Question, PLEASE HELP!

[paulleallday]

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Greetings to all. My name is Paul, I am new to this forum and I wish I would have found it sooner. Unfortunately, during my last year of high school in 2005 and first year out, I had a few experiences with marijuana and alcohol. I have two charges for possession and two charges of minor in possession. I finally came to a point where I found a sense of purpose and decided to turn my life around by returning to my family, and with their support I focused on my education where I excelled in the sciences and decided to study pharmacy about a year and a half ago. As of now, I have a 3.7 GPA after flunking out my first semester into college back in the fall of 2005. I have a genetics and english class remaining before completing my pre-requisites, and I am planning on taking the PCAT in August. However, I have not tried to apply for a position as a pharmacy technician and I just applied for technician trainee license with the state board of pharmacy in Texas, which asked if I had a criminal history. I probably should have thought of this earlier, but due to my history, am I basically screwed in pursuing my goal? Although my situation may seem peculiar, in my mind I never thought I would have to struggle with this problem because I did not consider my use of drugs at the time as abuse; I was young, naive, sheltered, and it was my lack of experience which led me towards the wrong path, and a hard lesson learned. I've been prescribed medication which has been known for drug abuse such as pain killers, however regardless of how much pain I was in, I never took my medication. Ironically, I don't even drink alcohol even though I've been charged for possessing it; I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I guess that's why I sort of dismissed my criminal history and assumed I would be okay to obtain my degree... I have been clean for some time, but will my past prevent me from obtaining my goal? I am being completely and brutally honest here, I need to determine whether or not to look elsewhere for my career. Any response is greatly appreciated.

 

[mcalabr3]

Are they felonies?

 

[mandydp6]

Greetings to all. My name is Paul, I am new to this forum and I wish I would have found it sooner. Unfortunately, during my last year of high school in 2005 and first year out, I had a few experiences with marijuana and alcohol. I have two charges for possession and two charges of minor in possession. I finally came to a point where I found a sense of purpose and decided to turn my life around by returning to my family, and with their support I focused on my education where I excelled in the sciences and decided to study pharmacy about a year and a half ago. As of now, I have a 3.7 GPA after flunking out my first semester into college back in the fall of 2005. I have a genetics and english class remaining before completing my pre-requisites, and I am planning on taking the PCAT in August. However, I have not tried to apply for a position as a pharmacy technician and I just applied for technician trainee license with the state board of pharmacy in Texas, which asked if I had a criminal history. I probably should have thought of this earlier, but due to my history, am I basically screwed in pursuing my goal? Although my situation may seem peculiar, in my mind I never thought I would have to struggle with this problem because I did not consider my use of drugs at the time as abuse; I was young, naive, sheltered, and it was my lack of experience which led me towards the wrong path, and a hard lesson learned. I've been prescribed medication which has been known for drug abuse such as pain killers, however regardless of how much pain I was in, I never took my medication. Ironically, I don't even drink alcohol even though I've been charged for possessing it; I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I guess that's why I sort of dismissed my criminal history and assumed I would be okay to obtain my degree... I have been clean for some time, but will my past prevent me from obtaining my goal? I am being completely and brutally honest here, I need to determine whether or not to look elsewhere for my career. Any response is greatly appreciated.

I wish I was able to help, but I don't have an answer for ya. I have a not-so-perfect past as well, and I appreciate that you came on here open and honest and that you turned your life around...but I don't know if all those charges are too much, or too recent for you to be considered for admission. All I could recommend is be honest and disclose the proper information when asked for it. Sorry 🙁

 

[paulleallday]

Thank you both for responding. They were not felonies, all misdemeanors. Now that I am so close to achieving my goal, thinking of my past has discouraged me and broken my spirit some. However, I am still determined to continue to set out what I have planned to do. I have always aimed to be honest, as I believe humans were granted the capability to communicate effectively, and to lie and deceive would be a horrible thing to do with such a great gift. From my point of view, after already experiencing my past and its effect on my present situation, I only have a greater motivation and desire to stay away from any future drug use. I have witnessed fellow peers and classmates pass away from substance abuse, and my goal once I get into pharmacy is to help prevent this from happening to future generations. I have seen the damage substance abuse has caused upon other lives as well as my own, and I have no desire to repeat the same mistakes again. I am hoping that the state board will understand my situation, but I am afraid that with such competition in this field, I will be overlooked despite my turn around, efforts, and strong desire to help improve the field of pharmacy.

 

[charfdorn]

Thank you both for responding. They were not felonies, all misdemeanors. Now that I am so close to achieving my goal, thinking of my past has discouraged me and broken my spirit some. However, I am still determined to continue to set out what I have planned to do. I have always aimed to be honest, as I believe humans were granted the capability to communicate effectively, and to lie and deceive would be a horrible thing to do with such a great gift. From my point of view, after already experiencing my past and its effect on my present situation, I only have a greater motivation and desire to stay away from any future drug use. I have witnessed fellow peers and classmates pass away from substance abuse, and my goal once I get into pharmacy is to help prevent this from happening to future generations. I have seen the damage substance abuse has caused upon other lives as well as my own, and I have no desire to repeat the same mistakes again. I am hoping that the state board will understand my situation, but I am afraid that with such competition in this field, I will be overlooked despite my turn around, efforts, and strong desire to help improve the field of pharmacy.

Are they charges from when you were a minor, and were you convicted? Understand that you will have to pass a background check in order to be licensed by your state board. I would contact the admissions department at the school(s) you're interested in. Be very honest with them and ask them whether it is possible for you to go forward in the PharmD program. It'd be good to know that sooner rather than later.

 

[SarahLorraine]

Ditto about contacting the admissions depts of the schools you are looking at. That being said, I think you should continue on! Address in your personal statement the way you have turned things around in your life. Own up to your past and own up to making the steps toward a better future for yourself. All hope is certainly not lost! I'd be willing to bet that there is a school that will give you a chance. Afterall, many of us have pasts of one sort or another. Stepping up to make positive changes is sign of maturity and intelligence. Don't lose hope!