Question about work & school

[chrispharm]

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I believe this may hurt me in my application process but hopefully not to bad. I have been a dept. supervisor in my company for the last few years (working 40+ hours) so when i decided to complete my pre-reqs i have not been able to take classes full time and have only been able to take around 8-11 hours a semester. This last semester all I have to take is orgo 1 &2 so I will have semesters of one class.

How bad do you think it will affect me since I was not a full time student?
I don’t want them to think that I am unable to handle course work.

This current semester I am working 40+ hours and taking 3 course plus shadowing at a hospital pharmacy.

 

[velvet75]

I don't see why it would hurt you. I had a full time job and went to school part time during the majority of my undergrad and I still got into pharmacy school. Also, there was a short period of time when I only attended school full-time and that was so much easier than working & attending school.

I think it shows that you can manage and prioritize your time in an efficient manner, especially if your grades are pretty good.

 

[Busta919]

I was in the same boat. I was a dept manager for the past 13 years. Just last year, I started taking any pre-reqs for admission I did not receive in my previous college degree's. The positive you need to show with this is that you are working X hours per week while taking these classes and maintaining good marks.
Once you have joined the job market, you gain an appreciation for what school had to offer. You are much more likely to approach school and schoolwork like a job rather than as school (extended party).

 

[tojh1]

Like everyone else said, I think its a plus and that it shows you have great time management. But remember to explain on secondary essays or during interviews that even though you were working you knew where your priorities fell. I'm guessing pharmacy schools don't want you to feel like their classes are the same as undergraduate and that you can get by with working full time.

 

[chrispharm]

Thanks for the input. I agree it definitely requires time management, my days are scheduled down to about within 5-10 minutes of everything. I believe it also shows leadership experience since I have supervised 6-11 people over the last few years.

I have no intentions of working while in pharmacy school, so I am actually looking forward to it. 😀

 

[delano2000]

You can always explain to AdCom why you were only able to attend classes P/T. I am sure you'll be fine.

 

[monkieez]

You will be fine since you have taken 3 courses at a time plus f/t work. It's not like you were only take one class at a time every semester. Obviously, you can handle the workload. Also, if you have ever went to college f/t in the past (before you started working) that would be a plus.

 

[Memoryfab]

To be honest, it poses a concern to the Adcom.

I was waitlisted at the UofA this cycle, and I asked one of my friend the other day why she got flat-out rejected by the school two years ago; and it was because she was taking part-time classes. The Adcom told her that they were concerned she wouldn't be able to handle the load in Rx school.

It really depends on where you're taking those classes: a CC or University. If it's at a CC then it is a concern to Adcom.

 

[chrispharm]

I just dont see how people say they took 14+ hours and worked full time, I work 8-6 or 10-8 pretty much every day, that doesnt leave a lot of time for courses that are all in class with labs.

 

[Memoryfab]

In my mind, the only way that someone can pull off working full-time and having a 14+ credit is if they work in a place that allows them to study while working, working three days a week twelve-hour shifts, or taking all or some online classes. Those are some scenarios.

I also forgot to mention that commitment is also key. Being a part-time doesn't really show much commitment to school, and pharmacy school is 16-18 credit hours (mostly science and harder than undergrad.) and the committee looks to see if you're a type of person that will be successful under vigorous workload, and that you're comitted to pharmacy school. The Adcoms will also understand your situation and that people need to work to pay bills, etc, but I guess they want to see the sacrifice you made.

It really all depends how the Adcom/school view you. If you can, try taking one semester of full-time classes (two science classes per semester) and go back to working full-time again. Also get some feedback by emailing the advisors of the school that you want to attend.

 

[rxlea]

Working full-time and going to school full-time sux but it IS possible. I've done it...accompanied with many, many sleepless nights. And, no, I could not study at my job.

 

[chrispharm]

I also forgot to mention that commitment is also key. Being a part-time doesn't really show much commitment to school, and pharmacy school is 16-18 credit hours (mostly science and harder than undergrad.)

IMO it shows commitment if you have to work also... going straight from work to school 4 days a week.. BLAH...

