Amanda Clary

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

I have been a pharmacist for 16 years. I have a Pharm.D, which essentially makes me a "Doctor of Pharmacy." I have worked in all kinds of pharmacy settings, including retail, home infusion, oncology, long term care, administratively, as well as in claims and coverage determinations! I have basically seen almost almost every side of pharmacy there is at this point!

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

I actually started working for Kaplan while I was in college before I actually got into pharmacy school! So I know how to teach people how to take standardized tests very well! The first time I took the PCAT I scored a 52%. The SECOND time I took the PCAT I BOTH *STUDIED* for it and HAD been teaching for Kaplan also. I scored a 97%!

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy is a VERY competitive program to get into. The very first year I applied I didn't get in and my MOM actually told me, verbatim, that "I was too stupid and wouldn't get in and needed to go to a dumber school." So of COURSE, I was like, well THANKS Mom, and didn't listen to her, and planned to reapply the next year anyways. I retook some courses, studied for the PCAT to get a better school, and actually even applied and GOT INTO NURSING School, because if I WASN'T going to get into Pharmacy School this next year I at least DIDN'T want to be wasting my time, you know? University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy accepts 100 students every year and that 2nd year when I applied there were 1000 applicants. I was one of the VERY first groups to get an acceptance email from them that year. That was one of moments in my life that I remember never being so happy then ever before! PLUS, I was legit HATING nursing school SO much! Lol!