Opinions Please? No, I'm not asking what my chances are!

[PharmDream10]

OK, so I've searched and read through many, many posts. And, No I am not asking what my chances are of getting in to pharmacy school, because I know that no one here can tell me that. So please no comments saying that. What I want to find out is if my experience is unique or if you were on the admissions committee would my app. stand out in this area?

I have not completed pre-reqs or the PCAT so I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about the other aspects of my application. Here's my past experience. Is it unique?

-I am a Licensed Practical Nurse.
-I will graduate with a BS in Community Health Promotion in December 08.
-I have worked in a Substance abuse treatment facility for 13 years.
-I am employed as a Health Educator.
-I am a qualified HIV early intervention counselor for the state of Illinois.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as a health education specialist by graduation.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as an alcohol and other drug counselor by application time.
-I volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life.
(This is not everything I plan on putting on my app., just the things I think definitely stand out.)

I personally think my experience is an asset to the pharmacy field. Having knowledge of addiction and also having the health education background is great to have in a pharmacy career. Especially with the emphasis on pharmacists being members of the community that promote health. The pharmacy consultant that I work with also feels the same way, and she is also giving me a LOR.

So, what do you think? Do you think this experience is something different and has a lot to offer?

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[IrishRxMan]

OK, so I've searched and read through many, many posts. And, No I am not asking what my chances are of getting in to pharmacy school, because I know that no one here can tell me that. So please no comments saying that. What I want to find out is if my experience is unique or if you were on the admissions committee would my app. stand out in this area?

I have not completed pre-reqs or the PCAT so I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about the other aspects of my application. Here's my past experience. Is it unique?

-I am a Licensed Practical Nurse.
-I will graduate with a BS in Community Health Promotion in December 08.
-I have worked in a Substance abuse treatment facility for 13 years.
-I am employed as a Health Educator.
-I am a qualified HIV early intervention counselor for the state of Illinois.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as a health education specialist by graduation.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as an alcohol and other drug counselor by application time.
-I volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life.
(This is not everything I plan on putting on my app., just the things I think definitely stand out.)

I personally think my experience is an asset to the pharmacy field. Having knowledge of addiction and also having the health education background is great to have in a pharmacy career. Especially with the emphasis on pharmacists being members of the community that promote health. The pharmacy consultant that I work with also feels the same way, and she is also giving me a LOR.

So, what do you think? Do you think this experience is something different and has a lot to offer?

No doubt you will have more experience in the healthcare field than most applicants. Nothing you put down here will hurt your app. In fact, it will probably help your app to show that you have such a strong background in healthcare. If you do well in your pre-reqs, PCAT, interveiw and personal statement you should do fine. The only thing you will probably get asked in your interview is, why change from what you were already doing?

 

[Drug Doc]

OK, so I've searched and read through many, many posts. And, No I am not asking what my chances are of getting in to pharmacy school, because I know that no one here can tell me that. So please no comments saying that. What I want to find out is if my experience is unique or if you were on the admissions committee would my app. stand out in this area?

I have not completed pre-reqs or the PCAT so I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about the other aspects of my application. Here's my past experience. Is it unique?

-I am a Licensed Practical Nurse.
-I will graduate with a BS in Community Health Promotion in December 08.
-I have worked in a Substance abuse treatment facility for 13 years.
-I am employed as a Health Educator.
-I am a qualified HIV early intervention counselor for the state of Illinois.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as a health education specialist by graduation.
-I will be (hope to be) certified as an alcohol and other drug counselor by application time.
-I volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life.
(This is not everything I plan on putting on my app., just the things I think definitely stand out.)

I personally think my experience is an asset to the pharmacy field. Having knowledge of addiction and also having the health education background is great to have in a pharmacy career. Especially with the emphasis on pharmacists being members of the community that promote health. The pharmacy consultant that I work with also feels the same way, and she is also giving me a LOR.

So, what do you think? Do you think this experience is something different and has a lot to offer?

