<p>I'm a junior right now and it was pretty much set from the beginning that I would be getting into the pharmacy field. I've looked into direct-entry pharmacy schools because I figured it was better to be secure in a school where I won't have to worry about applying again for their pharmacy school.</p>
<p>I've had Oregon State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Sciences in Philadelphia. </p>
<p>Lately, however, I've been rethinking my decisions. I still have a little bit of time before college and if I were to change my mind, now would be the time. I was thinking of going into Civil Engineering or maybe even Social Work. </p>
<p>My question is, should I just look for the pharmacy schools with direct entry programs and go along with my plan now? Or should I consider traditional colleges where I would have more options.</p>
<p>Pharmacy would (probably) offer me security after high school. But the other fields would probably be fulfilling. Any ideas?</p>
<p>Okay, WOW, you've got three very different ideas of what you might want to do. And personally, I think that's awesome!</p>
<p>Your situatation is my #1 reason that combined/accelerated programs are not the best decision for a lot of people. The fact that you are wavering a little bit is completely normal but reason enough I think that you should go the traditional undergrad route. </p>
<p>If you were leaning to a situation in which your interests were a little bit closer together than I might not worry so much (if your other choices were more in line with pharm) but you aren't (again, that's perfectly okay).</p>
<p>Like I said, your interests are highly variable:</p>
<p>CE: lots of math and physics, very little "client/patient" interaction</p>
<p>Pharm: not as much math, and more chem, more bio. Lots of patient interaction depending on where you go (my roommate is currently a first year pharmacy student).</p>
<p>Social work: most social workers start with a degree in Sociology unless there is an actual major for it at your eventual institution. Even still, most social workers actually get their masters in social work then, so sociology is a great place to start. Having graduated with a BS in Sociology I can tell you that there is no math (other than stats), and no natural science requirements. But social work obviously is a lot of work with individuals, and can be very rewarding.</p>
<p>Since your interests are varied and you have time as only a jr., I'd continue researching these professions, maybe try some sort of career fair or shadowing opportunity. If you get to college still unsure of where you want to go, definitely go in as undeclared (probably anathema to many here on CC - don't worry about it) and get your feet wet in some intro courses. Then make your decision.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for that great reply, Bigredmed. It's really a little mind-wracking, having to figure out what I really want to do. </p>
<p>Actually, my first choice of profession is really Social Work. I can do math and science just fine but I really enjoy my arts and literature classes more. I visited UNLV (right around my area) and sat in on a few of the psych classes there and I really enjoyed them. I think it would really be a great career, if not exactly lucrative, at first. I've seen schools that offered Social Work as a degree and you can choose what special area you'd like to study. If I do go into Social Work, I'd probably want to minor in Addiction Counseling or Child Welfare. I volunteer at one of the shelters by my house and it's really fun doing that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Most of the people around me, however, prefer that I go into the pharmacy field. My mother is especially anxious for me to go into one. I don't mind math and science classes much; in fact, I really liked my chemistry class (mainly because of all the lab work, hehe). So pharmacy wouldn't be a real hardship for me. I'm relatively interested in the field though I think I'd like Chemical Engineering more. </p>
<p>Physics is not my strong suit but I do enjoy all the projects we can do. And that's basically what pulls me into it. I want to build things and test them out. We had to plan out a rollercoaster for my physics class to make it as effiecient as possible and that was extremely fun. I just wish we actually had the time and materials to build one.</p>
<p>As for going in as "undecided", well, I think a lot of people would freak out over that. Especially my mother. Hehe. She's very hands-on with my planning and I guess it just won't be as effective if I go in undecided. I don't know though. Maybe I will go in undecided. You never know. Thank you so much for the advice.</p>