choice: December 2007 Archives

Why did I become a pharmacist? The idea of becoming pharmacist did not occur to me as an adolescent. I started undergraduate school with intention of becoming a dentist, although my interest and hobby was computers. After few years as college student, the idea of becoming a dentist did not appealed to me. I graduated from University of California, Irvine with B.S. in Biological Science with B+ average without much future prospects. While searching for future career option, I took a job in pharmaceutical manufacturing company that specialized in intravenous solutions. Within a year of the job, I realized that I needed to advance myself by education. I decided to attend business school and did not study more than 10 minutes for GMAT score a little above average, however I was accepted to 2 MBA schools. After finishing a year of business of school, however, my interest changed to pharmacy because of money and naturally concurred with my undergraduate degree and current position in pharmaceutical industry. The determining factor was in starting salary of pharmacist. After a little research (those days without internet), I found out that California had 3 pharmacy schools: UCSF, USC, UOP. USC was my school of choice but I lacked few course requirements.  In order to meet usc pharmacy school prerequisites, I went to city college to take speech class and upper level English (at university I took upper division writing as pass/no pass). I have already completed other two schools' prerequisites. UCSF did not extend a invite for interview, UOP application was on hold due to letter of recommendation issue, but USC offered me an interview. I always felt confident about interview because I will sell me (but not too cheap). Additionally, I had a strong foundation of pharmacy by working at pharmaceutical manufacturing company in manufacturing quality process control. I was interviewed by a professor and a student.  I also felt confident about the essay school wanted to me compose about some topic.  I received a letter of acceptance in march. Hello USC Trojans!