<p>Hey, so I am accepted to the physiological science major at UCLA.
I am also accepted into University of the Pacific's pre pharm program (meaning I get a gurantee spot in the school of pharmacy) in which I plan to earn a biology as well as a sports management degree before I begin my pharmacy studies.
In terms of prestige and college experience, I would give the edge to UCLA.
Physiological science is a major that I am truly interested in studying.
On the other hand, for UOP, I would get to pursue my passion in sports and know that I will receive a near six figure salary in 7 years. Plus after grants and scholarship, I will be only loaning around $18K per year while I will have to loan the full cost of tuition for UCLA all 4 years.</p>
<p>(Note: I will be visting UOP's profile day this Saturday and UCLA's college day this April 5th)</p>
<p>I dunno dude. Pacific sounds like a good deal but you're going to be in cow-town. Money is something way off in the future, and I'm sure you won't have much trouble getting into pharmacy school if you do well at UCLA. I'd choose the place where you're going to be the most happy and the place where you're going to have the best, most fulfilling experience. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. The thing is, last year for Pacific's admission to the school of pharmacy (those not in the pre pharm advantage program), 1700 students applied, 215 were invited, and 100 were admitted.
I will definitely try to envision myelf in UCLA when I vist there next week. I'm also a big time sports fan... so Bruins football and basketball is also very appealing.</p>
<p>I was considering University of the Pacific also. I viewed up the stats of it, and a friend of mine is having a great time there. It's a great school. However, it seems more .. I really can't find the appropriate word, but "known and recognized" with a UCLA degree. It's all about what kind of sacrifice is more important. You can have the name brand and prestige with a hole of loans, or you can have a set education for your future job with a nice bank account. Good luck on your decision.</p>
<p>The physiological science major is a big negative. I will say you will be still in grad school in 7 years if you don't get into med school. Getting into med school is so tough nowadays.</p>
<p>As Decidingstill said, the sacrifice part is a tough one. Sacrifice is a must, but I'm not sure which one. Honestly, I do like the all the majors I was admitted to. Yea, I agree that prob. career wise it's a bit shaky in that I will have a harder time paing off the loans. My AP Bio teacher said it's possible to go into the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with the Physiological Sciences degree. With the pharmacy, I beleive paying off the loans will be quicker and faster. When I visited Pacific in November, I liked the laid back atmosphere. I still have to see UCLA for myself.</p>
<p>To Socalpatty: I'm in state... all loans though.
To decidingstill: were you considering any of the accelerated programs?</p>
<p>It is not easy for physiological major to get into biotech, molecular and biochem are better. You may look into it more, see if there is chance to change to those majors. I think you will like UCLA campus when you visit, it is different than UOP, but attractive to most people.</p>
<p>I was in a very similar situation last year; I got into UCLA, Berkeley, and UOP (5-year accelerated dental program w/ their $15k scholarship). It sort of came down to whether 1. I really wanted to be a dentist and 2. What kind of life I wanted to live for the next 4 years. I didn't really want to be put in a position where I had to be a dentist because med school has always been my dream. </p>
<p>In retrospect, I somewhat regret putting down UOP in favor of UCLA and my med school dreams simply because it's been a lot harder academically than I expected. But it's a good life down in socal, it definitely beats life in stockton. You aren't guaranteed anything here academically, though; you gotta work hard to beat the competition and reapply for pharmacy school when you graduate. Btw, physiological science is THE predominent major it seems for the premeds at UCLA, and the competition is fierce. </p>
<p>Good luck on your decision and if you have any more questions, post away.</p>
<p>I got into both as well. For UCLA I am in bioengineering. I think I'd rather go to UCLA because UCLA applicants have a 75% entrance rate for UCSF, one of the best pharm schools.</p>
<p>Wow...do you have the link to where I can get more information on that statistics?</p>
<p>I just visted Pacific today, and I like the tight-nit community as well as the accessibility of the professors. I heard that the pre-pharm class admitted this year is the strongest ever.</p>
<p>because I have a printed out copy but I can't seem to find the exact area again. The exact words are "75% of UCLA applicants attend UCSF." I take this to mean that 75% of UCLA applicants also attend UCSF. Maybe this was a mistake in the website and they edited it out because I cannot find it again.</p>
<p>Thanks for the links.
One of the faculty member pointed out that this year Pacific (95% I think) beated out UCSF in passing the licensing from the board.</p>
<p>One question I have always wonder is do the rankings take into account that one progam is accelerated while the other is traditional?</p>
<p>The rankings are generated by sending survays to the deans, other administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools. They rank the school based on the quality of its programs. Some math is done and then a score if given. I think they take into account the totality of the school's programs not just that particular one. </p>
<p>Also you have to consider which school has good residency programs things. Which would get you into a better residency. "only UC and USC currently
offer accredited pharmacyresidency and fellowshiptraining program" though the a lot of grads will probably have to take their residency outside of their school and state.</p>
<p>From the acceptances to applications ratio UCSF is slightly more competetative. UOP has a larger class size too. 200 to the 122 of UCSF. Is this better or worse?</p>
<p>Technically if you go to UOP you'll save money cause there are fewer years. However, you won't get a BS or BA degree. </p>
<p>In the end it really depends on how strongly you want to be a pharmacist. If you are certain then UOP is probably the way to go. However, if you are unsure then you should go elsewhere. Undergrad preformance is very important for grad school and so UCLA would be better for research oppurtunities and etc.</p>
<p>Personally I am unsure and don't believe I can commit right now. That's one of the reasons I prefer UCLA. With UCLA if I decide a few years from now I wanna be an engineer or a doctor it would be a lot easier to get into a good grad school with a UCLA degree than a UOP degree. If I got to UOP I'm practically forced into becoming a pharmacist. Hahaha. I need to figure out what I wanna do for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>I graduated from UCLA last year. I currently attend UCSF pharmacy school. As a former UCLA student, I can tell you that I was fully prepared for the admissions process. I was a biochem major but also took courses meant for the engineering undergrads. I managed to receive my B.S. in three years. UCLA has a great learning environment. UCSF is ranked very highly for pharmacy and the academic focus is wonderful.
It's true that at UOP you will be able to receive your degree in five years. However, have you considered research opportunities? UCLA's great professors coupled with ground breaking research make it an ideal environment for hungry minds. My gpa/pcat scores weren't anything remarkable. I got in because of my dedication and passion for science.
Don't go to UOP because you want an easy ride to becoming a pharmacist. I gaurantee that you will be able to get into fabulous pharmacy schools from UCLA. UCLA has a very strong pre-med program as well.
In my opinion, UOP is not worth giving up the college experience. I took a look at their website and their program just doesn't compare. UCLA has research programs that are shaping the world. It has wonderful professors who broaden your minds and make you see things like you've never seen them before. As far as the competition is concerned, have you ever taken into consideration that the people who applied against you to UOP just aren't up to par? The stats required to get into the five year program are low. Getting into UCLA is an accomplishment. Don't give up UCLA for UOP.
I don't know about the 75% acceptance rate. However, I can tell you that many of my friends who applied got in as well.</p>