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- Feb 6, 2007
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Hi Everyone,
As with all the "my situation" posts, I want to give a premise before asking if I'm "good enough."
I graduated UCLA with a bachelor's degree in English. My overall G.P.A is horrible. (without details, it's under 3.0). But that is because of my science classes. I probably would be around a B average had I not done so horrible in my science classes. But I will say that I never tried in my science classes. Some people can say that they did not understand the material or did not like the class or instructor but I really really never tried in my science classes. Subsequently I never really tried in my English degree classes either, but did average to above average in them, due to my passion for writing and, to be frank, as some people have aptitude in science, and or math, I found myself to be blessed to have aptitude in writing and effective communication. Call it laziness, call it distractions, call it no interest, but I am not going to make any excuses, I did not do well in those science classes, regret it immensly, and have to take my "licks" from my past mistakes. I will say that I do not regret my degree nor my experience in college, I truly would not be as "grown" (if you can call it that) had I not went to UCLA.
Now here's the anomaly of my story summed up in four words: I am a biochemist. I work as a biochemist for a biotech company essentially "conjugating" antibodies where I modify antibodies and then run reactions to attach flourochromes to the antibodies for detection and testing. While in UCLA I had a biochemistry lab tech job where I washed glassware. This job eventually turned into a research job where I did actual biochemistry research on protein transport mechanisms. The 4 to 5 years hands on lab experience with research, enabled me to get the job I have now.
I want to pursue a Pharm D. degree as my prior experience can only take me so far. Science types see my degree and shun and scoff at me. Furthermore I truly miss interacting with patients and people and am highly passionate about drug discovery. I am now going through and taking the prerequisite classes for pharmacy, and since I actually worked hard in my previous chemistry class, I did really well. I have to basically go through and take all the prereqs, which will be at least a years worth of work. While at UCLA I volunteered in the Emergency Room for over a year and am now starting to volunteer at the UCSD pharmacy. My dilemna is should I stop my work as a biochemist and go towards getting a pharmacy tech certification and job? I am considering this as I know when I take some of the tougher science classes, doing full time in both my career and my education may be unreasonable. Being a tech may allow me to work part time, gain crucial experience, and give me ample space to focus on my studies. However, I have been working here for about a year now and I am unsure if working as a biochemist will be better or having pharmacy tech experience better in terms of pharmacy school admissions. Plus my current job is great as they allowed me to start classes again and have flexibility in my full time work schedule to go to school!!
I already understand that I essentially have to demonstrate my "maturity" as a student and my ability to handle a full course load of tough science classes. And I am more than willing and ready to do this as I rather be seen as a hard worker than an intelligent person. I cannot necessarily go to get a masters in science because I don't have a science degree, so I must go through the process of repairing my GPA as well as complete the required courses. Will having pharmacy tech experience at a CVS or Walgreens make my experience more "acceptable??" I am grateful for any encouragement and advice offered and thank everyone in advance for reading and replying!!!
Best Regards and Respect
As with all the "my situation" posts, I want to give a premise before asking if I'm "good enough."
I graduated UCLA with a bachelor's degree in English. My overall G.P.A is horrible. (without details, it's under 3.0). But that is because of my science classes. I probably would be around a B average had I not done so horrible in my science classes. But I will say that I never tried in my science classes. Some people can say that they did not understand the material or did not like the class or instructor but I really really never tried in my science classes. Subsequently I never really tried in my English degree classes either, but did average to above average in them, due to my passion for writing and, to be frank, as some people have aptitude in science, and or math, I found myself to be blessed to have aptitude in writing and effective communication. Call it laziness, call it distractions, call it no interest, but I am not going to make any excuses, I did not do well in those science classes, regret it immensly, and have to take my "licks" from my past mistakes. I will say that I do not regret my degree nor my experience in college, I truly would not be as "grown" (if you can call it that) had I not went to UCLA.
Now here's the anomaly of my story summed up in four words: I am a biochemist. I work as a biochemist for a biotech company essentially "conjugating" antibodies where I modify antibodies and then run reactions to attach flourochromes to the antibodies for detection and testing. While in UCLA I had a biochemistry lab tech job where I washed glassware. This job eventually turned into a research job where I did actual biochemistry research on protein transport mechanisms. The 4 to 5 years hands on lab experience with research, enabled me to get the job I have now.
I want to pursue a Pharm D. degree as my prior experience can only take me so far. Science types see my degree and shun and scoff at me. Furthermore I truly miss interacting with patients and people and am highly passionate about drug discovery. I am now going through and taking the prerequisite classes for pharmacy, and since I actually worked hard in my previous chemistry class, I did really well. I have to basically go through and take all the prereqs, which will be at least a years worth of work. While at UCLA I volunteered in the Emergency Room for over a year and am now starting to volunteer at the UCSD pharmacy. My dilemna is should I stop my work as a biochemist and go towards getting a pharmacy tech certification and job? I am considering this as I know when I take some of the tougher science classes, doing full time in both my career and my education may be unreasonable. Being a tech may allow me to work part time, gain crucial experience, and give me ample space to focus on my studies. However, I have been working here for about a year now and I am unsure if working as a biochemist will be better or having pharmacy tech experience better in terms of pharmacy school admissions. Plus my current job is great as they allowed me to start classes again and have flexibility in my full time work schedule to go to school!!
I already understand that I essentially have to demonstrate my "maturity" as a student and my ability to handle a full course load of tough science classes. And I am more than willing and ready to do this as I rather be seen as a hard worker than an intelligent person. I cannot necessarily go to get a masters in science because I don't have a science degree, so I must go through the process of repairing my GPA as well as complete the required courses. Will having pharmacy tech experience at a CVS or Walgreens make my experience more "acceptable??" I am grateful for any encouragement and advice offered and thank everyone in advance for reading and replying!!!
Best Regards and Respect