A few random questions ...

[MaybePharmacist]

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1) Is it OK to apply to different programs at one school? For example, is it acceptable to apply to the pharmacy program, the accelerated BSN program, and the MPH program at one school, or is this considered absolutely heinous?

2) Say you don't get accepted into any pharmacy programs, but you were accepted into accelerated BSN programs and MPH programs. However, your ultimate goal is to go to pharmacy school. Since you don't want to waste one year, what do you think would look better to pharmacy schools when you reapplied: having a BSN or having an MPH? Or what would you personally do to make yourself a better candidate?

3) This may be a stupid question, but let's say you apply to pharmacy school around August-ish of year 2009, but find out in May 2010 that you didn't get accepted. You want to reapply in August of 2010, but how is it possible to improve your application in only 3 months? Is it possible to update PharmCAS with your accomplishments as they occur?

Thank you!!!

 

[rphfan2009]

1) Is it OK to apply to different programs at one school? For example, is it acceptable to apply to the pharmacy program, the accelerated BSN program, and the MPH program at one school, or is this considered absolutely heinous?

2) Say you don't get accepted into any pharmacy programs, but you were accepted into accelerated BSN programs and MPH programs. However, your ultimate goal is to go to pharmacy school. Since you don't want to waste one year, what do you think would look better to pharmacy schools when you reapplied: having a BSN or having an MPH? Or what would you personally do to make yourself a better candidate?

3) This may be a stupid question, but let's say you apply to pharmacy school around August-ish of year 2009, but find out in May 2010 that you didn't get accepted. You want to reapply in August of 2010, but how is it possible to improve your application in only 3 months? Is it possible to update PharmCAS with your accomplishments as they occur?

Thank you!!!

You sound very unsure...I suggest re-evaluating why you want to go into any of the programs you have listed above. Then after that, make a decision and pick one.

 

[themulya]

1. Choose one path and follow it. Evaluate what you want to do in your life, then do it. Schools do not like it if you cannot show commitment.

2. If you want to do pharmacy, focus on pharmacy. Make yourself a better candidate.

3. Most schools will tell you why you weren't accepted into their program. They will also tell you how to become a better candidate. It may be that you need to improve your grades, improve your PCAT score, need some experience, had a bad interview, etc. Follow their advice and keep in contact with the school so that when you do reapply, they will know who you are and the improvements you have made.

 

[IrishRxMan]

1) Is it OK to apply to different programs at one school? For example, is it acceptable to apply to the pharmacy program, the accelerated BSN program, and the MPH program at one school, or is this considered absolutely heinous?

2) Say you don't get accepted into any pharmacy programs, but you were accepted into accelerated BSN programs and MPH programs. However, your ultimate goal is to go to pharmacy school. Since you don't want to waste one year, what do you think would look better to pharmacy schools when you reapplied: having a BSN or having an MPH? Or what would you personally do to make yourself a better candidate?

3) This may be a stupid question, but let's say you apply to pharmacy school around August-ish of year 2009, but find out in May 2010 that you didn't get accepted. You want to reapply in August of 2010, but how is it possible to improve your application in only 3 months? Is it possible to update PharmCAS with your accomplishments as they occur?

Thank you!!!

I would go for the MPH if you can't get into pharmacy school just yet. You can actually use that degree as a pharmacist and it would look good on your resume later on. That being said, I agree with the previous posters that you need to figure out a direction. I would advise that you not apply to different programs at the same school. You never know who knows who in a university and it could look bad causing you to not get into either program. I'd shy away from nursing if you really want to be a pharmacist. Nursing is a great profession, but they need every seat for someone that is going to be a nurse for their lifetime, not just use it as a stepping stone to some other profession.

 

[ret09]

MPH programs are long and expensive, and (can be) a waste of time. I did my MPH a few years back, and there is no doubt it helped me out signifcantly in my pharmacy school application process. That said, I busted-ass and made straight A's, did research the entire time, finished my pharmacy pre-reqs, and worked as a pharmacy tech, all in two years. It wasn't fun, but it worked out at the end.

Point is that if you have mediocre undergrad grades, half-assing an MPH isn't going to help you get into pharmacy one bit, and only put you 30 grand in the hole. I agree with everyone. Doesn't sound like you know what you want to do. You should relax and figure that out first.

 

[swift3260]

I would not apply to more then one program at a school. If they discovered that you were applying to 3 programs it would most likely hurt your chances of getting into either. Schools like to see that you have researched your chosen profession and are committed to it, because they (of course) want the lowest drop out rate possible. They dont want to accept people that they are concerned are going to start and then decide they dont actually want to follow through. I would think about which program you are TRULY interested in and then apply to that one. Good luck! 🙂

 

[AKN16]

If pharmacy is what you want to do, GO FOR IT!! It would be useless to have one or two degrees(depends on what you plan on doing) that you don't care about. Apply first to pharm schools and see what happens- you could get in on the first try. That way you wouldn't have to waste your time studying for the GRE and the Nursing exam.

