Pharmacy drop outs ?

[ecstyle483]

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Has anyone, currently a pharmacy student, dropped of the program b/c it was too rigorous and challenging?

I am asking this b/c I am currently taking prereqs at a community college (College of Canyons) and not sure how this measures up to the difficulty level when (or if) i get into pharmacy school. Also, I am only taking 3 classes per semester (due to labs and a hectic schedule). So far, I've been getting good grades ... (4.0 with 3 classes) Next semester, will be O-Chem, Microbio, and Physics ... which is merely 15 units or so. I mean, I may be able to handle one more class but im sure it will jeopardize and lower my GPA.

I have looked at pharmacy schools and they have minimum 20 unit semesters. This sounds rough and intense, and im not sure if my level of intelligence can apply there.

i know im smart enough to get in, but then again, i keep on reminding myself that im at a community college... and have horror dreams where i drop out of pharmacy school and wasted all my time.

what's your thoughts..

 

[pinkyrx]

If you're smart enough to get in, chances are you will be smart enough to make it through school! Pharmacy school is very challenging, but I do believe the hardest part of all was just getting accepted. Sure, school will be tough, but if you really want to make it work and are willing to make sacrafices you'll pull through.

Good luck!

 

[Gwalla]

If you're smart enough to get in, chances are you will be smart enough to make it through school! Pharmacy school is very challenging, but I do believe the hardest part of all was just getting accepted. Sure, school will be tough, but if you really want to make it work and are willing to make sacrafices you'll pull through.

Good luck!

i agree 100%

 

[Slntwolf]

Has anyone, currently a pharmacy student, dropped of the program b/c it was too rigorous and challenging?

I am asking this b/c I am currently taking prereqs at a community college (College of Canyons) and not sure how this measures up to the difficulty level when (or if) i get into pharmacy school. Also, I am only taking 3 classes per semester (due to labs and a hectic schedule). So far, I've been getting good grades ... (4.0 with 3 classes) Next semester, will be O-Chem, Microbio, and Physics ... which is merely 15 units or so. I mean, I may be able to handle one more class but im sure it will jeopardize and lower my GPA.


I have looked at pharmacy schools and they have minimum 20 unit semesters. This sounds rough and intense, and im not sure if my level of intelligence can apply there.

i know im smart enough to get in, but then again, i keep on reminding myself that im at a community college... and have horror dreams where i drop out of pharmacy school and wasted all my time.

what's your thoughts..

Hey,

I am currently a pharmacy student at an accelerated program. 3 years ago I started the pre-reqs. I worked 32 hours a week, my wife was also a fulltime student, I did no less than 4 classes a semester ( 2 were science classes with labs ) at a community college, oh yea and we have 2 young children.

Pharmacy school is more demanding, but if you think you're going to fail then you will. I didn't make all these sacrifices nor bust my butt so hard to get in then fail. It is all how much you want it. If failure isn't an option, then you will succeed. Just believe in yourself and don't discount anyone who goes to community college. I was concerned with the same thing, but my professors also taught at the state university and said only difference is the amount of students. Regardless of what some people think, it is not necessarily inferior just less people to compete for the professors time.

 

[drugdoc]

Difficulty level of a community college vs. pharmacy school? I hope you're half joking....

I just finished my first semester and had 15 credits (I waived one class). All semesters for a non-waived student are either 17 or 18 credits at my school, with the number of classes ranging from 7 during the P1 year to 4 during the P2 year.

I've dropped my work schedule from 18 hours a week (during Fall semester) to 12 hours a week for Spring semester. LOTS of studying. The material isn't too hard, so far, with the exception of Biochem, but there are 7 classes to manage. And of course, each professor really sees their 2 credit class as a 3 credit, etc. So the load seems more than the credits show.

Having took 3 science courses during one semester at a community college will only barely start to prepare you for pharmacy school. My last semester before pharm school I took 2 Univ and 1 CC class. That load (Microbiology, OChem 2, OChem 1/2 lab) was light compared to even my first semester of pharmacy school. Light in regards to the hours of studying per day and difficulty of the material (though OChem 2 was hard).

