Pharmacist to MD

[spoudaios]

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I posted this in someone's thread but got no response... So i posted this by itself... Hope to get some advice...

This is quite long and i have some questions and need some input and advice...

I am a Canadian pharmacist and thinking about going to med school. Sometimes i am back and forth between clinical PharmD or doing med school. Part of me says do it all the way but part of me says it will be too tough and pharmD will be sufficient. Part says i will be VERY old when i finish. Just bought condo last year and a new car couple years ago. Now, with this new goal, i felt like it's going to be tough. But then, if i am just a pharmacist, i won't be going anywhere. Not enough challenge. Not enough patient care.

I work in Canada (28 years old) as pharmacist for 5 years now. From first up to third year was fine because i was learning a lot. Now, it's almost as if i am bored to death with day-to-day retail activity. In Canada, retail pays more than hospital. Even then, Canadian pharmacists make much less than what what US pharmacists make.
My background was international student from Indonesia. Came to Canada in 1996. Then went to pharmacy school at University of BC in Vancouver.

I work average 6 days a week now (2 places). Plus i have started studying MCAT for about 6 months now. IT's kinda up and down because i don't have a lot of free time to do it. Maybe one to 2 hours a day. Sometimes none at all depending on how the day at work goes. I heard volunteer is important when applying for med school. Because of my international student background while in pharmacy, i never thought of doing volunteer. I have none basically. I never thought the importance of it. I just applied for Big brother/big sister last month and thinking about doing hospital volunteer as well. Once a week on each one. The only thing i've done while in pharmacy was my involvement in music ministry in church for 6 years. Not sure if that will count or not.

I am planning to write MCAT next year in June or July. Thinking about taking Kaplan course in Jan 2008 till April 2008. I think it will be a review for me because i am studying bit by bit right now... I am reading Gold standard review and examcracker plus university textbooks. Especially physics since I haven't done it since 1st year university.

I have few questions...

1>. How important is it to apply to A LOT to medical schools? I am planning to apply to university in town where i live... When they ask me during interview, i will give simple answer because i was an alumni before and it's a good school and i want to work here... now, if you apply to a lot different schools and got accepted in a place far away from where you live... what would you say?

2>. Regarding doctor's lifestyle... I live VERY healthy lifestyle. Workout regularly. Very fit. Now, i am very concerned about the on-call responsibilities of doctors. Are doctors supposed to be on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? How do they handle this? I want to be a HEALTHY doctor.

3>. I have a doctor that works in the medical building where i work. He has a daughter that he will send to Ireland to study med school. Is it okay to apply to overseas med school? Will you be able to work in US or Canada?

4>. For those of you who's applying... if you've already got a house, i guess you will sell your house? I felt so bad selling mine because i put a lot of upgrading into it and it got featured in newspaper and magazine.

5>. How do you study for ethical questions type during interview?

6>. What kind of reading material can i do to prepare for my Verbal reasoning MCAT? I am planning to read an article per day. My friend recommends me "THE ECONOMIST". What else? I hope it's free...

7>. What about writing? I haven't written since i became a pharmacist. How do i practice this?

8>. I am just scared because of lack of volunteer activities, i will never get into med school... They will probably look at my application and ask why i did not start volunteering earlier.

9>. I find it tough with my social life now. Barely got any. 2 jobs. Studying. Will be volunteering soon. Is this going to be bad?


That was a lot but it felt good writing them all down... I will have more but i am open to any advice...

Thanks all
YW

 

[crazydiamond]

I posted this in someone's thread but got no response... So i posted this by itself... Hope to get some advice...

This is quite long and i have some questions and need some input and advice...

I am a Canadian pharmacist and thinking about going to med school. Sometimes i am back and forth between clinical PharmD or doing med school. Part of me says do it all the way but part of me says it will be too tough and pharmD will be sufficient. Part says i will be VERY old when i finish. Just bought condo last year and a new car couple years ago. Now, with this new goal, i felt like it's going to be tough. But then, if i am just a pharmacist, i won't be going anywhere. Not enough challenge. Not enough patient care.

I work in Canada (28 years old) as pharmacist for 5 years now. From first up to third year was fine because i was learning a lot. Now, it's almost as if i am bored to death with day-to-day retail activity. In Canada, retail pays more than hospital. Even then, Canadian pharmacists make much less than what what US pharmacists make.
My background was international student from Indonesia. Came to Canada in 1996. Then went to pharmacy school at University of BC in Vancouver.

