Sh** What Do I Do?!

[ThePlaidMan]

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I got this great opportunity for next summer, where I was one of the few chosen at my university to participate in science research. I have to be attending full-time the entire academic year before next summer to participate.
By going to school full-time, I'm set to graduate before next summer, and I have to still be a student at my school to do the research.

I was planning on applying to pharm. school next year, since I was supposed to have already graduated and earned my Bachelors degree. I need my Bachelor degree or else I have to take most of my pre-reqs over again because the rule at the pharm. school is to retake pre-reqs more than 5 yrs. old unless having a bachelor degree.

So what exactly is the smartest thing to do in my situation, since my mind is fogged with this stress to even know? Keep the great research experience, but apply in 2 more yrs. (I'm nontraditional student w/a family and my wife and kids are making it day by day until I attend pharm. school) OR drop the research I worked hard in earning (and spent time on applying), and graduate in a year to be able to apply to Pharm. school next November???????

I'm at a loss here 🙁

 

[R2pharmD2]

I got this great opportunity for next summer, where I was one of the few chosen at my university to participate in science research. I have to be attending full-time the entire academic year before next summer to participate.
By going to school full-time, I'm set to graduate before next summer, and I have to still be a student at my school to do the research.

I was planning on applying to pharm. school next year, since I was supposed to have already graduated and earned my Bachelors degree. I need my Bachelor degree or else I have to take most of my pre-reqs over again because the rule at the pharm. school is to retake pre-reqs more than 5 yrs. old unless having a bachelor degree.

So what exactly is the smartest thing to do in my situation, since my mind is fogged with this stress to even know? Keep the great research experience, but apply in 2 more yrs. (I'm nontraditional student w/a family and my wife and kids are making it day by day until I attend pharm. school) OR drop the research I worked hard in earning (and spent time on applying), and graduate in a year to be able to apply to Pharm. school next November???????

I'm at a loss here 🙁

Do you plan on going into research after pharmacy school? If not, this seems like a no brainer: skip the research, apply to pharmacy school ASAP.

 

[GatorPrePharm]

Depends on what you want to do when u graduate. Most pharmacy positions don't care about research experience. For instance, most retail or hospital/clinical positions won't care about it too much. If you want to go into research then maybe consider it, however a lot of universities allow students to do research during pharmacy school. Mine gives paid summer Internships to students who want to learn about research and then the research is actually more relevant to future career opportunities since it is pharm research opposed to some other general research.

Maybe just put down you were accepted to the competitive program and that might still look good idk. But in the grand scheme of things I wouldn't give up another year of possible salary for some research that won't help much in the long run, ESP if u are an older student.

My 2 cents

I got this great opportunity for next summer, where I was one of the few chosen at my university to participate in science research. I have to be attending full-time the entire academic year before next summer to participate.
By going to school full-time, I'm set to graduate before next summer, and I have to still be a student at my school to do the research.

I was planning on applying to pharm. school next year, since I was supposed to have already graduated and earned my Bachelors degree. I need my Bachelor degree or else I have to take most of my pre-reqs over again because the rule at the pharm. school is to retake pre-reqs more than 5 yrs. old unless having a bachelor degree.

So what exactly is the smartest thing to do in my situation, since my mind is fogged with this stress to even know? Keep the great research experience, but apply in 2 more yrs. (I'm nontraditional student w/a family and my wife and kids are making it day by day until I attend pharm. school) OR drop the research I worked hard in earning (and spent time on applying), and graduate in a year to be able to apply to Pharm. school next November???????

I'm at a loss here 🙁

 

[Passion4Sci]

You have a family relying on you, and not only that, you don't need research experience for pharmacy.

Drop the research and apply to pharmacy school.

 

[rxlea]

Pharmacy School > Research

 

[RXWorrier]

I'd look at the market and the number of pharmacy schools opening up and then decide if you want to be thrown into that 5-6 years from now. The number of new grads has gone up by 50% in the past 10 years, and there is no slowing down on new schools.

