Up until just a few days ago, my first choice was University of the Sciences in Philadelphia- Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, which if you know about pharmacy, was the first school in the country and is extremely reputable. The thing is finances are really tight right now and I'm now caught between a school I love and one that I could probably put up with and is much more sound financially. I'm into pharmacy and research. University of Rhode Island gave me a financial package I'd probably be dumb to turn down, YES it includes loans but other than one specific to my major, they're all federal loans-- and the grand total is more than the cost of attendance. USP gave me some in merit, some in work study and the rest which doesn't cover the tuition/room and board in loans. It's for a total of 31,000 out of an estimated 42,000 cost. Today I got an opportunity that might give me 5,000 more a year in merit. I went to Philly and LOVED the school. I've never actually seen the URI campus, but the cost difference is .... tempting. Not to mention, I'm in their honor s program. The only thing that worries me is potential differences in reputation and location... Kingston, Rhode Island. so any opinions? info on either school?
Thanks so much.
No one has replied so i'll offer my perspective. I have never heard of university of sciences so i cannot offer a good assessment. URI is known as a party school and is tier 3 or worse. I'm not to sure how both schools will look on your resume but i would recommend transferring out after a year or two. Other colleges to look at in RI are Providence College, Brown, and Bryant
Heyyy, I know about USP too, i might go but it's soo expensive, i visited and I liked it a lot too, BUT I would say pick the one you think you will do the best in as in suceeding academically. Pick the less riskier one because it doesn't matter which pharm school u go to, as long as u get ur license and pick the one u will have a better experience at
I am really stuck between Rutgers and USP!! wahhhh and i have only 10 days to decide, i m going crazy too.
USP is no cakewalk. Quite a low retention rate. First rate preparation for a career, particularly in Pharmacy. Recent new construction to add to the qualify of student life. Students who survive the academic rigor enjoy significant success.
I know the rigor of the school. what would you say about student life there? I've read about a lack of activities but also so that Philly can compensate for that.
GSV, my d received a similar package from USP and rejected it immediately. USP is asking you and your family to borrow $31K for next year and their costs only go UP! This is too much debt, even for a PharmD, imo, unless your parents have alot of money saved and very secure futures! And what happens if you find that pharmacy isn't what you truly want to do and you're 2 years, and $60K, into it? There are other equally good or better schools that are far less expensive.
Kingston is close to the beach and is more affordable. USP is not in a great area of Philly, is a small intense school, and is very expensive. I would definitely make a quick visit to URI!
My daughter has applications in to USP, St Johns, URI, MCPHS and Rutgers for their 0/6 Pharm D programs. Can anyone add anything new to this thread? She loves USP but hasn't visited URI yet.
