Is Pharmacy for me?

[DedicatedGuy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello everyone, I am in a predicament at the moment and in need of some quality advice.
For quite some time now I have been interested in becoming a pharmacist, but do to several unanswered questions and concerns I have not completely dedicated myself to choosing this field of study. If anyone could be of any assistance and guide me through some of my unanswered question I would be more than grateful. Let me give you some background as to what I am about. I am a freshman currently enrolled in a community college with a G.P.A of 3.52 I am decent at math, and tend to do pretty well in science. I am currently only taking one summer course at the moment studying about 5-7 hours per day. Whenever it comes time for fall and my course load increases I usually study about 5 hours per day. (25-30 hours per week.) I am very disciplined whenever it comes to academics.

1.) Is becoming a pharmacist in my best interest or should I go a different route?

2.) What was the worst thing about pharmacy school?

3.) What was/is the most rigorous thing to overcome in undergrad and med school?

4.) In taking the PCAT, how long did you study (hours, weeks, years)?

5.) If you could go back, would you chose something different? If so, why?

Thank-you for your time,

-DedicatedGuy

 

[Sugoi Travis]

Since you asked the question, by far the best thing to do is to get an internship in a pharmacy. You really can't say, based on purely looking at your college transcript and study habits, that one person will like pharmacy more than the other.

My answers to your questions are bolded.

1.) Is becoming a pharmacist in my best interest or should I go a different route?

Can't say for sure.

2.) What was the worst thing about pharmacy school?

Don't know because I'm not in pharmacy school yet (starting in August though).

3.) What was/is the most rigorous thing to overcome in undergrad and med school?

Learning how to study was by far the most difficult thing to accomplish. You have to look at scientific concepts in a pretty abstract way and understand, not memorize, what is going on.

4.) In taking the PCAT, how long did you study (hours, weeks, years)?

I started around 3 months before the test. First two month involved me taking a practice test once every 3 days and just brushing up on what I needed to know. Third month had me taking a practice test everyday and during the week before the test, took the official Pearson Practice PCAT tests and reviewed them after taking them. Overall I studied around 150 hours total and got a 91 composite.

5.) If you could go back, would you chose something different? If so, why?

Can't answer because my life is currently unfolding before me.

 

[Sandie]

What study materials did you use? I hear Dr. Collin's study guide is very popular. Where did you get the practice tests? By the way, congrats on the outstanding score!

 

[Sugoi Travis]

What study materials did you use? I hear Dr. Collin's study guide is very popular. Where did you get the practice tests? By the way, congrats on the outstanding score!

Thanks. I used Dr. Collins for all of my "studying" needs. It felt more like a review of all of my university classes instead.

I got the official practice tests from the Pearson PCAT website. Definitely buy all 3 of them because it's a great deal. The evaluation at the end of each practice test was right in line with what I got on the actual test.

 

[technician107]

1.) Is becoming a pharmacist in my best interest or should I go a different route?

If you're questioning it - it may not be. The economy stinks as you read from the board but if you're passionate about pharmacy and are not picky about where you work you can get a job. Also, if you're like me and want to go down the clinical route you can get residencies, but they are competitive.
2.) What was the worst thing about pharmacy school?
I start school in August so I'm not sure yet but from what I heard from friends and interns that I have worked with pharmacotherapeutics is the worst class.

3.) What was/is the most rigorous thing to overcome in undergrad and med school?
I graduated in 2007 with a BA in Political Science thinking I wanted to be a lawyer. Didn't have any experience in that field whatsoever. Ended up taking a job as a pharmacy technician on the weekends to make some extra gas money for pharmacy school. While in the middle of my first year in law school I became more passionate about pharmacy and I loved what I was doing (yes even in retail). I didn't do so hot in law school so I ended up dropping out. 6 years (3 retail lead tech, 3 long term care) later at 27 here I am about to start pharmacy school. So for me, the hardest was admitting to fail something, even if I didn't like it the subject, I had never failed anything in my life. It was really hard to pick up the pieces and it took two years for me to finally decide to go for pharm school.

4.) In taking the PCAT, how long did you study (hours, weeks, years)?
I studied for it for a few months, ended up paying and signing up for it but I ended up getting into my top choice school which doesn't take the PCAT if you have your bachelors. I ended up forfeiting the money and didn't take the test.

5.) If you could go back, would you chose something different? If so, why?
Nope. If I hadn't gone toward law school would have NEVER found pharmacy. Now? I do IV mixtures, learn therapeutic duplications, dosages, enter prescriptions, etc. and I love it. I can't wait to be a clinical pharmacist.