Search results matching tag 'pharmacy'

Re: Jobs during college

ChristinaL — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:40:21 GMT

I have talked to people who worked in Broad Ripple without a car... they said it is about a 15 minute bike ride from campus, so that is always an option if you don't mind doing that in the cold weather.

However, I would agree with Joe that the easiest thing to do as a student without a car is to work on campus and there are definitely many, many options.

I think you would have time for a job even if you are a pharmacy major. Especially as an underclassmen, you are going to mostly be taking core and intro classes which are the same for students of other majors. I know that many of my pharmacy friends have jobs or are very involved in campus activities. Don't overbook yourself first semester of college, but also don't be afraid to get involved. As long as you manage your time well, there is plenty of room for things other than studying!

Let me know if we can help with any other questions!

Re: Future Pharmacist ...

AshlenC — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:01:51 GMT

First of all, we do not have to take any online classes in the pharmacy program. Some pre-pharmacy classes are offered as summer classes (on campus, never online) and if you decide to do the PharmD / MBA dual degree you will be required to take summer classes. You can take some classes at other universities and transfer the credits in, but I'm not sure how it would work if you took an online course to substitute for one of your classes. But to answer your question, all the classes required to graduate with the PharmD are taken in the classroom.

As for Butler fulfilling all the requirements that I talked about:

1) Facilities - Butler's currently building a new building that will add on to the current pharmacy building, so I guess I would say that right now their in the process of making improvements. From what I've heard, it seems that there's going to be a lot of new office space (which doesn't really help the student, more the faculty), more labs (which I think are going to be primarily for PA students who currently have to go off campus to do their labs), lecture halls (we desperately need bigger ones for pharmacy classes!) and study spaces (we currently have a lounge for COPHS students, but depending on the time of day it's not always easy to get a table). However, there were some major improvements this summer. Both of our main pharmacy labs were completely re-done, and I've noticed a HUGE improvement over the quality of my lab experience from this semester to last semester. They've been able to organize labs a lot better now - we're paired together and different groups are doing the lab assignments at different times. Before, we were all doing the same thing at the same time - so there were always backups when trying to get the ingredients you needed or when trying to wash dishware! They also opened up the fourth floor of our current pharmacy building, that was not being used, and renovated it and made it into our drug information center. We had a large room for the DI center before, and I haven't gone to see the improvements yet, but I think it probably enhances the experience of students that use the center on rotations.

2) Technology - the pharmacy / PA program is WAY ahead of the rest of Butler when it comes to technology, although it seems like the business college is keeping up with us. We have the laptop program, which I've gone on about a lot in the forums / blogs, and I think it's really helped my education. It definitely allows us to access a lot more resources, and take better notes. We also have a lot of technology for the professors to use in the classroom to help with teaching. The downside is that some of our professors are older and struggle to use the technology - although watching them try is always good for a few laughs, and there's always someone in the class that can help them when they can't figure out the problem. I guess the only downside to being the technology leaders at Butler is that we're the guinea pigs. We get all the benefits, but all the problems too. My year uses Vista on our laptops, and it's been a bit of a disaster. I've also found that my laptop has had its share of mechanical problems - I'm currently using a loaner computer because my mouse stopped working. I've had my screen replaced and my batteries replaced, and I've only had the computer for a year! To say the least, it's a little frustrating. Also, we get to try out new programs, which has its downfalls as well. The college wants us to start taking all of our tests and quizzes online, which means that we needed a special browser so that we couldn't cheat by looking up the answers. They've run into problems with the browser, and we've spend at least one entire lecture period trying to test the browser and fix all the problems...they haven't fixed the problems yet though, and the tests I'm taking this week are all still on paper, even though we were supposed to be "up and running" online a month ago.

3) Pass rate on the NAPLEX - we're have one of the highest pass rates in the country (almost 100% over the past five years, or something like that). Do I need to say anymore? Passing the NAPLEX just isn't a concern for us - we know we'll be prepared.

4) As for what recent alumni say - you'll have to find them and ask them for themselves! I'm interested to see what I think about the program once I'm out and practicing in the real world!

Re: Future Pharmacist ...

AshlenC — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:42:45 GMT

Hi Alison!

I think that an entry level pharmacy program is one that requires you to have completed your pre-pharmacy courses before applying to the program. At Butler, it's a little different than that - rather than doing a four year undergrad degree, we do two years of undergrad work and if we keep a GPA over 3.0 in our pre-pharmacy courses, we're automatically accepted into the four year professional program.

