Average age and backgrounds of pharmacy students?

[Motion76]

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Hello,

I'm 30 years old from Montreal and my background is mainly in business and information technology. I have 7 years of continuous work experience and I am about to complete an MBA in a few months (Which was done part-time). It is now a few years that I keep thinking about a career change, and pharmacy always comes back to haunt me. I feel it is time for me to make a decision or bury this forever.

My plans are likely to apply and make a decision to begin a Pharm.D program in Fall 2007. I believe I meet all the pre-requisites for entrance into the program. My GPA for both undergrad and grad studies should put me in a favourable position for admission. I also feel that upon completion of my pharmaceutical studies, I should be able to leverage some of my previous business experience and my MBA into my profession as a pharmacist (Therefore, it is not all going to waste). However, this means I'll be 35 when I complete the program. 😛

One of my concerns, and the main reason for this thread, is I fear that I may be a little old to get into this, and wondering how will I fit with the rest of the student body. I'd like to hear about other students who also joined the program after having done other undergrad/grad programs and/or have some work experience in a non-health related field. What are the average ages of students, and what are the previous academic or professional experiences of students in the pharmacy programs?

Thank you.
M76

 

[PolarBear21]

I think if Pharmacy is truly your passion you shouldn't let your age get in your way.

From UCSF's profile online, the average age of incoming students is 24, but the ages range from 20 to 43.

and here's another link (its sort of dated though).. just scroll all the way to the bottom and check out their age ranges, you definately aren't alone.

http://career.berkeley.edu/Health/PharmApp.stm

 

[rxlynn]

Hi - it will of course vary from school to school, but in general I would think that you won't be the oldest one in your class by far. I started in August, and my class range of age is 19-48. I personally have a BS and MS in chemistry, and had worked for several years doing other things, then had worked almost 6 years in a pharmacy before I started school. I felt the same way you state - if I didn't go this year, I wasn't going ever. I have been pleasantly surprised at the friends I've made in class. The younger students seem to be pretty open about meeting some of the older ones - maybe I just am in an exceptionally friendly class! But, my message to you is that you can do this - you will find people to be friends with you, and your past experience will serve you well in school! good luck.

Hello,

I'm 30 years old from Montreal and my background is mainly in business and information technology. I have 7 years of continuous work experience and I am about to complete an MBA in a few months (Which was done part-time). It is now a few years that I keep thinking about a career change, and pharmacy always comes back to haunt me. I feel it is time for me to make a decision or bury this forever.

My plans are likely to apply and make a decision to begin a Pharm.D program in Fall 2007. I believe I meet all the pre-requisites for entrance into the program. My GPA for both undergrad and grad studies should put me in a favourable position for admission. I also feel that upon completion of my pharmaceutical studies, I should be able to leverage some of my previous business experience and my MBA into my profession as a pharmacist (Therefore, it is not all going to waste). However, this means I'll be 35 when I complete the program. 😛

One of my concerns, and the main reason for this thread, is I fear that I may be a little old to get into this, and wondering how will I fit with the rest of the student body. I'd like to hear about other students who also joined the program after having done other undergrad/grad programs and/or have some work experience in a non-health related field. What are the average ages of students, and what are the previous academic or professional experiences of students in the pharmacy programs?

Thank you.
M76

 

[drugdoc]

There is a list of age ranges for each school on a web site - I can't remember which it is, but you are WELL within age to start and complete. If I remember correctly every single school had an age range of about 20 to mid-40's.

To start fall of 2007, you need to take the PCAT this January, complete a PharmCAS application (which includes getting all school transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc), and each school's supplemental applications. It is a VERY long process, and if you haven't begun it yet, I may rethink being able to start fall of 2007. That's not to say it may not be possible if you find a school that has a very late application deadline, but many schools have already passed or are very close (my 2 school's deadlines are Jan 5th and Feb 1st, I believe).

I'd say you need to do some extensive research - go to the PharmCAS, PCAT, and read this website's links for Pre-Pharmacy and PCAT extensively.

Message me if you have further questions! Personally, I am 31 and have a degree in Interior Design!!!! BUT, I have 2 of 2 interviews at top schools!!! It is a long process, but you can make it work!

 

[PharmBug]

When I was in undergrad classes my Gen Chem lab partner was a guy who was thirty who had three degrees in language and music and he was going back to be a pharmacist. It paid off, he made a 99 on the PCAT and got in no problem. Also my A&P lab partner was a 43 year old guy who had a perviously gotten a biolgoy degree and taught in middle school for a while. He made a 99 on the PCAT and got into his first choice school too. I think age and prior degrees are not a disadvantage. You should do great and make it in with no problem. Good Luck with everything.

 

[thelonius]

I'm a 33 y.o. P1, which puts me exactly 10 years above the average of my peers. There are probably 8-10 people in my class older than myself. Even though there is a big age gap here, I find that I fit in well enough and have even attended a couple of frat parties and made some friends. My background is pretty unique-BA in music, vet tech (no pharm exp.), but took lots of biology classes in undergrad-like pharmacology. You will likely adjust pretty quickly. Good luck!

 

[lvp0021]

I pretty much agree that you should not let your age be a disavantage--turn it into an advantage in the way that you've had more experiences and real-life "things" compared to other younger people. WHen I took gen biol lab, my partner was a 36 years-old guy who is now 39 and in medical school. My microbiol classmate was 35 and now a P1 in pharmacy school. Some of my friends are even afraid of their older competitors as these have gone through life more than we (the youngsters) do and thus more experienced and well-grounded. So just follow your passion!

 

[Farmercyst]

I'll be 30 in May. Hopefully admission will be an early b-day present. If not I'll be applying again in the summer. I'll be finishing my BS this quarter in Chemistry. I've already got two kids. A little out of the ordinary compared to most stories, but not quite as unique as others.

 

[G0T2PS]

Ewww... a thread full of ollllldddddddd people!!!!!!!!!

J/k... I myself am close in age. I will tell you that having interviewed here and there.. west coast pharmacy schools seem to carry the "mature" students while east coast have the "young guns." Most people in east coast are like still in their undergrad but in California I was glad to see a lot of the interviewees were, like myself, those who got bachelors and/or masters.. plus a few years of work life. That's my impression based on my interviews. I thought I was too old to be going back but really happy to know I was like many other people.

 

[K78]

I will be 30 when I enter pharmacy school, if all goes as plans. I have worked as a nurse for several years, but always thought about going back to school for pharmacy or something similar. I think those of us who are older than the average have a lot to bring to pharmacy school - maturity, dedication, and a different view point, and professional schools definitely see it this way, if you look at the stats. Also, I have a friend who is working on an MBA/Pharm.D. joint program in her pharmacy school (and she had no business background) so clearly having an MBA is considered an advantage in the pharmacy world. Good luck!

 

[tckc]

i agree with everyone above and am smiling at all the encouraging comments! i am a first time applicant for this coming fall and have an interview later this month at the only school i applied to (or want to attend for that matter!) i will be 27 in a couple of months...married with two children and have my BA in natural science/math...so i guess i fall into the non-trad. category...i applaud everyone who is actively pursuing their goals and dreams....it's not always an easy thing to do when you weigh out all the factors (kids, financial stability, relocating, career change, etc) good luck to everyone applying and for those of you already accepted...congrats

 

[acetyl]

I'll be 27 (in October) in my first year of pharmacy school, which is next fall. I think as long as you work hard and keep your life balanced, it shouldn't be that much different than if you had done this when you were younger. That's just me, though.