TOTAL Newbie

[dsr0530]

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Hello all. I tried searching this forum for a similar thread, but was unsuccessful so I apologize if my issue has already been addressed.

So basically, after being in career limbo for 2 years (post college graduation), I have finally decided on a career in pharmacy (yay! ). I've been working for an accomplished surgeon in NYC for the past 2 years and have decided that a career in the health field is the one for me. Besides the experience from the job, I have absolutely no educational knowledge of science, medicine, and the likes. I've just started research on what I need to do to get the ball rolling and have some general questions.

1. I know the road to becoming a pharmacist is going to be extremely taxing and tough, but as a person who has no educational background in health and science (the highest math I needed to take was algebra 1), what should I expect or prepare for?

2. I live in NYC with no financial support besides my own salary, which isn't much by the way. I'm thinking of taking a couple of pre-pharmacy classes part-time. Is this a good idea, or will it take me forever? I'm only 25 but I don't want it to take me 8-10 years to finish rather than 6. Should I just take out a butt-load of student loans and just study full time?

3. Are there any recommendations for accredited online schools that I can take a few classes from?

4. I know that in a few years there might be some new pharmacy schools opening up in NYC, but does anyone have any information on Touro College? Is it a good, credible school, etc.?

I know this is a lot, but thanks in advance for all your guys' help. Believe me, before I came upon this forum I was just about ready to rip my hair out from all the research.

Tootles!

 

[Passion4Sci]

1. I know the road to becoming a pharmacist is going to be extremely taxing and tough, but as a person who has no educational background in health and science (the highest math I needed to take was algebra 1), what should I expect or prepare for?

A lot of really hard work and training your brain to do math and science.

2. I live in NYC with no financial support besides my own salary, which isn't much by the way. I'm thinking of taking a couple of pre-pharmacy classes part-time. Is this a good idea, or will it take me forever? I'm only 25 but I don't want it to take me 8-10 years to finish rather than 6. Should I just take out a butt-load of student loans and just study full time?

It will take you forever. You figure, since you need Algebra to Calculus, Basic to Organic Chem, 1 year bio, A&P maybe, Micro maybe, etc... it's going to be several years if you're just taking 1 or 2 at a term. If you're serious about pharmacy I really do recommend doing whatever you can to take a full course load and devote yourself to the material.

3. Are there any recommendations for accredited online schools that I can take a few classes from?

You should absolutely not take math or science coursework online.

4. I know that in a few years there might be some new pharmacy schools opening up in NYC, but does anyone have any information on Touro College? Is it a good, credible school, etc.?

I believe Sparda29, who is very active on this forum, goes to Touro-NY. He's never had anything bad to say about it.. but that is a small sample size. Touro-CA is reputable and I've worked with several of their graduates and never felt like they were sand-bagging.

 

[pharmerbird]

Just curious because you work for a surgeon and have little to no science/math experience.. but what made you interested in pharmacy?