The best way to get an idea of the work load, in my opinion, would be similar to getting A's in 4-5 CC science classes at once, or 3 Univ. science classes plus 1-2 lighter classes. That would be about similar to the amount of studying you'd do.

I literally did about 50-60 hours of combined class/studying per week last semester. I did my online classes from noon to 4ish, take a break, then study/quizzes/papers from 7 to 3 am or so. Then proctoring on top of that (driving, testing). I did very well, but not straight A's, even with that amount of studying.

I, in contrast, found getting into pharmacy school easier than the school work (knowing that the material will get harder for us in the coming years).

 

[Slntwolf]

I wasn't comparing pharmacy school and community college, sorry if my wording was vague. I was comparing community college and university. Obviously pharmacy school thus far is much, much more demanding than what I've seen or others have seen that come from universities. Of course that is to be expected.

 

[kbv]

If you're smart enough to get in, chances are you will be smart enough to make it through school! Pharmacy school is very challenging, but I do believe the hardest part of all was just getting accepted. Sure, school will be tough, but if you really want to make it work and are willing to make sacrafices you'll pull through.

Good luck!

What professional year are you in now? I'm in my last year but can't believe I really make it thus far, or you can interpret it as survival. It doesn't matter if you get accepted. It matters if you can sit in the NAPLEX and state law. What do you think about the 2 supposed scenarios? The first is you don't get accepted to a PharmD program so be able to pursue other professions of your choice. The second is you get accepted but unable to pull it through the program thus waste your time-2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th year- and waste your money- loan debt accumulation. Ever think about how depressed, lost, and hopeless you would feel in the 2nd situation? Ever think if you would be able to recover from the deep wound on your pride?

I leave it to you
My conclusion is --------------------

 

[kbv]

Has anyone, currently a pharmacy student, dropped of the program b/c it was too rigorous and challenging?

I am asking this b/c I am currently taking prereqs at a community college (College of Canyons) and not sure how this measures up to the difficulty level when (or if) i get into pharmacy school. Also, I am only taking 3 classes per semester (due to labs and a hectic schedule). So far, I've been getting good grades ... (4.0 with 3 classes) Next semester, will be O-Chem, Microbio, and Physics ... which is merely 15 units or so. I mean, I may be able to handle one more class but im sure it will jeopardize and lower my GPA.

I have looked at pharmacy schools and they have minimum 20 unit semesters. This sounds rough and intense, and im not sure if my level of intelligence can apply there.

i know im smart enough to get in, but then again, i keep on reminding myself that im at a community college... and have horror dreams where i drop out of pharmacy school and wasted all my time.

what's your thoughts..

Every professional year, no, to be more accurate, every semester that passes, there is always someone I know who drops out / fails /is kicked out of the program. Maybe about 30-40 in the P1-P4 period. The positive is that the number is less than 5-10% of a class, small huh?, but negative it's possible that you can fail.

The truth is you must be scared, always, because the scare will carve deeply in your mind always not to forget your goal of life: the PharmD license.

 

[ecstyle483]

What professional year are you in now? I'm in my last year but can't believe I really make it thus far, or you can interpret it as survival. It doesn't matter if you get accepted. It matters if you can sit in the NAPLEX and state law. What do you think about the 2 supposed scenarios? The first is you don't get accepted to a PharmD program so be able to pursue other professions of your choice. The second is you get accepted but unable to pull it through the program thus waste your time-2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th year- and waste your money- loan debt accumulation. Ever think about how depressed, lost, and hopeless you would feel in the 2nd situation? Ever think if you would be able to recover from the deep wound on your pride?

I leave it to you
My conclusion is --------------------

Those two situations are exactly what I fear the most. Btw, I didn't mention it earlier but i graduated w/ a Econ Degree at a university so I know in some sense how difficult ( or more difficult) it could be .. then again, it was in a different field and was mostly math and theory based. I simply took science courses at a CC to see if I was interested in it and so far i am. However, I am not still not sure how well qualified I am if i am able to enter pharmacy school. Someone had mentioned that 4-5 classes (w/labs) at a CC is equal to the courseload at pharmacy school. I probably can handle that but also might be able to only get mediocore grades such as 2As and 3Bs.... is that sufficient enough to be a "qualified" pharmacy student?

