<p>Hi Parents,
If you've read my weed-out thread, you know that I (along with 99% of my chem class) am really not enjoying the chem. class from "hell" this semester. It's one of the few classes that will be calculated into my pre-pharm GPA, and I'm thinking this may be a sign that pharm. isn't my destiny. Of course, I'm going to give it my all for the rest of the semester (as always), but if I'm still banging my head against a metaphorical wall by the end of the semester, I may just bail and go for the pass/fail option (which should be a pass \ unless I just totally die on remaining tests). </p>
<p>In that case, I would take the less intense version of Gen. Chem this summer, taught by my current lab instructor this semester (whom I adore), a class which still prepares you to take orgo or bio/orgo. In that case, I would switch my major to human bio with a pre-physical therapy option. I'm loving my bio class this semester (though it's mostly a review from AP), will get started doing lab research lab next week, and still have my heart set on health care.</p>
<p>The problem? Money (ain't it always?). I don't want to be burdened by debt upon graduation, plain and simple. My parents are paying the ~$5k a year in leftover tution, room, and board for my undergrad. out of pocket, leaving my ~$30k in assorted college saving intact. That probably won't covere the cost of prof. school, however, and I'm wary a PT's salary won't allow for a five-figure debt. I'm working to reduce osts by doing things like getting a cheaper meal plan by rearranging my dining habits, getting a job over the summer, etc., but I know most of the money I make will probably go towards sorority dues (though I love my strat enough that I'm willing to make that sacrafice) and summer semester dues. Parents relectant to let me get a job on-campus, and I'm a bit overscheduled as it is.</p>
<p>Any thoughts? Advice on bio majors, money, or whatever else would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Another job that people overlook but has always interested me is speech therapy. I have no idea whether that's something you would be interested in, but there are a lot of options for speech pathologists--private practice, hospital work, or work within a school; working with children or people who have suffered strokes or neurological conditions; etc. I don't have much advice about money, but just keep working hard, take gen chem over again, and I'm sure it will all work out. Good luck.</p>
<p>Wolfpiper, You might want to spend some time on the following two sites, which are jam-packed with information on science and health related careers, scholarships for training in different fields, and also excellent links to other resources:</p>
<p>Additionally, as you look at careers, you might want to try using the following calculator, which will tell you whether a certain amount of debt will be managable with the typical salary of various careers: </p>
<p>Finally, hang in there. Sometimes life does take us in different directions, but also sometimes things work out better than we would have predicted. :)</p>
<p>wolf
is there a prepharmacy advisor there you can talk over your concerns with?Perhaps you arent doing as poorly as you think you are..sometimes weed out courses wind up being curved in the end.</p>
<p>You're a freshling! It's way too soon to be this obsessed! Breathe deeply, do your best, and make decisions this summer when a) you know your final chem grade, and b) you're not in the thick of things.</p>
<p>And, yes, go talk to the Career Planning office.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! The information I've looked up on PT salaries, especially in my desired geographic location, varies widely. About the curve, everyone who's taken this course says there is big informal curve at the end, but I doubt it will big enough, and I just don't know how much I want to risk my GPA.</p>
<p>Do hang in there. I would go for the grade and brush up on the chem over the summer. Self-study or by taking the summer class. It is still early to know if a different major is what you want. I forgot, have you worked or volunteered in healthcare?</p>