pre-pharm + working full time + volunteering

[gatorgirl1214]

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Starting fall semester, I will be taking 16 credits, all science and math. I will be working full time between two jobs (one is a pharmacy job, the other is a different field). I need to work full time to pay bills and live.

Does anyone think that it would be a bad idea to volunteer in addition to this? My degree requires 100 hours of volunteering in a pharmacy, but it cannot be paid. My advisor said they are very strict about this, and waivers are ALWAYS denied for a variance to allow a paid job to take the place of hours needed for volunteering.

Not being entirely strong in math/science to begin with (I ALWAYS need tutoring), I'm not sure what to do. I will apply for a grievance anyways, but I have no doubt that it will be denied.

 

[pharmschooler]

Starting fall semester, I will be taking 16 credits, all science and math. I will be working full time between two jobs (one is a pharmacy job, the other is a different field). I need to work full time to pay bills and live.

Does anyone think that it would be a bad idea to volunteer in addition to this? My degree requires 100 hours of volunteering in a pharmacy, but it cannot be paid. My advisor said they are very strict about this, and waivers are ALWAYS denied for a variance to allow a paid job to take the place of hours needed for volunteering.

Not being entirely strong in math/science to begin with (I ALWAYS need tutoring), I'm not sure what to do. I will apply for a grievance anyways, but I have no doubt that it will be denied.

Hey gatorgirl,

From my recollection, you have a previous bachelor's degree. Don't worry about getting the second one. Seriously, it's not necessary. Do volunteer in a pharmacy (it's very useful so you can get a feeling for the profession), but the 100 hours thing is something I would only do if you can (but it sounds like you already have a lot on your plate). You might need to claim that you're working on the degree for financial aid purposes, but if you don't finish, don't worry -- just do your prerequisites.

I'd also be really careful with the full time workload plus full time school. A friend of mine did that, but her grades suffered immensely (though she's definitely smart enough to do much better).

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Curious- what degree are you pursuing that "requires" pharmacy volunteering?

 

[gatorgirl1214]

Curious- what degree are you pursuing that "requires" pharmacy volunteering?

Well, it's a 2nd BA in Biology (what my transcript will say), within the pre-health track. You are required to volunteer in a setting related the career path you chose.

 

[gatorgirl1214]

Hey gatorgirl,

From my recollection, you have a previous bachelor's degree. Don't worry about getting the second one. Seriously, it's not necessary. Do volunteer in a pharmacy (it's very useful so you can get a feeling for the profession), but the 100 hours thing is something I would only do if you can (but it sounds like you already have a lot on your plate). You might need to claim that you're working on the degree for financial aid purposes, but if you don't finish, don't worry -- just do your prerequisites.

I'd also be really careful with the full time workload plus full time school. A friend of mine did that, but her grades suffered immensely (though she's definitely smart enough to do much better).

Even if my BA isn't in anything even remotely relating to sciences/math? My first degree was a social science degree.

I sort of have to work on the degree, because I need to be full time in school. Basically, I'm starting completely over in math (HS level algebra because I avoided all math like the plague before), so I cannot take any chem or physics until I get a higher math down. I'm taking Bio 1 and AP 1 both with labs, along with the math, a basic clinical skills class (which teaches you about shadowing/volunteering, etc), and another class not pharmacy related.

Wouldn't it look bad if I didn't actually get a degree? I feel like it would seem like I just did the bare minimum to get into pharm school.

 

[mcalabr3]

Doing just the pre-reqs is all that's expected of you when you apply to Pharmacy School. Yea it may look nice to go above but for the most part the pre-reqs, aka the bare minimum to apply, is what they look at. There is still a good portion of Pre-Pharm people that are interviewed and accepted before completing the pre-reqs.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Even if my BA isn't in anything even remotely relating to sciences/math? My first degree was a social science degree.

I sort of have to work on the degree, because I need to be full time in school. Basically, I'm starting completely over in math (HS level algebra because I avoided all math like the plague before), so I cannot take any chem or physics until I get a higher math down. I'm taking Bio 1 and AP 1 both with labs, along with the math, a basic clinical skills class (which teaches you about shadowing/volunteering, etc), and another class not pharmacy related.

Wouldn't it look bad if I didn't actually get a degree? I feel like it would seem like I just did the bare minimum to get into pharm school.

It feels like I have responded to a post from you like this in the near-past because I remember saying how I have social science degrees and also needed a nearly total reboot on my mathematics.

If you have a Bachelor's degree already you certainly do NOT need a science degree. I would not go out of my way to get a science degree if I was you (and I didn't do it for myself either).

 

[pharmschooler]

Even if my BA isn't in anything even remotely relating to sciences/math? My first degree was a social science degree.

I sort of have to work on the degree, because I need to be full time in school. Basically, I'm starting completely over in math (HS level algebra because I avoided all math like the plague before), so I cannot take any chem or physics until I get a higher math down. I'm taking Bio 1 and AP 1 both with labs, along with the math, a basic clinical skills class (which teaches you about shadowing/volunteering, etc), and another class not pharmacy related.

Wouldn't it look bad if I didn't actually get a degree? I feel like it would seem like I just did the bare minimum to get into pharm school.

Do the prereqs, but do them well.

A degree, whether social science or not, is still more than many pharmacy school applicants have. You're ahead of the game simply by having a degree; it doesn't really matter what the degree is in.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Don't get a second Bachelors. It's really not needed and may waste some time. Also, I've never known any college to have to require a no-pay volunteer service.