Community College for 4 years?

[deleted420514]

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[milkchocolate]

Definitely go to a 4 year university and get a degree first.

Best decision I made in my life as it motivated me to advance my career to pharmacy. Get involved in leadership opportunities 4-year universities have to offer verses a CC and you will become a great Pharmacist 🙂

 

[R2pharmD2]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum, and was wondering if I could seek out some advice. I'm currently attending a community college, and I want to apply to a Pharmacy School once I'm done with my pre-reqs. The problem is, during my first year of CC, I was unsure on what I wanted to do, and I basically wasted that year taking useless classes. I am now on my second year of CC, and coming into this year, I was very determined to follow through with my Pharmacy goal. Yet, I was unable to get the classes I needed this semester due to a late registration date, and that has really put me down. I am currently 19 years old, I will be 20 in March. If I plan out everything correctly, It's going to take a total of four years of CC (including the first year) for me to to complete the Pharm-reqs to apply to a Pharmacy school. My main plan is to apply straight from a CC, yet I am unsure of whether I should try to get my B.S. or not, because the B.S. route seems much safer. If I do plan to transfer to a Four year University (UC), then I believe that will take me a total of six years before I can apply to Pharm School. I guess what I am most afraid of, is my uncertainty on how the CC route will work out. I have friends and family who have went straight from CC to Pharm School within three years (unlike my four years), I am just afraid that I might not be able to do the same for some reason. What if the Pharm School does not accept me? What do I do then? I've been feeling a lot of anxiety lately, I feel like I'm too late to try to apply from CC to a Pharm School. I just hope I am not making a stupid decision.

Looking forward to your replies.
Thanks all.

-Larry

Apply after your first year of pre-reqs and see what happens. If you get in on your first try (which is certainly doable, depending on your grades, PCAT score, where you're applying etc.) then you can just focus on finishing up your pre-reqs and save yourself a couple years of school. If you don't get in, transfer to a university after your second year at the CC and keep working towards your B.S. until you do get in.

 

[owlegrad]

Apply after your first year of pre-reqs and see what happens. If you get in on your first try (which is certainly doable, depending on your grades, PCAT score, where you're applying etc.) then you can just focus on finishing up your pre-reqs and save yourself a couple years of school. If you don't get in, transfer to a university after your second year at the CC and keep working towards your B.S. until you do get in.

I like to call this "Plan A".

 

[xtsukiyox]

Apply after your first year of pre-reqs and see what happens. If you get in on your first try (which is certainly doable, depending on your grades, PCAT score, where you're applying etc.) then you can just focus on finishing up your pre-reqs and save yourself a couple years of school. If you don't get in, transfer to a university after your second year at the CC and keep working towards your B.S. until you do get in.

And I like to call this "Plan B." (NO NOT THAT KIND!) As I was reading the OP's post, this is exactly what came to mind. 👍

Just keep working at it. Maybe scoop up your AS with some of those "useless" classes from your first year, if it doesn't take you too far out of your way (talking like one or two extra classes).

This is from someone who changed "majors" four? times and, through the bad advice of an advisor / lack of college savvy, probably nearly wasted two years of classes at CC. I'm not sure I'd trade it for the experience, though, so in the rear view mirror I don't think I regret it. Except History of the US to 1877. Seriously, why did I take that class? Agh.

Anyway, remember that the race is against no one but yourself. You'll get there eventually. While it seems like it'll take forever - keep in mind that you're investing in yourself and the rest of your life. Even 6 more years is nothing compared to working a dead-end job or entry-level rat race for 40-50 (more) years.

 

[xNeenax]

And I like to call this "Plan B." (NO NOT THAT KIND!) As I was reading the OP's post, this is exactly what came to mind. 👍
........

I don't get it. what kind? 😕

 

[owlegrad]

I don't get it. what kind? 😕

Plan B is a pretty famous emergency contraceptive. It was a pun, or play on words.

 

[xtsukiyox]

😛

 

[malloyevelyn110]

bump to first page

 

[PharmaTope]

Definitely go to a 4 year university and get a degree first.

Best decision I made in my life as it motivated me to advance my career to pharmacy. Get involved in leadership opportunities 4-year universities have to offer verses a CC and you will become a great Pharmacist 🙂

and this will make you a great pharmacist how?

OP, go with the cheapest option for school to get you where you want. CC or big university. whatever is cheaper and you can succeed at.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Now if you don't mind, I have some questions about work experience. I often hear that working as a Pharm Tech, or Clerk, will be most beneficial to me, as it would look good on my application.

Good pharmacy experience can really make your pharmacy school application. Pharmacy schools definitely are looking for some experience, and working in the field is the best. Good idea, looking for this early! But don't rule out volunteering or volunteer -> employment.

Pharm clerks are pretty much cashiers, if I understand right. But, it's a leg in, if you can't find a tech job. (I've read on this forum there are lots of problems finding pharm tech jobs in the most populous areas of CA, but ymmv.)

In my state (AZ), you can work as a non-certified pharm tech for up to 2 years before having to be certified. Being certified just requires taking the PTCE, unless you're in a state requiring completion of a formal training program. In which case, you can find one through a chain like Walgreen's / CVS rather than shelling out for one yourself.

I live in California, and apparently I need to receive a certification in order to work as a Pharmacy Tech. I hear that you can study off books, or take the course online, and that it's "easy". Now, if becoming a Pharmacy Tech is the best way to receive work experience, what book, or what online course should I take? I am currently in school, and do not want to overwhelm myself, but I hear that it's doable. Also, would I need a Pharm Tech Certificate or License? Is studying and becoming a Tech worth it?

