more schooling

I’m contemplating returning to the world of higher education.  Yup, finally putting serious contemplation into what it would take to go grad school.  I’ve actually accomplished a lot of the ground work so far.  I looked into the options for loan deferment (by far my biggest worry about going back to school) and for both of the loans, I only have to be a part-time student in order to qualify for a deferment.  That means several things 1) I don’t necessarily have to cut a chunk out of my hours at work.  2) I will have more money each month from what I would have been paying on the loans with options for what to do with it.  I’d like to continue paying off portions of my loans each month but putting $100/month to them instead of $300?  That’s a good bit of change that I can put to use elsewhere in my finances, or that I can just choose to save!

I am also an independent student now if I go back, my parents’ income will not be used in the basis of any financial aid I might not have been eligible for before because of their supposed income (the reality of being middle class is lost on the upper and some of the lower and it’s being felt by the college student most of all exhibit a exhibit b exhibit c) I particularly like exhibit c which is from CNN.  While it might not be a big help, it will be helpful.  And going back to school, every little bit would help, especially as I’d end up having to take out more loans most likely in order to go.

The downside is that all this research is making my wallet hurt.  To take the PCAT is $200 (minimum).  Yes, $200 for the right to pass or fail a test in order to even be able to apply to a school where you will pay an exorbitant amount of money to pass or fail their program.  Seems a little backwards right?  The letters of recommendation, pretty simple, by far the simplest task before me.

My goal is to take the PCAT in January.  That gives me less than 6 months to study for it.  I still plan on taking the PTCB exam in the fall.  I still have to finish prepping for that.  On the upside, some of the prep will overlap.  The downside, not nearly enough of it will overlap.

So, I have my long term goal, pharmacy school.  Semi-long term goals, take the PCAT in January and the PTCB exam some time in Sept/Oct-ish.  I have to apply to be able to take the test and I’m not ready to take the test yet, not by a long shot!  I’ve seen that math, I don’t have the grasp on it that I’ve been told I need.  Everyone who’s taken the test says it’s a lot of math and I don’t have the math down.  I need to work on the other stuff yes, but that stuff, I have a grasp on.  The math eludes me.  So, semi-long term goal.

Short term goal: Borders tomorrow to look at PCAT prep material, starting on flash cards for PTCB exam, tackling the math sections for the PTCB.

Crap.  I’m exhausted just thinking about all of this stuff.  

I really need a vacation.