I need some advices, please!

[ashlee090]

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Hi all,

I am in 2nd year of pre-pharm. Everything is fine with me. I have a pretty solid GPA. I am going to take PCAt on Jun 2011 and apply next cycle. My top choices are University of Washington, University of Arizona, and Western Washington University.

My dilemma is that I do not have any pharmacy experience nor extracurricular. I know that I still have 1 year to improve it. I have sent out my resume to many pharmacy retails and hospitals, but have not heard back from them. I also seek for volunteer opportunities, but still waiting for responses.

I take 16-18 credits each quarter and also have a part time job. I am not sure if I could handle many volunteer work. But I will try to volunteer around 4h/week. It does not seem like enough competitive (UW and UA are in top 10 ranking)

Will I have a chance to get in or should I wait one more year to finish my BA first? And one more thing, anyone don't mind to share with me some tips to get a job/volunteer in pharmacy? I just have Pharmacy assistant license.

Any help would be appreciate! Thank you!

 

[crazybob]

My dilemma is that I do not have any pharmacy experience nor extracurricular. I know that I still have 1 year to improve it. I have sent out my resume to many pharmacy retails and hospitals, but have not heard back from them. I also seek for volunteer opportunities, but still waiting for responses.

Have you checked with independent pharmacies?

I take 16-18 credits each quarter and also have a part time job. I am not sure if I could handle many volunteer work. But I will try to volunteer around 4h/week. It does not seem like enough competitive (UW and UA are in top 10 ranking)

Just volunteer whenever you can and commit to it.

Will I have a chance to get in or should I wait one more year to finish my BA first? And one more thing, anyone don't mind to share with me some tips to get a job/volunteer in pharmacy? I just have Pharmacy assistant license.

If you think you will be better prepared by getting a bachelors degree first, then do it.

You can start pharmacy school whenever you apply and get accepted, but once you start, you can't go back and take more upper level courses if you feel you're struggling.

 

[kmapes]

Hi all,

My dilemma is that I do not have any pharmacy experience nor extracurricular. I know that I still have 1 year to improve it. I have sent out my resume to many pharmacy retails and hospitals, but have not heard back from them. I also seek for volunteer opportunities, but still waiting for responses.

I take 16-18 credits each quarter and also have a part time job. I am not sure if I could handle many volunteer work. But I will try to volunteer around 4h/week. It does not seem like enough competitive (UW and UA are in top 10 ranking)

Will I have a chance to get in or should I wait one more year to finish my BA first? And one more thing, anyone don't mind to share with me some tips to get a job/volunteer in pharmacy? I just have Pharmacy assistant license.

Any help would be appreciate! Thank you!

Independent pharmacies are the way to go. I had no trouble volunteering at a compounding pharmacy near my home. I volunteered for a few months, and then they enjoyed having me around so much that they gave me a job. If you do end up volunteering your way into a job, you could quit your part time job...which would solve a lot of your time commitment issues.

Also, they had a pre-health fair at my school, in which there was a both for UA. They told me that they only care if you get 40 hours of experience in a pharmacy. As long as you get those 40, you meet the requirement.

I would also encourage you to finish getting your degree. I know I would not be applying if I did not have my degree. But then again, I just like to always have a back-up plan.

 

[ashlee090]

Thank you Crazybob and Kmapes,

It seems like most ppl would take their bachelor degrees first. I guess those one who do nnot hold a degree may have many years working in pharmacy or something that make them special, that they can handle the courses in SOP.

Sometimes, I want to jump but then afraid. Like Crazybob said, once I start I could not go back.

Kmapes, I am trying to find a volunteer and hope to get a job later on like you said. But it is hard in Washington state. I tried a few independent pharmacies and they said they no longer accept volunteer b/c they don't have time training us. I am still seeking.

 

[pharmschooler]

Hi Ashlee,

You might re-think WWU as they don't currently offer a pharmacy degree...

Best of luck.

 

[Nbaby]

I was in the same position as you-heavy courseload, a part time job, and no pharmacy experience whatsoever. It's really hard to find volunteering opportunities in the pharmacy. What I've done is shadowing. I work at a retail pharmacy as a store clerk up front and I asked the pharmacists if I could come in and shadow them once or twice a week. They were very enthusiastic and I've been shadowing them for a while now. It may not be as good as working as a pharmacy technician but it's much better than nothing. If the school asks, you can just explain that becuase of the rough economy, it's really hard to find a job as a tech as not many pharmacies are hiring (at least that's how it is in my area). Also, since you are already busy with a heavy school schedule and a part time job, shadowing offers a way for you to gain experience and understanding about pharmacy without taking away too much time from your schedule. Another thing you could do is to volunteer in a hospital (as a regular volunteer) and then try to talk to the volunteer director and explain to him/her that you really want to shadow a pharmacist there. More than likely, they might be able to contact the pharmacy manager and set something up for you. So basically, it's all about having the courage to go up to people who could possibly help you, being honest with them, and asking for opportunities. Even if you get rejected at first, keep trying and surely you will come across an opportunity. Good luck!!

 

[ashlee090]

Hi Ashlee,

You might re-think WWU as they don't currently offer a pharmacy degree...

Best of luck.

Oops . my bad, I mean Washington State Uni.
Thanks

 

[ashlee090]

I was in the same position as you-heavy courseload, a part time job, and no pharmacy experience whatsoever. It's really hard to find volunteering opportunities in the pharmacy. What I've done is shadowing. I work at a retail pharmacy as a store clerk up front and I asked the pharmacists if I could come in and shadow them once or twice a week. They were very enthusiastic and I've been shadowing them for a while now. It may not be as good as working as a pharmacy technician but it's much better than nothing. If the school asks, you can just explain that becuase of the rough economy, it's really hard to find a job as a tech as not many pharmacies are hiring (at least that's how it is in my area). Also, since you are already busy with a heavy school schedule and a part time job, shadowing offers a way for you to gain experience and understanding about pharmacy without taking away too much time from your schedule. Another thing you could do is to volunteer in a hospital (as a regular volunteer) and then try to talk to the volunteer director and explain to him/her that you really want to shadow a pharmacist there. More than likely, they might be able to contact the pharmacy manager and set something up for you. So basically, it's all about having the courage to go up to people who could possibly help you, being honest with them, and asking for opportunities. Even if you get rejected at first, keep trying and surely you will come across an opportunity. Good luck!!

Thanks Nbaby, I will try that way. I am trying to improve my application for next cycle. I plan to apply to 2 schools next cycles. If I can not get in, I will finish the last year of my 4-years degree. I want to take double major in Biochem. and Chem. I think it could improve my chance.