After being in pharmacy for a few years now, here are the things that I would suggest you look for in a program:

1) Facilities and Technology

-Are the lab facilities good? Do they look modern? Is the school dedicated to updating their facilities to keep up with technology? I've heard that some schools don't have real laminar air flow hoods to use for practicing sterile compounding, and that they tape an area out on a desk for you to use. Obviously, you might be a little confused as to what to do when you graduated and actually had to use a real hood!

-What kind of technology does the school use in the classrooms? I took traditional pen and paper notes for my first two years, but education was definitely enhanced when I started pharmacy and got a laptop as part of the pharmacy program. I have a tablet, so I can write things like chemical compounds while taking typed notes in class. All my professors upload notes and PowerPoint slides that they use in lecture, so I can follow along and add my own notes during the class. Basically, it's a huge help. We're also experimenting with new technology all the time - taking tests and quizzes online, having classes recorded, or using programs that allow the class to go online and answer questions that the professor is asking in class.

2) Pass Rate on the NAPLEX - after all, you have to pass the NAPLEX to become lisenced after you graduate, so knowing that you're going to be going through a curriculum that will prepare you well for the big test!

3) What do recent alumni say about the program? Obviously it might be difficult to find alumni if you don't know any, but if you happen to run across a pharmacist who graduated from a program you're looking at, ask them what they thought about their experiences. Were there skills they wish they had a better grasp on before graduating? Would they have changed anything about the program? What's the worst thing about the school? Questions like that can give you a lot of insight. For example - we were told the other day that Purdue students on rotations were struggling with taking blood pressure. At Butler, they determined that taking blood pressure was a skill we would need to have, so they teach us for the first time during our first year in the professional program and we practice it in a class each semester, so by the time we're on rotations, we're experts!

Of course, it's great to find a pharmacy program that suits you, but make sure you like the university too. Take into consideration other factors too. Do you like the dorms? Is the school in a location that you like? Think of other things that matter to you - do you care about having a car on campus, or are there any activities that you would like to be able to keep up in college? Look at the big picture to find a fit that's best for you!

Upcoming Live Butler Chats!

BUBrad — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:29:10 GMT

Mark your calendars, you don't want to miss these chats.

October 22, 7-9PM (EST): What is Diversity at Butler University? Chat with current students and staff about the topic.

October 29, 8-10PM (EST): Chat with the Butler Bloggers!!! Ask your questions to the whole gang. Get the answers you want, straight from the students!!

November 5, 7-9PM (EST): Pharmacy Chat with Jake and Ashlen. This chat will be geared towards the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Last year during the Blogger chat we posted videos to YouTube as the chat was going. This year.... live video? You'll have to log in to see what we think of next.

To log in to a chat, please go to http://butlerchat.gotoextinguisher.com at the time of the chat to login. If you go there when a chat is not scheduled, you won't see any chat rooms to go in to.

Re: What do you think of when you hear "Butler University"

ChristinaL — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:21:20 GMT

Butler is most known for...

1. Outstanding pharmacy and ballet programs - some of the very best in the country

2. Men's Basketball! We were in the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 and we were Horizon League Champs last year

3. Smart students who make amazing interns and volunteers in Indy (that's our local reputation with employers and non-profits)

4. A very cool activist history - We were the second university in the US to admit African Americans and women.

5. Beautiful campus!

that's not necessarily my personal top 5 favorite things about Butler, but what I think we are best known for... hopefully that's what you were looking for!

Re: General Questions

AshlenC — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:13:15 GMT

I'm glad to hear that you're excited about applying to Butler! Good luck on your SATs....I hope you do well!! I do think that working hard in the pharmacy program can bring good results. I've noticed that the people who don't do well in pharmacy don't put enough time into their work. Just to show you, last semester I took five classes, and I got A's in two classes and an A- in another class. I feel like I didn't put enough time into the classes I didn't get A's in, and if I had of put more time in I think my grades could have been higher. You definitely learn about time management as you go along, and you keep getting better at figuring out how much effort you need to put into your work. If you have any more questions about pharmacy, Butler in general, or the application process, just let us know!

