dualman7

I know I have asked you guys different things, and some of your advice has helped me more than you will never know. I really could use some advice on one more issue. Basically, I am semester away from getting a degree in a bullshit major. I tried to take the easy rode, and now I realize that I will be struggling for the rest of my life because this diploma doesn’t really do anything for me. (Art of Television and Radio, minor in Marketing). My mom is actually an accountant for a Pharmacy branch, where I currently work as a Pharmacy Technician (nothing to do with my major). Coming out of High School, I really wanted to be a Pharmacist, but a horrible SAT’s score, and an average of 78, didn’t get me accepted into any of the Pharmacy Schools. My current school didn’t have a Pharmacy Program. Next thing I know, it’s the end of my Sophmore year, I still don’t know what I want to do, but I have to pick a major or I lose financial aid. Of course I pick the most enjoyable (easiest). I love production, but it’s nearly impossible to get into the business. Most of the guys I run into with my major, are now doing something totally different.

I am thinking of getting a Pharmacy degree eventually. Maybe not right after I graduate, but after I try to enter the field of my current major. If that doesn’t work out…I guess it’s a solid plan… My question for you is what would I need to do? I have completed all the core requirements, so when I go to the new school, will I only need to be there for 2 years? Will I be able to transfer core stuff, and just concentrate on the pharmacy thing? Will I have to basically start college all over at 23? Could I go to a graduate school and do pharmacy there? Not really sure how this whole thing works. Anyone with any remote knowledge on the subject, please give me some advice.

maleficent

I don't know anything about pharmacy majors - however...

Credits from one college will transfer to another college quite easily, provided you got the appropriate grade in the class (some colleges it's a C, some it's B, some it might be a less) Would all your credits transfer? It's a possibility, but you'd kill all your electives.

If pharmacology is something that you are interested in, then going to school on the five year plan, is worth it. Spend another year in school to get the courses that you need/want.

Here's a listing of all grad schools with a pharmacology major -- pick one and see what your requirements are--

http://www.gradschools.com/listings/...logy_menu.html

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SinisterMotives

It seems like your applicable math, English, and science courses would transfer. You may have to take more of those types of courses if the ones you've taken don't really apply, but it should be somewhat better than starting from scratch at least.

p0thead

depends on what school you went to too. some school's credits arent transferable. i learned that the hard way... Graduated out of Heald with a 4.0 and an A.S. Computer Science... California State schools wont allow any unit transfers nor will any UC's. The only option I have is University of Phoenix's online course. bleh

dualman7

After doing some research, basically I would have to start college all over in a new school. OUCH. Anyone ever went back to school for a totally different degree? Just reading about all of the basic chemistry, toxic chemistry and etc classes I'll have tot ake brings a big smile to my face. LOL

yournamehere

If you've got the grades, reapply to a university that has a pharmacy school.

Pharmacy is a 5-year program, not a graduate program - but the first two years are like any other major - the required humanities, math, writing, foreign language, and science courses - of course, you'd want some pharmacy or chemistry-related courses as some of your electives then.

If you don't have the grades yet, go to the nearest community college to get your prerequisites out of the way and improve your GPA, then reapply as an incoming 3rd year student. But it won't be like "starting over" You'll just have to carry a little heavier course load to get in those 100 and 200 level pharmacy courses.

Undergraduate credit transfers easily - and there's no time limit on them - I had my 2 writing courses, 2 chemistry courses, and an economics course transfer after 18 years! (I don't advise you to wait that long, though )

Good luck.

