Freaking Pharmacy....

[Revolver]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I want to be a Pharmacist. Really, I do. I just don't know if it's possible for me. Help me out guys...

I work full time and I go to community college at night. Right now I'm in the process of doing my general education reqs and I need to make a decision soon as to whether or not I'm going to pursue pharmacy so I don't waste time and money on classes I don't need.

And the problem is pharmacy school is so competitive. Since I have a full time job now, I don't have time for extra curricular activities. Let alone in the field of pharmacy. And my grades so far... ehhh.. Two A's and five B's. (I got a B in Bio 101 and Chem 111). What I don't want to happen is I do all my pre-reqs (finishing all the science courses that I wouldn't need for other majors) and then I can't find a school that will accept me. And EVERY Pharmacy school I've researched claims they have X number of applicants per year (where X > 1000) and they only accept less than ~150.

So I ask you guys who have dealt with this scenario before... what are my odds of actually getting into Pharmacy school? If I can't do it, I can't do it, and I'll change majors (does anybody know of another good major thats good money and a social job?)

Or if I do have a chance, what steps do I need to take to ensure I can reach my goal?

PS: BTW How in the world do you guys manage to afford Pharmacy school? I don't have ANY help from my parents, so I have to fund it all myself. Factor this into my odds as well 🙂

 

[twester]

I work full time and I go to community college at night. Right now I'm in the process of doing my general education reqs and I need to make a decision soon as to whether or not I'm going to pursue pharmacy so I don't waste time and money on classes I don't need.

And the problem is pharmacy school is so competitive. Since I have a full time job now, I don't have time for extra curricular activities. Let alone in the field of pharmacy. And my grades so far... ehhh.. Two A's and five B's. (I got a B in Bio 101 and Chem 111). What I don't want to happen is I do all my pre-reqs (finishing all the science courses that I wouldn't need for other majors) and then I can't find a school that will accept me. And EVERY Pharmacy school I've researched claims they have X number of applicants per year (where X > 1000) and they only accept less than ~150.

So I ask you guys who have dealt with this scenario before... what are my odds of actually getting into Pharmacy school? If I can't do it, I can't do it, and I'll change majors (does anybody know of another good major thats good money and a social job?)

Or if I do have a chance, what steps do I need to take to ensure I can reach my goal?

PS: BTW How in the world do you guys manage to afford Pharmacy school? I don't have ANY help from my parents, so I have to fund it all myself. Factor this into my odds as well 🙂

Can't speak to odds since this isn't a game of chance. Yes, pharmacy school is competitve. So it comes down to how badly you want it. Your GPA seems like it's probably OK, just work a little harder to get more A's than B's. I had no extracurricular activities either since I also had to work to support myself (I relied heavily on loans, grants and scholarships as well).

There is no magic bullet to "ensure" that you will reach your goal. Start doing your research now and come up with a list of things that must be done and a plan for getting them done. If pharmacy is what you want, then focus on it and never take your eyes off of that prize.

I can't speak for anyone but me, but this road has been full of sacrifice. I will have sacrificed about 500K in income for the seven years I will have been in school (my pre-reqs took 3 years), gave up having much of a social life while school was in session, and gave up all the little perks that came with having a good income (like travel, eating out, concert tickets, gym membership, a car, etc).

I plan to finance my school with loans. It will all have been worth it to do what I really want and have always wanted to do.

Good luck.

 

[Revolver]

Can't speak to odds since this isn't a game of chance. Yes, pharmacy school is competitve. So it comes down to how badly you want it. Your GPA seems like it's probably OK, just work a little harder to get more A's than B's. I had no extracurricular activities either since I also had to work to support myself (I relied heavily on loans, grants and scholarships as well).

There is no magic bullet to "ensure" that you will reach your goal. Start doing your research now and come up with a list of things that must be done and a plan for getting them done. If pharmacy is what you want, then focus on it and never take your eyes off of that prize.

I can't speak for anyone but me, but this road has been full of sacrifice. I will have sacrificed about 500K in income for the seven years I will have been in school (my pre-reqs took 3 years), gave up having much of a social life while school was in session, and gave up all the little perks that came with having a good income (like travel, eating out, concert tickets, gym membership, a car, etc).

I plan to finance my school with loans. It will all have been worth it to do what I really want and have always wanted to do.

Good luck.

I should add that the school I want to go to is Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy in Glendale (how hard is it to get into this?)

