From Fujian to Pharmacy: Finding a Path From OCCC to OU College of Pharmacy

For Cindy Lin, the journey to pharmacy school began in Fujian, a province in southern China, and was shaped by a passion for science, a commitment to helping others and the support she received from her local pharmacist.

Now a first-year (P1) student at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Lin is building on the academic foundation she developed at Oklahoma City Community College and looking ahead to a future in nuclear pharmacy.

“I’m interested in pharmacy because it combines my love of science with patient care,” she said. “I like that pharmacists are accessible healthcare providers who can really impact the community.”

Her interest in pharmacy is also personal.

“I received a lot of help from my local pharmacist, especially when my children weren’t feeling well,” she said.

That experience helped her appreciate the important role pharmacists play in their communities, not only as medication experts but also as accessible, trusted healthcare professionals.

Before joining the OU College of Pharmacy, Lin attended OCCC, where she completed her prerequisite coursework. OCCC was the first institution to establish an early assurance agreement with the OU College of Pharmacy. Through this partnership, eligible OCCC students who earn an Associate of Science in pre-pharmacy may pursue an early assurance pathway to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, which includes four years of professional study at OU’s Harold Hamm Health Campus in Oklahoma City.

The pathway provides a streamlined admissions process and an opportunity to interview for the Pharm.D. program earlier than through the traditional application process, provided students meet the program’s requirements.

OCCC provided Lin with a strong academic foundation, particularly in physiology and organic chemistry and their accompanying laboratory courses.

“Having prior knowledge and understanding of the concepts and lab practices really helped me during my studies,” she said.

The affordability of attending OCCC was another important benefit. For Lin, the experience provided both the academic preparation and financial flexibility needed to pursue her goal of becoming a pharmacist.

Her transition to the OU College of Pharmacy was made easier by the alignment between the two programs.

“The transition was smooth because the pre-pharmacy program at OCCC aligned well with OU’s expectations, which helped streamline the process for prerequisite coursework,” she said. “The Early Assurance program made the application and interview processes much easier and faster.”

She added that support from the recruitment and admissions office allowed her to focus more on her academics.

Lin is discovering the many facets of the profession. Her favorite course so far is pharmaceutics, particularly the laboratory component.

“I especially enjoy the lab section because I love the hands-on practice of making medications,” she said.

Applying classroom knowledge in a laboratory setting has been a highlight of her first year and has reinforced her interest in the science behind medication preparation and delivery.

Although she is still exploring the many career paths available to pharmacists, Lin already has a strong interest in nuclear pharmacy.

“I’m interested in nuclear pharmacy because it’s highly specialized,” she said. “I like the precision and detail-oriented work it involves.”

At the same time, she is keeping an open mind as she progresses through the Pharm.D. program.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about other tracks through rotations,” she said.

Rotations provide opportunities to explore different practice settings that will help her better understand where her skills and interests may ultimately lead.

After earning her Pharm.D., Lin plans to take the next step toward her career by passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and obtaining her pharmacist license. Her long-term goal is to work in nuclear pharmacy and use the knowledge and expertise she develops at OU to help patients.

For now, Lin is focused on making the most of her first year, building her knowledge, developing her skills and exploring the many possibilities within the profession.

“I am so excited that the OU College of Pharmacy can partner with OCCC to help students have a clear pathway to pharmacy.  It is really a win-win situation.  Students receive mentoring and guidance from the College about the early assurance requirements to ensure they are on the right path. This saves the students time and money while they are gaining a strong foundation of knowledge.  The College also wins because it helps us achieve the University’s mission of contributing to the workforce and lifting the health of Oklahomans, since pharmacists are an integral part of the healthcare team and they are the most accessible healthcare providers, especially in rural communities,” said Dean Melissa Medina.

The College of Pharmacy is now expanding the early assurance program to other colleges and universities across the state including recent agreements with Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma Christian University.