need some advice on courses

[eiram]

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Ever since I was in high school I wanted to be a nurse. However, during my schooling I started working at a pharmacy to help cover the costs and I began thinking that becoming a pharmacist could potentially be what I wanted to do with my life. I've been working in a pharmacy for 3 & 1/2 years now and I absolutely love it. My pharmacy manager and her superiors are all very enthusiastic about me being able to succeed greatly in this career and I believe I can as well. Here is the thing though: I finally came to this decision right when I found out I was accepted into a nursing program at Nova. I've been going back and forth between the two careers for many years and I think its finally come to a conclusion. I have quite a few more classes I have to complete..and won't be able to apply for pharmacy school for probably another two years? Here is where I need some help. I need some advice on how and when to take these remaining courses. I absolutely love science courses and pass them easy with an A, however I fear the calculus and physics. I know that with my determination to become a pharmacist and actually studying I hope to do well. I currently have a GPA of 3.76. The remaining courses I need are Gen Chem 1 (not the lab, I had previously taken the course and audited it but ended up finishing the lab with an A), Gen Chem 2 & lab, Bio 1 (same situation as the chem, completed the lab with an A), Bio 2 & lab, Org chem 1 & 2, Physics 1 & 2, Trig & Calc. I'm currently still at a CC and plan on transferring out to a 4 year university at the beginning of next year. I plan on taking Macroeconomics and ethics this summer. I need help figuring out which courses would be best to be taken together to ensure I succeed and also when would be the best time to take the PCAT. I've been told wait until I at least began Organic, but with application deadlines etc, I definitely need some advice from fellow students. The PCAT scares the crap out of me because i'm not the best standardized test taker, but I know some hardcore studying I can do well. My top school I wish to go to is Nova. However, I plan to apply to all Florida schools. 🙂

 

[honeybee763]

The remaining courses I need are Gen Chem 1 (not the lab, I had previously taken the course and audited it but ended up finishing the lab with an A), Gen Chem 2 & lab, Bio 1 (same situation as the chem, completed the lab with an A), Bio 2 & lab, Org chem 1 & 2, Physics 1 & 2, Trig & Calc. I'm currently still at a CC and plan on transferring out to a 4 year university at the beginning of next year. I plan on taking Macroeconomics and ethics this summer. I need help figuring out which courses would be best to be taken together to ensure I succeed and also when would be the best time to take the PCAT. I've been told wait until I at least began Organic, but with application deadlines etc, I definitely need some advice from fellow students. The PCAT scares the crap out of me because i'm not the best standardized test taker, but I know some hardcore studying I can do well. My top school I wish to go to is Nova. However, I plan to apply to all Florida schools. 🙂

First of all, you'll want to make sure when each class is offered at your school. Some classes are only offered in the Spring only or Fall only. You'll want to plan the classes correctly so that you won't have to go extra semesters/quarters. If I were you, I would start out with Gen Chem I, Physics I and Trig. Then take Gen Chem 2 & Lab, Physics 2 and Calc. The take the O-chem series and Bio 2 & lab. If you have time I would also strongly recommend Statistics, Biochem and Physiology. Make sure you talk to an advisor at your school and they can help you plan-this is just an example.

I agree that you should not take the PCAt until you are almost done or done with O-Chem I, Physics, and Calc.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

 

[eiram]

First of all, you'll want to make sure when each class is offered at your school. Some classes are only offered in the Spring only or Fall only. You'll want to plan the classes correctly so that you won't have to go extra semesters/quarters. If I were you, I would start out with Gen Chem I, Physics I and Trig. Then take Gen Chem 2 & Lab, Physics 2 and Calc. The take the O-chem series and Bio 2 & lab. If you have time I would also strongly recommend Statistics, Biochem and Physiology. Make sure you talk to an advisor at your school and they can help you plan-this is just an example.

I agree that you should not take the PCAt until you are almost done or done with O-Chem I, Physics, and Calc.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

thanks honeybee! I'm going to talk to one of the interns I work with and see how he did everything. Unfortunately, the advisors are absolutely clueless. If I were to go with what you suggested: Fall 2011 would be Gen Chem I, Physics I and Trig. Spring 2011: Gen Chem 2 & Lab, Physics 2 and Calc. That would leave both Org 1 for either Summer or the next fall. I'd like to apply next year for the following. I know some schools tend to frown upon taking science courses in the summer, but I will need to take the PCAT asap. I also need to take Bio 1. My school is offering a summer class for that as well next month. 😕