Reconsidering Options

[Lone Kendoka]

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I am currently attending UT for my undergrad as a junior by year and a senior by credit. I got accepted into the University of Houston College of Pharmacy for Fall 2010. I'm really excited that I got in, with Houston being my home and all. However, something inside of me is asking if this is truly the path I wish to take. I have only had a few experiences in a pharmacy setting and feel as if I'm going into something I am unsure of.

I know for a fact that I want to help people for a living, and I feel as if I can make the greatest difference in people's lives by helping them maintain their greatest aspect: their health.

That is why I am now considering the pre-med route. The prerequisites does not differ much from those in pre-pharmacy; I would only have to take Physics II and Biochemistry in addition to the MCAT. At that note, I am also considering completing a degree. I am currently undeclared and the thought of pursuing a degree did not really cross my mind, for I imagined that I would go straight into pharmacy school. But now I think I may pursue a BA in Biology. I figure that a degree will stick with me no matter where I go, so it can help reinforce my ultimate decision. This would also give me time to think about what path I would want to take in addition to setting up the opportunity of pursuing another path, in my case, pre-med.

One of the main things I am concerned with is UH's deferral policy. I have not been able to find information on deferring for a year or two to pursue a degree. They really seem like they want me to attend, and I couldn't be more grateful, but I'm torn with the question if this may be the right path for me. This is really scary for me because I feel that I risk declining UH's hospitality and generosity and something concrete in exchange for something that may not be there.

Time is also of the essence for me, because I am also considering my parent's finances. I don't want my parents spending more money than they have to. So in the end, it feels like the window for finding my calling is very limited.

Something is telling me to pursue a degree because it'll be beneficial and cost-effective in the long run, but overall, I'm not sure where to go from here or what I can do to find my answer.

What do you guys think? I would greatly accept any and every input and perspective, as long as it helps me find my way.

 

[rxlea]

I am currently attending UT for my undergrad as a junior by year and a senior by credit. I got accepted into the University of Houston College of Pharmacy for Fall 2010. I'm really excited that I got in, with Houston being my home and all. However, something inside of me is asking if this is truly the path I wish to take. I have only had a few experiences in a pharmacy setting and feel as if I'm going into something I am unsure of.

I know for a fact that I want to help people for a living, and I feel as if I can make the greatest difference in people's lives by helping them maintain their greatest aspect: their health.

That is why I am now considering the pre-med route. The prerequisites does not differ much from those in pre-pharmacy; I would only have to take Physics II and Biochemistry in addition to the MCAT. At that note, I am also considering completing a degree. I am currently undeclared and the thought of pursuing a degree did not really cross my mind, for I imagined that I would go straight into pharmacy school. But now I think I may pursue a BA in Biology. I figure that a degree will stick with me no matter where I go, so it can help reinforce my ultimate decision. This would also give me time to think about what path I would want to take in addition to setting up the opportunity of pursuing another path, in my case, pre-med.

One of the main things I am concerned with is UH's deferral policy. I have not been able to find information on deferring for a year or two to pursue a degree. They really seem like they want me to attend, and I couldn't be more grateful, but I'm torn with the question if this may be the right path for me. This is really scary for me because I feel that I risk declining UH's hospitality and generosity and something concrete in exchange for something that may not be there.

Time is also of the essence for me, because I am also considering my parent's finances. I don't want my parents spending more money than they have to. So in the end, it feels like the window for finding my calling is very limited.

Something is telling me to pursue a degree because it'll be beneficial and cost-effective in the long run, but overall, I'm not sure where to go from here or what I can do to find my answer.

What do you guys think? I would greatly accept any and every input and perspective, as long as it helps me find my way.

You are the poster child for why I (and others) think that pharmacy experience should be required to apply to pharmacy school. If you are unsure, then don't jump into it. Do not "settle" for any reason other than you strongly feel you will enjoy a pharmacy career. With that being said, realize that the road ahead (to med school or wherever) will be challenging and you need to be ready for that. If you go into pharmacy school now, you might get to the end of the tunnel and start to wonder "What if...?" Go with your gut. I know it is hard to turn down a "sure thing". If your grades and experiences were good enough to get you into a pharm school, then with some more effort and more experience, you can probably get into a med school, too. There is a thread in the non-trad forum about pharmacists who have decided to pursue medical school because they are unfulfilled for whatever reason. I suggest you check it out...and I say this without trying to deter you from pursuing pharmacy school but rather to explore your true thoughts and feelings about this career.

As for the cost to your parents...remember that there are student loans that will cover your expenses. After pharm school (or med school), you will be making enough money to pay those suckers off.

EDIT: about helping people maintain their health, pharmacists do that too...and the role of the pharmacist will continue to expand in this arena.

Best of luck to you.

 

[ShineBrite]

if you're unsure of the path you're on-get off the path. or turn around and take a new one! I've wanted to be a pharmacist since I was 14. Not just in the medical field-I knew I wanted to specifically do pharmacy. If you don't have a real reason for choosing pharmacy, why waste the time and money on a year or so of pharmacy school to realize you made a mistake? Finish your degree and try to volunteer at a pharmacy if you still want to gain insight. But, I think you've really already made up your mind. You know what it is you really want to do, and I encourage you to do it, don't make yourself unhappy! Good luck!

 

[Lone Kendoka]

I know for a fact that I want to hold a profession where I can help people. I feel like my calling is somewhere in the field of health. I want to be able to make a difference in people's lives and to get to know them on an individual level so I know who exactly I'm helping. I also want to be able to watch the people I help gradually become healthier so I can see the fruits of my labor. I became attracted to the pharmacy field because I learned that somehow, the field would fulfill this passion in a flexible, less stressful environment. However, by looking at the pre-med route, I'm starting to question where my passion is better needed. True, it may be a more stressful and rigid career, but will I make a greater difference in people's lives? I don't want to discredit both professions because I have not fully witnessed everything both careers have to offer.

