Should I go away for college or stay close to home?

Question

Right now Im a senior in HS and I want to be a pharmacist. I know I have to complete my pre-requisites which should take about 2 years tops before applying to Pharmacy school. I originally applied to University of Florida but unfortuanately was denied. I did get accepted to Florida State. They do not have a graduate pharmacy program like UF does but it is possible to complete the prepharmacy courses. FSU is 400 miles away from home. Should I leave for 2 years just for prepharmacy classes when I know I wont be there any longer than that or should I stay home and go to a community college instead? Its an important decision that I had all figured out until UF denied me and all my plans changed. I appreciate any suggestions

Answer 1

I suggest you go to community college, get really good grades and apply to UF again after you do your 2 years as a transfer student.

I went to community college, and I loved it, and there's nothing bad, lower, or lesser about it. I then transferred to USC, and everything has turned out well for me.

It depends on personal preference, but I know I like to be close to home. A lot of students opt to go away too because that can also be an enriching experience to be in new places with new people. For me, college was a big enough transition in itself, I'd rather not deal with being away from family and friends, too.

All I know is community college is wayyyy cheaper, and if you transfer to a 4 year after doing 2 at community college you still get the same exact degree as every else who went to university all 4 years! Its a great deal when you think about it. Besides, my professors at community college were just as good, if not better than most of the ones I have at USC! (lol, shhh, I didn't say that!) Best of luck.

Answer 2

The chances of a direct transfer from a community college into pharmacy are very slim. Unless you have almost a perfect GPA, most schools won't even look at you. To make up for the community college, you almost have to get a bachelors. Remember, pharmacy is very competitive. My school's acceptance rate is 1 in 9. Out of a class of 162, only about 2 or 3 are pure community college students.

Answer 3

I think you should try and try again... If I was in your shoes I would talk to the admissions office at UF and ask them what can you do to get in as a tranfer student. For some reason Universities look into taking more transfers as a Freshman from colleges versus other Universities...
Keep Trying.
If I were in your shoes, I would go to my college and take 5 classes a semester and bust my butt in classes such as Bio a good Math and get great grades. Then after proving great grades, would make an appt with the Admissions office and see if they would take you as a Transfer student. They may automatically take you or accept you on probabtion that you keep a certain GPA.
UF has a great pharmacy school and if that's your focus, you find the way to make it in....
I already graduated with my BA but came back to get my degree in SLP. Had to enroll though for some pre-reqs for the program. It's been great in the sense that I interact with the professors from these classes that run the Grad program and I know that when they sit down in their committee discussion to decide who gets in they can put a face to the name.

Answer 4

Living at college is a fantastic experience; I should know as I have been living away from home for over 7 years. It can be a little nerve-wracking at first, as a rush of responsibility washes over you. Suddenly, you are doing your own laundry or smelling funky; deciding when and if you will eat; having to get up for class without your guardian telling you you will be late; deciding how late you can stay out/up; handling conflicts with your roommate. Of course, the friends you make will help you cope with these new situations, but there is also the burden of making new friends to be your support system.

Luckily, most college freshmen are all in the same boat: feeling lost and confused temporarily. They cling to their friends at home through AIM and cell phones, but also increasingly to the new people they meet. There is a much large pool to choose from than in high school, so finding people that are your type is much easier.

Living away can be expensive, depending on the school, but there are ways to pay for that. Some loans/grants/scholarships will cover the cost of living on a college campus. You could work for a job on campus that will pay for your room and board, such as a resident assistant as I did. Or, you could find a job elsewhere that will give you more than enough money.

Living at home does have its advantages (less money, someone caring for you, close to HS friends, etc), but if you can, I fully recommend living away and allowing yourself to grow more independent.

Answer 5

nah, i say you go away for school. you'll never get the chance to do college over in the traditional sense. FSU sounds like a great school to get that college experience in (my friend when there for undergrad before nyu for grad). she loved it.

who knows, you may not even stick with pharmacy. not to talk you out of it, but ppl change majors ALL the time.

point is, go away. home will always be there. live in the dorm, have a ball. do some campus stuff. join a club, or a sorority/fraternity. have a good time cause pharmacy school sounds heavy and there wont be any playtime there.

Answer 6

It seems to me that you are set on being a pharmacist, so I would attend a school that offers that program. There are more that two state colleges/universities in Florida. I would explore all of the other options in order to make the most informed decision as possible. After you make the decision, come up with a plan b, just in case.

Answer 7

Do not go to community college unless you are planning on transfering to a university. A degree from a community college is worthless. Education is an investment, don't ruin your future because money is tight right now. There is so much financial aid out there that you should not have a problem paying for school.

Answer 8

nicely, my dream is to circulate a techniques away, i like to return and forth. yet via costs, i will probable be staying on the fringe of residing house. My precise selection faculties are Texas A&M (on the fringe of residing house), and NYU. the two grant super faculties for what i want to substantial in, and the two are outstanding faculties. i'm employing to the two and a pair others in some months, so i assume i will only wait and spot what happens. A&M is approximately 3 hours from residing house, and the different is...haha, lots further. i do no longer think of there's a TOO a techniques, my family contributors has continuously been great on return and forth and independence.

Answer 9

Take it from someone who is over 80 000$ in debt: Stay with your parents and you'll save TONS of cash.
However, if money isn't an issue, I say go for it. It'll be a new experience where you'll do new things, meet new people.
Also, will going to the community college benefit you at all?

Answer 10

You can save your parents a ton of money by living at home and commuting to school, instead of living on campus. After graduating from community college, you will have the option to transfer yourself and your credits to a four-year college.