Anyone Have the Same Experience? Share it with a Brotha!

[Artful Dodger]

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Hi Everyone,

I'm kinda in a funny place right now. I'm applying to Pharmacy school (recently interviewed & feel so-so) just because I am thoroughly entertained with the chemical & health emphasis. Anyway, during the interview, I discovered that most of what I knew was of my experiences in the hospital & free clinic alongside 3rd & 4th year medical students. My interviewer didn't like my answers because most of them focused on the patient & my desire to help people...directly (I even stupidly emphasized how I'd like to do something for disadvantaged people with skills acquired through pharmacy - I swear I blurted that without thinking!). And so, I sit here thinking about a back-up plan, which is a much better plan than what I have now...I know people can't help me sort out what I'd prefer doing, because I love anything in the realm of medicine, but I wonder how many are out there with the same experience? I've already tried dentistry (accepted to the Reserved Admissions program at UMKC - but I rescinded the offer), pharmacy (just recently - now I'm undecided)...However, I was initially a Pre-Med student...Now smarter & wiser...I'm thinking about making it a happy ending now lol hmmm...decisions decisions. It sucks to go back & forth!

By the way, my stats & some personal info are below:

• I'm 21 - turning 22 later (I have parents who think that's too old to be in college - It's almost time to move out)
• Chemistry Major - have about a year left (expect to finish Summer 2010 - saving the best class for last!) - outstanding courses in Genetics or Microbiology, Biochem 1 & 2, Inorganic Chemistry (advanced)
• I do have all pre-requisites for medical school completed, thankfully!
• GPA ~3.75
• No MCAT - fretting about Physics...I took it freshmen year & now I've forgotten everything! (Recommend any books?)
• Lots of EC's - VP of Pre-Med Society (Now I'm Secretary due to courseload), Healthcare Academy (lasted 16 weeks - shadowed everyone & everything), Volunteer at free clinic (2007-Present), worked as Pharmacy Technician (summer of 2006 - that's it!).

Do you think I have what it takes? Am I worthy to consider the "happy ending"?

And oh, because I've never asked this or never recognized, which careers (in medicine) focus on the chemical aspect to treating a patient? Isn't that nuclear medicine? Is radiology in the picture too? How about pathology? Sorry for this stupid question. Medicine has so many specialties...shoot! the other day I heard about someone doing Environmental Medicine (as a residency - which is focused in national park settings - save people who climb & hike in mountains, etc.)

Anyway, thank you very much. Please share any experiences you may have! It's quite funny...but I'm not confused; I'm just overwhelmed with the decisions & choices I have to make. But overall, I am satisfied with the experience & journey I've had thus far. I wouldn't change a damn thing about it! I have been very open-minded, for the most part. However, I've always felt like there was a magnet between me & medicine: I value interaction with patients...and whatever may come along with it.

 

[ih8biochem]

Chemical aspect of medicine? I'm not sure what you mean by this dude. If you mean medications, then yeah, pretty much everything but radiology, unless you count contrast related issues. Some would argue path should be excluded as well but with all the stains out there, I'd say that's pretty darn chemical. Hem/onc docs give chemo and work very closely with Pharmacist. They have rounded with us and have been extremely helpful in their added insight on usages of different meds and their interactions. As you probably know, retail is not the only way to practice pharmacy. Tons of opps for patient contact as a heme/onc pharmacist. If you mean that you like physiology and how medications affect it, you'd probably really dig anesthesia. There are some leads, dude. You need to explore them adequately instead of willy nilly jumping from specialty to specialty. Sounds like medicine would suit you but adcoms will need to be convinced that you've took a serious look into medicine before applying. It's really easy to tell, actually. The grad school jumping, all the different entrance exams you've taken, etc. is sort of a red flag so you will need to work harder to convince them over those who have similar numbers but "knew since the 1st grade."

