Questions

[kattster]

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Hey everyone,

I had some questions I just wanted to throw out there since I'm fairly new to this process. I would like to apply to pharmacy school this year for enrollment in 2007, however, I have the huge problem of not having yet volunteered/worked in a pharmacy. I've already attended the volunteer orientation at my local hospital to help out in the outpatient pharmacy there but since I work a full-time job, it's going to be a while possibly Jan. 2007 until I get a weekend shift volunteer position there due to the high demand. This weekend I'm going to try and cold call independent pharmacies in my area so I can hopefully get some experience sooner. I do not have a stellar gpa at all, around 3.0 from a 4-year university but I currently work in a manufacturing lab and I'm taking the PCAT this October and am certified as a pharmacy technician in CA (currently living in Seattle). So basically my question is what schools out there are "easier" to get into since I'm applying late and won't have the extensive pharmacy experience? I am very very open to all schools in or close to big cities such as Boston, NY, Chicago, maybe Miami but how can I find out which schools are more open to out-of-state residents? I read on this site that Denver doesn't accept a lot of out-of-staters so that is some key info. I would like to know this type of info. before I would apply someplace. Usually people narrow down their school choices by location, but since I'm fairly open about it I'm finding it really difficult to narrow my choices down. Any tips? or is my best bet to just call each school individually to find out? Also, considering my 411, how are my chances of getting into any pharm d. program if I apply pretty much right before the Dec. 1 deadline? Also, is it more competitive to get into the 3 year accelerated programs? Okay, sorry I wrote a novel but I'm having a tough time figuring out whether it's worth it to apply this year but I would hate to delay another year b/c I'm anxious to get started on this career path.

 

[TennisBoy78]

That was quite a mouthful, but let me simplify it for you.

You are a CA Certified Pharm Tech but never in your life have worked in a pharmacy? If you have from years back, this should suffice as pharmacy experience. If not, try not only hospitals, but independent (Mom and Pop) Pharmacies because they are less restricted to put people in their pharmacy.

As far as what schools to apply to, you should decide what is important to you. Your best chances for a state (public) school would be where you reside (WA). Every state school in the nation must admit a substantial percentage (75+) of their students from their own state. What this means is that you still have a chance at these types of schools, but are only competing for the remaining seats. Also, you have to pay out of state tuition, which in many cases is double that of state tuition. So you mentioned CU in Denver. No surprise, this is a state school and you are not a CO resident.

Private schools, on the other hand, do not care where you live, because they are not funded by the state. Thus, your chances at private schools are much better. One other thing, if you need to live in the big cities, you will face increased competition for seats (in general) because the majority of people dont want to live in the middle of nowhere for Pharm School. But if you dont care where you live during Pharm School, look into schools in smaller cities.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you in your venture to Pharmacy School.