Just something to consider if you have a family to support.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I'd look at the market and the number of pharmacy schools opening up and then decide if you want to be thrown into that 5-6 years from now. The number of new grads has gone up by 50% in the past 10 years, and there is no slowing down on new schools.

Just something to consider if you have a family to support.

Rather he be a hair dresser, a truck driver, or a real estate agent?

or better yet, a used car salesman?

 

[owlegrad]

I'd look at the market and the number of pharmacy schools opening up and then decide if you want to be thrown into that 5-6 years from now. The number of new grads has gone up by 50% in the past 10 years, and there is no slowing down on new schools.

Just something to consider if you have a family to support.

Making up numbers is fun!

Feel free to correct me by posting your source.

 

[rxlea]

Don't forget plumbing school.

 

[armorking]

Making up numbers is fun!

Feel free to correct me by posting your source.

Never forget:

 

[armorking]

Rather he be a hair dresser, a truck driver, or a real estate agent?

or better yet, a used car salesman?

Btw, congrats on 7,500 post!!! Lots of good advice that has made a positive impact on me!

 

[RXWorrier]

Rather he be a hair dresser, a truck driver, or a real estate agent?

or better yet, a used car salesman?

This is the only message board I've been on where moderators actively troll people.

I really don't understand how you, owlegrad, and certain others are moderators here.

 

[RXWorrier]

Making up numbers is fun!

Feel free to correct me by posting your source.

http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.co...Article/detail/726725?contextCategoryId=47511

"From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. population rose by 9.7%, from about 281 million to 309 million. During the same period, the number of pharmacy schools (including preaccredited schools) increased by 50% to 120, according to Robert L. Day, PharmD, associate dean, University of California School of Pharmacy, San Francisco. "

Perhaps I didn't quote it exactly right, but if there is a 50% increase in schools, there will soon be a 50% increase in grads. And that's not including existing programs that have expanded.

Anyway, feel free to stop trolling me.

 

[owlegrad]

This is the only message board I've been on where moderators actively troll people.

I really don't understand how you, owlegrad, and certain others are moderators here.

It's a mystery to me too.

http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.co...Article/detail/726725?contextCategoryId=47511

"From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. population rose by 9.7%, from about 281 million to 309 million. During the same period, the number of pharmacy schools (including preaccredited schools) increased by 50% to 120, according to Robert L. Day, PharmD, associate dean, University of California School of Pharmacy, San Francisco. "

Perhaps I didn't quote it exactly right, but if there is a 50% increase in schools, there will soon be a 50% increase in grads. And that's not including existing programs that have expanded.

Anyway, feel free to stop trolling me.

Yes sir.

 

[rxlea]

http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.co...Article/detail/726725?contextCategoryId=47511

"From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. population rose by 9.7%, from about 281 million to 309 million. During the same period, the number of pharmacy schools (including preaccredited schools) increased by 50% to 120, according to Robert L. Day, PharmD, associate dean, University of California School of Pharmacy, San Francisco. "

Perhaps I didn't quote it exactly right, but if there is a 50% increase in schools, there will soon be a 50% increase in grads. And that's not including existing programs that have expanded.

Anyway, feel free to stop trolling me.

The issue of new schools and saturation has been rehashed on this forum ad nauseum. It isn't something that posters want to see in every.single.thread. Clearly the OP has his mind set on pharmacy school. Therefore, we answered the OP's question with that in mind. Stick around long enough and you will see that there is no "trolling" happening here.

 

[owlegrad]

Oh - I really was not trying to offend you, I am just a sarcastic person by nature. Sorry if I came off as rude. But my comment was not totally in jest - people throw around unemployment this, saturation that, and it annoys me when incorrect statistics are thrown around like fact. If you are going to quote a statistic, get it right or don't use it. Sorry again if I came off as rude.

Anyway - Welcome to the SDN!

 

[RXWorrier]

The issue of new schools and saturation has been rehashed on this forum ad nauseum. It isn't something that posters want to see in every.single.thread. Clearly the OP has his mind set on pharmacy school. Therefore, we answered the OP's question with that in mind. Stick around long enough and you will see that there is no "trolling" happening here.

