Erin Mallory

I guess you could say that I have always known I wanted to go to UK. But when I was applying for college my senior year of high school, I did not know that I wanted to go to pharmacy school. I did know that I wanted to be relatively close to home so that I could go home on the weekends and visit my family. I also have two older brothers who attended UK and I remember hearing them tell stories about how much fun they had at UK.

I come from a large family who has offered their support since day one. Knowing that my family is behind me 100% and is proud of my accomplishments motivates me to do my best. I would never be where I am today without the support and love of my family.

What's the one thing you wish you had known in highschool?

I wish I had known NOT to take my senior year off. Throughout high school, I saved many of the easy electives to take during my senior year. I wish that I had taken more science electives. I know that if I had applied myself, my undergrad classes at UK would have been a little bit easier.

What's the one thing you wish you had known in undergrad?

I wish that I had taken more time to get involved, work, volunteer, and spend time with family and friends. Grades are important, but only to a certain extent. I was often spending so much of my time studying that I missed out on many experiences of college. You have to find a balance between work, volunteering, school, family and friends.

What was the most surprising thing about pharmacy school?

There are so many opportunities to get involved! Before starting pharmacy school, I thought all the students would only be concerned about school and their grades. In pharmacy school, you will have the opportunity to get involved as little or as much as you want. Getting involved at school gives you the opportunity to enhance your education and practice what you learn at school.

On volunteering in your community

I think it’s important to get involved – so as a student in the College of Pharmacy, I am involved in KAPS, a professional organization aiming to provide pharmacy students with opportunities to further enhance their education by getting involved on campus and in the community. As a student at UK, I was also active in my sorority – particularly in philanthropic events. As philanthropy chair, I helped my sorority raise money for various charities in Lexington, including our national philanthropy the Ronald McDonald House. I also volunteered at St. Vincent's, God's Pantry, Kid's Cafe in Louisville, and with UK Fusion.

On working in a pharmacy

I worked in a community pharmacy in a small grocery store for a year and half prior to starting pharmacy school. I also volunteered at Faith Pharmacy – a pharmacy in Lexington which serves underprivileged families in the Lexington area by supplying them with discount prescription medications and counseling about their medications. To learn more about hospital pharmacy, I shadowed a hospital pharmacist at St. Joseph’s in Lexington.

What do you love most about UK?

I love the atmosphere of Lexington. It is not a very big city, but there is plenty to do for fun. I love going to football tailgates and basketball games with my friends!

Erin’s advice

Get involved! When you are invited for an interview at UK, you will see that all of the prospective students will have respectable grades and PCAT scores. That is how they got the interview. You have to find something to set yourself apart from the other prospective students! Your goal for your interview should be to show your personality and set yourself apart from others, or you will blend in. You want the interviewers to remember you when you leave.

Plans following graduation

I do not know where my degree will lead me, but I am trying to keep an open mind and listen to others' opinions and advice about their experiences in pharmacy. I try to take many of the opportunities that come my way to further enhance my career in pharmacy.