I am aware that either way, the path will never be easy, but I strongly believe in my fulfilling my desire to help others and as long as I always give it everything I've got, I will prevail.

(I'm not saying this in response to anyone's comments, I just felt like I needed to get my feelings out there; to explain what I want to do with my life.)

 

[jasonngo86]

I know for a fact that I want to hold a profession where I can help people. I feel like my calling is somewhere in the field of health. I want to be able to make a difference in people's lives and to get to know them on an individual level so I know who exactly I'm helping. I also want to be able to watch the people I help gradually become healthier so I can see the fruits of my labor. I became attracted to the pharmacy field because I learned that somehow, the field would fulfill this passion in a flexible, less stressful environment. However, by looking at the pre-med route, I'm starting to question where my passion is better needed. True, it may be a more stressful and rigid career, but will I make a greater difference in people's lives? I don't want to discredit both professions because I have not fully witnessed everything both careers have to offer.

I am aware that either way, the path will never be easy, but I strongly believe in my fulfilling my desire to help others and as long as I always give it everything I've got, I will prevail.

(I'm not saying this in response to anyone's comments, I just felt like I needed to get my feelings out there; to explain what I want to do with my life.)

FYI: Pharmacist is not only about counting pills and putting them in nice little brown bottles.... thats sterotyping...

Home Infusion Pharmacist tracks the treatment and progress of the patient, verifying labs and making changes. They do get to know the patients on an individual level... they do become mentors and friends of patients.

Nursing Home Pharmacist gets to know who they are helping as well. It isn't about the profession, but in the end it is about you. It is about if you want to make the extra effort in your job/career to meet & help your patients.

But I do agree with the rest of the people that if your passion isn't there... then why pursue it. Well best of luck!

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I am currently attending UT for my undergrad as a junior by year and a senior by credit. I got accepted into the University of Houston College of Pharmacy for Fall 2010. I'm really excited that I got in, with Houston being my home and all. However, something inside of me is asking if this is truly the path I wish to take. I have only had a few experiences in a pharmacy setting and feel as if I'm going into something I am unsure of.

I know for a fact that I want to help people for a living, and I feel as if I can make the greatest difference in people's lives by helping them maintain their greatest aspect: their health.

That is why I am now considering the pre-med route. The prerequisites does not differ much from those in pre-pharmacy; I would only have to take Physics II and Biochemistry in addition to the MCAT. At that note, I am also considering completing a degree. I am currently undeclared and the thought of pursuing a degree did not really cross my mind, for I imagined that I would go straight into pharmacy school. But now I think I may pursue a BA in Biology. I figure that a degree will stick with me no matter where I go, so it can help reinforce my ultimate decision. This would also give me time to think about what path I would want to take in addition to setting up the opportunity of pursuing another path, in my case, pre-med.

One of the main things I am concerned with is UH's deferral policy. I have not been able to find information on deferring for a year or two to pursue a degree. They really seem like they want me to attend, and I couldn't be more grateful, but I'm torn with the question if this may be the right path for me. This is really scary for me because I feel that I risk declining UH's hospitality and generosity and something concrete in exchange for something that may not be there.

Time is also of the essence for me, because I am also considering my parent's finances. I don't want my parents spending more money than they have to. So in the end, it feels like the window for finding my calling is very limited.

Something is telling me to pursue a degree because it'll be beneficial and cost-effective in the long run, but overall, I'm not sure where to go from here or what I can do to find my answer.

What do you guys think? I would greatly accept any and every input and perspective, as long as it helps me find my way.

I personally would go with the acceptance. Take it. You've got between now and then to volunteer and decide. If you find it compatible with you then it's on the table. If you reject it you may never get it back, and medical school is a huge gamble. Perhaps this summer you can focus on getting the pharmacy experience and take physics II. That way if pharmacy isn't for you you're basically ready for medical school, and you can focus the next year on MCAT prep.

Pharmacy for me seems interesting for a lot of reasons, but I'm not into it enough to know for sure it's for me. I need to experience although volunteering seems kind of unlikely around here, and working as a tech is not in the picture right now. Even if it were I don't think I'd apply anywhere but here in Arkansas. My pursuits have been for medical school, and I started that a long time so now that I've got a college degree, seven years in the workforce, and still the desire for medicine I'm taking the remaining prereqs I need. Frankly, the reason medicine appeals more to me is that it's more biological, if you will. I want to know more of that type of thing than pharm school teaches. Now, the curriculum at UAMS is pretty cool. I looked closely at the other day and several times since then so pharmacy school with them would be cool - from course descriptions anyway, lol. The work of either profession seems like it would satisfy me.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

FYI: Pharmacist is not only about counting pills and putting them in nice little brown bottles.... QUOTE]

Correct. They use orange bottles. 😛


around here anyway

if that's brown my color vision is worse than I thought, lol

edit: I screwed the quote up somehow

 

[jasonngo86]

FYI: Pharmacist is not only about counting pills and putting them in nice little brown bottles.... QUOTE]

Correct. They use orange bottles. 😛


around here anyway

if that's brown my color vision is worse than I thought, lol

edit: I screwed the quote up somehow

i guess you could be right..... maybe im the colorblind one!! oh no!!!!!

 

[crazybob]

FYI: Pharmacist is not only about counting pills and putting them in nice little brown bottles....

Correct. They use orange bottles. 😛


around here anyway

if that's brown my color vision is worse than I thought, lol

edit: I screwed the quote up somehow

They have technicians and ScriptPro to do that

I thought brown was just for light-sensitive substances, such as beer 😆