Your experiences will most definitely stand out from the average pharmacy applicant. However, you have to realize that being unique will only grab admissions attention and you are going to have to have something to reel them in. Make sure you write an awesome PS that explains how all these experiences shaped your career goals and ultimately guided you towards pharmacy. Sounds to me like you have great reasons so as long as you can thoroughly communicate these reasons in your ps (and in person at interviews) then i am sure you will do good. Goes without saying you need to do good on prereqs and pcat, and the only other thing I would recommend is volunteering/working in a pharmacy setting. Exposing yourself to the pharmacy setting will show admissions that you are serious about this career shift. Best of luck!

 

[IrishRxMan]

I forgot about volunteering at a pharmacy. Thanks DrugDoc!

 

[PharmDream10]

Thanks for your replies so far. I wanted to respond and say that I also have set it up to shadow the pharmacist I work with at her pharmacy. (She owns a pharmacy that specializes in long term care.) Also, after December I'd like to try to get a part time job at a pharmacy. I just can't right now with 5 classes this summer and 5 in the fall.

In regards to the question about the career change, I have wanted to be a pharmacist for a long time and have always said if I could do anything it would be that. However, I got married young, started a family and planted roots where I live. So I didn't think it was an option because I won't move my children far from family or out of their school district. But I recently found out about Creighton's distance program, so that really is my only option. To me it isn't a change as much as it was finding a way to do what I wanted to in the first place.

 

[RxWildcat]

All that looks good, but I'd say the BS would stand out more than anything. Nonetheless, I would put all that stuff on your app.

 

[117296]

Thanks for your replies so far. I wanted to respond and say that I also have set it up to shadow the pharmacist I work with at her pharmacy. (She owns a pharmacy that specializes in long term care.) Also, after December I'd like to try to get a part time job at a pharmacy. I just can't right now with 5 classes this summer and 5 in the fall.

In regards to the question about the career change, I have wanted to be a pharmacist for a long time and have always said if I could do anything it would be that. However, I got married young, started a family and planted roots where I live. So I didn't think it was an option because I won't move my children far from family or out of their school district. But I recently found out about Creighton's distance program, so that really is my only option. To me it isn't a change as much as it was finding a way to do what I wanted to in the first place.

I can't stress enough that if you are applying to Creighton, for either campus or distance, that they look at the whole person. Your situation looks favorable (but I'm not an adcom), but many people have to apply multiple times.

Did you not look at OU in Tulsa & OKC or SW Oklahoma in Weatherford? Those may be viable options if you live in Oklahoma.

 

[PharmDream10]

I can't stress enough that if you are applying to Creighton, for either campus or distance, that they look at the whole person. Your situation looks favorable (but I'm not an adcom), but many people have to apply multiple times.

Given that Creighton looks at the whole person, as I well know from research, I think that makes me an even more favorable candidate for Creighton University. Of course I'd like to get in on the first try, but I am more than willing and prepared to try until I get in.

Did you not look at OU in Tulsa & OKC or SW Oklahoma in Weatherford? Those may be viable options if you live in Oklahoma.

As I said in a previous post, I will not move my kids from family or their school, especially since my oldest is an excellent student, I don't want to mess with that. Besides, he doesn't want to leave either. I live in central Illinois, so Oklahoma is not an option, unfortunately. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[IrishRxMan]

Thanks for your replies so far. I wanted to respond and say that I also have set it up to shadow the pharmacist I work with at her pharmacy. (She owns a pharmacy that specializes in long term care.) Also, after December I'd like to try to get a part time job at a pharmacy. I just can't right now with 5 classes this summer and 5 in the fall.

In regards to the question about the career change, I have wanted to be a pharmacist for a long time and have always said if I could do anything it would be that. However, I got married young, started a family and planted roots where I live. So I didn't think it was an option because I won't move my children far from family or out of their school district. But I recently found out about Creighton's distance program, so that really is my only option. To me it isn't a change as much as it was finding a way to do what I wanted to in the first place.

This is a valid explanation for the career change and it won't look unfavorably on you. I was just letting you know that the question will probably be asked. You should do fine as long as you keep up on what you're doing.