Going back to school....

[SlurpeeKing]

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Well...I just turned 27, and decided to go back to school. I've always been interested in pharmacy, so the wife and I decided I should persue it before it's too late. I'm going to take all my pre req's at cc. I already have my AA in Business, but have no chemistry or biology classes. My GPA wasn't stellar, so I know I'll have to get almost all A's in the pre reqs. I'm currently an Operations Manager for a pretty large nationwide company and manage 18 employess and 5 million worth of assets. I'm hoping this will help my odds of getting into Nova.

Is this possible or just a dream??? I've already enrolled back in cc to start this August.

 

[acetyl]

Well...I just turned 27, and decided to go back to school. I've always been interested in pharmacy, so the wife and I decided I should persue it before it's too late. I'm going to take all my pre req's at cc. I already have my AA in Business, but have no chemistry or biology classes. My GPA wasn't stellar, so I know I'll have to get almost all A's in the pre reqs. I'm currently an Operations Manager for a pretty large nationwide company and manage 18 employess and 5 million worth of assets. I'm hoping this will help my odds of getting into Nova.

Is this possible or just a dream??? I've already enrolled back in cc to start this August.

Beat up some pre-req science classes and get a good PCAT score if it's required by NOVA and send in those apps. Should be good for you.

 

[SlurpeeKing]

That's the plan.. I'm determined to get A's. This is something I really want and I'm going to utilize my resources to shadow a few pharmacists to build a relationship, and to hopefully get some nice letters from them. I also hope my previous management experience will be a plus.

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

It's possible. I just got accepted to pharmacy school and I was in a similar situation as you 2 years ago. I was 31 when I started, have a BS in Engineering, was a supervisor of Project Engineers, managed a multi-million dollar budget for the dept., and have a wife and 2 kids.

Your dream CAN be a reality. Good Luck.

 

[MokaBear]

It's possible. I just got accepted to pharmacy school and I was in a similar situation as you 2 years ago. I was 31 when I started, have a BS in Engineering, was a supervisor of Project Engineers, managed a multi-million dollar budget for the dept., and have a wife and 2 kids.

Your dream CAN be a reality. Good Luck.

im really curious why possiblycrazy would want to switch to the healthcare, such as pharmacy? being a supervisor sounds like a terrific position and job to have and one you have much experience in. is it because that job has made you enough financial gain and stability so that you and your family will not be burdened with debts/loans once you finish pharmacy school? how has your wife been supportive of your decision to become a pharmacist? have you considered just finding a job that pays you better than the supervisor job if money was the only issue? sorry for these questions that might seem childish but i will be a college graduate soon so i haven't had much life experiences in terms of marriage, already having a career.

 

[SlurpeeKing]

MokaBear- I can't answer for possibly crazy, but we're (or close to it) in very similar situations.. to be honest, for me, it's not about the earning potential of being a pharmacist.. (I made close to six figures last year) I want to be more accomplished, well rounded, and educated. I see more of an ongoing career potential in health care compared to what I'm doing now. I've kind of put myself in a situation that will require a lot of traveling and it's burning me out. Last year my territory consisted of Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, and part of Arkansas. I drove 400 miles today, and it's killing me.. lol

 

[SlurpeeKing]

Well...I just turned 27, and decided to go back to school. I've always been interested in pharmacy, so the wife and I decided I should persue it before it's too late. I'm going to take all my pre req's at cc. I already have my AA in Business, but have no chemistry or biology classes. My GPA wasn't stellar, so I know I'll have to get almost all A's in the pre reqs. I'm currently an Operations Manager for a pretty large nationwide company and manage 18 employess and 5 million worth of assets. I'm hoping this will help my odds of getting into Nova.

Is this possible or just a dream??? I've already enrolled back in cc to start this August.

It's possible. I just got accepted to pharmacy school and I was in a similar situation as you 2 years ago. I was 31 when I started, have a BS in Engineering, was a supervisor of Project Engineers, managed a multi-million dollar budget for the dept., and have a wife and 2 kids.

Your dream CAN be a reality. Good Luck.

Thanks for the inspiration.. I've been losing sleep over this decision the last 2 weeks.

It's nice to see that your wife is supportive of your decisions. Some of our friends and family our questioning ours. I'm positive it will turn out for the better. 🙂

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

im really curious why possiblycrazy would want to switch to the healthcare, such as pharmacy? being a supervisor sounds like a terrific position and job to have and one you have much experience in. is it because that job has made you enough financial gain and stability so that you and your family will not be burdened with debts/loans once you finish pharmacy school? how has your wife been supportive of your decision to become a pharmacist? have you considered just finding a job that pays you better than the supervisor job if money was the only issue? sorry for these questions that might seem childish but i will be a college graduate soon so i haven't had much life experiences in terms of marriage, already having a career.

Hence the sign-on name....PossiblyCrazy..get it.

Seriously though. Life is too short to do something you don't love. My previous job required sometimes 60-70 hours a week in salaried work. It did pay well, however; money is not everything. When you come home to a family often not happy from work, you realize what life is all about.. the family... not some job that pays well. Now, luckily for me it appears healthcare is in my blood...it always has been...and luckily that career will pay well also. I've avoided making a change for years for many reasons.

