The idea of attending a top school in order to waive a residency is very very small compared to the job outlook of all 50 states (jobs that still take on a PGY1 even though you went to school across the street at a top 10 or 20). Sacrificing an extra 100k+ of high interest loans for a name brand doesn’t work for a pharmD and is only a small outlier for a low percentage of jobs.
Once I graduate with years working with the VA computer system in the pharmacy, I’m still expected to do a PGY1 at most openings online despite the school I attend. Which explains why many pharmD grads “can’t reason their way through a Voltaren Gel package insert.” It has nothing to do with academia as much as many students never stepping foot in a pharmacy before school, not doing any (or very little) hours as an intern, and only experiencing the factualities of a pharmacists when APPE rotations take place.
Apply to wallet saving institutions and NETWORK will be the saving grace for the go-getter-students in this profession....Although, I notice more Betas graduating than go-getters but to each their own.