Help!

[SMRama87]

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So, I'm in a slightly tricky situation...

I graduated with a degree in Micro and Molecular Biology with a 3.4 GPA. After graduating, I decided I wanted to take a year out and work as a biotechnology intern while applying for medical school. I just took the MCAT and got a pretty awesome score (30) but now, I'm debating whether a career in medicine is what I want to do. My sister in law is a retail pharmacist and so I assumed that was most of what they did, however, I came to learn a lot more once I actually researched the profession. I spoke to the assistant director of a major pharmaceutical company - Roche and after hearing all about her job, I felt like the profession fits me a lot better. I've started working with my sister in law on my days off, in the hospital clinic and it's been great. Now, I know I have to take the PCAT - which I'm planning on taking in January since that's the next one I'll be ready for. I know I'll be behind in my application process, but I should still be competitive for the Fall 2010 year? That's when I'm applying for.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[pharm B]

What schools do you want to apply to? Once you've answered that, start looking up their requirements for admission in Fall of 2010.

For example: there's no universal policy on a PCAT cutoff date. Some schools will take the January exam, others may say it's too late.

Since you're pre-medical, you've probably knocked out the pharmacy pre-reqs already.

Good luck!

 

[tahi193]

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[will7678]

Yeah since you should be covered for prereqs I would do three things right now if you want to try for fall 2010 admission. First head over to pharmcas.org and start filling out a profile now (unless every school you might be applying to does not use pharmcas). This won't cost you anything until you actually submit your application. Secondly get yourself signed up for that PCAT. I doubt there is any chance at all that you can get into the October test at this point but if there is actually a seat still available anywhere at all near you I would sign up for it now. If you got a 30 on the MCAT then you should be fine on the PCAT if you spend an hour or two a night for a week reviewing for the PCAT. I got a 32 on the MCAT and then the only studying I did for the PCAT was to buy a practice PCAT test from pearson. I did 4 of the 5 subtest sections and then got bored so I just went in and took it and did much better than I was even trying for. Thirdly line up your references so you can get them emailed the link for them to write you a reference for pharmcas. You are behind but not too far behind you just need to get moving on this stuff now.
As far as the decision to pursue pharmacy instead of med school I am very happy that I have chosen this path instead. I work in a hopsital and I can tell you that the lifestyle outside of work for a pharmacist is much better on average than a doctor. The best advice that I got from a doctor is that if you can see yourself being happy doing anything else other than medicine then you should pursue that avenue becuase of the personal sacrifices involved in becoming a doctor.