 

[Artful Dodger]

Chemical aspect of medicine? I'm not sure what you mean by this dude. If you mean medications, then yeah, pretty much everything but radiology, unless you count contrast related issues. Some would argue path should be excluded as well but with all the stains out there, I'd say that's pretty darn chemical. Hem/onc docs give chemo and work very closely with Pharmacist. They have rounded with us and have been extremely helpful in their added insight on usages of different meds and their interactions. As you probably know, retail is not the only way to practice pharmacy. Tons of opps for patient contact as a heme/onc pharmacist. If you mean that you like physiology and how medications affect it, you'd probably really dig anesthesia. There are some leads, dude. You need to explore them adequately instead of willy nilly jumping from specialty to specialty. Sounds like medicine would suit you but adcoms will need to be convinced that you've took a serious look into medicine before applying. It's really easy to tell, actually. The grad school jumping, all the different entrance exams you've taken, etc. is sort of a red flag so you will need to work harder to convince them over those who have similar numbers but "knew since the 1st grade."

Truth. And all I really know about healthcare is from volunteering at hospitals and shadowing doctors. I'm pretty sure I got the common ideologies down (for what a physician's training & career - regular duties & responsibilities, etc), but my research of what specific doctors do is pretty low, since I see everything from the patient perspective. I want my practice to focus on just the patient & what I can do for them with a certain specialty. And I'm pretty sure keeping an open mind until rotations in medical school is the ideal thing to do, but knowing a little (or more) about something generally helps one decide.

And maybe I should cut the "chemistry aspect" crap out. I don't think that helps my case. But I could say this...I have a certain respect for all fields in healthcare: dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy. I also feel I can do more with an MD or DO for disadvantaged people than if I was a pharmacist...IN addition, my view of pharmacy is not limited to retail. That's what I hated about it! I just thought that it was a good continuation of my knowledge in Chemistry (particularly drugs) with emphasis on my love for anything health-related.

Anyway, thanks for your advice. I have some planning and thinking to do! I will see my academic counselor within a few weeks to see how I should plan everything...and explore more options for me. Trust me, I know exactly what you're saying! I really love medicine...I'd do it for any price and I'll do it for any salary...I just feel good about my experiences...I wish I was better in analyzing them before I jumped hurdles. Guess I'm finding out just now! Again, thank you very much. I wish you a good future.

 

[majahops]

Re: Physics... get Examkrackers and go through the Physics (and other) parts methodically, and you'll be good. I had to relearn all my physics and I did it through that book.

You have what it takes. Come on man, don't be ridiculous.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Re: Physics... get Examkrackers and go through the Physics (and other) parts methodically, and you'll be good. I had to relearn all my physics and I did it through that book.

You have what it takes. Come on man, don't be ridiculous.

Thanks man. I think it's time to be realistic now and be more honest to myself. Believe me, I know I have a chance here. I just need to align a focus somewhere.

I'll check out the EK as well. I got a friend who used just EK material and made a 31 on the MCAT.

Again, thank you for the encouragement (I'll take whatever I can get! lol). I wish you great luck in your future and that you end up in the best situation possible.

 

[bkz]

I was initially a Pre-Med student...Now smarter & wiser...

What are you trying to imply here?

 

[shiftingmirage]

Chemical aspects? What about a PhD and go into drug development? There are some, but not a lot, of medicinal chemistry programs out there. Maybe that's up your alley?

 

[Artful Dodger]

What are you trying to imply here?

(back to you)

word. that was poorly articulated. thanks for catching my ramble lol. what i meant was...i was intimidated by those god-awful pre-meds...had the passion, but i was a little scaredy cat & ran away...couldn't even catch the carrot like a horse to save my life. guess im here to stay and i know where i fit in. i grew up too fast with this hurdle race. now it's time they take me away! lol

 

[Artful Dodger]

Chemical aspects? What about a PhD and go into drug development? There are some, but not a lot, of medicinal chemistry programs out there. Maybe that's up your alley?

I gave this a thought...ran this idea by a few professors. And actually, I found an MS program for Drug & Design when I was exploring the option, but for me...I'm someone who wants the patient interaction on a daily basis.

 

[bkz]

No worries I was just giving you a hard time. 🙂 Good luck with your app.

 

[Artful Dodger]

No worries I was just giving you a hard time. 🙂 Good luck with your app.

haha you gotta try harder than that. sarcasm is my thing. good luck to you too.

 

[metalgearHMN]

I always go for the "happy ending" 😉

 

[Habeed]

I got my 36 by using 100% exam krackers and I did all of the AAMC paid practice tests.