University personal statement

[Tabitha]

Hi,

I am intending to study Pharmacy after my A levels.
I have had 2 years experience working in a local dispensary and I am currently in my AS year at college.
I have been told by tutors that I won't get work experience at a hospital for A levels and that I should do some voluntary work so that I can put it on my personal statement when I make my university application.
I would be interested to know from students, what kind of work experience, voluntary work etc that you did for your university application. I have had a look to see what voluntary work is around, but most of it is only for ages 18+ and I would like to find something that is relevant to Pharmacy.

Any ideas/advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[unholyteddy]

Hi,

I am intending to study Pharmacy after my A levels.
I have had 2 years experience working in a local dispensary and I am currently in my AS year at college.
I have been told by tutors that I won't get work experience at a hospital for A levels and that I should do some voluntary work so that I can put it on my personal statement when I make my university application.
I would be interested to know from students, what kind of work experience, voluntary work etc that you did for your university application. I have had a look to see what voluntary work is around, but most of it is only for ages 18+ and I would like to find something that is relevant to Pharmacy.

Any ideas/advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Firstly, it's brilliant you're already working in a Pharmacy and have lots of experience from that- for most universities it's 'preferred' not 'essential'!
As for voluntary work, have a look into First Aid courses- like St John's Ambulance. I managed to get on one when I was under 18, you''ll either be in their junior division, or if old enough, be in their adult group. Other than that: charity shops, schools/mentoring younger students, music groups (if you can play an instrument!), hospitals/hospices. Assuming you'll be turning 18 later this year/next year, you can always line something up for the Summer just before you enter university. It'll give you something else to put on your personal statement and something to talk about in your interview.

Best of Luck!

[Nik]

Teddy is definitely right you've set yourself up nicely with the dispensary experience - most students don't get any experience in a pharmacy until they become undergrads. I know a few people who did some work in care homes and hospices although its a bit of a hit and miss as to whether you'll enjoy it. Have a ring around your local hospitals' volunteer service as there is a good chance you could get some work where you have plenty of patient contact.

[culchie82]

My advice is don't even bother doing Pharmacy, the job itself is exceedingly boring and community Pharmacy is a real pain in the arse due to the hassle from patients etc. Moreover, by the time you come out Pharmacists will become ten a penny and you'll probably have difficulty getting a job. Do Medicine or Dentistry instead.

[Tabitha]

Thanks for your replies and ideas/advice.
St John's ambulance sounds good, never thought of that and I think I would enjoy it too.
culchie82-sorry to hear that you don't like Pharmacy, but compared with listening to patients moaning all day and examining their 'bits' or being a dentist and peering into mouths and having to smell people's breath all day, I don't think that there is much to draw me to those careers. Besides, Pharmacist's roles will take on a more diverse role in the future as GP's become more and more bogged down with increased patient lists and our life span's increase, so I think that this is definitely a job for the future.

[kemzero]

Hi Tabitha

Pharmacy is what you make it , my son has just been given a couple of conditional offers for pharmacy(like me he wasn't interested in medicine or dentistry) Personally I feel its the "didn't make the medicine /dentistry grades what's the next best thing "guys that tend not to give pharmacy a chance(NO OFFENCE INTENDED) My advice is follow your dream ...some people love pharmacy whilst others rue the day they considered it as a possiible career. Its great to write about your current pharmacy experiences as that provides you with the right platform etc etc but also try and talk about ur compassion for patients , the future of pharmacy and wanting to be a part of it, as well as ur personality and life experiences - how these experiences will make you a great p'cist if given the opportunity.Get your form tutor to go over it etc

good luck

[bleepholder]

when i applied for pharmacy, i just had a bit of community experience, don't think i had even stepped foot in a hopsital dispensary...it didn't go against me

its not vital you accomplish all aspects of pharmacy before starting university, you will get multiple opportunities during the undergrad couse...i know of people who had no experience before starting uni. On your personal statement make sure you look like a well rounded person and don't just work all the time in a pharmacy...show off any extra skills you may have..sports, music, clubs your involved in, all the extra-ciricular activities..shows you have something to give to the uni, and that you can balance work and play (they love that) as geeky as that may sound

and i thought pharmacy was going to be good with how i thought it would all unfold in the future. now its not that great, not wanting to put you off....but it sounded much rosier as an udnergrad than it does now!

[Ama2007]

i am an undergrad but i still dont think i want to work as a pharmacist when i finish which is not too far away. i just dont find it that amusing a job ,everyone i spoken to says its sooooooo boring.

plus it depends what uni you go to because some dont give any clinical exp until your a third year while others do that from first year which gives you the chance to think for the future.In pharmacy you get taught lots of things that i doubt you ever use ever again..will thats what i get taught..all FMT labs..sterile labs ..endless.


and yes your right .call it failed medics!!(we got lots of them in our year and i aint one of them thankfully)

[bleepholder]

yeah you do get taught pointless facts in uni..some of which you never need to know again...but you'll be surprised once you have qualified, how some of the basic chemistry you get taught can be utilised in your job, probably more so in hospital pharmacy than community..not sure about industry?..i would imagine so as its all research related stuff

and if you don't want to work as a pharmacist...why finish the course? jump ship quick before its too late....kind of pointless of doing the degree if you have no intention of becoming a pharmacist....yeah the clinical knowledge helps but some unis lay the foundations so when it comes to clinical aspects you understand it better as you know how it all works pharmacologically and physiologically.....but yeah some knowledge i gained from the first 2 years of uni i haven't had to use, and only learnt it to pass the exams lol

[Robert]

i am an undergrad but i still dont think i want to work as a pharmacist when i finish which is not too far away. i just dont find it that amusing a job ,everyone i spoken to says its sooooooo boring.

plus it depends what uni you go to because some dont give any clinical exp until your a third year while others do that from first year which gives you the chance to think for the future.In pharmacy you get taught lots of things that i doubt you ever use ever again..will thats what i get taught..all FMT labs..sterile labs ..endless.


and yes your right .call it failed medics!!(we got lots of them in our year and i aint one of them thankfully)

In that case, I'd recommend you give the possibility of becoming an industrial pharmacist some serious thought and consideration. There's lots to be done in industry: quality assurance, quality control, regulatory affairs, formulation, medical information, etc. Having a pharmaceutical background qualifies for more than only community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy.

Also, bear in mind that most degree courses teach you things you will never use again (when will one ever use QSAR outside of research?) and also fail to teach you things that later on appear paramount for your day-to-day job. It's natural.