS in nursing science is the same as a BS in nursing?)
- Go to a community college and then hopefully transfer Loma Linda University and get a BS in nursing there. </p>

<p>LLU also has a nurse anesthetist program, so maybe getting a BS in nursing there would improve my chances of getting in. And LLU also has a medical school. But USC has a nurse anesthetist program and a medical school too. </p>

<p>As always, price is an issue. Going to a community college and then LLU would be cheaper, because they are close enough to home for me to commute. However, I really want to get out of the house, and away from my hometown. I've been here my whole life, and I want to explore other options. USC is definitely the most expensive option, and price was a factor even when I was choosing between USC and UOP. I chose USC over UOP because I felt more comfortable on the campus. While USC sounded like a great choice because of the TAP program, if I didn't go into pharmacy, it does not seem like a reasonable choice at all, even if I really like the campus. UCI is sounding pretty good actually. It's not as expensive as USC, but it is more expensive than community college. And I would be able to get away from home. The only problem is I am worried about my chances of getting into a nurse anesthetist program or medical school. Or even pharmacy school if I do decide on pharmacy. However, I know that going to USC or LLU will not guarantee my chances of getting into their programs.</p>

<p>I'm so confused. I thought my life was planned out. I started having doubts about pharmacy school last week, and because I'm actually considering a different career option now tells me that there's a good chance I don't want to do pharmacy. </p>

<p>I really appreciate any thoughts/comments/advice. I'm super confused, so please give me some advice! It really worries me that the deadline to reply to colleges is tomorrow, and I'm just starting to do research on another career right now.</p>

2

<p>BS in Nursing Science could well be the same as BSN. Read through the course catalogue to see what it has to say about that program.</p>

<p>Many of the intro science courses that are needed for a nursing program would also prepare you for pharmacy or med school. Look at the various programs at these institutions and see what you think. </p>

<p>If you feel truly indecisive, it is OK to just take a semester or a year off and work for a while and get your thoughts together before you start college.</p>

3

<p>Choco - You’re 18; you’re not supposed to have your life planned out at this point. That’s a big part of what college is all about. The overwhelming likelihood is that you’ll find your career in something other than pharmacy or nurse anesthesiology. College will help you make that decision and USC would be a perfect place in which to explore. Commuting to CC and then LLU is a way to earn 120 credits, but it’s not an experience comparable to USC.</p>

4

<p>I agree with gadad. You are thinking too much. Go to USC.</p>

5

<p>Yes, you never know how you might be thinking after 3 years of college. At any rate, I think a nurse with a degree in pharmacy would be in high demand. So don’t rule out the fact that you might become a pharmacist and work in that job for a number of years and then decide to go back to nursing school.</p>

6

<p>Thanks everyone! I still haven’t made my decision yet. I most likely won’t go to a CC. So it’s either USC or UCI. I’m going to sleep on it first, and then we’ll see tomorrow. </p>

<p>To gadad and susgeek, I would love to go to USC. It’s my dream school. Except, while it would be good for pharmacy, it does not have a BS in nursing. I want to explore, but it would be nice to know it offered a potential major of mine. Also, USC is offering me almost nothing in financial aid, so I’m looking at $120,000 in debt just from undergrad (my parents can only help me out about half of the expenses). </p>

<p>And the problem with UCI is that there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to get into nursing science. So if I go there and want to become a nurse, that’s a problem too.</p>

<p>It’s such a difficult decision. But thank you for replying!</p>

7

<p>wow, $120,000 in debt?! That is not good at all. Are you planning to go to grad school?
I would advise you to pick the cheaper option, which is UCI. Or even CC. You have to think about the economy in the next couple of years. $120,000 in loans are ridiculous for just an undergraduate program. Just ridiculous.</p>

8

<p>The only loans you can qualify for without a co-signer are the Stafford loans. If you take out the maximum each year this will come to a grand total of 27k. Just exactly where would the rest of that 120k come from?</p>

<p>Not only is 120k more than four times the Stafford maximum, which means it is more than four times what you should borrow for an undergrad degree, you won’t even be able to borrow that 120k! You flat out can’t afford USC.</p>

<p>Can you and your family afford UCI? Talk with them about that before you commit to UCI. It may be that your only affordable option is the CCC near your home.</p>

<p>There are a whole bunch of useful calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) that you can use to help evaluate your aid packages. Read through that website, and think about your options.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

9

<p>I’m going to UCI! I’m just so happy that I decided. Thanks for replying!</p>

10

<p>Congratulations on your decision. Good luck at UCI!</p>

11

<p>Choco - Given the price difference, UCI is the right choice and a great choice! Congratulations!</p>