I work average 6 days a week now (2 places). Plus i have started studying MCAT for about 6 months now. IT's kinda up and down because i don't have a lot of free time to do it. Maybe one to 2 hours a day. Sometimes none at all depending on how the day at work goes. I heard volunteer is important when applying for med school. Because of my international student background while in pharmacy, i never thought of doing volunteer. I have none basically. I never thought the importance of it. I just applied for Big brother/big sister last month and thinking about doing hospital volunteer as well. Once a week on each one. The only thing i've done while in pharmacy was my involvement in music ministry in church for 6 years. Not sure if that will count or not.

I am planning to write MCAT next year in June or July. Thinking about taking Kaplan course in Jan 2008 till April 2008. I think it will be a review for me because i am studying bit by bit right now... I am reading Gold standard review and examcracker plus university textbooks. Especially physics since I haven't done it since 1st year university.

I have few questions...

1>. How important is it to apply to A LOT to medical schools? I am planning to apply to university in town where i live... When they ask me during interview, i will give simple answer because i was an alumni before and it's a good school and i want to work here... now, if you apply to a lot different schools and got accepted in a place far away from where you live... what would you say?

2>. Regarding doctor's lifestyle... I live VERY healthy lifestyle. Workout regularly. Very fit. Now, i am very concerned about the on-call responsibilities of doctors. Are doctors supposed to be on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? How do they handle this? I want to be a HEALTHY doctor.

3>. I have a doctor that works in the medical building where i work. He has a daughter that he will send to Ireland to study med school. Is it okay to apply to overseas med school? Will you be able to work in US or Canada?

4>. For those of you who's applying... if you've already got a house, i guess you will sell your house? I felt so bad selling mine because i put a lot of upgrading into it and it got featured in newspaper and magazine.

5>. How do you study for ethical questions type during interview?

6>. What kind of reading material can i do to prepare for my Verbal reasoning MCAT? I am planning to read an article per day. My friend recommends me "THE ECONOMIST". What else? I hope it's free...

7>. What about writing? I haven't written since i became a pharmacist. How do i practice this?

8>. I am just scared because of lack of volunteer activities, i will never get into med school... They will probably look at my application and ask why i did not start volunteering earlier.

9>. I find it tough with my social life now. Barely got any. 2 jobs. Studying. Will be volunteering soon. Is this going to be bad?


That was a lot but it felt good writing them all down... I will have more but i am open to any advice...

Thanks all
YW

I'm not a pharmacist, but I can answer some of your questions.

1. The number of schools you apply to is dependent how good your stats are (ugrad gpa, MCAT, etc). Obviously the more competitive you are, the greater chance you have getting into a school so you don't have to apply so broadly. However, even the best of applicants may apply to 10 or so schools. I don't know exactly how this compares with Canadian schools, but I've been told Canadian schools are typically even harder to get into than US schools. Someone familiar with Canadian schools will help you out.

2. Once you are out of residency and practicing somewhere, you probably won't be on call nearly as much as during residency. If you're in a large group practice, you'll share call with everyone. If you're in private practice, you might be "it" but you might also have fewer patients to deal with. It also really matters your specialty -- dermatologists, for instance, don't often have middle-of-the-night emergencies. But while you're in residency? Yup, lots of call. In-house call for the first 2 years, which amounts to nonstop work. I don't think it'll be impossible to stay healthy, but it'll take a lot of work. You could keep healthy snacks with you (protein shakes, granola bars, etc) so you don't get tempted by the vending machine. And you can workout and stay fit during the precious little time you have.

3. I don't know too much about this. Someone else will have to answer. But I think essentially, for the US you can go to school wherever you want, but you still have to pass the USMLE and getting a residency position will be extremely difficult. Maybe it's different in the Canadian system? I don't really know.

4. I've got a house that I really like. I'm applying to the school local to me and really hope I get in. If I don't, then yeah, I'll be selling it and uprooting my whole family. If you don't want to sell, you can always rent it out while you're at school and hope to get into residency where your house is, or at least move back there to practice when it's all said and done.

5. I haven't really studied this part yet. I'm not entirely sure that I will study for it. Essentially, my strategy will be to be familiar with the major issues facing healthcare that have large ethical components (stem cell research, confidentiality/HIPAA, etc) and then just answer truthfully when asked.