 

[MaybePharmacist]

But that's just it ... I do know what I want to do. I do want to go into pharmacy. I've actually been volunteering at a pharmacy for the past month or so (and I also worked in one during high school as part of a co-op program) and I do like it, so it's not as if I've just randomly decided on pursing this as a career or anything. However, my decision to pursue pharmacy seriously was fairly recently (within the past year or so). Therefore, I feel as though the grades I received when I was a freshman and sophomore (I'm a senior now and one semester away from graduating with a business degree) don't reflect what I'm capable of now (I've posted another thread regarding my grades and such if you'd like to take a look at that). I'm just worried that even if I do repeat all of the classes that I did badly in (which I do plan on doing) and make straight A's, that I still won't get into pharmacy school. I don't like the idea of pursing another degree (such as the MPH or BSN), but I'm just afraid of waking up one day when I'm 30 years old and realizing that I have no career and that I pretty much just wasted my life ... you know?

 

[themulya]

Ok, so I spent some time reading your other thread and heres what I think.

I think people jumped to the conclusion that you were not fully committed to pharmacy a little too fast. However I do think that you want this and if thats the case you should be focused on how to get A's in all of your prereq classes and not on the what ifs.

You need to get A's. Obviously you were doing something wrong the first and sometimes second time you took these classes. You need better study skills. You need to be able to fix these problems before you go to any kind of professional or graduate school. This is do or die time right now. You cannot settle for B's and there is no room for anymore C's and D's. If you don't think you can do this then find another career. You need to be able to show that you have changed, and that you are prepared for your future. They want to see improvements and showing them that you can move forward from past mistakes proves you have changed.

Do well on the PCAT and continue to volunteer at the pharmacy. You might want to try and get work as a tech, as volunteers are limited in what they can actually do. It's not going to be easy and I can't guarantee anything but, if you can accomplish this, I think you have a very good chance to get into pharm school.

Others may disagree with my opinion on your chances, but I still don't think you should give up hope.

 

[MaybePharmacist]

Thank you for your response and for taking the time to read my other thread. I know that the only way I have any chance of getting into pharmacy school is if I get straight A's in my pre-recs and kick the PCAT's butt. But I just can't help worrying. Even if I do well in my classes and on the PCAT, I'll still be up against people who have done well in those classes the first time around and, therefore, have a higher GPA than mine (and plus, they'll be better candidates overall). On top of that (I mentioned this is my other thread too), chemistry scares the crap out of me. I know that it sounds stupid to be afraid of a class, but I just feel as though I'll never understand that stuff. I plan on getting a tutor (which I should have done the first time around, but, of course, I was an idiot), but this makes me wonder if I'll ever make it through pharmacy school (if I ever get in, that is) since it's MUCH more difficult than anything encountered in undergrad. OK, I think I'm done voicing all of my fears, worries, anger, etc. Thanks again.

 

[medicalCPA]

In response to your original question: I would recommend that you not apply to different programs at the same school. I don't know that this happens, but if you were on an admissions committee and found that an applicant was applying to other programs at your institution, would you not question their desire for your program in the first place? There are many schools and programs to choose from. Just choose wisely.

There is nothing wrong with applying to different programs if you are sure you would be happy with each individual choice. I felt I was qualified for medical school, pharmacy school, and graduate school, and would have been OK with any, so I applied to all three. You, on the other hand, are set on going to pharmacy school. If that is the case, then pursue it. There is nothing wrong with having backup plans, but even if you do the ABSN or the MPH, it would just be time wasted on the way to your pharm school goal. What I would recommend is that you give it your all the first time you apply. Apply EARLY (important!!!), apply broadly, turn in excellent LORs, knock the PCAT out of the park. If you have turned in the absolute best application you can and it doesn't work out, then pursue your backup. The pharmacy application cycle begins in June for the fall of the following year, but I know of ABSN programs that accept applications as late as April for the fall of the same year.

Good luck whatever you decide, and from what I hear, pharmacy school chemistry is different from undergrad chemistry. Don't be afraid of it.

 

[MaybePharmacist]

Hi MedicalCPA. Thanks for your reply. I plan on applying to pharmacy as soon as I possibly can, which will probably be around the end of August (of next year) since that's when I'll have completed both Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 (do you think that August is too late?). I don't want to apply too early because I need to show the schools that I apply to that I can do well. This is how I was planning my schedule: finish up my business degree by December (2009); from January to May take Gen Chem 1, Calc 1, and Physics 1; from June to August take Orgo Chem 1 and 2; apply to pharmacy school in August; from August to December take Gen Chem 2 and Physics 2 (those are all of the classes that I have to retake in order to make my application stronger). What do you think? Also, this is a random math class question, but in my current university there are 2 types of calculus classes offered: calculus for biology majors specifically and calculus for all professionals (this is the one that I took and did badly in). Do you think that pharmacy school would accept the calculus class for biology majors? I would probably do way better in that class and if I could pull off an A the 1st time around I think it would be very helpful for my application. However, since I'm planning on retaking my pre-recs in a CC, I'm not sure if they offer a math class like that. I guess I have to find out. If they do, I'll have to add another calculus class to my schedule from August to December of next year, but I think it's do-able.