College of Pharmacy Student Spotlight: Aabha Daryapurkar, PharmD Class of 2024
he Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is shining a spotlight on students throughout the year.
Meet Aabha Daryapurkar, a PharmD candidate from Cleveland, Ohio. Aabha is a highly involved student working toward a successful career in pharmacy.
Aabha took over our Instagram stories to provide a glimpse at her life as a PharmD student. Check it out here.
Why did you decide to pursue the College of Pharmacy’s PharmD program?
When I was a junior in high school, I knew that I wanted to do something health care-related and thought pharmacy would be a good fit for me. I enrolled in the Early Assurance Program (EAP) to get guaranteed admission into pharmacy school, but I had a safety net with the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) degree in case I changed my mind.
I decided pharmacy was the right path for me while in the BSPS program, particularly after hearing speakers that came to Pharmacy House to speak about their experiences in the discipline. I also was paired with a pharmacy mentor my freshman year who influenced my choice.
Because of EAP, I didn’t have to apply to pharmacy school, so it was also really nice to not worry about applying to different schools or studying for the PCAT. I know my first year of pharmacy school will have a lot less stress because I already know a lot of the professors and the curriculum, and I met a lot of the people in my cohort. It will be a lot easier for me academically and socially.
What are your goals after graduating?
I’m open to what path I may pursue, but I think I’m mostly interested in pediatric care or clinical pharmacy. I’ve always had an interest in pediatric pharmacy and I’m on the executive board for the Pediatric Pharmacy Association at Ohio State, but I’m also curious about working in a hospital setting.
Post-graduation I would like to do a residency at a hospital pharmacy for a few years. I love the collaboration that happens in hospitals between pharmacists and other health care professionals, and I think working collaboratively to provide the best outcome for patients is something I want to be a part of.
Fortunately, with all the rotations in the PharmD curriculum, I’ll be able to narrow down my career choice with real-world experience.
Are you involved with any research, internships or academic/student activities?
I'm on the executive boards of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association and Student National Pharmacist Association. I’m also a member of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists and I work as an inpatient pharmacy intern at the Cleveland Clinic, which is how I get more of the hospital experience.
How have these experiences enriched your time at Ohio State?
The Pediatric Pharmacy Association allows me to learn a little more about the profession that I wouldn’t have otherwise learned in class. It also gives me more exposure to something I am interested in.
For every organization that I’ve been a part of, there is a speaker there to talk about what they do; it’s great for networking and learning something new. It gives students a step-by-step guide on how to get ahead in their careers. The volunteer opportunities also provide us with great opportunities to help others.
How do you see your education shaping your future?
I think the curriculum in class and the student organizations that I am a part of will help me to narrow down what I want to do post-graduation. A lot of these student organizations are branches of actual pharmacist organizations that will be important as I enter my profession.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
- Grades are important but they are not everything. Keep good grades but don’t stress about smaller things.
- Get involved in student organizations because they will help you gain more experience and insight into a field that you wouldn’t have otherwise learned in class.
- Stay organized! There is a lot you are expected to do as a PharmD student but if you stay organized, everything seems less overwhelming.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. We’re all trying our best.