Ub pre-pharamacy after graduating with a business degree

[krista1818]

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Anyone from UB out there with advice for me... I have a BS in Business from SUNY Geneseo (3.67 GPA) and thinking about pharmacy school. I have been working in business for 1.5 years and don't like it. I have always had an interest in Pharmacy and want to pursue because of my passion to help people and the interest in the field. I will be taking 2 classes next fall at community colleges while working full time. I have only taken 1 of the pre-reqs (calc- and I got an A) Advice for me? I am scared that I will take all the pre-reqs and won't get in...

 

[FarscapeGirl]

So my situation is a little different from yours. I'm hopefully graduating with my PhD in molecular biology in the spring and starting pharmacy school in the fall. I'm applying for pharmacy school right now.

You might want to talk to the admissions committees of some of the schools you're interested in. See what they suggest for you to do to improve your chances. I'd definitely get some experience in pharmacy somehow.

If you have good grades, good PCAT scores, and pharmacy experience and can explain well both in essays and in interviews why you want to be a pharmacist, you should have no problem getting in somewhere. Your business work might even be a plus.

Hope that helps!

 

[WhiteSnows]

I suggest you volunteer or work in pharmacy to see if you really want to be a pharmacist. Aosl, I think they will question why you want to become pharmacist while having Business degree. So, it is good to have some proofs that you are interested in Pharmacy.

 

[krista1818]

Yes I agree. I am going to volunteer at ECMC and try to volunteer in a local pharmacy. I am more concerned about the classes and the PCATs. I am a hard worker, but not naturally gifted in the sciences...

 

[alenadoma]

Yes I agree. I am going to volunteer at ECMC and try to volunteer in a local pharmacy. I am more concerned about the classes and the PCATs. I am a hard worker, but not naturally gifted in the sciences...

I worked at ECMC for awhile..what do you plan on doing there?

I think your plan is a good one. I know a girl who is in her last year at UB pharmacy..she got an MBA before going to pharmacy school, had no interest in pharmacy before that. As long as you know its what you want to do and work hard for it, you'll get there 🙂

 

[krista1818]

I actually don't know yet. I have my volunteer interview tomorrow. What did you do there? In the interview, I am going to stress that I want to gain experience in Pharmacy, but at this point, just having interaction with customers is a good idea. I am also part of Meals on Wheels, and volunteer at Homespace (helping young pregnant women gain life skills). I see that you are waitlisted at UB. What are your grades and PCAT scores? I am trying to gauge on what I will need since I am really going in with a blank slate.

 

[alenadoma]

I actually don't know yet. I have my volunteer interview tomorrow. What did you do there? In the interview, I am going to stress that I want to gain experience in Pharmacy, but at this point, just having interaction with customers is a good idea. I am also part of Meals on Wheels, and volunteer at Homespace (helping young pregnant women gain life skills). I see that you are waitlisted at UB. What are your grades and PCAT scores? I am trying to gauge on what I will need since I am really going in with a blank slate.

I worked as a Data Collector in the Emergency Room. That job was the reason I decided not to become a doctor. 🙂
Well your ECs sound awesome..how did you get involved in Homespace? I've been looking to find some volunteering to do.
My PCAT composite is an 86, and my cumulative GPA, graduate and undergraduate work, is 3.3.
Good luck on the interview!

 

[krista1818]

Well that is a good thing you found out before going through Med School. 🙂 Thanks for the good luck. I am having trouble finding support systems because I have dediced not to tell a lot of people that know me that I am thinking about changing careers- in case things don't work out.

Quick question- do you think it matters that I am taking my pre-reqs at ECC and NCCC? They offer the classes I need right now at night.

Homespace is great. I really enjoy it. I am holding a class for the young ladies to help them with quick meal ideas, how to decorate a cake and other food related issues (since I am working the food industry right now). I also gather, create and give baskets to the ladies after they give birth- that is a great feeling knowing that you are the only support they are receiving during this complicated time in their life. They are always looking for people to volunteer and help. If you are interested, I can keep you in the loop on activities. Or you can check their website. There is a section dedicated to volunteering.

PS. Hang in there. I know someone who got waitlisted and then later got accepted into the program! 🙂

 

[PharmD321]

Well that is a good thing you found out before going through Med School. 🙂 Thanks for the good luck. I am having trouble finding support systems because I have dediced not to tell a lot of people that know me that I am thinking about changing careers- in case things don't work out.

Quick question- do you think it matters that I am taking my pre-reqs at ECC and NCCC? They offer the classes I need right now at night.

Homespace is great. I really enjoy it. I am holding a class for the young ladies to help them with quick meal ideas, how to decorate a cake and other food related issues (since I am working the food industry right now). I also gather, create and give baskets to the ladies after they give birth- that is a great feeling knowing that you are the only support they are receiving during this complicated time in their life. They are always looking for people to volunteer and help. If you are interested, I can keep you in the loop on activities. Or you can check their website. There is a section dedicated to volunteering.