My second choice is University of Texas which I know is hard. Third choice is wherever the next school and major city is.

It's difficult for me to just quit my job because I have bills.... without my income I can't pay for my car, my cell phone, gas, food, rent, etc.

As far as the major sacrifices, how many of you are actually sacrificing your social lives for this? I have two buddies in med school (at VCU-MCV) and they are your run of the mill smart guys, who do everything at the last minute, cram for tests the night before, and sitll get good grades. I'm one of those guys too 🙂 but the reason I'm getting B's instead of A's is absences due to my job.

 

[aboveliquidice]

It sounds like you want pharmacy - but you are looking for ways to show yourself that for you it cant be done... That way your ego is off the hook. I'm not bashing you for it - but I can recognize it (I've done it myself) - The bottom line is this - if you want it, go get it.
If it were easy, everyone would be a pharmacist (not just attempting to be one). But its not easy is it, and you know that some people simply will not make it. The ones that make the cut are the ones that were either insanely intelligent, or had to work their rear-ends off to get in. The ones that do not make the cut were simply not capable, or dropped the ball along the way. Most often (I believe) - people stop putting out the constant effort that success requires. Its not passing the one hard test, or making the "A" in the one difficult class - its the overall effort day in and day out.
I dont know if I am going to make the cut. I dont qualify to be one of those incredibly intelligent few - what I do know is that if I dont get in - it wont be for a lack of trying. Truthfully - you should have the same attitude, if not - then pharmacy may not be right for you.

~above~

Sorry - but I get really motivated sometimes... 😉

 

[Revolver]

It sounds like you want pharmacy - but you are looking for ways to show yourself that for you it cant be done... That way your ego is off the hook. I'm not bashing you for it - but I can recognize it (I've done it myself) - The bottom line is this - if you want it, go get it.
If it were easy, everyone would be a pharmacist (not just attempting to be one). But its not easy is it, and you know that some people simply will not make it. The ones that make the cut are the ones that were either insanely intelligent, or had to work their rear-ends off to get in. The ones that do not make the cut were simply not capable, or dropped the ball along the way. Most often (I believe) - people stop putting out the constant effort that success requires. Its not passing the one hard test, or making the "A" in the one difficult class - its the overall effort day in and day out.
I dont know if I am going to make the cut. I dont qualify to be one of those incredibly intelligent few - what I do know is that if I dont get in - it wont be for a lack of trying. Truthfully - you should have the same attitude, if not - then pharmacy may not be right for you.

~above~

Sorry - but I get really motivated sometimes... 😉

I'm not willing to drop my social life for a career. I think happiness is more important than anything. There has to be a way to complete a PharmD without dedicating your life to it, I refuse to believe otherwise. I have buddies in med school who go out drinking three days a week and still get Bs in their classes. They do everything at the last minute, and cram for tests. And I know pharmacy school is easier than med school.

As far as admission, the only thing thats keeping me hesitating is the fact that, as far as I'm aware, the pre req courses aren't useful in any other major really. It would just be a waste of time and money. I'm 24 years old and I'm not getting any younger. I'd hate to lose my entire 20s (the best years of my life) to school. Are ya with me? 🙂

But I do want to be a pharmacist... really badly. Based on my beliefs, do you guys think I can still do it?

 

[RachGator]

What medical school are your friends at? If medicine is an alternative, maybe you can look into a program at their school. That way you can still party too.

Personally, I am willing to work my butt off for 3-4 years so I can have the income to go on nice vacations, retire with money in the bank, and be comfortable the rest of my life. By 24, I had all the hangovers I'd ever need.

 

[Revolver]

What medical school are your friends at? If medicine is an alternative, maybe you can look into a program at their school. That way you can still party too.

Personally, I am willing to work my butt off for 3-4 years so I can have the income to go on nice vacations, retire with money in the bank, and be comfortable the rest of my life. By 24, I had all the hangovers I'd ever need.

They go to MCV(VCU). I'm willing to work hard for my pharmacy degree too. It's a tough program, but in the end, it's worth it.

But is it really so hard that you need to spend every minute of your spare time studying, writing research papers, or doing some kind of clinical work? Some pharmacy schools recommend you don't even have a part time job. (On a side note here, without a part time job, where in the world do you guys get money? I don't have the luxury of my parents handing me my college tuition on a silver platter.)

If I make it into pharmacy school I plan to go full time, spending my afternoons and some evenings studying away. But I also want to go out and have fun at least three nights a week, and have a part time job on the side. I don't think that's asking too much.