Ashlen

Re: General Questions

AshlenC — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:19:45 GMT

Hi! I'm an international pharmacy student, so I'll try to answer most of your questions! Competitive SAT scores - the SATs have changed format since I took them, so maybe someone from the admissions department try and give you a specific number. I know that SAT scores are taken into consideration, and my best advice is to just try your best when you take the test!Hours a day spent studying - it's really hard to say "I spend X number of hours studying a day" because I basically study any time I'm not eating, sleeping, or in class. But, in the middle of studying I might stop for a few minutes, check my e-mail, talk to someone who walks by, write a blog post, etc. On weekdays, I spend almost all my free time studying. I also spend most of my weekends studying, but I'll work harder during the week if there's something coming up on the weekend that I really want to do. It's all about time management and planning your schedule in advance. If there's something you want to watch on TV (like an Indianapolis Colts, work on less difficult tasks during commercial breaks, things like that. Another point to make is that when our cluster exams are coming up, I'll spend a lot more time studying than I will right after the exams. Sleep - if you want seven hours of sleep, don't procrastinate on your work! I would say that procrastination is the #1 reason for a college student's lack of sleep....either that or staying out all night at a party (which is generally a bad idea, especially on a week day). You get better at time management as you go through college. I'm in my fourth year of college, and I think I'm finally starting to make sure I get about 7 hours of sleep a night. In your first year, your work load should be manageable enough where you can get enough sleep, but my problem was that there are so many things to do around campus and in the dorms that staying up late was a fun option! International students on campus - I don't know exactly how many international students there are on campus, but Jerry would definitely be able to give you an answer to that question. Keep in mind that a majority of students will be American, but if you're looking for international students to hang out with, it won't be hard to find them. There's an international club, in which I think a lot of the international students are active, and that would be a great way to meet people. As for interaction between the US and international students, it really depends on how willing you are to make friends with the American students. If you want to get to know them, they'll make an effort to know you. I found it a little difficult at first, just because everyone seemed to have people that they already knew from high school, and I knew no one! Getting to know the people in your freshman hall will be a big step to integrating into American society. If you're looking at being a pharmacy student, I would get to know your classmates well. You'll need them to help you study! Even as I'm writing this, I'm sitting with four other (all American) students from my class. Don't expect to see a lot of international students in your pharmacy class....I'm the only one in my year, and there's only one that I know of in the year ahead of me.

Hope this helps you out!

Re: Question

AshlenC — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:42:23 GMT

I won't sugar coat pharmacy, because it's not a walk in the park. It's a lot of hard work. But, the faculty is nothing short of amazing. I can't say enough great things about our professors. Despite the fact that our classes are probably the largest at Butler (lectures have about 120 people) all the professors make an effort to learn everyone's name and they are always available to help and offer words of advice. The material we learn is hard, but the professors do everything they can to help us learn and to help us succeed. Butler pharmacy grads have a very high pass rate on the NAPLEX (the licensing exam for pharmacists). I believe that we have the third best pass rate in the country on the NAPLEX.

There are also a lot of opportunities to network for your future career while at Butler. Every year there is a pharmacy career fair, which attracts a lot of big-name employers. There are also a lot of pharmacy organizations to get involved with, and they're a great support resource and a great resource for meeting fellow students, faculty, and alumni.

Another advantage of pharmacy is that once we're done, we don't have to go to grad school....we're done for good! A lot of people wonder why we would want to go to school for six years, but a lot of people don't take into consideration that most people end up in grad school, so they end up doing a lot more time in school than we do!

Hope this helps you out! If you have any more questions about pharmacy or Butler, just let us know!

Ashlen

Re: Introduce yourself!

ChristinaL — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:29:45 GMT

awww Kayleigh, look at you being so welcoming! you rock.

anyway, hello again Sarah! My name's Christina and I'm one of the Bloggers. Pharmacy at Butler is awesome! I have lots of friends in the program. It's intense, and you do have to be committed to the program and willing to spend some quality time with your flashcards and O-Chem book, but it really is one of the best pharmacy schools in the country, and from what I hear, one of the most interactive.

I hope that gives you a general idea... I can't get too detailed with you since I'm an English major, but if you do have any specific questions I will ask a pharmacy friend for you. Feel free to ask anything about Butler too!

Re: Introduce yourself!

BUMegan — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:27:06 GMT

Steph-

As an Admission Counselor, I definitely agree with what Christina's said. Organic Chemistry is a class you'll have to take as a Pharmacy major here, and if you can already have a background/working knowledge of the subject, you'll be ahead of the game!! (Also, it's awesome that you are able to take that as a high school student. That's not a class I see offered too often!)

Great questions-so keep them coming. Have a good rest of your semester!!