Currently i'm a new pharmacy graduate. Been working for

>>17983753
I'd stick with it imo just try to enjoy family time more when you can. What was your GPA I'm a Canadian also aiming for pharmacy. Doubt UofT will take me tho

>>17983753

Definitely not worth it. And if you're not good enough to get into Canada, what makes you think you'll get into America as an international applicant?

>>17983897
Had an 80% average and good extracurriculars. I would recommend against pharmacy until you've spent some time in one and understand what the work is like. Why pharmacy?

>>17983906
Canadas standards are retarded. I have an 84% average, 513 MCAT, and will have a year of clinical experience as a pharmacist. Comparing myself to other applicants chances are high I will get into a DO school.

>>17983920

Oh, I thought you wanted to go the MD route. Yeah, you'd have a good shot at DO. Still don't think it's worth it.

>>17983925
I think I have a chance at MD but am not arrogant enough to think it's guaranteed.

Also looking into Ireland and a few other international schools. Pisses me off I finished top 15% in my pharmacy class but it's not good enough for medical school. Should have just done an easy degree, fuck.

>>17983928

Fuuuuuuuuck the Ireland route, man. You're not even guaranteed residency once you're done, and the cost of tuition is astronomically greater due to it being a 6 year program and currency conversion.

>>17983932
I'd go for the 4 year program since I have a degree. 70% get a residency. My logic is I was in the top 15% of my pharmacy program, I should be above the bottom 30% of a shit tier medical school.

Tuition is actually comparable to US schools.

>>17983920
Pharmacy is a clean easy job compared to being an MD. You're right though I should see what's it's really like. MD in America easier than Canada but if all else fails go to the Caribbean and hope you do amazing on the step 1. In the end I just want to spend time with my family with a steady job that's all.

>>17983939
Pharmacy ain't easy. They're gutting the profession. I used to work fast food and it's exactly the same. People just want their stuff as fast as possible and expect so much.

Can you handle fast paced, stressful work environments?

>>17983945
Mate, you think medicine is any better? It's arguably much harder.

>>17983949
Define harder. My problem is with the fast food nature of pharmacy. If you're 5 minutes lat people flip their shit. Doctors are regularly 30 minutes late to appointments and it's expected.

>>17983945

The real question is why would you. Pharm/lab tech is bassicly fast food server with a special title. Any of you looking for these fields dont. They require decent train but pay dick for the stress involved.

Are you working in retail pharmacy? If so, have you considered other environments that aren't as soul draining? Hospital pharmacy, working in industry, etc

>>17983945
Just filling up prerequisites so far and my heart isn't set on anything. But maybe the MD route depending on my GPA.

What medical Schools have you looked into? Maybe look into Boston, Michigan state or DO Schools that are Canadian friendly.

>>17983953
I've shadowed a family physician for 3 years and have been doing research with an electrophysiologist for the past year.

Your perception of what a doctor is and how they're treated is really skewed, my dude. Gone are the days where patients respect them mightily. Being late to an appointment WILL earn you their scorn and get you bad reviews online (which is surprisngly important for a lot of them); any deterioriation in their health will usually be blamed on you "not knowing what you're doing". Some specialities are all about the "fast food" model -- see patients as quickly as possible to get as much $$ as possible.

It also goes without saying that doctors are some of the most stressed people. Two close cousins of mine are doctors -- one a cardiologist and the other a hospitalist. The former is working 70-80 hours a weak; the latter 50-60. The cardiologist wishes he never went into the profession, while the hospitalist is okay, but not super happy about where she is.

The pros are definitely there -- great pay and job security being the two best pros -- but too often people forget the cons.

>>17983957

>Boston
>10000 applicants
>100-150 seats available

Better chance getting into Canada.

>>17983956
Yeah, but I figure why do hospital pharmacy when I could do medical school? Very similar day to day tasks but more autonomy and pay with physician.

>>17983957
Yeah, I bought MSAR and made a list. Highest chance is probably Wayne State/Oakland and MSUCOM for DO.

I really implore you to actually shadow people in the profession you want to do. I did pharmacy because it pays well and seemed not to rough. I was very wrong. Please don't make my mistake.

>>17983963
I understand the cons. I'm a pharmacist, people bitch about their doctors to me all the time. The nice thing is medicine is so varied with all the specialties. You can choose a less stressful one if your USMLE scores are good enough. Which schools are you aiming for?

>>17983970

>Very similar day to day tasks but more autonomy and pay with physician.

Because it's a very long road to becomnig a physician, while the hours as a pharmacist is much better and the money is more than enough to live a comfortable life IMO.

>>17983970
>You can choose a less stressful one if your USMLE scores are good enough.

Like what, dermatology? Radiology? Sure, but you're really betting your future on a single test? What if you fuck it up?

I applied to a few schools in Ontario this year -- Queens, McMaster, Western and Ottawa -- but haven't heard anything from there yet. My GPA is anywhere from a 3.8 to 3.94 depending on the school and 515 on MCAT. I think my best bet is Queens, but we'll see. Next year I'll also apply to McGill and UBC, as well as some schools in the States.

>>17983974
Yeah, that's totally fair. I just can't see myself being content with it. I want that leadership role.

Have you tried MUN? Low tuition and they'll take almost anyone afaik.

>>17983983

I hear you. My advice is to think about this really thoroughly, for months even, and see what your heart tells you to do.

>>17983981
Hell, do family medicine and work 30 hours a week. Anything complicated refer them to a specialist. The doc i'm shadowing works 20 hours a week. Doesn't matter if you fuck it up, you'll just have to do family medicine.

Yeah, Canadas standards are fucked. Shame it's not like the US where 1/2 get in.

>>17983970
Thanks. I'll definitely shadow a few people and see my expectations vs the reality. Hope you figure out what you want soon, life's too short to work somewhere where you're not happy.