University of Pacific 6 or 7 Pre-Pharmacy Program vs. Northeastern Pharmacy Program?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I recently got accepted to the pharmacy program at Northeastern (early action) (haven't heard from University of the Pacific, but I might hear in the next few months). I didn't get any scholarships or anything from Northeastern, but I was offered a $12,000 grant by the university as well as various government loans that amounted to $21,000. This, however, is a tentative offer, so the actual financial aid offer may change when I apply for FAFSA (they used the information from my CSS Profile to make the tentative offer).</p>

<p>I have heard great things about the Northeastern Pharmacy program, especially how students get to do their coops in renowned hospitals such as Boston Medical Center, etc. I have also heard that the coops helped students get good jobs after graduation (not that being a pharmacist is a bad job!). I am not too sure how validated this claim is, but I have also heard that the curriculum is manageable, rigorous but not unbearable (this might be a good thing for me, since I don't consider myself highly intelligent). And most of all, it's located in Boston! Lots of things to do and since activity is quite a priority for me, I know I won't get bored in NU!</p>

<p>However, it would also be fair for me to say that I am a shy person (not too shy, but just a little shy,). Though I'm thinking the positive possibilities definitely outweigh the negatives, I don't know if NU will be the fit for me. I am from a town/city with a total population of 1 million people and the only hub of activity in the city is the local mall. I am wondering how difficult it would be for me to adjust to Boston (though I know I would love the city life since I used to live in a city) and the type of people that go to NU. From what I've read (didn't visit yet), NU has a reputation of having 'wealthy' students in the school, and since I'm from a middle class background (in the lower side), I don't know if I'll be able to find people who I can identify with. I am really introspective and I desire to be with people who share the same values of work ethic (I'm a hard worker) as well as compassion (I'm really nice) I embody. I guess this might be one reason why I got into NU. But I was wondering, for all you NU students, do you encounter people like this regularly?</p>

<p>The only disadvantage I can see about NU (from what I've read) is my ability to fit in with the university, and the location (I think Boston's great, its just that all my relatives are in California).</p>

<p>University of the Pacific IS in California (though the nearest relative is roughly 2 hours away), so that is its advantage over Northeastern. However, I have heard some negative reviews about the school itself. Some people have mentioned that their pharmD degree from UOP was 'laughed at by employers' and that only 1/3 of the entering class made it to pharmacy school. This makes me pretty scared of applying there, because I don't know if I would have an advantage in the intellectual realm (for me at least, I have gained most of my academic prestige through hard work--there may be a bit of intelligence to it, but its mostly hard work). In addition to this, I want to get a GOOD pharmacist job after graduating. I know I won't be satisfied with working at a rural pharmacy store, I would like to acquire a job as an ambulatory pharmacist or something of the like in a renown hospital in California (my ultimate destination). I have also heard that UOP doesn't really guarantee a spot in their pharmacy school.</p>

<p>However, despite the disadvantages, I think I am appealed to the small campus feel of UOP. Stockton is a big setback for me, I believe, but I think that I can make good friends in UOP, especially with a smaller campus (please correct me if I'm wrong! but I've been in small schools all my life).</p>

<p>So, if you were me, would you choose University of the Pacific or Northeastern University?</p>

2

<p>if i were you, i would go to UOP since you feel more comfortable with it.
i think getting a good job would depend on how well you did in college and how much you are experienced…
but i heard a lot of good things about NEU as well. its a bigger school so u get a college experience and i dont think you wont be able to fit in to the school. there are lots of different people in the school. so you will find a place you belong to :)</p>

<p>may i ask you what your stats are? because i want to apply to NEU, but im not sure if my stats are good enough and financial aid is very important to me.
anyways, good luck w/ ur decision!</p>

3

<p>My GPA was an 86% (we don’t go by the 4.0 system)</p>

<p>Grade 9: (considered junior high in my province since I’m from Canada)
Science 9
Math 9
English 9
Social Studies 9
Music 9
Art 9
(I only put the relevant subjects)</p>

<p>Grade 10:
Science 10 Honors
English 10 Honors
Math 10 Honors
Social Studies 10 Honors
Latin 10
(only the relevant subjects)</p>

<p>During summer:
Social Studies 20</p>

<p>Grade 11
Math 20 Honors
Physics 20 Honors
Chemistry 20 IB
Biology 20 Honors
Social Studies 30 Honors
English 20 Honors
Latin 20</p>

<p>Grade 12:
Math 30 Honors
Math 31 (1st year Calculus)
Chemistry 30 IB
Biology 30 Honors
English 30 Honors
Physics 30
Latin 30</p>

<p>SATs: Math: 670, CR: 550, Writing: 610</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Volunteered in school library, hospital, school drama department and peer tutoring club, involved in Junior Achievement Program, involved in band in grade 9 and choir in grade 10</p>

<p>I also worked part-time during my grade 10 and grade 11 years as a sales associate in a shoe and a clothing store… don’t know if that helped. (8-12 hours a week)</p>

<p>Teacher Recommendations: Really good
Counselor Recommendations: Didn’t see so I can’t tell…</p>

<p>I didn’t think my stats were that great, but I think the university makes a holistic review of every person’s profile, which may have given me an advantage</p>

