Misty Carroll

I chose UK because I had a family and my husband’s job was in Lexington. I only applied to UK. In fact, I applied more than once before getting accepted. So my motto in life is to be persistent and never give up on your dreams. However, if I had the option to choose any college of pharmacy, I still would have chosen U.K. because I bleed BLUE!

Family Life and Pharmacy School

I am married with four boys (ages 3, 6, 10, 12). Family life has impacted my pharmacy education in many ways. Being in a later stage of life than most pharmacy students gave me a more mature view of life and responsibilities. I had more than just myself to consider each and every day. I would get up each morning and get everyone off to school or child care (with the help of my husband of course), and then sit through endless lectures only to return home to picking up kids, making dinner, cleaning house, doing homework with my children, etc.

When did I study you ask? After 9:00 pm or before 7:00 am. There were many nights I would stay up late and many mornings I would be up by 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. in order to get my school work completed. However, all this work made me more determined to study hard and do whatever it took to be successful in school.

People are always asking me how do I do it and I must honestly say that if it was not for my loving and supportive husband and divine intervention from God, I would never have made it. My family had to sacrifice many things in order for me to attend pharmacy school and for that I will be eternally grateful.

On Becoming Involved

I have been involved in many activities—sometimes I have been the leader of the activity, sometimes I followed others, and occasionally I have simply supervised and mentored the activities of others. The one thing I have learned from it all is that there is always a place for you to fit in and get involved. Making a difference by being involved in issues that you are passionate about is what makes life meaningful. If you just sit back and put in the status quo to get by in life then you are truly missing out on some of the greatest experiences life has to offer.

Working in a pharmacy

Before coming to pharmacy school, I was a full-time science teacher at East Jessamine High School. During that time, I worked one night a week for about six months at Kroger in Nicholasville to make sure I wanted to give up one career to chase another.

What do you love most about UK?

I love the closeness of the students, faculty, and staff. It is like we are all a part of one great big family. The faculty and staff really do care about the success of each and every student.

Misty’s advice

Undergrads: even the boring classes like History, Art, and English are as important as Biochemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Calculus. It takes a well-rounded person to be successful in life. I pity the narrow minded. Don’t give up! Learn to be well-rounded and open-minded, and for those second-career students, if I can do it you can, too.

Plans following graduation

I intend to get a job as a clinical pharmacist in an innovative, growing community hospital.