Hi everyone!

Just wondering, for Pharmacy is it better to study at AIMST or UCSI? I've already applied to UCSI but am now considering AIMST as well coz (surprise surprise) AIMST fees for Pharmacy is cheaper. But I've also heard that places are limited for AIMST Pharm course, etc. Is it wise to still apply?

Fyi I sat for STPM and my result is 3A for P.Am, Bio, Chem, 2B+ for Maths T and Physics. Hope that I'm not being too obnoxious or anything... at this time of the year still no place to study, and UPU didnt get oso the course I wanted (I applied for Pharmacy cz thought could get with my 3.84 pointer, hishhhh) ... so am very worried right now =]

Also, regarding a pre-reg in UK issue discussed earlier in the thread.. is it possible for Malaysian grads and pharmacists to be allowed to be a pre-reg pharmacist there as well? I mean, after the 4 years total bond to the government it should be enough experience (min 3 yrs working experience right?) to try for pre-reg. Or do Malaysians generally have 'less chance', to be frank?

@youngkies - Yeah, those were my thoughts exactly! Tsk tsk jealous of all the EU students. ASEAN should practise the EU's policies, where EU citizens get special rates at member countries' unis, higher priority in jobs etc., ASEAN's most visible effort even is just the ASEAN scholarship, where all the smart students rebut for place. It's time for ASEAN countries to move in the EU direction, unite in economic and politico-cultural front. Sorry for the unrelated rant.

@jerk - The thing is UCSI still didn't get back to me about my application, even after the test and interview... and school starts this Thursday summore! Maybe I didn't pass the test as my chemistry knowledge was ady karat then.. Direct entry into foreign pharmacy schools? I only know that for UK must go through UCAS, Germany have to go through uni-assist, other than that I have no idea... but money is big prob... if I have the money I will fly to UK and study in London School of Pharmacy. The end. But do you have any suggestions as to any 'affordable', direct-entry pharm schools in EU that offer substantial financial aid as well? Really counting on that hehe... maybe I missed some while doing my homework. But leh IELTS requirement is really ma fan, dah lah so expensive and really seem bleh since I ady got *cough* Band 6 for MUET

@jerk - Yup, I'm fully aware of that... Have been looking up down left right for affordable alternatives overseas but seriously no luck. Have to make do with Malaysia then. Even if I get accepted I can't afford it anyways. Though Germany is an attractive option, considering their degree programs only cost RM2500 - RM3000 per sem, but most courses especially critical ones like medic and pharmacy requires intermediate level command of German, plus need to sit for TestAS or whatever it's called (but there are some that don't need you to know German and lots of courses nowadays conducted fully in English, which is a good thing). Anyone who wants to know these stuff just ask me... considered expert at this ady lol. About postgrad for pharmacy, seems a bit bleh isn't it since if you study for MPharm courses in UK it's practically like repeating your Bachelor degree program. If wanna do postgrad with scholarships better to go into courses with high research potential like Biochem, Biomedic, Biology, Chemistry or Physics or Computer Science, right? Unfortunately the only sane places to do these courses are with public uni, and UPU didn't even offer me any of those. Grrr.

Good question! Lol. The truth is I didn't, coz I didn't think with such 'lousy' grades (i.e. with B+ grades) I must possess some kind of dumb luck to be accepted into NUS Pharmacy course. Anyhow, a bit freaked at having to serve Singapore government for 5 years in exchange for their sponsorship as now the economic condition there isn't too good, right? And ASEAN scholarship lagi la hard to get. That's why I didn't try. I hate it when people keep asking me, 'Why didn't you try Singapore??' Singapore is a country, not food...

@el8155 - Ya I applied... but they haven't got back to me about whether I got accepted or not.. Gotta call them tomorrow man... class starts on Thursday! Haihz... if UCSI tak jadi then have to mati2 go into AIMST lo... if that wan oso tak dapat, I just go back to my job right now and wait for next year's round of intakes...

Or wait... maybe Masterskill lo.... But dunno how good it is. Is the program only in its first year?

@el8155 - In a way, it would be quite fun to be in a relatively new program huh? Get to share 'glory' stories with future students, just like what the AIMST seniors are doing now, haha. But Masterskill I heard the administration not so good... haiyo dunno la, every uni oso lidat wan mah... About UCSI - who knows tak dapat... haih...

What about you? What's your predicament?

This post has been edited by goodfella_rocka: Jun 30 2009, 04:00 AM

Yup I agree.... but it's just too much of a risk.. there's the huge question of whether can get into NUS/NTU for Pharmacy or not. The other science subjects that are plausible such as Chemistry, Biology, Biochem etc. are more research-related. So if you want to continue to Masters, you can't coz you're legally bound to serve to Singaporean government? Or have to defer it till you finish your term? And I heard you gotta find your own job... the Singaporeans ain't gonna find for you (which is NOT such a bad thing actually). Where are you studying now anyway, jerk?

