Kevin Nelson

• Michigan City
• Accepted to the Purdue University Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Kevin Nelson has a 3.9 grade point average., which helped him earn a place in the highly extremely competitive Purdue University Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

“The program is competitive to determine who is dedicated enough to become a pharmacist,” he said. “I saw this as a challenge to prove that I was dedicated and qualified to enter into the pharmacy program. The pharmacy program stresses dedication; making the program this competitive shows who really wants to be there.”

He was among three Purdue University North Central students who have been accepted to the Purdue School of Pharmacy.

Nelson is happy he started his Purdue education at PNC.

“ PNC is a great campus where there are small class sizes and professors are always willing to assist you,” he explained.

“The campus offers many resources to help students succeed. There is a nice small-campus feeling where you know a lot of people and constantly see them on campus. I think PNC is a great university, whether you only are there for a few years or finish a degree.”

He is the Pre-Pharmacy and Delta Sigma (Science) clubs president and is a math tutor. He was one of 17 PNC students who were part of a PNC Delta Sigma Club trip to Tutwiler, Mississippi to help rebuild homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Off campus, he volunteers with a Boy Scout Troop in Michigan City as an assistant scout master. I volunteer at a local nursing home assisting with a Catholic communion service that is held each Saturday.

“My favorite PNC experience was participating in the Habitat for Humanity trip. I formed many strong bonds and am glad I was a part of it.”

How does he mix academics, home, work and a social life?

Careful time management helps him to set priorities and keep things on track.

“It was not easy to keep things separate. It is important to find time for homework, extracurricular activities, work and personal life, without losing sight of the big picture or completely losing your mind. I kept my school work limited to the week and weekend days. I had weekend nights to unwind and relax. If I focused all of my time on just school, I would have burned out after a while and would not have been as successful,” he explained.

The Purdue University pharmacy program is ranked fourth in the nation and has very high admission standards. This four-year program had a record 1,000 applicants from throughout the county, but only 160 qualified for admission. The incoming class of Purdue pharmacy students has a collective grade-point average of 3.67. The program looks at a student’s on- and off-campus activities, their community involvement and work life in an effort to attract bright, well-rounded students.

For Nelson, the field suits his personality.“Pharmacy is a people oriented field. It is largely about serving individuals and the community and using your knowledge to assist others,” said Nelson. “I want a career that focuses on helping others. As a pharmacist I will be able to apply my knowledge to helping others.”