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dualman7

I talked to my parents and they actually reacted alot better than i expected. For someone who has avoided science and math classes for last 4+ YEARS, it seems like they are going tob e the ONLy classes Ill be taking for the next 4. Oh the irony!! Do you guys think ill have a problem getting into a school being that I just finished a degree? You dont hear too often of people finishing a degree in 1 school, and then starting over in another. Is it allowed?

degrawj

Oregon State University has a really good Pharmacy program, and i don't think it's that hard to get into. i transfered to OSU after my first year of college and i barely had a 2.0 GPA. and in regards to picking the wrong major, so did i man. i have a B.A. in Philosophy. lotta good that's going to do me!!! that's why i'm going back to school to become an automotive technician.

depending on how serious you are, i would suggest calling Oregon State and talking to an advisor or somebody. that is, unless you aren't willing to move out to Corvallis, Oregon for a few years. it's actually a pretty nice university i think. but then again, i'm a little biased. :-)

sexymama

Nothing new to say except go after your dream -- reach for the stars. You will be working the next 40+ years of your life. Make them as enjoyable as possible.

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stingc

My understanding is that pharmacy is very selective.

Cynthetiq

being in the entertainment industry...

you could do quite well in it...

production isn't for everyone and it isn't all that hard to get into. You just have to be willing to work the network and also work the hours and crazy things that production requires of you.

My wife loves production, she just hates the hours, so she doesn't work in production anymore. I work around lots of people who have normal 9-5 jobs, and there are others who travel 2-3 weeks a month.

It's not impossible, just challenging.

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aurigus

Most of the people I know don't use the degrees they got in college. In a way, when you get your degree, you are just saying you have the will to get through college and jump through the right hoops.

But, if you want specifically a pharmeceutical job, then thats a different thing cause you were working toward the wrong goals. But, you're young; I wouldn't worry about it too much!

raeanna74

I graduated from Highschool in 92. I didn't graduate from college until 99 for a couple of reasons. Then it seemed like I was going to be in college my whole life but looking back at it now those extra years were worth it.

I started out at one school and transfered to another before I got my degree. During the first semester at the new college they recorded my old grades from the old school as C's. After I got my grades at the end of the semester they changed the records to reflect my grades from the old college. It was basically a "probation" period to see if I was going to stick with things and get the right kinds of grades needed.

I take it you've already gotten your degree. You won't have to take the basic core courses no matter what you want your second degree in. You'll only have to take more specialized courses and depending on the depth of study and length of the original courses to get the new degree it could be 2-3 years. I doubt you'd have to go for another full 4 years.

To sum it up. Talk to a counselor. Ask their advice about how many courses, what courses, and what path you should choose to get where you want to go. They have run into this kind of situation before I'm sure. So many people don't stick with their original career choice and many go back for multiple degrees. Good Luck.

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yournamehere

Yes - because it is a 5-year professional degree, you will not only have to be accepted at the university - you will also have to apply for admittance into the pharmacy program to complete the last three years. You will probably need to complete the 100 & 200 level pharmacy and related electives, in addition to all the required core courses with a decent GPA before you can apply for admission into the professional phase of the pharmacy program.

__________________
If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors:
"If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too."
It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

denim

nevermind

thenewguy

Quite right. I have a bachelor's degree in social work and haven't spent a single day working as a social worker in my life. Currently I'm a unix system administrator, making more than twice what I would as a social worker, with no educational training - all on the job.

Go for what you want, dualman7. Work experience means much more than educational experience once you prove you can get a degree.

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

dualman7

Thanks for your story newguy. Last couple of days, i've been feeling like it's the end of the world. Good to know that I am not the only one who has felt this way. THing is, i have such awesome parents that they are actually fine with this. But it kills me inside not to be able to support myself, while also getting something for them. I am am only child, and im the 1st and only to go to college. I want to be able to get them everything they have ever dreamed of. Unfortunately i've taken the route which doesn't lead me anywhere. What's worse is that all of these years, I've tried staying away from courses like math, science and etc, and now it seems like that's what I will have to be doing if I want to get a proffesion.

wonderwench

You are still very young. I think it is better to change course now and work towards what you truly desire than to put it off or never to pursue it.

In the scheme of life, whether or not you finish your degree at age 23 or 28 is not that big of a deal.