6. I've also heard The Economist recommended. I think it's not so much the content, but the level of the writing. Most newspapers, magazines, and books are written to accommodate an 8th grade reading ability. So just find things that are geared to a higher level and actively think about what you're reading (main topic, author's viewpoint, etc).

7. I'd pick up an MCAT writing section book. The essays have to be formatted in a certain way and it's best to know what that way is. Then just practice, practice, practice. I believe there are some services in which someone will read your essay and "grade" it, thus letting you know how you're doing.

8. I don't know about this one. I lack meaningful volunteer opportunities too. My reason is, mainly, that I have a husband and a child, and I work full-time and go to grad school in the evenings. Probably won't matter to them, but that's the truth. We can't change the past, so all we can do is do better for the future.

9. I think "social life" at this age (I'm 27) is overrated. We have responsibilities that many 22 year olds do not. My "social life" includes eating lunch on Saturday with my parents, seeing a movie with my husband, and taking my kid to the zoo on Sunday. I'm pretty busy and that's all I can manage. Plus all my friends live 1000 miles away from me so email and phone calls is all it is. I don't see this as a hinderance, though. Afterall, my life is still well-rounded and balanced. . .I'm not sure how bar-hopping and hooking up with random men would help. I think as long as you have a hobby or two and do not spend every waking moment studying or working, you'll be fine.


Hope this helps.

 

[spoudaios]

Thanks for the reply on my long questions...

Here are some more...

1>. IF we apply to 10 or more schools... during interview, they will ask why you choose that school, what would you say? Wow, 10 or more schools will cost a lot and plus transcripts too.. will end like 2000 dollars on it's own (there's non refundable fee for each school etc)

2>. That's the thing i am scared about by being a doctor that i will become sick and not fit. Your suggestion of getting some protein shake and bars is great. I don't want to be a diabetic doctor treating diabetic patients.

3>. Can someone comment on international medical school like Ireland for example? I am not looking into Carribean because you need to know Spanish in order to go there.

4>. I don't understand why it is difficult to get a residency position. We keep hearing shortage of doctors everywhere. We're trying to be doctors but the doors are closed. What are we supposed to do then? What are we supposed to do in order to get accepted in residency position? Do well in med school??

5>. Can anyone suggest where to study for ETHICAL questions during interview? In pharmacy school, we were taught these things... i don't know why the interview expects us to know these things.. we're not even doctors yet.

6>. About Verbal reasoning for MCAT: The Economist is great. What about online source for philosophical type of passages... can anyone recommend?

7>. Any general recommendation for websites (online magazines) we should read to improve verbal reasoning. I have approximately 1 year to improve my vocabulary and reasoning skills. English is my 2nd language. So, it's tough.

8>. For the written part of MCAT: which book i should buy? Anyone can recommend? Where can i find this service where they comment and read and grade your essay? IS it free?

9>. About volunteering... i think i will just start now... i am planning to go back home to Indonesia next year for 2 months and i will be doing volunteering over there as well.... Do you think this will affect my application? They will probably ask me why i do it so close to me applying to med school.
I agree that we can't change the past so that's why i am doing it now.

 

[spoudaios]

It seems i don't get any replies posting in here...

Can anyone help answer some of my questions please?

Thanks

 

[spoudaios]

still no reply... i will try one more time

 

[def jeff]

Thanks for the reply on my long questions...

Here are some more...

1>. IF we apply to 10 or more schools... during interview, they will ask why you choose that school, what would you say? Wow, 10 or more schools will cost a lot and plus transcripts too.. will end like 2000 dollars on it's own (there's non refundable fee for each school etc)

2>. That's the thing i am scared about by being a doctor that i will become sick and not fit. Your suggestion of getting some protein shake and bars is great. I don't want to be a diabetic doctor treating diabetic patients.

3>. Can someone comment on international medical school like Ireland for example? I am not looking into Carribean because you need to know Spanish in order to go there.

4>. I don't understand why it is difficult to get a residency position. We keep hearing shortage of doctors everywhere. We're trying to be doctors but the doors are closed. What are we supposed to do then? What are we supposed to do in order to get accepted in residency position? Do well in med school??

5>. Can anyone suggest where to study for ETHICAL questions during interview? In pharmacy school, we were taught these things... i don't know why the interview expects us to know these things.. we're not even doctors yet.