 

[mike36]

I am P1 at UT Austin COP. Having just finished my first semester, I can say that it is pretty tough. It was 16 hours (9 classes). Even with the heavy load, I think that you pretty much have to give up to fail out. We have a free tutoring service for students that need help, and the professors want to see everyone pass. They are there for advice and help with the material.

Also, even if you do fail a class, you can retake it. Though this may delay graduation and increase your debt, at least you wouldn't be kicked out by failing a class.

 

[Lurkerkat]

From what I've heard at my school the number one reason for people dropping out is events outside of school that drastically affect people's lives. Having a child while in school, death of someone who you're close to, financial issues, etc... not so much people dropping out solely for academic reasons.

Also when you're applying to schools find out what their policies are when it comes to failing courses. I feel fortunate that I go to a school that wants us to succeed. They offer plenty of tutoring and if we need to we can take a year off. It also helps to build a good support network to study with. Research to find out how many people get accepted to each class and how many of those people eventually graduate. Ask students which year they found to be the most difficult so that you can be prepared.

 

[kbv]

I am P1 at UT Austin COP. Having just finished my first semester, I can say that it is pretty tough. It was 16 hours (9 classes). Even with the heavy load, I think that you pretty much have to give up to fail out. We have a free tutoring service for students that need help, and the professors want to see everyone pass. They are there for advice and help with the material.

Also, even if you do fail a class, you can retake it. Though this may delay graduation and increase your debt, at least you wouldn't be kicked out by failing a class.

I don't know anything of your school, but mine is that your 2nd attempt of retaking the failing course is your last chance. In addition, would anyone be confident saying "ok, I'm sure I'll pass the failing course"? Anyone who is confident saying "I'm able to maintain my minimum required PROFESSIONAL GPA" until his/her graduation?

I'm not a pessimistic, yet also not an overly optimistic student. I always have nightmares of failing even a 1-credit course. Every school has a passionate faculty staff, being there to help its students. However, one must be telling oneself that "you must help yourself first before asking for help"; in other words, you must discipline and train yourself.

What I try to say is experiencing the hardship is bittersweet; you pay something to gain something. Be realistic- ability, situation- but also passionate- learning/studying- and goal-oriented.

 

[kbv]

Those two situations are exactly what I fear the most. Btw, I didn't mention it earlier but i graduated w/ a Econ Degree at a university so I know in some sense how difficult ( or more difficult) it could be .. then again, it was in a different field and was mostly math and theory based. I simply took science courses at a CC to see if I was interested in it and so far i am. However, I am not still not sure how well qualified I am if i am able to enter pharmacy school. Someone had mentioned that 4-5 classes (w/labs) at a CC is equal to the courseload at pharmacy school. I probably can handle that but also might be able to only get mediocore grades such as 2As and 3Bs.... is that sufficient enough to be a "qualified" pharmacy student?

Don't get scared before ever experiencing it. After all, life is a challenge. Everyone can say taking CC courses is this and that, but we pharmacy students all come from different backgrounds with a variety of personal situations. Am I confident of myself?-No, but I will create my confidence based on my strength, doing and trying whatever I can to pursue my dream.

Ignore the grades for now. Ask yourself why you can't make it to the top of your class. You know, GPA is just like your bank account, more money means lots of savings. So even if you are suddenly fired/unemployed or get sick, you know you have your money. The better grades you earn, the more you feel safe. A "qualified" means you're able to remain in the program which is Minimum required professional GPA equivalent.

 

[Hels2007]

There are two types of programs: weed-out programs that accept a lot more people than they intend to graduate (and they have a high number of dropouts because of that, especially in early years), and there are keep-everybody-in programs (including letting people retake a class twice before kicking them out after a third failure, which is a bit extreme - I wouldn't want someone who only gets things right the third time around taking care of my family!). So it depends on what the hardest part is. However, remember that it is always entirely up to you how you do. 🙂

 

[njac]

Don't get scared before ever experiencing it. After all, life is a challenge. Everyone can say taking CC courses is this and that, but we pharmacy students all come from different backgrounds with a variety of personal situations. Am I confident of myself?-No, but I will create my confidence based on my strength, doing and trying whatever I can to pursue my dream.

