I got in!!! ...

[Tenor CS]

Short version: I GOT ACCEPTED INTO UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA'S MOLECULAR AND MICRO-BIOLOGY (pre-med) PROGRAM!!! I start in August.

Longer version: Some of you know that at the tender young age of 34, I'm back in school.

Right now, I'm at Valencia Community College in Orlando, taking Introductory Chemistry, Introductory Biology, and College Algebra.

The long-term plan is to go to Pharmacy school.

The short term plan requires me to complete at least 2 years of pre-requisites in order to get in to Pharmacy school.

Due to a weird rule that I never knew about, I cannot pursue a degree at VCC. (I have a Master's. If you have anything above an Associate's degree, you can't get another Associate's). Since I can't pursue a degree, I cannot qualify for Financial Aid. So I HAD to go to a 4-year college.

I was a little worried about going back to school after so long, and in such a different field, (my Master's is in Opera), so I signed up for these intro courses just to see if I could hack it. My logic: If I couldn't even pass intro chemistry at a community college, I obviously had no business trying to become a pharmacist. I'm doing very well and feeling a lot more confident about my decision.

My wife has been a rock through all this, working 3 jobs while I've been unemployed to keep us afloat. Mom and Dad and other family have been helping us financially as well.

It should take me about 2 1/2 to 3 years to finish my pre-med stuff, then Pharmacy school is 4 years. I know that it will be a long, hard slog, but hopefully, this will put me in a better position to make life better for us as a family.

Just wanted to share the good news with my CA family.

PS I'm feeling a lot better, health-wise, as well!

[Razorhog]

Good news all around. I'm almost 32 and can't imagine going back to college! Kudos! :tu

[Scottw]

Nice work Christian. My wife is 34 and she is about to graduate Harvard next year (then I can retire). YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!

[elderboy02]

Congrats!

[14holestogie]

Congrats, Christian! :tu

As far as going back to school trepidation, I returned to school after almost 30 years and was surprised how easy the transition was. You'll do great!

[St. Lou Stu]

Awesome news man!
Congrats. :tu

[massphatness]

Fantastic, Christian!

[Mark]

Its always good to have another college BOTL on the board! Welcome to the club, now go make some bad decisions :tu

[Emjaysmash]

Hey Christian! Excellent field choice! I'm doing my undergrad studies in pre-pharm and hope to go to pharmacy school probably around the same time as you! We can be pharmacy buddies! :tu

[rlmedic]

Congrats...

[hotreds]

Kudos and best of luck to you!

[Phiberglass]

Nice job man! I'm also doing Pre-med, good luck!

[CasaDooley]

Congrats Christian!:wo

[lightning9191]

Congrats!

[icehog3]

Congrats Christian! :tu

[Mr.Erskine]

Congratulations!

[kelmac07]

Congrats!!

[Smokin Gator]

Congrats brother... I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!

[Sailkat]

Congratulations, Christian! I'm sure you will do very well.

[s0leful0ne]

Woo Hoo! I'm so happy for you man can't wait to herf again!

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

That is great news Christian:tu Glad your feeling better too!

[Barteur]

I am really Happy for you Christian. Congrats to you.

[pitbulljimmy]

Congrats Christian.... Alll the best to you and yours. It may be a long road to travel, but I'm sure when you're finally through it all, you'll be on easy street.

[RevSmoke]

Congratulations! God's blessings upon your studies.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[MedicCook]

Congrats Christian. :tu

[bvilchez]

Congratulations Christian.....good job on proving it's never too late

[Tenor CS]

Thank you for all the well-wishes, everyone. Trying to finish out my community college stuff now and then doing paperwork and other stuff to get ready for UCF. I already got my ucf email address.

The toughest part is, I need to have my mom find my immunization paperwork from like 7th grade. She says she has it somewhere.

[rizzle]

Awesome Christian! Really glad to hear it.
:tu

[Tenor CS]

Funny story: At UCF, the Molecular-and-Micro-Biology degree is called "M&M" for short. I just bought myself a jumbo bag of M&M's to celebrate.

[jerseystepup]

Awesome bro! Hardwork pays off.. Go buy something spectacular now to agre then smoke when your finished!

[DrDubzz]

Congrats, and if you have any questions about pharmacy school or pre-req stuff or any of that let me know, I'd be happy to help

[Tenor CS]

Thanks to those offering advice.

So far, I know I need to take:

Biology I and II
Chemistry I and II
Organic Chemistry I and II
Physics I and II
Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Calculus
Speech
Psychology

I can finish all that in 2-2.5 years.
I can stick around for another 2 or 3 semesters and actually finish the M&M BS Degree.

My chem prof said I should finish the M&M for two reasons.
1. They will take me more seriously as someone with a science degree vs. a former music person who took a bunch of pre-req's.
2. In Doctoral programs, it's ALL about graduation rates. It looks bad on me if I walk out of school with less than a year left, even if it is to "upgrade" to medical school.

[Emjaysmash]

Thanks to those offering advice.

So far, I know I need to take:

Biology I and II
Chemistry I and II
Organic Chemistry I and II
Physics I and II
Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Calculus
Speech
Psychology

I can finish all that in 2-2.5 years.
I can stick around for another 2 or 3 semesters and actually finish the M&M BS Degree.

My chem prof said I should finish the M&M for two reasons.
1. They will take me more seriously as someone with a science degree vs. a former music person who took a bunch of pre-req's.
2. In Doctoral programs, it's ALL about graduation rates. It looks bad on me if I walk out of school with less than a year left, even if it is to "upgrade" to medical school.

That's my exact course requirements too! Minus the Psych...

[Tenor CS]

Actually, turns out I don't need psych. I'll probably take it anyway, though.

[DrDubzz]

take psych, it'll be beneficial, even if only to a small degree

and MJ, I didn't know you were aspiring to pharmacy school, let me know if you have any questions.

[The Postman]

Congratulations brother. When I retire, I am going back to school!! Maybe they can teach an old dog a new trick!

[feathersforever]

Congratulations and best wishes with the program.