Hello, I could really use some advice and insight on whether to attend Temple University or Drake University in the fall for pharmacy (both are about the same cost). For reference, I am from the suburbs of Chicago and attend a small school with about 300 kids in each grade. I am a little more introverted, so it is important for me to feel as if there is a group of students where I feel comfortable in.
Here are the pros/cons of each school as I see them:
Temple Pros: Direct six-year PharmD program, with a Bachelors Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences after completion of P1 year; Ability to attend campuses in both Rome and Tokyo at the same cost as their Philadelphia campus; Fantastic new facilities; Near center city Philadelphia; Incredibly diverse student population; Larger school allows for meeting new people and social scenes where I may feel most comfrortable
Temple Cons: Farther from home; must maintain a 3.25 GPA; PCAT score of greater than 50% required; VERY dangerous surrounding area – this is my main concern for Temple.
Drake Pros: Direct six-year PharmD program; Drake Commitment promises each student personal mentorships with professors; local, national or international service learning; local, national, or international tuition-free, three-week January Term course; and internships or undergraduate research; Smaller student population would provide me with more intimate relationships with faculty to gain connections; Must maintain a 3.0 GPA; Does not require me to take the PCAT; closer to home
Drake Cons: Not as nice facilities; not as diverse student population; City of Des Moines is small – may be less to do?
My main thing for my final decision (since these are of about the same cost) is that I want to obtain a good education where I can gain experiences that will help me in my professional and personal life, while also feeling safe and comfortable on campus.
Both are really good choices. I’d pick Drake because the goal requirement to remain in the 6-yeat mlr program is better and gives you more leeway (in case you hit a walk with a class at some point). However if you’d want more diversity, I can see why Tempe would be tempting.
Des Moines is smaller, that’s true. But it isn’t dead. You would be able to find plenty to do there. And if you and your friends eventually have cars, a road-trip to Ames or Iowa City or even back to Chicago on a weekend would be totally do-able.
From what you have written, I think Drake sounds like a better fit for you. You will be very busy while at school. Des Moines is plenty big enough to find things to do in your spare time.
Whether Des Moines is small depends on what you’re comparing it to…if you’re comparing it to Chicago and Philadelphia, then yes, it’s going to seem small. It’s the 89th most populous metropolitan area in the United States.
But being smaller doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do there. I have no direct experience with Des Moines, but other similarly-sized MSAs include Madison, WI; Durham-Chapel Hill, NC; Colorado Springs, CO; Charleston, SC; and Augusta, GA. Myrtle Beach, SC, and Reno, NV, are both smaller than Des Moines and there’s plenty to do in those places. Savannah, GA is much smaller - has about half the population and is #137 - and there’s a lot to do there, too. Besides, quantity of things and quality are not the same - sometimes a smaller city will have a vibe that’s more befitting of your specific interests and likes.
Other things to explore:
Temple may advertise your ability to attend campuses in Rome and Tokyo, but how realistic is that for a student in a six-year PharmD program? Are the classes you need offered there?
I am not familiar with the area around Temple. I’ve variously heard that it’s dangerous and that the danger has been overblown from people who aren’t from around the area and/or who have images of 1980s Philadelphia still in their mind.