4

<p>Hi do you know if I can still apply to the pharmacy program by jan 15th for their regular admission deadline? someone told me it was too late because the deadline was nov 1st if i wanted to get into the pharm. program but i wasn’t sure. Since you got in I was wondering if you can help me out cuz i’m rlly intersted in pharm. program as well and i’m a senior.
Congratulations for your acceptance and hope you make the best decision for yourself!</p>

5

<p>uop’s deadline for pharmacy is november 15th. for the regular admission, you will not be able to apply for pharmacy… maybe undecided and then go into pharmacy.</p>

6

<p>for ikutatomaluv,</p>

<p>if u are 100 percent sure u want to be a pharmacist, u should go to uop. </p>

<p>chance me please…
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/841892-uop-pre-pharmacy.html?highlight=uop+pre-pharmacy[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/841892-uop-pre-pharmacy.html?highlight=uop+pre-pharmacy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Is this a joke? Northeastern hands down. They have a very well regarded pharmacy program and your already in so no more added stress of actually having to get into pharmacy school. Plus you will be in school a lot longer at pacific.</p>

8

<p>oh i know the deadline was november 15th for UOP but i was wondering bout northeastern university. does anybody know if i could still apply for the pharm. program?</p>

9

<p>purplecandy: you could try inquiring with the Northeastern Admission office, they might have a ready answer for you. as for what I’ve seen, it doesn’t give an indication that pharmacy’s deadline is strictly on november 1, I’m assuming you can still apply for it?
However, note that it might be more competitive going for regular admission (especially for Pharm). Apparently there were nearly 12,000 who applied for early admission and only a small portion of them were accepted…</p>

<p>My advice? Try applying to other schools such as: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, St. Johns University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy,. and I’ve heard of ther universities that offer it like: Drake University, Butler University, etc. However I didn’t apply for those schools b/c of the location. </p>

<p>Good luck though!</p>

10

<p>Actually, I’m more inclined towards Northeastern now. However, my parents like UOP because its closer to relatives (no relatives in the East Coast). Does anyone know the drop-out % rate in Northeastern’s pharmacy school? [I’ve heard that only 30% of those who got into prepharm in UOP made it to pharm school…] I’m assuming that the attrition rate in Northeastern is lower though, because Northeastern’s a 0-6 pharmacy school, therefore, it actually reserves a space in the actual school [UOP only guarantees an interview…].</p>

11

<p>I’d go with the better program, Northeastern. Like you said, you love Boston. I’m sure if you go in with that in mind, you could acclimate well and still have opportunities to visit family.</p>

12

<p>I am in the same situation as you!!
I got accepted to NU and I applied to UOP but am still waiting for an answer from them.
My parents like UOP more because they actually visited the school but not NU. After reading your post and all the replies I am kind of more interested in NU now. But I was wondering, where did you get the stats about only 1/3 making it into the actual pharmacy school for UOP?? If it is true I think I will definately go for NU.</p>

13

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<p>Eh, really? I’m a student at Northeastern (MS program in Computer Science) and this hasn’t been my observation at all. And a lot of tech-oriented schools (including, IMO, Northeastern) have a more “blue-collar” feel, even when they <em>do</em> have a lot of rich kids (which I’m not sure Northeastern does), because they’re very career-focused.</p>

<p>The people that I’ve encountered so far are a limited sample - consequence of being both a grad student and a part-timer - but they have a good work ethic and largely seem nice.</p>

<p>Northeastern is big enough that you can find people like you, for most definitions of “you”, but not big enough to be overwhelming, so I would say that it’s perfect for a shy person. The professors that I’ve dealt with are friendly and helpful.</p>

<p>Boston will probably not be as tough to adjust to as you expect. Northeastern has a campus, with a lot of services on or very near it, so you can control how much of a dose you’re getting of Boston, and venture out more as you get more comfortable. There are a lot of cultural opportunities, as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Symphony are both within a couple of blocks of the university, and the theater district is only about a mile and a half’s walk (or a short ride on on the subway) away.</p>

14

<p>Hi,
Since you got into UOP, do you mind chancing me? Stats:
GPA:
UW: 3.81
W: 4.13</p>

<p>SAT: did not take yet but scores from my practice exams were:</p>

<p>CR: 670
M: 750
W: 760
Total: 2180</p>

<p>EC/ Extra stuff:</p>

<p>Played piano for 6 years
President of Health and Medicine Club for 3 years
VP Helping Hands Club 2 years
Tennis Team 3 years: 2 years Jv, 1 year Varsity
Completed Indian Classical Dance (Total 7 years)
Volunteer Hours (200+)
Volunteered at Hospital, Library, and at Local temple
Took AP Psychology online; got an A
Taught at Kumon for 2 years (paid job)
Taught Dance for 1 year as a TA (paid job)
Teaching piano to little kids for 2 years (self-employed, paid job)
Trying for an intership this summer…</p>

<p>Classes junior year

  • H. Physics
  • US History
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP English
  • AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Classes senior year

  • AP Physics
  • AP Gov/ Econ
  • AP Environmental Science
  • Lab Tech
  • Anat and Phys. I
  • English</p>

<p>AP Exam Results so far:
10th grade:

  • AP European History: 4
  • AP Spanish Language: 4</p>

<p>SAT II’s yet to be taken
probably Math, Chem, and Bio</p>

<p>I am aiming for the 5 year program, but I will still attend if I get into the 6 year program. </p>

<p>Do you think I will get in? (This is my dream school.)</p>

<p>=] Thank you!</p>