I went to college at 17 and graduated young. I was accepted right out of highschool into engineering. I thought I had to pick a career to get into college and engineering is what I thought I wanted. It turns out, it wasn't and I was always taught to finish what you start. Just because you are successful at something, doesn't make it necessarily right for you.

I know that was some serious rambling, but maybe you can learn something faster than I did. Do what you want, not what others want to do and really search inside as to what you really want to do. Once you figure it out go for it. Remember, it is never too late to make changes and thankfully for me, my wife and kids understand. As to the finances, don'y worry about that, we will. Thanks for the concern though...lol 🙂

 

[pharmmommy]

I'm gonna say that it's possible. I'm going back to school too. I've completed half of my pre-pharm courses and going to get back into the game in the fall too. I've been out of school for 3 years or so and stayed home with my now 2.5yr old. So, I really want to do this and it sounds like you do too! Oh and I'm about to turn 30 and will be applying to UCSF! I think I need all the luck I can get!
Good luck!

 

[SlurpeeKing]

WOW.. I thought I was gonna be alone on being so late in my decision to get back to school. I haven't been since 98' so it'll be fun. good luck!

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

Thanks for the inspiration.. I've been losing sleep over this decision the last 2 weeks.

It's nice to see that your wife is supportive of your decisions. Some of our friends and family our questioning ours. I'm positive it will turn out for the better. 🙂

My pleasure....you will always have people questioning you...just do what is right for you and your wife.

See... I've already been questioned again for my decision in the last post. It never ends..you get used to it..you really can't blame them...sometimes it does seem nuts, but I am sure you know in your heart what is right.

Get those A's and having a previous career like yours will help. Get a recommendation from your former boss if possible, that should help too.

 

[SlurpeeKing]

My pleasure....you will always have people questioning you...just do what is right for you and your wife.

See... I've already been questioned again for my decision in the last post. It never ends..you get used to it..you really can't blame them...sometimes it does seem nuts, but I am sure you know in your heart what is right.

Get those A's and having a previous career like yours will help. Get a recommendation from your former boss if possible, that should help too.

The boss is gonna take care of me.. I have an open door with them, and they might offer me consultant work over the summers since we're extremely busy when it's hot. I'm just exciting to start cracking the books. Never thought I would say that

 

[mrsturtle]

Go for it!! I just got accepted to 2 pharm schools after returning to school from13 years of full time mom, wife, and some-times part-time worker. I didn't have the greatest grades from my previous college experience from pre-kids day (about 3.0). A got all A in my pre-reqs that I just took, but used my Calc I and II w/ C from 15 years ago and got in. Education is NEVER a mistake. Good Luck!!

 

[jaypea65]

Just turned 42 years of age, 2 kids, and I am finishing my B.S. I love going to school, and I will be applying to Pharm school this year. It is never too late to change careers. Life is what you make of it, and it only comes around once. I am running the wheels off of mine. Forties are great....I am financially secure and physically fit and healthy, and I feel there is nothing that I can't accomplish.

 

[The Fargoan]

I say go for your dream!

I'm 26 and going back to school for pharmacy after being in the working world for 4 years. I'm single so I have no spousal support (to feed me) and I do own my own house, but thusfar I think it's been worth all the stress. I find that going back to school gives me a focus that far surpasses anything I had when I was an undergrad the first time around (and I had a 3.5). Enjoy your new journey!

 

[Circuspeanut]

Jumping on the bandwagon to add my 2 cents. I did the same thing. Got out of high school in '96, was in a severe car accident in '97 that put college on hold, fell in love, got married, bought a house, and finally fell into a career I loved as a pharmacy tech. I made the decision to go back to school two years ago and I don't regret it at all. My husband has been so supportive. Not to say it hasn't been hard, but I'm so glad I'm doing this. I'll soon be 29.

I found out not too long ago that the average college student's age now is 28. There are more of us than I thought! Good luck to you in everything, I'm sure you will do well.

 

[pharmdiva]

I turned 29 last month, and I will be applying to UofH pharmacy school in September. After working as a medical technologist for almost 6 years - I am certain that it is not the career for me. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life. So far, I'm not married and I have no children so I figure this is the best time to explore new opportunities. As for my age - I figure 4.5 years from now I'll still be 33 whether I go for it or not - I might as well do something productive! Life is about choices, and you should never be afraid to make new ones when you grow tired or disallusioned with the old ones. 🙂

-Be blessed

 

[pharmacyanalyst]

I am 29 with 2 kids and a BA in Chemistry. I work for a healthcare company managing the pharmaceutical contracts for the large mail order pharmacy. I also have experience with Long Term Care pharmacies and in college I worked as a tech for Walgreens. There was no pharmacy school in Louisville but since Sullivan is starting one next year I am going to apply. My grades aren't great. I slacked off a couple years, left school for a great career but then came back and finished strong. I am hoping good PCAT scores and my experience will overshadow my lackluster GPA.

