What I fear happened...I got Accepted. I need advice

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
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<p>It’s a pharmacist. It’s not like law or business where you need a pedigree to get into the market. Most healthcare jobs just care that you have the degree and pass the certification exams.</p>

<p>Being a pharmacist 2 years earlier means pros are:

  1. No worrying about applying or taking stressful exams for Pharmacy school.
  2. 2 fewer years of paying grad school (estimating at 35K a year including living expenses, that’s 70K. 70K of a loan, with interest, is quite a lot)
  3. Working two years sooner (at 90K a year as a pharmacist, that’s another 180k)</p>

<p>So 70K plus 180K = 250K. Is Cornell with $250,000, two extra years of school, and the stress of reapplying to pharmacy school later on?</p>

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<p>^^^I guess that’s a rhetorical question.</p>

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<p>with = worth.</p>

<p>Is it rhetorical? I’m actually asking lol. Up to you.</p>

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<p>Take a step back. I mean, you said you’re worse fear happened…you got accepted to Cornell. Think about how many kids who would kill to be in your place…</p>

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<p>I’m no expert on the pharmacists’ area, but I will say that both schools are in quite different locations. Each is good in its respective programs, but St. John’s main campus (actually not too far from where I live) is in a suburban area with some buildings in other parts of the city. Of course, Manhattan is merely a subway ride away. On the other hand, Cornell is in a relatively small (but good) town surrounded by large natural areas. The campus itself is large, but there is certainly no larger city nearby. Also, one has to factor in the national and international recognition of both schools. St. John’s is a well respected school from a national standpoint (not too sure about international) that attracts folks from various parts of New York and other parts of the country/world. Cornell is also a well respected school that attracts students from all over the U.S. and the world. Brand name, as other folks have suggested, is also a nice bonus that attracts employers, alumni support, and top resources/programs. This shouldn’t be the main reason you choose a school, but it definitely helps as a student.</p>

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<p>I see your point. And they are true. But it simply doesn’t matter for pharm. Perhaps it matters for every other profession.</p>

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<p>Alright, after a long walk…and a thoughtful discussion with myself, today. For the sake of common sense, I must refuse you Cornell. I appreciate my acceptance greatly. But for the sake of saving time and money, I will choose St. John’s Pharmacy. I tried very hard to picture myself in the Medical field so I could go to you, but I simply can’t. This is life; every person has a unique purpose in it that can’t be changed.</p>

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<p>“This is life; every person has a unique purpose in it that can’t be changed.”</p>

<p>Unique purposes cannot be changed after the fact, but they can be, and frequently are, changed prior to the fact.</p>

<p>You’ll find as you grow that self concepts are not written in stone – they evolve, more or less, through time. In any event, good luck to you at St. John’s. Let’s hope that the purpose you direct for yourself today is the right one for tomorrow.</p>

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<p>True. But in my case, I had and still wanted to be either in the medical or pharm fields. I’m not interested any other job. And lately after having researched both occupation,s I can’t imagine myself as a medic. It’s too hectic of a life for my liking. </p>

<p>And if I want later on, I could work on getting a PhD, after getting my PharmD, which would allow me to research new medicines (PharmDs could actually do research too but it isn’t common). </p>

<p>And finally the last thing that I like about Pharmacy, is the flexibility. I could pursue other interests. Heck, I could even become a writer at the same time lol…in other words the pharmacy field is great in that you’ll have so much time for yourself to do w/e you like. Sorry for changing subjects a bit but Im trying to show that even if my interests change, pharmacy will allow that. </p>

<p>And thanks. Perhaps after getting a PharmD and working Ill come back here and tell you guys how things went. </p>

<p>Thank you all and good luck to you all!</p>

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<p>Before you make your final decision, read this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1092639-need-advice-job-hunting-50-something.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1092639-need-advice-job-hunting-50-something.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>When you mentioned about wanting to be a pharmacist, I remembered this thread. I will admit that I do not know much about it, but it makes sense in what they are saying that there are few needs for pharmacists and they are getting paid less because of stores like CVS and Rite Aid. Before you commit to a narrow field, make sure you have as much information as possible. I personally wouldn’t advise my kid in committing to a profession at age 18.</p>

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<p>“Before you commit to a narrow field, make sure you have as much information as possible.”</p>

<p>I really appreciate your concern, but I, indeed, did research. Pharmacy is one of the most misunderstood professions in the USA, largely in part because of the media made stereotype of a guy in a white coat dispensing pills.</p>

