Canadian Student Marina's Experience Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at MCPHS

MCPHS is a world leader in pharmaceutical education. Hear from Marina, a Canadian student, why she chose MCPHS!

Marina's a student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), which offers many pathways into the program, and provides a world-class pharmaceutical education. Let's hear from Marina on her experience pursuing a PharmD at MCPHS!

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Choosing pharmacy at MCPHS

What was the most significant factor in deciding to enroll in the PharmD program at MCPHS?

Personally, MCPHS being a direct-entry program which allows a worry-free pursuit of the career I would like to join, as well as the university being in the heart of Boston and the Longwood Medical Area, which allowed us many opportunities during rotations, as well as in daily contact with world-class hospitals and networking opportunities. Additionally, the university and the PharmD program have been established for many years, making it very known in the area, which helps when building connections for future experiences.

How do you feel MCPHS is preparing you for your future in the pharmacy profession?

MCPHS has very good and different IPPE rotation sites and has prepared us by using our intro to pharmacy management class and labs. (IPPE refers to interprofessional practice and education — real-world experiential learning.)

As a Canadian student, I have been working in pharmacies since the age of 16, and a lot of the drugs have different brand names here. This class helped me when knowing drugs for my IPPE rotations. Moreover, being able to collaborate practice across fields within MCPHS with pre-med, and nursing students has been a worthwhile addition to me and my future profession.

Building a pharmaceutical resumé

How have you complemented your in-class studies with high-impact resumé building experiences?

There are many classes that showed us different opportunities around the Longwood Medical Area and different pharmaceutical professions that I didn’t know existed. My main hands-on experience has been through my rotations. This helped me see how the American system works, and how challenging it can be to deal with different types of patients around Boston, and how what we learned in class can be transmitted into real-world pharmacy practice.

What achievements are you most proud of since joining MCPHS?

One of my biggest achievements is being able to be part of the Coptic Orthodox Student Fellowship (COSF). This group has been a huge part of my life and allowed me to make many connections with students within my major, or in different majors.

I have had the honour of being named to the Dean’s List and have also completed my first rotation, both of which I consider significant milestones.

Life on campus in Boston

What student clubs and professional organizations are you involved in?

As I mentioned previously, I am a part of COSF and have been involved in many different events that they have organized. I am also a part of the Canadian Club at MCPHS, which has helped me connect with other people from Canada, and make connections that provide both personal support and professional networking opportunities. These organizations have allowed me to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and feel more engaged in the campus community.

During my IPPE rotation, I work closely with pharmacists, technicians, and other students to counsel patients, administer injections, and manage prescriptions efficiently, which taught me the importance of communication and supporting each other under pressure.

What do you love most about the MCPHS campus community?

One of the things I love most about the MCPHS campus community is the number of opportunities available for students to be involved, like events that occur, clubs, and different ways to professionally grow.

The MCPHS campus community is diverse and includes a global student body, which is a great opportunity to enrich my learning.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marina! We look forward to welcoming more Canadian students to MCPHS.