 

[RachGator]

I can't speak for anywhere else, but if you are intersted in UT Austin (if you are out of state you need really high grades, PCAT, etc - they only took 3 out of state last year), the schedule looks like 8-6 many days. By that time, all I'll want to do is sleep but I'll have to study. Try looking into a place that has streaming video classes and see if you can do school the way you want. I am not sure which schools have this.

 

[kimn21]

I can't speak for anywhere else, but if you are intersted in UT Austin (if you are out of state you need really high grades, PCAT, etc - they only took 3 out of state last year), the schedule looks like 8-6 many days. By that time, all I'll want to do is sleep but I'll have to study. Try looking into a place that has streaming video classes and see if you can do school the way you want. I am not sure which schools have this.

UT has streaming video classes in the P2 year. Not sure about P1 or P3.

 

[twester]

They go to MCV(VCU). I'm willing to work hard for my pharmacy degree too. It's a tough program, but in the end, it's worth it.

But is it really so hard that you need to spend every minute of your spare time studying, writing research papers, or doing some kind of clinical work? Some pharmacy schools recommend you don't even have a part time job. (On a side note here, without a part time job, where in the world do you guys get money? I don't have the luxury of my parents handing me my college tuition on a silver platter.)

If I make it into pharmacy school I plan to go full time, spending my afternoons and some evenings studying away. But I also want to go out and have fun at least three nights a week, and have a part time job on the side. I don't think that's asking too much.

Not many people have parents who can afford to fund college fully. I funded my undergrad with loans, grants, scholarship and a part-time job. In order to continue my scholarship (not to mention getting good enough grades to get into a pharmacy school), I did about 40 hours per week of school work (classes, studying, etc). In addition, I worked 25-30 hours per week. Most of that was crammed into a five day week consisting of (mostly) 18 hour days. I did usually have some leisure time on the weekends.

I plan to fund my pharmacy school with loans. I told a good friend, who's a PS3, the other day that I hoped to be able to have a few hours a day to just relax (since I'm not planning to work during the school year) and weekends to recreate. He laughed and said I was being naive.

I think you should continue with your plan and keep us posted about how it goes. I'd recommend that you do some research about how pharmacy school works, the admission process and how people fund it. You've said a couple of things that indicate that you're not far beyond "this is an interesting idea".

 

[Revolver]

I think I'm going to go ahead and go on with it. It's a risk, but that's life.

Looking at other peoples stats that got accepted to pharmacy school, it looks like my biggest hurdle is going to be my GPA. I've taken seven classes so far, and I got 2 A's and 5 B's. Not good, considering it's community college, and two B's were in important classes - Bio 101 and Chem 111. I'm taking precalc for this summer and Bio 102 in the fall so from here on out I'm going to really concentrate and focus on making A's in these classes.

On a side note, does anybody have any tips on how to do well in Chem 112, and the two (nightmare) Organic chemistry courses I'm required to take? I've heard Physics 111 and Physics 112 are very difficult as well. I need A's here. hehe.

PS: I think I asked this already but on the chance that I don't make it in pharmacy, is there ANY use for these science classes at all? I'd hate to have wasted a ton of time, effort, and hard work for nothing.

 

[Phantom_Eclipse]

I'm pretty sure pre-meds or pre-dents need to take those courses, too. So, you could go on those routes if you don't make it in.

I dont know what you mean by Chem 112(is it Chem 2?), but you shouldn't be intimidated by Orgo chem. All you have to do is practice the mechanisms over and over until they are second nature, though that might be difficult with your schedule.

 

[Julianne]

I dont know what you mean by Chem 112(is it Chem 2?)

When I took my prereqs, Inorganic Chemistry = Chem111 and Chem112. Maybe that's what the OP was referring to?

 

[DuocSi2010]

I think I'm going to go ahead and go on with it. It's a risk, but that's life.

Looking at other peoples stats that got accepted to pharmacy school, it looks like my biggest hurdle is going to be my GPA. I've taken seven classes so far, and I got 2 A's and 5 B's. Not good, considering it's community college, and two B's were in important classes - Bio 101 and Chem 111. I'm taking precalc for this summer and Bio 102 in the fall so from here on out I'm going to really concentrate and focus on making A's in these classes.