PS. Hang in there. I know someone who got waitlisted and then later got accepted into the program! 🙂

Pre-reqs should not matter too much where you got them, I would check pharmcas to make sure you can use your pre reqs before going to that Community College.

I also want to let you know something that no one said in your thread. The calculus class that you took will be accepted as 3 credits to pharmacy school if it is within the time period. For example, my school said that the pre reqs should be in a 7 year period.

Here is a good situation, if I got my chemisty degree with calc and went to work somewhere but then I didn't like the job. I want to go pharmacy school and then they will see that I took calc in my undergrad and will ask me when I took that class. If I took it 10 years ago, then they will deny me and say that I need to update my calc class. If I took it 6 years ago, then they will accept that as 3 credits.

But, pharmacy schools varies on their time period so check the one you want to go.

(the 7 year period rule is being used at the University of Colorado at Denver pharmacy school)

 

[bwsalvas]

If you're a recent grad- don't worry about that- Especially when you'll be taking all of the other pre-requisites now.

When are you planning on applying? The incoming class fall 2011 will have drastically different prerequisites than years passed- meaning what you're working towards now may not be what will be required of you.

I suggest you give Dr. Jennifer Hess (716) 645-2858 a call at admissions to ask specifically what that means for you.

The changes include both deletions and additions to the current prerequisite list. I wouldn't want for you to take unnecessary classes and not take necessary ones.
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As far as your business background, it shouldn't be an issue. I was impressed by the amount of diversity in people's backgrounds in my class. If anything you bring more to the table than a 2nd year student who has only taken prereq's and thinks he wants to do pharmacy. Having tried something and decided it wasn't for you gives you the advantage of knowing for sure what you don't want, while you set your sights on what you do want.

 

[krista1818]

Thank you! Right now, I am aiming for Fall 2010. I don't know if I can cram all of the pre-reqs I need along with working full time, but I am going to try. I plan on keeping in touch with the admissions office throughout my process so that I am kept up to date with changes in the pre-reqs required. 🙂

 

[alenadoma]

Well that is a good thing you found out before going through Med School. 🙂 Thanks for the good luck. I am having trouble finding support systems because I have dediced not to tell a lot of people that know me that I am thinking about changing careers- in case things don't work out.

Quick question- do you think it matters that I am taking my pre-reqs at ECC and NCCC? They offer the classes I need right now at night.

Homespace is great. I really enjoy it. I am holding a class for the young ladies to help them with quick meal ideas, how to decorate a cake and other food related issues (since I am working the food industry right now). I also gather, create and give baskets to the ladies after they give birth- that is a great feeling knowing that you are the only support they are receiving during this complicated time in their life. They are always looking for people to volunteer and help. If you are interested, I can keep you in the loop on activities. Or you can check their website. There is a section dedicated to volunteering.

PS. Hang in there. I know someone who got waitlisted and then later got accepted into the program! 🙂

Hey again 🙂 Can you tell me how I can get involved in this organization? Or what is the website I have to go to?

 

[SexyPlexi]

Anyone from UB out there with advice for me... I have a BS in Business from SUNY Geneseo (3.67 GPA) and thinking about pharmacy school. I have been working in business for 1.5 years and don't like it. I have always had an interest in Pharmacy and want to pursue because of my passion to help people and the interest in the field. I will be taking 2 classes next fall at community colleges while working full time. I have only taken 1 of the pre-reqs (calc- and I got an A) Advice for me? I am scared that I will take all the pre-reqs and won't get in...

Woah your story is JUST like mine...I have a business degree, work full time, and take 2 classes a semester for prereqs. I was also worried I wouldnt get in. First - your GPA is already good. And you are motivated and determined now as well... Second - if you want to get in, you CAN! Even if it is not the first time or whatever, if you keep trying you CAN get in. Third - I personally would not be that worried to get in if I had a business degree with a 3.67. Because now that you want this you will work hard for As in your prereq classes, which can only raise your already competitive GPA. YOU CAN DO EET!

 

[krista1818]

http://www.homespace.org/ This is the general website. On the left you will see a section for "volunteers." Click on that, and there is some information. I also have a commitee meeting on the 24th of November. I can tell them I know someone who is interesting in volunteering, and I can see what the program director says (just let me know what you would be interested, and I will find out for you).

 

[krista1818]

I am so glad to hear that someone else is in my shoes, and I really appreciate your words of encouragement. I have the exact same feelings- that I just won't get in. I know I will work hard, but it is a scary thought starting all over again. But I am passionate and really believe Pharmacy is a the perfect career for me. 🙂 Keep me in the loop with how things go with you. I am interested to hear how you are going to deal with working full time and taking two classes a semester!

 

[alenadoma]

http://www.homespace.org/ This is the general website. On the left you will see a section for "volunteers." Click on that, and there is some information. I also have a commitee meeting on the 24th of November. I can tell them I know someone who is interesting in volunteering, and I can see what the program director says (just let me know what you would be interested, and I will find out for you).

Sure! Let them know I am interested 🙂 I went on the website, and I will send an email or make a phone call tomorrow to see what I can do to get involved.
Thanks again!