B.S Work Exp vs. Pharmacy Tech Exp

[horo1988]

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I'm currently a 3rd year student at UC Davis.
Current GPA: 3.85
Pharmacy experience: none
Volunteer experience: none
Research experience: none
Couple hours of shadowing a pharmacist lolz

yeah basically I gonna try to get some experience in those areas.
I plan to graduate in 2010 and also apply to a pharmacy school
Imagine I dont get accepted in 2010, then I gonna have to apply in 2011.
Now I wonder what should be the best decision to make:

After graduation, go to work with my Bio Technology degree.
OR
go to work with my Pharmacy Tech degree.

Which one would you think will get me into at least a pharmacy school in 2011?

My favorite choices: UCSF, UOP, USC, Touro, UCSD. (California schools)

 

[aboveliquidice]

I'm currently a 3rd year student at UC Davis.
Current GPA: 3.85
Pharmacy experience: none
Volunteer experience: none
Research experience: none
Couple hours of shadowing a pharmacist lolz

yeah basically I gonna try to get some experience in those areas.
I plan to graduate in 2010 and also apply to a pharmacy school
Imagine I dont get accepted in 2010, then I gonna have to apply in 2011.
Now I wonder what should be the best decision to make:

After graduation, go to work with my Bio Technology degree.
OR
go to work with my Pharmacy Tech degree.

Which one would you think will get me into at least a pharmacy school in 2011?

My favorite choices: UCSF, UOP, USC, Touro, UCSD. (California schools)

You are already there academically - but you really need to fill in your pharmacy experience. It is ok to not have research experience (nice mind you, but not necessary) - being involved in pharmacy that you can discuss issues in depth is imperative. There is no magic number - when you know enough - you'll know.

~above~

 

[confettiflyer]

I agree, you are there academically. You don't need to get a "pharm tech" degree...you can just take the easy PTCB exam (~$120ish) and file licensure paperwork with the state.

Easiest way to do this is find a local pharmacy to work in as a clerk, and while you're a clerk, get your tech license. It's almost for show...I've had lots of friends get in w/out pharm experience. IMO it's overrated, but you look set with academics so let's balance out your application.

 

[horo1988]

Thank you for your advices

Basically I dont need to focus much on research experience but rather on pharmacy experience.

If I got rejected, I should spend my time working in a local pharmacy with the pharm tech license

What u think if I go to work with the Biotech degree (without having any pharmacy exp), would it enhance my application when I apply again? because somehow I kinda wanna go out n "sense" the real biotech world ... wanna put the B.S degree into use somewhere

 

[confettiflyer]

What u think if I go to work with the Biotech degree (without having any pharmacy exp), would it enhance my application when I apply again? because somehow I kinda wanna go out n "sense" the real biotech world ... wanna put the B.S degree into use somewhere

Well, you'll make a hell of a lot more money ($20-25/hr for biotech vs. $10-15 as a pharm tech). Honestly, knowing what I know now and with your academic pedigree, I'd work maybe 1 day a week at a local pharmacy as a clerk (then upgrade to tech after you get your paperwork in) while working in biotech (Genentech is nearby to you, are they hiring?)

This way, you can get the best of both worlds. The money/experience of biotech, and the ability to say that you've worked in a pharmacy as a technician since...I dunno... February 2009. Honestly, it's an afterthought and a little mark on your application. I personally don't see the difference, working as a tech, that working 40hrs/week would provide a candidate vs. say 8hrs/week. You'll learn/get everything you need to know within your first few hours, and it's all repetition from there (exception: maybe a few pharm mgmt things you'll miss).

Bottom line: pharmacy experience, while a good thing, is overrated and you don't need that much of it. 1d/week will suffice with your academic stats. In fact, working biotech is less common amongst applicants, so it just might give you an edge.

 

[horo1988]

Thank you very much ^_^
I'm really appreciated !