Working full-time and going to school full-time sux but it IS possible. I've done it...accompanied with many, many sleepless nights. And, no, I could not study at my job.

Impressive, I would have done that as well but my work schedule is such that I physically cannot leave for class, now if I worked 3-12's that would be doable.

I would love just going to school. (which I plan to if accepted.)

Thanks for the incite from everyone. I am just worried about this as it's the one thing i feel will hold me back.

 

[tlt2796]

Can I ask another question right here?
About course load, how many credits do you guys think for CC students? 16-18? I never thought that Adcom would look at course load per semester. I just think that 12 is enough that I'm f/t students. >.<

 

[R2pharmD2]

Can I ask another question right here?
About course load, how many credits do you guys think for CC students? 16-18? I never thought that Adcom would look at course load per semester. I just think that 12 is enough that I'm f/t students. >.<

Taking a manageable course load and making As will be looked upon much more favorably than taking a heavy course load and making Bs. Only take additional courses if you can handle the extra work without it impacting your grades.

 

[pharm B]

12 is fine. Most of us probably took quite a few semesters of 15+. As always, work and extracurriculars usually filled up the rest of our time. 😉

 

[All4MyDaughter]

It's not going to hurt you to take prereqs part time while working full time. Pay no attention to the people who are telling you otherwise. I'm older and a nontrad and every single person in my position did basically the same thing. We all got accepted to pharmacy school just fine. Don't quit your job until you have to and certainly not to "prove" something to an Adcom (I have no evidence that they even WANT this type of "proof" anyway).

 

[vasoolraja]

Hi Friends, I work full-time 40hr/week and I have a family (wife and 2-year old son). This spring I took only Chem 2. In the summer, I am going to take psychology and in the fall, I am planning to take Physics 1 and Biol 1. So, starting from this fall I am planning to take 8 credits per semester (spring and fall). So far, I have A's in all the pre-reqs I took. Do you think I have to add more credits (may be more than 8 credits) per semester? I am not sure if I can handle more than 8 credits working fulltime and having a family. In addition, my job schedule is from 8 am to 5 pm and inflexible, so many of the lab based classes simply could not fit into my work schedule. In my case do you think the adcoms will be unfavorable? I really appreciate your suggestions and advice. Thanks!

 

[chemguy79]

Hi Friends, I work full-time 40hr/week and I have a family (wife and 2-year old son). This spring I took only Chem 2. In the summer, I am going to take psychology and in the fall, I am planning to take Physics 1 and Biol 1. So, starting from this fall I am planning to take 8 credits per semester (spring and fall). So far, I have A's in all the pre-reqs I took. Do you think I have to add more credits (may be more than 8 credits) per semester? I am not sure if I can handle more than 8 credits working fulltime and having a family. In addition, my job schedule is from 8 am to 5 pm and inflexible, so many of the lab based classes simply could not fit into my work schedule. In my case do you think the adcoms will be unfavorable? I really appreciate your suggestions and advice. Thanks!

I think that you answered the question yourself with the bolded part above.

If you don't think that you can handle a certain workload, you shouldn't pursue it and risk receiving bad grades. There is something to be said about pushing yourself, but if you push yourself to your own detriment, you're setting yourself up for FAIL.

 

[honeybee763]

To be honest, it poses a concern to the Adcom.

I was waitlisted at the UofA this cycle, and I asked one of my friend the other day why she got flat-out rejected by the school two years ago; and it was because she was taking part-time classes. The Adcom told her that they were concerned she wouldn't be able to handle the load in Rx school.

It really depends on where you're taking those classes: a CC or University. If it's at a CC then it is a concern to Adcom.

I disagree with this post, at least from my own experience. I go to the University of Minnesota and the Admissions Committee looks at all parts of the application. They would also look at the student's work history. Was your friend working at the time of taking part-time classes? I personally don't think it should be a problem. Like others have said, it shows time management.

 

[honeybee763]

Can I ask another question right here?
About course load, how many credits do you guys think for CC students? 16-18? I never thought that Adcom would look at course load per semester. I just think that 12 is enough that I'm f/t students. >.<

I think it depends on the difficulty of the classes. My school looks at not only the credit load, but the difficulty, making it a more balanced picture.