Taking semester off while applying?

[aprilrose]

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I'm a 27 year old prepharm student w/ 6 prereq hours left. I'll be applying to pharmacy school this fall, but am puzzled with what to do with the rest of my time. I could take 6 more hours in the fall and 12 in the spring to get a minor in business. Or, I could take the 6 hours of prereq this fall and take the spring semester off while I'm applying and maybe try to do some shadowing. On a side note, I'm also getting married next spring and I'm required to work 20+ hours per week at my job. I am worried that the application committee will look unfavorably on my taking the time off. Can anyone offer suggestions for me?

Some background on me that might have some bearing on the advice one might give me: I'm working with a 3.20 gpa (3.25 sciences). Took the PCAT before organic chem with no preparation whatsoever and got a 56. I'll be taking it again this fall. I've worked for a PBM for the last 3 years and also have my PTCB certification. In addition I've done one day each of shadowing at a hospital and independent retail pharmacy.

 

[samurai361]

I think you'll be okay. However, you should note that, once you submit your application ("E-Submit"), you can't add any additional extra-curricular activities. So the idea to shadow in the spring while you're applying, no one will notice. But working is a very solid way to use your time and no one will ask you. Even if you took a semester off and did absolutely nothing I don't think anyone will care.

Good luck!

 

[charfdorn]

I'm a 27 year old prepharm student w/ 6 prereq hours left. I'll be applying to pharmacy school this fall, but am puzzled with what to do with the rest of my time. I could take 6 more hours in the fall and 12 in the spring to get a minor in business. Or, I could take the 6 hours of prereq this fall and take the spring semester off while I'm applying and maybe try to do some shadowing. On a side note, I'm also getting married next spring and I'm required to work 20+ hours per week at my job. I am worried that the application committee will look unfavorably on my taking the time off. Can anyone offer suggestions for me?

Some background on me that might have some bearing on the advice one might give me: I'm working with a 3.20 gpa (3.25 sciences). Took the PCAT before organic chem with no preparation whatsoever and got a 56. I'll be taking it again this fall. I've worked for a PBM for the last 3 years and also have my PTCB certification. In addition I've done one day each of shadowing at a hospital and independent retail pharmacy.

Take the time. Work some more; spend a lot of time with your fiancee. I took a semester off after applying because I had a new baby, and it was really nice to have that down time (that most of my classmates didn't get) between school and more school. The only way it could hurt you is if you don't get in this year and have to strengthen your app for next year, but you should be able to start working on that as soon as you start to realize you aren't getting in.

 

[tsicamrahp]

Pursue the business minor only if you think you may go into administrative pharmacy. Otherwise, don't worry about it. The adcoms would not look unfavorably as long as you have completed all of the required prereqs for the schools that your are applying to. You can spend the time to gain more experience in the field by shadowing or volunteering only if you have time. If you submit your application early and you get the shadowing in or other relevant experience in later, be sure to send off an email to the admissions office so that they can include the update in your file. Continuing to improve and send in updates was highly recommended by the admissions office at the school I applied to.

If planning your wedding and working does not allow you to do much else next spring, just enjoy that time for yourself. By the end of fall you will have completed your prereqs so you deserve it. Once you start pharmacy school you'll be busy so just enjoy the time doing things you like to do and with your significant other.

 

[PrePharmGirl]

I would probably take the time off. I was the Maid of Honor in my friends wedding in the spring of when I was waiting to hear if I got an interview and taking organic chemistry II. It was horrible.I had to do all the things a maid of honor does, wait to see if I got an interview, prepare like crazy for the interview, wait to hear if I got in, study for organic, apply for scholarships.... And I was just the maid of honor...I couldn't imagine being the bride I would have lost my mind.