6>. About Verbal reasoning for MCAT: The Economist is great. What about online source for philosophical type of passages... can anyone recommend?

7>. Any general recommendation for websites (online magazines) we should read to improve verbal reasoning. I have approximately 1 year to improve my vocabulary and reasoning skills. English is my 2nd language. So, it's tough.

8>. For the written part of MCAT: which book i should buy? Anyone can recommend? Where can i find this service where they comment and read and grade your essay? IS it free?

9>. About volunteering... i think i will just start now... i am planning to go back home to Indonesia next year for 2 months and i will be doing volunteering over there as well.... Do you think this will affect my application? They will probably ask me why i do it so close to me applying to med school.
I agree that we can't change the past so that's why i am doing it now.

The good news is many of your questions can be answered by performing searches on this site. I have a few thoughts to add though, hope it helps.

4. I don't think its necessarily that it is hard to get a residency spot. What is often difficult is being able to secure one in you chosen field. Want to be a plastic surgeon? Great, but good luck if you have poor step I scores or bad clinicals. The point is, residency competition varies amongst different specialties. Do some searches on this website and check our Iverson's book Getting into Medical School.

6. Try reading articles on aldaily.com. The level of writing is very similar to the passages you will see on the MCAT. This helped me out a lot.

 

[spoudaios]

What happen to those people that can't get into the residency they want? They ended up being a GP then?

I looked into aldaily.com... There are TONS of articles in there... Which section do you suggest? "opinion" ?

Thanks

 

[Entrainment]

I looked into aldaily.com... There are TONS of articles in there... Which section do you suggest? "opinion" ?

At the left hand side of the aldaily website, if you scroll down, there are links to magazines. Harper's, The Walrus, and The New Criterion are magazines with fairly elevated English that may be helpful for MCAT practice. Newsweek and Maclean's - not so much.

The Atlantic Monthly also has some articles online, I think.

8>. I am just scared because of lack of volunteer activities, i will never get into med school... They will probably look at my application and ask why i did not start volunteering earlier.

I have the same problem - I always planned to volunteer "when I had more time." Now I am kicking myself. The good news is that I love the volunteering positions I have and will continue with them even if I don't get into med school.

A lot of cities in Canada have a volunteer bureau where you can set up an appointment with someone to help you find volunteer opportunities that you would be interested in. These bureaus usually have an on-line database.

 

[mustis99]

Thanks for the reply on my long questions...

Here are some more...

1>. IF we apply to 10 or more schools... during interview, they will ask why you choose that school, what would you say? Wow, 10 or more schools will cost a lot and plus transcripts too.. will end like 2000 dollars on it's own (there's non refundable fee for each school etc)

2>. That's the thing i am scared about by being a doctor that i will become sick and not fit. Your suggestion of getting some protein shake and bars is great. I don't want to be a diabetic doctor treating diabetic patients.

3>. Can someone comment on international medical school like Ireland for example? I am not looking into Carribean because you need to know Spanish in order to go there.

4>. I don't understand why it is difficult to get a residency position. We keep hearing shortage of doctors everywhere. We're trying to be doctors but the doors are closed. What are we supposed to do then? What are we supposed to do in order to get accepted in residency position? Do well in med school??

5>. Can anyone suggest where to study for ETHICAL questions during interview? In pharmacy school, we were taught these things... i don't know why the interview expects us to know these things.. we're not even doctors yet.

6>. About Verbal reasoning for MCAT: The Economist is great. What about online source for philosophical type of passages... can anyone recommend?

7>. Any general recommendation for websites (online magazines) we should read to improve verbal reasoning. I have approximately 1 year to improve my vocabulary and reasoning skills. English is my 2nd language. So, it's tough.

8>. For the written part of MCAT: which book i should buy? Anyone can recommend? Where can i find this service where they comment and read and grade your essay? IS it free?

9>. About volunteering... i think i will just start now... i am planning to go back home to Indonesia next year for 2 months and i will be doing volunteering over there as well.... Do you think this will affect my application? They will probably ask me why i do it so close to me applying to med school.
I agree that we can't change the past so that's why i am doing it now.

i don't know anything about ireland med schools, but you don't really have to be fluent in spanish to get there. i know that for sure. try saint georges, auc, ross, auamed and the like..