Career Change

[LaserAls]

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Hello Pre-pharms:

My friend is an Associate VP at a bank. She got her B.S. in Finance (GPA 3.5). She wants to quit her job, go back to school for two years to complete her pre-reqs, and then apply to pharmacy schools in Texas. Does anyone have experience applying as a non-traditional student?

BTW, keep your fingers crossed for me... Texas Med School Match day is tomorrow!

 

[Dr.Biassi]

Associate VP at a bank is making already a 6 figures why change?
Well she can still work and get the prerequisites done and then go back to school. Pharmacy schools love people with a bachelor degree.

 

[bsmspharmd]

Speaking of non-traditional students:

How would a candidate with "some graduate school" fare in the aplication process?

"some graduate school" = my thesis project is a sham, i'm allergic to my subjects, and my advisor gives bad advice, therefore I'm thinking of dropping out of my master's program

Do you think that there's a "struggled to persevere under overwhelming conditions factor" that plays into the admissions process?

 

[Dr.Biassi]

If you think a master degree with thesis harder than a PharmD... wow you are on the wrong path. I know some people with a master degree that got into pharmacy!!!! You just have to explain to the admission comittee why you switch to Pharm... . with a good argument you're in!!!!

 

[bsmspharmd]

If you think a master degree with thesis harder than a PharmD... wow you are on the wrong path. I know some people with a master degree that got into pharmacy!!!! You just have to explain to the admission comittee why you switch to Pharm... . with a good argument you're in!!!!

I don't know that I implied that the master's degree was "harder" to get than the pharmD degree, and i wouldn't. In fact, I don't think that the two programs would compare at all, one being research based, and the other being course based. I was, however, inquiring about whether not completing the master's degree would hurt my chances of getting in, so thanks for the second part of your post.

Any other comments?

 

[LaserAls]

Associate VP at a bank is making already a 6 figures why change?
Well she can still work and get the prerequisites done and then go back to school. Pharmacy schools love people with a bachelor degree.

Bank VP's do not make as much as one would think. There are several VPs, and different VPs have more or less responsibility, etc. My friend makes 60K in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I asked her how much she thinks she would make at the bank 6 yrs from now, and she said she would be lucky to make 80K. Most importantly, she is not satisfied with her job and thinks that being a pharmacist would satisfy her desire for more education, challenge, and responsibility.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Dr.Biassi]

I don't know that I implied that the master's degree was "harder" to get than the pharmD degree, and i wouldn't. In fact, I don't think that the two programs would compare at all, one being research based, and the other being course based. I was, however, inquiring about whether not completing the master's degree would hurt my chances of getting in, so thanks for the second part of your post.

Any other comments?

Completing your master degree or not will not hurt your chances. As long as you have the prerequisites you're good to go!!! If they ask you why you went to a master after your bachelor just tell them you want to get more insight in the science ( Reseach) and that you will be doing Pharmacy/Clinical research after you degree. Some pharmacy school love that.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I was the executive director of a non-profit agency when I decided to pursue becoming a pharmacist. I have a masters degree in education.

I kept working for a year while I took the first of my pre-reqs. When it came time to take organic chemistry I and II in the summer, I quit my nonprofit job and did that (it was very time consuming). After the summer was over I got a job at Kroger pharmacy.

It took me a full-two years to do my prereqs. I decided to change careers in 2004, quit my job in 2005, started pharmacy school in 2006 and will graduate in 2010.

I'm also older (>30), married with one child.

Any specific questions?

 

[iwannabpharmer]

how would one explain having a master's and then switching? my ms was more like, i was a silly little undergraduate that wanted to stay in school a little longer because i didn't know what i wanted to do. but ended up entering a progam and finishing (finally) 6 years later.

 

[ForcedEntry]

Fancy that...two threads in one.

To the OP:
I'm a career changing non-trad. I quit a lucritive career, took a 66% pay cut to be able to go back to school, and am enthrawled in the application process. I say tell her to go for it, but not for the money. Do it for peace of mind.

If she has questions, tell her to create an account, read the stickies/FAQS and come see us with remaining questions. We love to help.

To the hijacker:
In the words of Desi Arnez, "Lucy! You got some splaining to do."

 

[Sabres151]

Hello Pre-pharms:

My friend is an Associate VP at a bank. She got her B.S. in Finance (GPA 3.5). She wants to quit her job, go back to school for two years to complete her pre-reqs, and then apply to pharmacy schools in Texas. Does anyone have experience applying as a non-traditional student?

BTW, keep your fingers crossed for me... Texas Med School Match day is tomorrow!

I would definitly encourage it if she is unsatisfied with her current career path. Just make sure this is a road she will be absolutely committed to. I'm non-traditional as well with a bachelors in a completely unrelated field. Make great money as a pharma rep but it's also the most soul-stealing job I could have. Needless to say, I decided to take steps to better my future. Being in school definitly helps keep a positive outlook on the day to day grind. Good luck to you both.

 

[wspharmD]

Hello Pre-pharms:

My friend is an Associate VP at a bank. She got her B.S. in Finance (GPA 3.5). She wants to quit her job, go back to school for two years to complete her pre-reqs, and then apply to pharmacy schools in Texas. Does anyone have experience applying as a non-traditional student?

BTW, keep your fingers crossed for me... Texas Med School Match day is tomorrow!

I will hopefully be accepted to UF pharmacy for 2007. Went back to school for prereqs after a B.S. in hotel/restaurant management and 10 years in restaurant management. Tell your friend she can definitely do it.