Concerned about transfering from a Community College on time for Pharm. Program

[VBCTea]

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Hi, I'm currently a community college student interested in going into Pharmacy. A little information before I state my concern. The first semester at the community college, I was still undecided on what I wanted to major in, so I chose General Studies, however, I became very interested in Pharmacy, so I switched my major to Chemistry for the second semester.

However, the Chemistry courses were full for the second semester, so I am currently completing General Chemistry I and II in two summer sessions. My current schedule for Fall 2010 is Organic Chemistry I, Calculus II, and General Biology. I was originally going to take General Physics I, but there were no available spots for Fall 2010, so I chose General Biology I.

The schools I am interested in are Temple University and Rutgers University, and I noticed they do not require Calculus II, and I am wondering if I should try and see if a spot opens up for General Physics, and dropping Calculus II. But if a spot does not open up, it would mean I have to take General Physics I in Spring 2011, and the problem is, is that they don't offer General Physics II in the summer, so I would not have the prerequisite General Physics II, when I apply as a transfer.

So the problem is, is that I don't think I'll have all my prerequisites completed in time for Fall 2011, and I'm just wondering what my options would be, would I have to stay another year at my community college? Even though, it might be adding too many credits before I transfer? Since I've read that schools don't want transfers with over a certain number of credits.

Or could I transfer after two years of community college, and complete additional prerequisites at the university I transfer too, and apply to their Pharmacy programs once I have completed the additional prerequisites at their university?

 

[owlegrad]

Hi, I'm currently a community college student interested in going into Pharmacy. A little information before I state my concern. The first semester at the community college, I was still undecided on what I wanted to major in, so I chose General Studies, however, I became very interested in Pharmacy, so I switched my major to Chemistry for the second semester.

However, the Chemistry courses were full for the second semester, so I am currently completing General Chemistry I and II in two summer sessions. My current schedule for Fall 2010 is Organic Chemistry I, Calculus II, and General Biology. I was originally going to take General Physics I, but there were no available spots for Fall 2010, so I chose General Biology I.

The schools I am interested in are Temple University and Rutgers University, and I noticed they do not require Calculus II, and I am wondering if I should try and see if a spot opens up for General Physics, and dropping Calculus II. But if a spot does not open up, it would mean I have to take General Physics I in Spring 2011, and the problem is, is that they don't offer General Physics II in the summer, so I would not have the prerequisite General Physics II, when I apply as a transfer.

So the problem is, is that I don't think I'll have all my prerequisites completed in time for Fall 2011, and I'm just wondering what my options would be, would I have to stay another year at my community college? Even though, it might be adding too many credits before I transfer? Since I've read that schools don't want transfers with over a certain number of credits.

Or could I transfer after two years of community college, and complete additional prerequisites at the university I transfer too, and apply to their Pharmacy programs once I have completed the additional prerequisites at their university?

My advice is do whatever you can to get physics done on time. Go talk to the appropriate professors/deans. Ask for independent study. Beg for a seat in the class. Anything.

Having said that, Physics set me back for an entire year. I couldn't get Physics 2 in time (my fault, I wasn't proactive enough - sigh). It turned out ok for me though, I used the "extra" year to work in a research lab, which I loved. I also made it a point to enjoy myself before going to pharmacy school. Because I was only taking one class I had ample free time. If I could go back and change it (get Physics completed "on time"), I wouldn't. Time paradoxes aside, I loved working in the lab and having time to enjoy my friends/family/life. So whatever ends up happening for you, I wish you luck and my advice is just make the most out of whichever path you end up on. If you do end up missing Fall 11 deadline it's not the end of the world. I wouldn't transfer to a university to finish Physics 2 w/o a very compelling reason to do so.

 

[VBCTea]

Thanks for the reply, it really helped calm me down from thinking too deeply into the situation.

My current General Chemistry I professor happens to be the General Physics professor, so I will take your advice and ask if I could get a spot for Fall 2010, since I currently have an A in the class.

If I may ask, did you complete your Physics I and II classes at the university you are currently enrolled for their Pharmacy program?

 

[owlegrad]

Thanks for the reply, it really helped calm me down from thinking too deeply into the situation.

My current General Chemistry I professor happens to be the General Physics professor, so I will take your advice and ask if I could get a spot for Fall 2010, since I currently have an A in the class.

If I may ask, did you complete your Physics I and II classes at the university you are currently enrolled for their Pharmacy program?

No. I couldn't take physics 2 over the summer (similar situations, eh? lol) so I waited for Fall and took it then. Just to be clear, I took all my prereq's at my local CC.

I was really depressed/angry about it at first, but then the opportunity to work in a research lab fell into my lap. Between the lab work and enjoying all that free time - in the end I think it was good for me. Although being a year "ahead" of where I am now wouldn't be so bad ether.