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From working behind the glass at your local pharmacy to preparing medication for patients in a hospital, being a pharmacist offers a variety of pathways. The career is also well-compensated, earning six figures on average.
There are a lot of steps a high school student must take, however, before they don the ubiquitous white coat, including many years of schooling. However, with proper planning and an understanding of the requirements necessary to become a pharmacist, students can expedite the time required in college and get a jump start on their career.;;
Compete A Medical Residency Program
A medical residency program is a stage when medical school graduates begin their actual training as doctors. This is your opportunity to start practicing medicine in real teaching hospitals with real patients.
Do residents get paid? Of course, they do! As a resident, you get paid a salary for this mandatory on-the-job training. Youre not fully licensed to practice medicine. So, you have to shadow experienced physicians during your residency.
It will take you 3-7 years to complete the residency program depending on the specialty you choose if you choose one.
I Have Seen Ads On Tv For Some Schools Do All Schools Advertise
No. Most colleges, universities, and community colleges are non-profits. That means they use their money mostly to educate their students. The schools that advertise a lot are mostly schools that are businesses. Those schools usually are organized to make money for their owners. Some of that money goes to advertising to get more students.
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High School Records And Transcripts
Ideally, you will discuss your gap year with your guidance counselor before you graduate high school. In this case, your guidance counselor will know to keep your files handy for you so that nothing is lost or discarded. If you have not had this discussion before graduating, you should let your guidance counselor know as soon as possible over email or the phone that youll be applying to college after your gap year and will soon need access to these files.
Assuming you are only taking a year or possibly two off, the logistics of getting your records and transcripts from high school should be fairly simple. You will need to contact your high school guidance counselor to do so, and ideally you should initiate contact fairly early in the application process. If you are applying anywhere early decision, this means you should be in touch as soon as the school year starts. If you are applying regular decision, get in touch by October.
In most cases, your high school will still have your complete file several years after you graduate, but of course this is not always the case. Either way, you will need to find out early on what materials are on file and how to access them. With electronic files now being the norm, most schools can easily pull up copies of any transcripts or other materials that you might need. Some may even keep copies of teacher recommendations and the college essays you wrote during your senior year.
A Company Offered To Help Me With My Fafsa Form Will That Get Me A Better Deal
No. Nobody has special access to federal student aid. Anyone who says they can guarantee you financial aid is lying.
Remember that it is free to fill out and submit your FAFSA form. You do not need to pay anyone to apply for financial aid.
Someone might ask you to share your FSA ID. They might say they can help you:
- apply for aid.
- reduce your loan payments.
- consolidate your loans.
Only you can use your FSA ID. People who ask you to share your FSA ID know they are breaking the rules. They will not help you. Never share your FSA ID. Dishonest people could use it to get into your account.
Are you worried that someone else is using your FSA ID? Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID .
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What Does A Pharmacist Do
The majority of pharmacists work in commercial operations such as drug, grocery, and big-box stores. According to theBureau of Labor Statistics , 42% of pharmacists work in pharmacies and drugstores. Pharmacists in these settings fulfill many duties, including the safe dispersal of medication , educating patients about medication, and overseeing a staff of pharmacy technicians and aides.;;;;
The other primary employers of pharmacists are hospitals; theBLS reports that they employ 26% of the people working in the occupation. As the US population continues to age, the need for pharmacists in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, is anticipated to grow. Pharmacists working in hospitals also fulfill a multitude of rolesthey prepare medication for patients, advise staff on medication options, and educate patients about medications and how to use them.;;;
Why & How To Apply To Everything
From here, the strategy is simple: Its time to apply to ALL of them.;This might seem like an incredibly daunting task. After all, these applications generally require you to do two things:
However, theres an easier way to go about the process that doesnt involve writing 60+ unique essays.;Dont get me wrong: Each scholarship application is going to take time and a bit of nuance in order to create a compelling case for you thatll have the reader clamoring to give you the scholarship money.;But you can make the process a lot more effective and simple if you just look at the letters of recommendation and essays.
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When To Apply For College: Complete Timeline
Many students start college in the fall after they graduate high school, but their planning and applying starts years before. Application deadlines may be in the fall or winter of senior year, and completing each step on the path to college might start as early as freshman year.
This article answers all your questions about when to apply for college: when do you complete each step of the process, and when are your college deadlines? After reading this, you’ll know exactly when to apply to college and what steps are needed.
