Could my experience hurt me?

[GoPack]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm entering a pre-pharmacy program at UNC-Greensboro in the Spring, but I'm a bit concerned that my prior academic and work history could weigh negatively against my future achievements.

I already have a History degree from NCSU. I graduated with honors, but didn't do anything super special. Regardless of how well I do in my pre-pharmacy classes, my new grades are still going to be averaged in with about 132 hours of 3.25ish-ness.

I then taught at a struggling school for a year and did very well there. Unfortunately I had to move away from that job when I got married this summer. The market for social studies teachers is extremely competitive in this new area, and I wasn't able to find a new position. (Side note: when people talk about a teacher shortage, they're painting with a very broad brush) In the mean time I've decided to pursue Pharmacy.

Successfully teaching at a failing school and then having a semester to ponder my past decisions was an extremely transformative experience for me, and suffice it to say that I could make a great case for why my prior mediocrity should be forgiven.

My concern is that on the surface, it's a bit too easy not to ignore the fact that I didn't excel in my last degree, and basically dropped out of my profession after only a year.

Thoughts?

 

[FLPharm2Be]

I'm entering a pre-pharmacy program at UNC-Greensboro in the Spring, but I'm a bit concerned that my prior academic and work history could weigh negatively against my future achievements.

I already have a History degree from NCSU. I graduated with honors, but didn't do anything super special. Regardless of how well I do in my pre-pharmacy classes, my new grades are still going to be averaged in with about 132 hours of 3.25ish-ness.

I then taught at a struggling school for a year and did very well there. Unfortunately I had to move away from that job when I got married this summer. The market for social studies teachers is extremely competitive in this new area, and I wasn't able to find a new position. (Side note: when people talk about a teacher shortage, they're painting with a very broad brush) In the mean time I've decided to pursue Pharmacy.

Successfully teaching at a failing school and then having a semester to ponder my past decisions was an extremely transformative experience for me, and suffice it to say that I could make a great case for why my prior mediocrity should be forgiven.

My concern is that on the surface, it's a bit too easy not to ignore the fact that I didn't excel in my last degree, and basically dropped out of my profession after only a year.

Thoughts?

I think you need to look at your situation from a new angle. I, like you, spent a little over a year working in the profession of my first degree. I quickly learned that was not where I saw myself in the future. I used to be an engineer. I truly believe that we (people from different fields) have a unique insight about ourselves and what we really want. You need to find what you learned from that time in you life, I guarantee you learned something about yourself from working in another field that nobody who went straight through school can match. For instance, I learned that I did not see myself in a field that was headed towards outsourcing jobs or a field that only cares about the bottom line and is not doing anything positive for the community. These are things I never really looked at until I actually worked full-time and was removed from the academic environment. Look for what you learned and how that makes you a stronger candidate.

 

[CaliCPhT]

I think you need to look at your situation from a new angle. I, like you, spent a little over a year working in the profession of my first degree. I quickly learned that was not where I saw myself in the future. I used to be an engineer. I truly believe that we (people from different fields) have a unique insight about ourselves and what we really want. You need to find what you learned from that time in you life, I guarantee you learned something about yourself from working in another field that nobody who went straight through school can match. For instance, I learned that I did not see myself in a field that was headed towards outsourcing jobs or a field that only cares about the bottom line and is not doing anything positive for the community. These are things I never really looked at until I actually worked full-time and was removed from the academic environment. Look for what you learned and how that makes you a stronger candidate.

I agree. You have a unique experience to offer and you should draw upon that to make yourself stand out. Look at your former career and find parallels that you can use in your pharmacy degree. Make sure you put this into your personal statement. Think about what types of service based experience you already have, and what you might like to do with a PharmD. I honestly don't see how what you've previously done can hurt you. I only see them as assets. You don't fit the cookie cutter model of a pre-pharm, but who cares? Figure out what makes you stand out and draw upon that! Use it to your advantage!

 

[tootoo30]

I'm entering a pre-pharmacy program at UNC-Greensboro in the Spring, but I'm a bit concerned that my prior academic and work history could weigh negatively against my future achievements.

I already have a History degree from NCSU. I graduated with honors, but didn't do anything super special. Regardless of how well I do in my pre-pharmacy classes, my new grades are still going to be averaged in with about 132 hours of 3.25ish-ness.

I then taught at a struggling school for a year and did very well there. Unfortunately I had to move away from that job when I got married this summer. The market for social studies teachers is extremely competitive in this new area, and I wasn't able to find a new position. (Side note: when people talk about a teacher shortage, they're painting with a very broad brush) In the mean time I've decided to pursue Pharmacy.

Successfully teaching at a failing school and then having a semester to ponder my past decisions was an extremely transformative experience for me, and suffice it to say that I could make a great case for why my prior mediocrity should be forgiven.

My concern is that on the surface, it's a bit too easy not to ignore the fact that I didn't excel in my last degree, and basically dropped out of my profession after only a year.

Thoughts?

I'm in a similar situation myself, I have a BS in Information Technology and after working in this field for two years...lets just say I don't like it. I have always wanted to do pharmacy but it took for me to start working at a university and seeing the 30ish students for me to go ahead and pursue my dream. I always thought I was too old to do another four year program, but there are actually students in their 40's pursuing their dream, so why not me.

I agree with the other posters, your experiences just make you more diverse and you should include all of this in your personal statement to make a good impact on the admissions committee.

 

[GSP]

Same situation I am in....IT field as a project administrator, I've worked in the field about 3 years but looking for a more fullfilling job.

Try to show that you have been in the "real world", that you have practical experience in dealing with co-workers, working in groups, etc...

Also relate your job to why you chose pharmacy. (I did well, excelled in my previous job but felt pharmacy was the best career choice for me, then give the reasons why you want to be in this career.

I think in some ways it is an advantage having worked in another field.

 

[GatorRxGirl]

Same situation I am in....IT field as a project administrator, I've worked in the field about 3 years but looking for a more fullfilling job.

Try to show that you have been in the "real world", that you have practical experience in dealing with co-workers, working in groups, etc...

Also relate your job to why you chose pharmacy. (I did well, excelled in my previous job but felt pharmacy was the best career choice for me, then give the reasons why you want to be in this career.

I think in some ways it is an advantage having worked in another field.

yeah.