Andy Rivas
Pharm. D. Candidate, Class of 2030
St. John's University
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I could say that I live by the words "you can always do better" I have taken those words into my everyday life such as grades, fitness, and overall most of the choices in my life. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help others. I was one of those kids who always helped someone up if they had fallen. Whenever I did small acts of kindness towards others, I felt good about myself. I concluded that I wanted to be in the medical field as a career. Later in life, I realized I was passionate about science. It was the only subject I had fun studying. When it came time to choose a career to study for in college, I ended up with pharmacy because I could combine my need to help others and my passion for sciences and be happy in the long run. I knew that this program was well-respected and I would learn many skills that would help me in my life. All of these skills would help me help others better and that is exactly what I need. My goals are to become a pharmacist and to help as many people as I can in my life. Pharmacy is the option for me because it is a career I am willing to study long hours just to help another person. Pharmacy is my passion because even though it will help others, It is very interesting at the same time. Studying drugs and diseases would seem fun to me. Some of my positive attributes are hard-working, resilient, altruistic, consistent, and optimistic. I think I am these because of my need to help others. I can use these attributes to become a great pharmacist. Becoming a great pharmacist is important to me because it allows me to help others like I always wanted to.
To maintain my status as a full-time pharmacy student
To graduate with a beyond-satisfactory GPA
Make connections that would help me in the future
To continue working on my health with physical fitness and nutrition
Make friends with fellow pharmacy students
Enjoy my time as a college student
Becoming a hospital intern
The goals I have for myself during the following years 5-10 are:
Being able to have a stable career in hospital pharmacy
Being able to have an impact on my community
Be a role model for students
Get married
My goals I have for myself during the following year 15 are:
Surpass in my career
Build up wealth
Have a beautiful family
Give back to the community
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Expected May 2030
Pharmacy (Six-year Pharm.D) Major
Pharm D Candidate, 2024
Francis Lewis High School - Queens, New York;
Graduated September 2020 - June 2024
Advanced Regents Diploma
Jerry Laskin Enterprise ( 30 Monroe St, Port Washington, NY) May 2022- Present
Roadie
- Carry gear, set up sound and lights system, run cable, and tear down
- Managed photobooth, conversed with clients, and supervised machinery
- Load up moving vehicle with party needs such as sound and light systems
- Keep clients satisfied with the game system by supervising the game system
WATAworks ( 239-12 Oak Park Drive, Queens, NY ) June 2023- September 2024
Lifeguard
- Managed pool and facility
- Helped others feel comfortable swimming
- Taught children how to swim
- Able to save people who are drowning
Sponsoring Organization: St. John's University
Date received: March 11, 2024
Description: As a scholarship recipient please note that you must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year and maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your scholarship.
Catholic Student Scholarship
Sponsoring Organization: St. John's University
Date received: March 11, 2024
Description: You must remain in good academic standing at the University to continue to receive this scholarship.
PrometPhysical Therapy Internship (138-28 Queens Blvd, Briarwood, NY) February 2023- July 2023
Hours: 65
Description:
Every Monday after school, starting from February to July, from 3 pm to 8 pm, I worked as an Intern. As an intern, I managed and oversaw clients while the therapist was occupied. I used my communication skills to converse with clients and find out their needs to give them to the therapist later. I also provided the clients with what they needed. I assisted the head physical therapist with clients by teaching them specific workouts that are associated with their injury recovery plan.
November 2022 - December 2023
During high school, I took part in the varsity wrestling team. I learned how to be resilient. I learned how to defend myself, take care of myself, and, more importantly, what I am capable of. During these extreme workouts that I have undergone while on this team, I've had several mental battles with myself, and in the end, I have come out on top. With a record of being 5-1 and competing in tournaments across the city, I learned what resilience meant.
Physical Fitness
Since my brother showed me the gym, I have loved it. From my first year to now, I have been trying to improve myself every day because of this. I have built discipline, consistency, and courage. But more importantly, I helped my friends out the most. Since I was the first in my friend group to go to the gym, I convinced everyone else to try it. One day at a time, after teaching them the basics, I could see the same motivation in their eyes as I had on my first day. One by one, day after day, I slowly turned my entire friend group into gym-goers who care about their bodies now. I spent a lot of time with each of them, personally, teaching them form, eating well, and resting. I turned some of my friends away from bad habits and gave them one of the best habits they could have, and I am proud of myself for that.
What surprised me about my strengths was that they follow my passion and lifestyle. My harmony strength comes from trying to solve arguments, not prolonging them. My achiever strength comes from being a hard-working individual. My analytical strength comes from developing my interest in science. My empathy strength comes from wanting to help others. And lastly, my restorative strength comes from my interest in always trying to do better. I plan to use my strengths to achieve all of my goals through determination, and resilience.
Pharmacy: A first-year reflection
1) A pharmacist is an outgoing leader. They are someone who always persevere and are not afraid of failing. They are someone who always cares for their patients no matter what their background/race is. They are a leader who is dedicated to healthcare and are dedicated to their patients.
2) I chose pharmacy as my major because I always wanted to help people as my profession. Pharmacy stood out to me because people always get and always will get sick and I think if I become a pharmacist, that is the best way to give back to the community. Becoming a pharmacist in my opinion is the best way to help the most amount of people in my lifetime. I always cared for others especially those around me but once I became a pharmacist then I can care for the people who need help.
3) I chose St. John's because it's close to home. If I went away, I knew I would have trouble learning. My brother came here for school, and he said it is a great school to go to. St. John's had a great pharmacy program, so I decided to go here. I went to Francis Lewis High School, so I am already familiar with the area. I also knew If I went here then I would get great connections for my future. The campus had a lot to offer for my stay here for 6 years. There are a lot of study groups I can attend for my classes in the next 6 years so I will have a lot of help.
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