Survey Says: Gap Year Motivations
The following data is from the 2015 survey from the American Gap Association . Study participants individuals 18 to 60 years old who have taken a gap year indicated their primary motivation for taking a gap year.
The results indicate the popularity of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of individuals who had participated in a gap year.
While this gap year trend isnt only for the Malia Obamas of the world, its important to note that;fewer than 1 percent;of college freshman take this time off. Additionally, there is skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of a gap year. In;an interview;with;U.S. News & World Report, Ann Marie Klotz, dean of campus life at New York Institute of Technology , noted that a gap year is a privilege usually taken by more affluent students. Lower-income students who work after graduating high school in hopes of saving for college never actually go to college.
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The Value Of Knowing Oneself
Knight said all the benefits of a gap year stem from students learning more about themselves.
They confront limits they didnt know they had, succeed more frequently than they would have thought before, and are exposed to new and different ways to lead this thing called life, he said.
They may even get better grades when they get to college. Undergraduate students who had taken a gap year before enrolling earned 0.1 to 0.4 higher GPAs than students who didnt, according to;studies;conducted by Robert Claggett, former dean of Middlebury College.
Universities have taken heed. The higher GPAs of gap-year students boost the colleges academic achievement records. And gap-year deferrals also help ensure colleges have enough incoming freshman to offset dropouts or students who take a semester abroad.
Knight said he would eventually like to see gap years enshrined as an American institution: earning students college credit, included in the federal student aid;program, and available to every high school senior, regardless of income.
I’m Going Back To College After A Year Or More Off
If you’ve been out of high school for a while, then you’ll probably have to reconnect with your school for teacher and counselor recommendations and official documents, like your transcript. if you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, then you may have to study and take one of those tests as well.
Your deadlines will be in November or December, as mentioned above, and you’ll mostly want to follow similar steps, like asking for recommendations at least a month before your deadlines and leaving yourself a couple of opportunities to prep for and take the SAT or ACT.
If you’ve been out of school for several years, then colleges might not require you to take the SAT or ACT. You’ll want to contact the colleges early to find out whether or not you need to prep for and take one of these exams.
It’d be advisable to leave yourself extra time so that you can meet with your recommenders and help them write you a letter. Since you’re not a current student, you’ll want to have extra time to set up appointments with faculty and gather all the documents you need.
Finally, when do students apply if they want to graduate high school earlier than senior year?
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Example Essay Prompt Question #3
Respond to this statement: Americas middle class is in trouble.;
Typical boring response:;The middle class is Americas heartbeat. We need to put big corporations in their place to make room at the table for everyone.;
Whats wrong with this response?;This is such a cliche answer, the judge wont help but roll their eyes. Reading an answer like this will have them mentally checking out before you can say, Full-ride scholarship.;
Better response:;Classes arent fixed groups of people. Most of us move in and out of different classes throughout our lives. In fact, many people who were in the middle class twenty years ago are in the upper-class today.
The power of standing out
These answers practically grab you by the lapels and COMMAND attention. They stand out like a lighthouse in the ocean of boring applicants.;This is the difference between following the crowd and hoping for the best versus thinking strategically and winning the game.
I Have More Than One Federal Student Loan Can I Combine Them Into One Payment Every Month
Yes. You can combine several federal student loans into one loan. That is called a Direct Consolidation Loan. It is free to combine your federal student loans into one loan.
Sometimes, companies might ask you to combine your federal student loans. These companies might charge you a fee. You do not have to pay to consolidate your federal student loans.
Do you have questions about consolidating your loans? You can call the Department of Educations Loan Consolidation Center: 1-800-557-7392.
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Are There Other Kinds Of Financial Aid
Yes. Besides student loans, you can apply for:
- Grants. You do not have to repay grants. You can apply for grants from:
- the government
- private groups
These groups usually give money to people who need it to go to school.
- Work-Study. This is a federal financial aid program. It gives you a part-time job while you study. The money you earn helps you pay for school.
- Scholarships. You do not have to repay scholarships. You can apply for scholarships from:
- the government
- many private and non-profit groups
How To Get College Scholarships In 2021
Getting into college is by no means an easy feat. From the lengthy application process to entrance exams, it can be rough.;
Then theres actually paying for college which, at times, can seem impossible. But Im here to tell you how to get college scholarships and its not nearly as difficult as you might think. In fact, literally billions of dollars in scholarships go unpaid every year simply because no one applies for them.