@el8155 - Not to say administration no good... I heard like they've got some kind of internal conflict there... students also don't really like the way they run the college, something like that. Haven't heard of La Trobe before heheh Ooo if we both go UCSI hehe we can meet up o... ^^ Discuss with your parents kaw kaw...

@jerk - Really. I called AIMST today to ask if I could still apply for the intake and they just told me, 'Sorry, no places left.' And hung up on me. WTH? Haha. I guess it's my fault too for applying too late.

@el8155 - We see how le in a few days' time... It's a very crucial time for us all! So are you going to apply to UCSI?

Or maybe 'coz their foundation students suddenly jumped on the Pharmacy bandwagon... XD

Anyways I'm going to UCSI! I hope the Pharmacy course is good there... any honest opinions about it? XD Although it's too late to ask for consensus now? Haha... I like the labs though. =)

baoz is rite ler... Sounds terrifying! But am glad to hear that you're a graduate! =D 36 out of 60 is a bit scary though... dunno if i can make it there too! How many batches of pharmacy students have graduated ady? Employability is equal with grads from other uni right.. Hehe.. Overall how's the study environment like..? I want a taster! Hehehe... Oh ya and how's work as a pharmacist now?

@Alexcruz - Yep, you're basically right. My friend who did STPM and scored 5A's, 4.00 CGPA got the seat for NUS Pharmacy... Gila pandai.. Haha..

Actually right now, though I already attended UCSI's pharm orientation, IMU told me dat I still hv a place in Bpharm with them... So I need urgent and fast advice... Should I go to IMU or stay in UCSI? Though IMU more expensive my dad said he can handle it... I can't make up my mind... How now???

@youngkies - Lol, don't we all? Are you studying or working anyway?

@Dely - Ah cool! We have one senior from KICT! How is life over there as pharmacy student there? How is the campus, lecturers, facilities and everything?

Anyway I think I'm gonna stay at UCSI. Should I crash and burn I will ask to change course to biotech or food science.

@baoz - LOL Speaking of Uni of Queensland... UCSI also got credit transfer there liao but I only read that it's for MSc and BSc in Biotech, BSc Food Science. Uni Q wanna dip their hands into as many Malaysian IPTS as possible?? LOL.

@jerk - Yeah I kinda enjoyed it! Although first day was zzzz... Don't be so harsh on el8155 lol I'm sure he/she was just joking. I know you're not a real jerk at heart! Heheh.

@el8155 - It's still not too late to apply. Class doesn't start till Tuesday, and we're all ready to help you if you come in a bit late. Just don't come in one month later - tiada maaf bagimu! LOL.

This post has been edited by goodfella_rocka: Jul 5 2009, 12:20 PM

@youngkies - You are officially my hero! LOL I plan to get my Pharmacy degree (if all goes well and my brain cells stick with me), do the government service then try the pre-reg in the UK... anything I call you ok? LOL.. How do you secure a place with the pre-reg anyway? Do you get placed with a community pharmacy anywhere they like? Or do you have to get the job first as a provisionally-licensed pharmacist then you apply for the pre-reg? Help us out here if you can!

@el8155 - Eh she took STPM ady la... why would she want to take A-Levels again, which is so inferior to STPM Better for rockmylife89 to take foundation in AIMST and continue Pharmacy there, or take UCSI's foundation in Science is oso ok I think... Or she can join you in Masterskill lo.. hahaha

@youngkies - So that means, after I complete my provisional year and (if) I pass the provisional exam to become fully registered pharmacist in Malaysia, then after I serve another 3 years as a fully registered pharmacist, then if I apply for pre-reg, I am allowed to skip the pre-reg year and straight do the pre-reg exam? Or can I apply for pre-reg straight in my 3rd or final year of studies, but do the pre-reg year then followed by the pre-reg exam? In this case since UCSI is far from being on RGSGB's recognition list I think it's not applicable... hehe... Sorry if I muddled things up!

@jerk - Whoops, I think I let my reply page stand too long... hence miss out some key developments. My bad... SAM is also and ok option, if, like you said, finance is not a limiting factor. Segi is quite ok also. I say go for it.

@youngkies - Thanks for clearing that up!

This might sound juvenile but... what kind of calculator is suitable for the course? I heard that we're not allowed to use calculator... That can't be true right? Ahehe..he...?

Wah sei... I've barely started the course and I'm already jittery from all the advanced scientific terms Can I just fast-forward the whole degree program and become a pharmacist straight away... yeah!! Hahaha

Popping in again to ask if you guys know of any website links to credible and trusted pharmacy or pharmaceutical-related online journals... Thanks!