On a side note, does anybody have any tips on how to do well in Chem 112, and the two (nightmare) Organic chemistry courses I'm required to take? I've heard Physics 111 and Physics 112 are very difficult as well. I need A's here. hehe.

PS: I think I asked this already but on the chance that I don't make it in pharmacy, is there ANY use for these science classes at all? I'd hate to have wasted a ton of time, effort, and hard work for nothing.

Don't you need Calculus for pharmacy pre-reqs? I know I had to take Calculus. In general chemistry, it's just understanding how to work the problems. It's almost like working a math problem. At least that's how it was to me. If you need help, ask around for any free tutoring program at your school, or go to your professor's office hours. It's killing 2 birds with one stone because you could build rapport with them and ask for letter of recommendations. I struggled in Ochem so maybe my method of study wasn't too great, but as other people had already mentioned, repetition and memorization seem to work for a lot of people. Ochem certainly would take a lot of your time if you're not one of those people who have a knack for it. As for physics, physics 1 is way different than physics 2 from my experience.

I don't know why you keep on insisting your pre-req classes for pharmacy are useless because they fit with a lot of science majors, especially Microbiology (at least that's how it is at my school). You can go into Zoology with them too. Ask your advisor for more info.

As for paying for pharmacy school, everyone take out loans, even those that get help from their parents. It's impossible not to take out loans for graduate/professional schools unless Bill Gate is your daddy. You don't have to have a degree to make good money and no I'm not talking about illegal stuff neither. I have a few friends who do not have a college degree but are living very very comfortable. Shoo they will still be richer than me once I graduated and start making my own money. Good luck with whatever decision you chose.

 

[huzeifa52]

I want to be a Pharmacist. Really, I do. I just don't know if it's possible for me. Help me out guys...

I work full time and I go to community college at night. Right now I'm in the process of doing my general education reqs and I need to make a decision soon as to whether or not I'm going to pursue pharmacy so I don't waste time and money on classes I don't need.

And the problem is pharmacy school is so competitive. Since I have a full time job now, I don't have time for extra curricular activities. Let alone in the field of pharmacy. And my grades so far... ehhh.. Two A's and five B's. (I got a B in Bio 101 and Chem 111). What I don't want to happen is I do all my pre-reqs (finishing all the science courses that I wouldn't need for other majors) and then I can't find a school that will accept me. And EVERY Pharmacy school I've researched claims they have X number of applicants per year (where X > 1000) and they only accept less than ~150.

So I ask you guys who have dealt with this scenario before... what are my odds of actually getting into Pharmacy school? If I can't do it, I can't do it, and I'll change majors (does anybody know of another good major thats good money and a social job?)

Or if I do have a chance, what steps do I need to take to ensure I can reach my goal?

PS: BTW How in the world do you guys manage to afford Pharmacy school? I don't have ANY help from my parents, so I have to fund it all myself. Factor this into my odds as well 🙂

I think this is entirely your decision to make......asking around for peoples opinions may help to some extent but ultimately you will do whatyou want to do....I think pharmacy is a great profession to get into right now....good hours....good pay....not too much stress.....but in order to get in you will have to make sacrifices.....I applied this year and got in to University of Florida.....My social life was not to exciting....I spent alot of my time studying and making the grades..went out only occasionally...yes, it wasnt fun watching other people my age going out and having fun while I was sitting at some bookstore studying for a big test...but I was thinking about the future....having a nice house and a nice car and overall a good life are very important to me...If that means sacrificing a few outings and weekends out partying and drinking then so be it..
I knew from the beginning that getting into pharmacy school is getting harder and harder.....academic excellence, some experience in the field and a high degree of motivation are highly sought for.....so again....hold off a little bit on the social life....make A's instead of B's and give school the greatest priority.....if all goes well for you....you will get in....good luck

 

[Stephie]

Most of the classes you take as pharmacy prereqs can go towards many other health professions- doctor, PA, dentist, etc. Maybe even some others like optometry, but I'm not sure about that one.

I will be starting pharmacy school this Fall and seem to have been in the same situation as you: parents didn't pay for any schooling, working full time etc. By living in an inexpensive apartment I was able to work full time, take about 2 prereqs at night at a CC, and pay off bills at the same time. It was hard but I still had some time left to socialize.

You mentioned the top 2-3 schools you would like to go to, but will you consider any other schools? By applying to more schools you greatly increase your chances of admission. I really do think it makes a big difference. I took that advice this past year and applied to around 20 schools!

Good Luck and hang in there!