As you put it, FML, I should have read the rest of your post first.

I have read on these forums about the clerk -> tech path in CA, which would seem to be relatively common, but I have no idea what the time frame or availability is of those jobs. If you can find something like this, the major chains will pay for the test.

I passed the PTCE on book study (I got the book from the library) & help with the drugs / focus of study from my boyfriend, who has been a pharm tech for a decade. It can certainly be done without a class, unless CA requires it, but I have heard it is far easier if you have some actual tech experience. I found it easier after having taken Gen Chem II - a lot of the math is lifted straight from it, but tbh, it's math I should have learned in high school chem. There are some really good resources, including a website about drug name patterns someone linked somewhere in the last couple days (exercise in finding it is left to the student 😉).

Be honest with yourself - do you learn in such a way that you can teach yourself what you need to know from a book? Are you disciplined enough with your studying to do the same?

Sorry about all the questions. Thanks again. -Larry

No problem Larry. That's the cool thing about this forum / site.

Edit: ehhh.... now that I look at the FAQ, some of my answers ARE on there.... Epitome of my life. But, I hope you guys won't mind answering my questions, I'm just looking for more information/ a discussion, just to be on the safe side.

It happens. If we minded, someone would have posted a "USE THE SEARCH BUTTON!" response. 😛

By the way, can I start studying for the PCAT, even if I have not taken any science classes yet? Or should I wait until after I take the science classes do I start studying for the PCAT?

There is a sub-forum just for the PCAT, and I would suggest reading around there a bit for suggestions on study material. I found it relatively easy to study for the PCAT, since it was all review (I took it after the entire chem & bio series up to O Chem II and A&P II). I would probably have found it quite hard to study for had I not had the classes, but people have and do take it without the entire series. It does test material from each class, so you would be teaching yourself these topics. Why not see what the library has for PCAT books? Probably something horrible, but you might be able to make a more informed decision after perusing.

On re-read, it sounds like you haven't taken any college science classes yet. I would certainly take it after at least year's worth of the classes. That'd get you through Gen Chem & general Biology. Also, if you're still 2 years out from your goal, you definitely have time - I might say it's even too early. It's best to approach the PCAT as a "one and done" philosophy, even though some colleges just look at the best score. You may want to research your preferred schools' policies on this if you're dead set on taking the PCAT this early, in case you do more poorly than you'd like.

 

[xtsukiyox]

OP, go with the cheapest option for school to get you where you want. CC or big university. whatever is cheaper and you can succeed at.

This is actually good advice, although for some people cost isn't as high a' priority as it is for others. Can you relocate for school? In that case, North Dakota might be for you. It would be fantastic to get out of pharm school with less than $50k in debt for tuition.

 

[PharmaTope]

This is actually good advice, although for some people cost isn't as high a' priority as it is for others. Can you relocate for school? In that case, North Dakota might be for you. It would be fantastic to get out of pharm school with less than $50k in debt for tuition.

smart move would be getting all over that!

 

[xtsukiyox]

(Either the quote button is not working, or I just don't know how to quote.... it's probably the latter)

When you hit the quote button, it puts in a quote tag around the text. There's also a button in the rich text editor that will wrap quote tags around the text you have highlighted - it looks like a dialog bubble. I put 'em in manually - take out the spaces in my example. Put [ quote ] just before the beginning & [ /quote ] just after the end. If you want it to say who you're quoting, say [ quote=MarkTwain ] instead of your opening tag.

As xtsukiyox has mentioned, I will need to know some Chemistry math to take the PCTB/PCTE (not sure which one it's called), and to be honest, I really don't remember anything from my 10th grade Chemistry class. Will this be a big problem? I am alright with any math (except calculus), and I'm willing to learn from the book, as long as it covers and explains what I need to know.

Nope. You'll pick it up. Check the Pharmacy Technician Questions thread - some people have linked good stuff there. Or, dig up your Gen Chem book & do some coversions. Memorize pharmacy units. Some concentration stuff. Any PTCE book or site worth the time should have this information - it's pretty standard. If you did well in Chem, you'll do fine with the math. It's the laws / drug stuff that's a little harder to pick up on your own, because I know the book I used didn't target the information well at all. Multiple sources are your friend. Also, I guess Pearson offers a practice PTCE now? (I took it on paper, so I have no idea how useful it is or isn't.)

Also, you need to be certified in order to work as a Pharm Clerk/Cashier right?

Anything else I would say on the subject is speculation. Sorry. I would start with the CA BOP (board of pharmacy) website, then a general google search or maybe search job listings (to see if it mentions certified clerks) if that doesn't work.

Looks like I'll be taking the PCAT after my first year of general chem/bio then.

The earliest I could justify taking it would be January of the year you're applying (i.e., for 2012 matriculation, you'd be applying in 2011 cycle). It would be pretty darn early if you took it then. Also, you'd have a chance to retake in July & still hit early deadlines. I don't see much reason to take it before then.

I don't think there is any chance of me moving to North Dakota haha. Is it a cheap (money wise) Pharm School or something? I haven't really looked into Pharm Schools anywhere beyond east of Utah.

There are some pretty cool links in the FAQs, including some links to lists of costs, school overviews, and prereqs on the AACP website. Here is a link to first year costs: http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/Documents/Table 11.pdf

The whole website is pretty cool though: http://www.aacp.org/RESOURCES/STUDENT/Pages/default.aspx

While North Dakota is pretty cheap, I think I was thinking of South Dakota now that I've looked at the table again.