Ignore the grades for now. Ask yourself why you can't make it to the top of your class. You know, GPA is just like your bank account, more money means lots of savings. So even if you are suddenly fired/unemployed or get sick, you know you have your money. The better grades you earn, the more you feel safe. A "qualified" means you're able to remain in the program which is Minimum required professional GPA equivalent.

I hardly agree with this statement at all. I mean, I guess using grades as a safety sort of makes sense but when I read this at first I saw it as "grades = banked knowledge".

looking at the pharmacists I've worked with, I'd pick a B student anyday over a valedictorian. Just because you can take the test doesn't mean you can apply or build with the information.

 

[MR. C]

Ive just had 1 semester.. but I didnt think it was that bad. None of the classes where that difficult, but we took 19hrs so it was a LOT of material to learn. I came from a CC and the transition for me was pretty smooth. You just CAN NOT fall behind.

Ended up getting all B's though... I think I could have gotten at least 3 A's, but I just didnt put in the effort towards the end of the semester/finals. I fell behind a little and my grades in those classes went from 90s to high 70s/low 80s. It sneaks up on ya in a hurry, lol.

 

[Requiem]

looking at the pharmacists I've worked with, I'd pick a B student anyday over a valedictorian. Just because you can take the test doesn't mean you can apply or build with the information.

What does this even mean? Sometimes I hear this comment, always from people who don't do as well academically as the one's they're talking about, as if it's some sort of ego-booster that they are in fact, better pharmacists than people who do better than they do.

You must realize generalizations do not work? There are people who excel academically and do suffer in social situations, but there are also those that don't. There are also people who get B's and C's that are brutal to deal with in person. What is your point there?

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

There was actually an article recently, saying how B's and C's students do better as management because they usually go, is that worth my time? Is it worth my time studying an extra hour just to get 2 extra points.

Most phamacies would rather take a B or C students because they usually have more experience. It is an exception rather than norm to find an A student working two retail jobs and, meaning that B and C students will have more experience. Most human resource will know that pharmacy students with B's and C's averages are not dumb because if they are, they will be more of a D student.

Plus there is a saying. . . there is always some truth to sterotypes.

 

[Gwalla]

There was actually an article recently, saying how B's and C's students do better as management because they usually go, is that worth my time? Is it worth my time studying an extra hour just to get 2 extra points.

Most phamacies would rather take a B or C students because they usually have more experience. It is an exception rather than norm to find an A student working two retail jobs and, meaning that B and C students will have more experience. Most human resource will know that pharmacy students with B's and C's averages are not dumb because if they are, they will be more of a D student.

Plus there is a saying. . . there is always some truth to sterotypes.

 

[kbv]

There was actually an article recently, saying how B's and C's students do better as management because they usually go, is that worth my time? Is it worth my time studying an extra hour just to get 2 extra points.

Most phamacies would rather take a B or C students because they usually have more experience. It is an exception rather than norm to find an A student working two retail jobs and, meaning that B and C students will have more experience. Most human resource will know that pharmacy students with B's and C's averages are not dumb because if they are, they will be more of a D student.

Plus there is a saying. . . there is always some truth to sterotypes.

Evidence please

 

[Epic]

Evidence please

Years ago, I was a senior intern at a hospital pharmacy and participated in hiring pharmacy interns quite often. The director used to throw a few resume at me and asked what I thought.

Most of the the 4.0 students were heavily scrutnized.. and most 4.0 students were so obsessed with grades, they would rather study to keep the grades up than work.

We usually hired interns who were hungry.

All this is anecdotal anyways.

Everything being equal, sure we would rather hire someone with a higher GPA... then again, there is more to life than grades.

But there is an old saying, C students end up hiring B students to manage A students doing research and grunt work.

 

[shikamaru]

But there is an old saying, C students end up hiring B students to manage A students doing research and grunt work.

!!