Good luck on your new career! It seems like there are alot of us "late bloomers" on here.

Jen

 

[Lunchbox]

It's never too late. I'll be 29 when I start school this August, and I'm also incredibly excited to leave my good job to go back to cracking the books and taking tests. (my past self can't believe I just wrote that!) It is going to be a wonderful experience, and a new career I am so much more excited about than the current path I'm on.

 

[Julianne]

Another "late bloomer" chiming in... I'll be 32 when I start this fall (married nearly 14! years now with a 7-year-old). It's great to see so many folks in the same boat - makes me feel a little less isolated (now if all of ya'll would move on down to Auburn and come to school with me I'd have my own ready-made clique 😛 ).

 

[JSharxpy17]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of you guys - I'm 27, got a BS in biology 5 years ago and have been working in research since then. I'm married and have a 2-month old daughter. And I am starting in a PharmD program in the fall. I'm excited to go back to school, but the only thing that stresses me out is the whole money situation. We've been a 2-income family even before our daughter was born, so me quitting my job and going to school, with another mouth to feed and daycare to pay for is a little nerve-wrecking. But I'm sure we'll manage somehow. Good luck to all of the rest of the late bloomers out there.

 

[pharmacyanalyst]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of you guys - I'm 27, got a BS in biology 5 years ago and have been working in research since then. I'm married and have a 2-month old daughter. And I am starting in a PharmD program in the fall. I'm excited to go back to school, but the only thing that stresses me out is the whole money situation. We've been a 2-income family even before our daughter was born, so me quitting my job and going to school, with another mouth to feed and daycare to pay for is a little nerve-wrecking. But I'm sure we'll manage somehow. Good luck to all of the rest of the late bloomers out there.

I am so nervous about that too! We are a two income family with a 2 year old and a 9 month old. We don't need daycare right now because my dad watches them a couple days a week and my hubby does the rest. If I go back to school full time though- we might need to add daycare to the budget. I am looking at ALOT of loans by the time I finish. 😱

 

[gapeach427]

It CAN be reality---I'd go for it, especially if it's something you really want to do. 🙂

Like you, I'm also going back to school. I'll be 29 this month and am applying for 2008.

Keep us posted

 

[ScienceNerd]

Hi everyone...I have been reading the forums for a while now. As for the orginal poster I say....Go for it!! You will always have people questioning you and trying to bring you down. I graduated 2 years ago (I was 21) with BS Bio and am going back next year for another degree in biochem then applying to pharmacy school. I had ok grades (GPA of 3.3) but was pretty unsure of what to do. I have a good paying job assisting litigation for bodily injury suits (after a research job with a major pharmaceuitical company-I'm not very happy to be isolated for long periods of time), but it's not as rewarding or fulfilling as science was. I have a "friend" who has tried to discourage me, but all in all it's my decision and no one elses. My parents live across the country and I have no financial support from anyone else besides me...if its what you want then go for it! Who's to say that you can't do it, or that you shouldnt?

 

[gtpederson]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of you.

I'm 24 and looking at 3 more years before my B.S.

I had a great job right after high school and thought I'd never need more education, but the company shut down my office and laid me off with about 500 others. Comparable work in the area started at $9.00 an hour. So I went back to school this year.

 

[pharmdiva]

I'll be 30 when I begin pharmacy school, but I'm really excited about this new phase in my life! Luckily, I'm unmarried with zero children so I only have to worry about supporting myself. 🙂 You are only as old/young as you feel. I figure the 4 years of pharmacy school will fly by, and will provide me w/a lifetime of success. For all of you "slightly older" individuals - go for it!! Also, for those of you that have husbands/wives and children - well you're even luckier because you have additional reasons to reach for the stars!🙂

Be blessed

 

[fitzgmb]

Another "late bloomer" chiming in... I'll be 32 when I start this fall (married nearly 14! years now with a 7-year-old). It's great to see so many folks in the same boat - makes me feel a little less isolated (now if all of ya'll would move on down to Auburn and come to school with me I'd have my own ready-made clique 😛 ).

I will be 32 as well when I start Auburn this fall, married 3 years but with no children yet. I am glad to see someone else my age will be there as well.

 

[Julianne]

I will be 32 as well when I start Auburn this fall, married 3 years but with no children yet. I am glad to see someone else my age will be there as well.

YAY!! Can't wait to meetcha 🙂

 

[FLIGHT]

"late bloomer" chiming in... I am 32..

I just started thinking about going back to school to become a pharmacist. My sister and brother in-laws are both pharmacist and they told me not to do it… hi hi… I guest they know better…I also have a BS in Biochemistry. I am now doing my research and hopefully in June I will get my PTCE test done and I will know if I will love this path I have chosen.

I have some pre existing health condition that needs constant medication. I am worry about it, but I am also doing research to see if I can get money for the cost of my health care.

May be this is off topic, but does anyone knows of a pharmacist who went through pharmacy school with like a kidney transplant and how did he/she was able to support the immune suppressant medication…while in school