Billions. With a B.
And a slice of it can be all yours to help pay for college.
To help you, this article will outline the exact method I used;to get over $100,000 in scholarship funds.;
Bonus:
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Someone Promised Me A Scholarship Or Grant Thats Good Right
Not if you have to pay for it. Dishonest people might guarantee you a scholarship or grant. Dishonest people might tell you that you already have a scholarship or grant.
But then, those dishonest people will:
- tell you there is a fee to collect your scholarship.
- ask for your bank account or credit card number.
Someone also might ask you to pay for:
- special access to a list of scholarships.
- a seminar on financial aid or scholarships.
They might offer you a money-back guarantee. But you will not get your money back. Never pay for a scholarship or a grant. That is always a scam.
What Is The Difference Between A College And A University
A college is a school you go to after high school. You can get an associates or bachelors degree at a college. You can get a degree in many different majors. Many students live on or near their college campus.
A university is also a school you can go to after high school. You can get an associates, bachelors, or graduate degree at a university. Universities usually have even more majors than colleges do. A university is usually bigger than a college. Many students live on or near their university campus.
Colleges and universities can be private or public. Colleges and universities also can be non-profit or for-profit.
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Example Essay Prompt Question #2
Which major world problem would you solve if you could only pick one?;
Typical boring answer:;I would end world hunger. Every man, woman, and child deserves this basic requirement of human life.;
Whats wrong with this answer?;The reader makes no human connection to you. Why on earth would they want to read more?;
Better answer:;My life changed forever when I spoke at my best friends funeral. Standing there under the storm clouds, I felt a personal duty to make sure no one sees suicide as their only way out.
I’m Graduating High School Early
There are rare advanced students who earn enough credits, perhaps from courses at a local community college or online, to graduate high school early and go straight into college at a young age.
These students push their timeline earlier by a year or two, taking the SAT or ACT as freshmen or sophomores, and gathering all their documents early. If this sounds like you, you’ll probably want to work closely with your counselors, administrators, and teachers to make sure they agree with your choice.
You might take your tests in freshmen and sophomore year, ask your sophomore year teachers for recommendations, and apply in the fall or winter of your junior year. You may also have to take the GED to earn the equivalent of your high school diploma. Make sure you’ve met all graduation requirements and, of course, have concrete, realistic reasons for graduating high school early and enrolling in college.
The aforementioned situations are exceptions rather than the rule, but can be great options if they apply to your situation and needs. In closing, let’s review when most students submit their applications to colleges.
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Start Preparing To Become A Doctor While Still In High School
Can you apply to medical school right after high school? The answer is yes and no. You cant go directly to med school after your high school graduation.
However, there are special programs to get you into medical school right after obtaining your Bachelors Degree without having to apply. In some cases, you may not even have to take the MCAT.
But you dont have to wait until after college to start preparing to take the MCAT. MedSmarter offers an MCAT preparation course that helps high school students prepare to become doctors. This is an excellent, relevant extracurricular activity to list on your resume when applying to medical schools later.
Interested in learning about steps you can take now as a teen to work toward your future of becoming a physician in the US? Click the link below to check out MedSmarters MCAT prep course today!
Where Can I Get Financial Aid
Start at StudentAid.gov. It is the Department of Educations website to help students with financial aid. It has information on financial aid from:
- The federal government. Federal student loans, grants, and work study often are the best deal for people who need money to study.
- The state where you live. Some states have financial aid you might qualify for.
- The school you go to. Some schools offer financial aid or scholarships.
- Scholarships or grants from non-profit or private organizations. This is money you do not have to repay.
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Next: Write Your Application With Unique Answers Instead
When you take a step back and consider the common answers to the prompt, youll be able to come up with an answer that will subvert the judges expectations and keep their attention.;In my case, while other students wrote about historical figures, I chose Chris Rock, the famous comedian.;
My essay went on to argue that though hes perceived simply as a comedian, hes actually a highly astute social commentator. His jokes revealed the things we want to say but wont articulate because were afraid to.;I even deconstructed one of his jokes and went into an in-depth analysis of why it was an examination of the racial attitudes our society holds.;
And it;worked.;
My approach was offbeat yet professional. When looking for unique angles, you shouldnt make it offensive or inappropriate. Instead, aim to make it deep, personal, and a little bit against the grain.