<p>Initially, Pharmacy is not a “narrow field”:</p>

<p>Practice Areas in Pharmacy:</p>

<p>Academic Pharmacist
Chain Drug Store Pharmacist
Community Pharmacist
Compounding Pharmacist
Critical Care Pharmacist
Drug Information Specialist
Home Care Pharmacist
Hospice Pharmacist
Hospital Staff Pharmacist
Industry-Based Pharmacist
Infectious Disease Pharmacist
Long-term Care Pharmacist
Managed Care Pharmacist
Military Pharmacist
Nuclear Pharmacist
Nutrition Support Pharmacist
Oncology Pharmacist
Operating Room Pharmacist
Pediatric Pharmacist
The Pharmacist in a Grocery Chain
Pharmacists in Non-traditional Settings
Pharmacy Benefit Manager
Poison Control Pharmacist
Primary Care Pharmacist
Psychiatric Pharmacist
Public Health Service Pharmacist
Regulatory Pharmacist
Veterinary Pharmacist</p>

<p>You could work all these career paths with a PharmD. It just so happens that 60% of pharmacists are retail/community…and that’s often due to them having a bigger pay. Anyhow, I could go on and on, but I truly did research the profession, and fits me perfectly. </p>

<p>[Why</a> did YOU pick Pharmacy? =) | Pre-Pharmacy | Student Doctor Network](<a href=“Why did YOU pick Pharmacy? =) | Student Doctor Network”>Why did YOU pick Pharmacy? =) | Student Doctor Network)</p>

<h1>All these people that answered are pharmacists. Those are their reasons. I always held these views before reading them. </h1>

<p>As for your linked topic. That is a sad situation, but ANY professions (with very few exceptions) are vulnerable to such situations as being fired. And thankfully, my family is wealthy enough that I can open my own pharmacy. So I can’t be fired since I’ll be my own boss. That is if I decide on retail. Besides that there are many branches (that I listed) that I could go to. I would advise the fellow who got fired to be more open minded and look into other branches, or perhaps move to other places. Supply-Demand is how it works.</p>

<p>Finally: </p>

<p>“but it makes sense in what they are saying that there are few needs for pharmacists and they are getting paid less because of stores like CVS and Rite Aid.”</p>

<p>Pharmacy will never be “[little] needed” because society can’t function without them. It is true HOWEVER that less pharmacists are needed and that’s because of the the huge number of pharmacists who are produced annually. The way to combat this is to be the BEST. And that’s a given in any profession anyways. I feel I could be one of the BEST. </p>

<p>If you look at the stats the pharmacist salary (for retail) is always on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for pharmacists is $98,960, based on 2007 data. Now it’s $120k.</p>

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<p>OP - I wish you best of luck. It sounds like you have done your research and have your family’s support.</p>

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<p>Thank you, oldfort. </p>

<p>Yes, my family supports me whatever I want. Whether that be , Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering etc etc</p>

<p>I’m very grateful for that.</p>

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<p>You should consider making a pros and cons list of both schools.</p>

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<p>@xxx987: The problem is that you can’t compare an undergrad school to a 0-6 pharm school. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.</p>

<p>If you are comparing the normal St. John’s university (core), then Cornell slaughters it. Normal St. Johns SUCKS. But I’m not going to St. John’s normal. I’m going to their pharmacy program, which Cornell, along with all the other ivies, unfortunately lack. </p>

<p>A 0-6 pharm program is an undergrad+grad education combined.</p>

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<p>It always makes me nervous when a student turns down a school they really want because of a Major, or career choice, at 17 or 18 years old. I’m absolutely NOT saying you will change your mind, for sure. But, it is much more common for a student to change majors than to not change majors. Just my opinion.</p>

<p>I think that you may be boxing yourself in unneccesarily.</p>

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<p>"It always makes me nervous when a student turns down a school they really want because of a Major, or career choice, at 17 or 18 years old. I’m absolutely NOT saying you will change your mind, for sure. But, it is much more common for a student to change majors than to not change majors. "</p>

<p>Hmm…usually people say the other way…some people turn down careers because their schools don’t have it.</p>

<p>I’m really sure that I won’t change my mind. I’ll only regret wasting time and money if I don’t go straight to a 0-6 pharm program. And I have read about so many people who regret not going to a 0-6 pharm program when they could’ve.</p>

<p>“I think that you may be boxing yourself in unneccesarily.”</p>

<p>Time and money?</p>

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<p>I’m sure you will be fine. </p>

<p>You are clearly smart enough to make your own decision. I was simply raising a question I would raise with my own kids. </p>

<p>Good luck to you. :)</p>

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<p>Ahh, I see. Thanks :)</p>

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<p>Us parents like to ask, “Are you sure that’s what you want?” Again, “Are you sure that’s what you want?”</p>