The definition of trolling here is different from every other message board I've seen.

It also feels like you guys have to do "damage control" any time someone mentions anything about saturation. Why is that? It's really odd. It's like it's the "wrong" view and that moderators get to arbitrarily set the rules based on their personal views. Any mention is attacked with all sorts of sarcasm and juvenile responses.

 

[R2pharmD2]

The definition of trolling here is different from every other message board I've seen.

It also feels like you guys have to do "damage control" any time someone mentions anything about saturation. Why is that? It's really odd. It's like it's the "wrong" view and that moderators get to arbitrarily set the rules based on their personal views. Any mention is attacked with all sorts of sarcasm and juvenile responses.

You're certainly welcome to your opinions, but for whatever reason we get a lot of people who turn every single thread back towards the job market and expected saturation. The regulars get tired of it. It might not be your intent, but it does seem like it's all you want to talk about as well. If we had a new member who constantly wanted to harp on how great the job market is, they would probably get a similar response. Actually, they would be mocked and called delusional, but you get the idea

 

[rxlea]

The definition of trolling here is different from every other message board I've seen.

It also feels like you guys have to do "damage control" any time someone mentions anything about saturation. Why is that? It's really odd. It's like it's the "wrong" view and that moderators get to arbitrarily set the rules based on their personal views. Any mention is attacked with all sorts of sarcasm and juvenile responses.

No moderators get to set the rules. The "rules" are outlined in the TOS that you agreed to when you signed up. However, it is considered good forum etiquette to be helpful and stay on topic when answering a member's specific question in a thread they have created. There are more than enough "sky is falling" threads to go around and I am sure the OP has seen/read them. If you want to discuss job market issues specifically, perhaps you should consider posting in one of the several job market threads.

 

[Passion4Sci]

No moderators get to set the rules. The "rules" are outlined in the TOS that you agreed to when you signed up. However, it is considered good forum etiquette to be helpful and stay on topic when answering a member's specific question in a thread they have created. There are more than enough "sky is falling" threads to go around and I am sure the OP has seen/read them. If you want to discuss job market issues specifically, perhaps you should consider posting in one of the several job market threads.

Lea for President of Switzerland!

 

[AmyChaser]

I am a family man myself. And I am so focused on getting into pharm school and earning my degree that I wouldn't even have considered applying for or investing time in a research opportunity. That would have been great if I were far younger with fewer obligations. I can hardly stay on top of all my requirements anyways. I can't imagine having pushed for research on top.

So my pov is- go for the degree. There is plenty of opportunity for research afterwards. I couldn't put my family through more sacrifice.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I'd look at the market and the number of pharmacy schools opening up and then decide if you want to be thrown into that 5-6 years from now. The number of new grads has gone up by 50% in the past 10 years, and there is no slowing down on new schools./QUOTE]

RXWorrier has since clarified what was meant by the above (it was a doom-n-gloom comment) but I took it a different way on first blush.

I took it to mean that looking at when you'll be out of school and reentering the job market may help you time your entrance. While nobody has a crystal ball, if you think about how your area's economy / outlook is, you might change your plans to change when you're in school to give yourself a better chance job-wise when you graduate.

Honestly, I think 3 or 4 years from now the economy will be back on an up tick, so it will be a good time for job seekers in general. Pharmacy also seems like one of the fields which is necessary regardless of the economy, although some jobs wax & wane (independent pharmacies spring to mind). So, my prognosis is that it's a really good time to go to school right now.

Another unique aspect of the economic slowdown - school enrollment tends to rise when there are job losses. However, the group that decided to pick up pharmacy prereqs because they were laid off probably are a year ahead of me right now, by my (seriously flawed) calculations.

(And if I don't get accepted this cycle, I'm gonna say it's because of the influx because of the economy - everything else seems to be blamed on the economy these days! )

Anyway, I think this topic is something anyone considering the major commitment of going back to school should be thinking about. Just a thought I haven't seen expressed a whole lot here.