Horrendous at math. Can I succeed in pharmacy?

[ester]

I have a couple more years to finish my bachelor's degree and I've been seriously contemplating pharmacy for a while now. I was intimidated before by the science and math classes, but I have so far done really well in my science classes (bio 1: A, bio 2: B+ bio 3: A, gen chem 1: A, gen chem 2: B+, gen chem 3: B+, ochem 1-3: A, note that my school is on a quarter's system. Also, I scored in the 98th percentile on the ACS's ochem exam at then end of my ochem series, so I feel pretty confident about my chem stuff).

The problem is my math grades suck and I haven't even completed calculus yet. I took trig which is the pre-req for calc at my university and I got a B- and struggled all the way through. B- is that bad of a grade, but I don't even feel like I learned much of anything and instead struggled and felt terrible after the class. I never took any high math classes in high school, so this math is all new to me and I just don't get it. I am fairly confident in my ability to do okay on the pcat in every other section but the math one just terrifies me and I feel like I shouldn't even bother then.

Are there other math-phobic pre-pharm people out there? I feel like such a loser because I just do so poorly even though I work hard to really try to get the material. Any advice?

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[UBCmicrobi]

I suck at math/hate math and I got in! Don't let math phobia stop you from achieving your goals! And don't let other people tell you that you aren't good enough and can't succeed just because you are weak in one subject. Compensate for low math grades by getting high grades in chem/biochem/bio/cellbio etc in both school and on the PCAT.

Good luck!

 

[tellsarah]

Horrendous, well that is a strong word. A B- in Trig. is not bad by any means. IMO Do not let your feelings about a subject deter you from pharmacy.
I took college algebra when I was a sophmore. I tried really hard to do well in this course, however I just had a difficult time with math. Well, I received a B in the course. I was so upset that I retook the course again in hopes of an A. I thought that I needed to *master* the material before going on to pre-calc. I ended up retaking the course, and had some personal family issues that resulted in missing exams(death in the family) this set me back in the course and I ended up with a C in a course I wanted an A. Point is, give yourself a break. I know its difficult to look at numbers and think I cant do this. I am not naturally good at math, but that did not stop me from taking the June pcat and applying this year.

Good luck

 

[rosiepie]

I don't think you should worry about math as long as you know that this is what you want to do and aim for it the best you can. Since you're so good at Chemistry (which has some pretty hard math - i.e. PH stuff), you're probably not terrible at math by any means. Just try your hardest and don't be afraid of one little obstacle! I'm sure you will do great. 🙂

 

[Farcus]

I don't think you should worry about math as long as you know that this is what you want to do and aim for it the best you can. Since you're so good at Chemistry (which has some pretty hard math - i.e. PH stuff), you're probably not terrible at math by any means. Just try your hardest and don't be afraid of one little obstacle! I'm sure you will do great. 🙂

christ 98% on ACS well as long as you do lukewarm on the pcat math and kill the chem/bio you'll be fine.

 

[OleMiss2012]

I took calculus three times before I got the grade I wanted. If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to do well. Talk to the instructor and find a tutor if you're having a hard time. I really liked trig, but didn't care that much for Calculus. Some people are the opposite and absolutely love Calculus.

Hang in there and don't give up, you'll do fine.

 

[ester]

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone! It can't hurt to try my best with calculus. I should at least give it a shot. I have a couple more years for my bachelor's, as I said, which I plan on completing, so I am going to work on getting more volunteer work under my belt, as well as shadowing hours. Hopefully with extensive shadowing, good grades, and a good score on the bio/chem pcat I have a shot at my state's school.

 

[YapYap6]

I actually did really well in math, went all the way to Calculus 3 (semester system) and A'ced every single semester without much effort; however, my community pharmacy experience thus far has not required much more skill than introductory algebra. I can't speak for hospital or specialty fields, but the most difficult thing I've come across is dosage changes due to different concentrations on hand. Even that is pretty elementary. I wouldn't worry so much about calc as you won't apply it at all....at least in the community role.

 

[RxWildcat]

There is more math in pharmacy school than you may think, if you are truly horrendous then kinetics will be a beast of a class for you.

 

[IrishRxMan]

From my experience, calculus was easier than pre-cal which was basically trig. I hated trig and you won't really use it in pharmacy school. I can't speak for kinetics since I take it in the fall, but most math in pharmacy for calculating strengths, dosages, etc. is pretty simple ratio and proportion from algebra. If your school has a math tutoring lab, hit them up and don't let a resource be wasted if you are struggling.

 

[inquirer89]

From my experience, calculus was easier than pre-cal which was basically trig. I hated trig and you won't really use it in pharmacy school. I can't speak for kinetics since I take it in the fall, but most math in pharmacy for calculating strengths, dosages, etc. is pretty simple ratio and proportion from algebra. If your school has a math tutoring lab, hit them up and don't let a resource be wasted if you are struggling.

I hate trig! I'm taking that now and I'm hoping for at least a B once I'm done. I'm glad to hear that calculus seems easier since I'll be taking it in the fall and that pharmacy school requires mostly basic algebra.

 

[ester]

I can do algebra just fine, it was trig that killed my confidence. Seems like a lot of you hated trig, though, so maybe Calc will be better for me. Also, when math is applied to something, I have an easier time with it (like the math in gen chem). I just feel like I am horrendous at math because I feel like I should have been able to get in A in trig.

 

[Chembro]

well....I pretty much "dislike" math with a passion, and I'm being generous here, although I had taken Cal. I-III and Univ. Physics I-II for a Computer Science degree. I actually did very well, but I studied till my brain was sore. I remember I used to solve problems in my dreams,.....seriously, integral calculus and whatnot! SO, don't let that stop you from doing what needs to be done.

NOw, I need a refresher in Calculus too, oh well.🙁

 

[Sparda29]

I'm pretty sure that kinetics doesn't have any calculus or trigonometry involved.

 

[BacardiGirl]

I too, hate math and am terrible at it!!
I notice a lot of posters took trig before calc...The University of Minnesota has trig listed in the course catalog, but I have never seen it offered. I took a college Algebra course 10 years ago when I got my Bachelors degree and got a C- (this was at a different school). Is it ok to jump into pre-calc or should I take college algebra again to warm up?

 

[tootoo30]

I had to take alot of math classes for my computer science degree and by far trig was the one I hated the most but I left with a B that I was damn happy with if I should say so myself. Who needs to know what the cosine or sine of a function is in real life LOL. I took calculus and got a C, so I'm trying to decide if I want to relieve that nightmare again and get a better grade since I have the option of taking it for free where I work...any thoughts

 

[BacardiGirl]

I had to take alot of math classes for my computer science degree and by far trig was the one I hated the most but I left with a B that I was damn happy with if I should say so myself. Who needs to know what the cosine or sine of a function is in real life LOL. I took calculus and got a C, so I'm trying to decide if I want to relieve that nightmare again and get a better grade since I have the option of taking it for free where I work...any thoughts

Wouldn't hurt...hey, its free! 🙂

 

[tootoo30]

Wouldn't hurt...hey, its free! 🙂

Your right, but I'm also taking Organic I w/lab and Biology II w/lab, but I guess a refresher won't hurt and I will take it at the school I'm applying. Who knows I may be able to get a LOR from the guy or gal. LOL Thanks for the reply 🙂

 

[Farcus]

well i do have one thing to tell you, if you can't do logs and estimate logs you should not do pharmacy lol well at least you wouldn't get into one unless you ace everything else.