Help on deciding to try PCAT+apply Ph. School after 2 year or get a BS first

[hepato_majalis]

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Hi everyone, I have been watching the site for more than 1.5 year but not yet joining...... Okie, let me get to the point.
I am an international student and English is not my native language. I have been in US only 6 months and studying at a community college in Texas. Last semester (also 1st), I got an 4.0 GPA and I think I will be able to maintain >=3.7. I have not volunteered yet but I will do in summer ... I really really want to pursue pharmacy program, not only because of the $$, but because my mother is also a pharmacy and I have been exposed to medicine from early age. If Pharm is not that high salary, I still want to. I love math, bio, physic and I think I can do well in chem. The problem is that I feel a little unconfident when speaking English AND I EASILY get worried. (U know, int' students have lots of things to worry about)
So far, my question is: I am considering whether to try PCAT in August and October and apply for Pharmacy School OR transfer to a university and finish BS of Biochem first. If I apply for Pharm School 2011, it also means I have a lot of work to do by December ( PCAT, pharmacy experience, letters of recommendation, volunteering,...) I know if I could get a Pharm. D in 6 years, it would save me lots of $$ and time...
I know each person is in different situation. If you have time, take a look at my question, give your opinion or some advice. Thank you so much!!!

 

[FarscapeGirl]

Hi everyone, I have been watching the site for more than 1.5 year but not yet joining...... Okie, let me get to the point.
I am an international student and English is not my native language. I have been in US only 6 months and studying at a community college in Texas. Last semester (also 1st), I got an 4.0 GPA and I think I will be able to maintain >=3.7. I have not volunteered yet but I will do in summer ... I really really want to pursue pharmacy program, not only because of the $$, but because my mother is also a pharmacy and I have been exposed to medicine from early age. If Pharm is not that high salary, I still want to. I love math, bio, physic and I think I can do well in chem. The problem is that I feel a little unconfident when speaking English AND I EASILY get worried. (U know, int' students have lots of things to worry about)
So far, my question is: I am considering whether to try PCAT in August and October and apply for Pharmacy School OR transfer to a university and finish BS of Biochem first. If I apply for Pharm School 2011, it also means I have a lot of work to do by December ( PCAT, pharmacy experience, letters of recommendation, volunteering,...) I know if I could get a Pharm. D in 6 years, it would save me lots of $$ and time...
I know each person is in different situation. If you have time, take a look at my question, give your opinion or some advice. Thank you so much!!!

Plenty of people don't get a degree, go to pharmacy school, and end up doing great and loving their career. So it's up to you.

Personally, if I were you, I'd get the BS first. It'd give you some practice and comfort with English, which would make pharmacy school much easier. At my school, we start counseling right away, which is easier the more you can communicate well.

Also, having a BS gives you options in case you don't like pharmacy school (not that that sounds like you, but still).

Lastly, I think the more classes gives you more schools to apply to, and the more recommended classes you have, the better prepared you'll be for the pharmacy classes.

 

[pearljam5a1]

Well, I would recommend you finish your BS if for no other reason then to become more comfortable with your surroundings and maybe gain a little confidence. Pharmacists deal with a great deal of communication with not only patients but other health care professionals. If you are planning on practicing in the US then you need to be comfortable with the predominant language.

Based on your writing it appears that you communicate well and I wouldn't think you would have a problem passing the TOEFL but another international student would probably have to answer that. Being bilingual is an advantage and not something you should feel ashamed of. I would just work on improving your English over the next couple years and work on the prerequisite courses for pharmacy school. After that I would reevaluate if YOU feel comfortable enough to begin pharmacy school.

 

[hepato_majalis]

Thank you very much for the advice. I do think I need to get more experience before beginning pharmacy program. Btw, I have 98 on Toefl.