virtuoso28

I'm pretty sure there are some programs that you can apply to where you don't need to take the PCAT.

and taking tests? it'll just be practice and more practice. by the time you're done with what ever pharmacy program, I'm sure you'll be okay.

There's a shortage of pharmacists in the world. If you do well, you'll get an offer. I'm lucky that I live in NJ where it's basically the center of pharmaceutical companies with J&J and BMS really close by.

You can succeed if you work hard and it seems you have the ambition to, so go for it! [though i disagree with your reason to want to please your parents. it should be your choice--yet it's partially my reason too? because they want me to have a good future?] I have heard that besides the stability and nice salary...it can get a bit boring sometimes depending on what you do...so yea.

which colleges are you applying to?

patel

virtuoso, thanks for giving me some confidence. I think being a pharmacist would be fun and exciting, even though at times it may seem boring. Being able to help others and feel good about it is one of the greatest feelings in the world (for me anyways). I don't think I would get easily bored being a pharmacist, but the hardest obstacle will be pharmacy school (and possibly even undergraduate school).

I applied to Georgia State University as a back-up, and I got accepted there. I won't know from University of Georgia till April. I've got a complacent attitude about being accepted into UGA. I also wrote four outstanding essays which were flawless - had a professional writer read mine as well. Then, I don't know where I'll go to pharmacy school yet. It mostly depends on how well I do in college, and then I'll look at my options. I'll probably look at UGA's pharmacy school first, but chances are I'll go out-of-state. So what are the colleges you have or are applying to?

OKgirl

Pharmacy Forums [ PharmD ] - Student Doctor Network Forums

that site helps me tons

patel

Thank you OKgirl! I'm going to bookmark that now. Very helpful indeed.

OKgirl

your welcome. they are very helpful

avik224

Well, at the college fair in my school, they said that the SAT composite score (Reading + Math) for pharm in st. john's is 1200.....I don't remember if this was the average score or an entrance requirement........please confirm with the admissions department...

St. John's doesn't start evaluating pharm applications until February 1....an admission counselor told me that.........so if you want to apply for that program, you have time...........

The best thing for you to do would be to call St. John's and explain your situation to them..........then ask them if you can apply to the pharmacy school even though you've already been accepted as an undecided major.....

Also, if that doesn't work out, you can still apply to Long Island University........their application deadline is in February..........and they also have a 0-6 pharmacy program.........The pharmacy school is in Brooklyn, NY....not too far from St. John's....

Hope this helps..

lkf725

Oooo, I'm sorry that I missed that question. I think avik224 gave good advice to call St. John's since the application deadline has not yet passed. Honestly, a 0+6 program would be hard to pass up.

patel

By the way, I'm curious about the pre-pharmacy major thing. Some say their major in college was Pre-Pharmacy, but is that possible? I mean... isn't Pre-Pharmacy like a guideline to go by for pharmacy school? I've heard people argue that it is and that it isn't a major. What's your take on it? If Pre-Pharmacy is not considered a major, then I'll head towards Chemistry because I'm thinking about getting my bachelor's degree before applying to pharmacy schools so my chances slightly increase.

OKgirl

Basically it can be your major, but you don't get a degree in Pre-Pharmacy like you would in chemistry. You can major in anything you want to as long as you take the pre-reqs for pharmacy. My major is pre-pharmacy because I don't want to attend undergrad school for 5 years unless it will majorly help me and I have no interest in getting a degree other than pharmacy

patel

How many years of undergrad are you doing, okgirl? Also, lkf or anyone else who can answer my question... how many years of undergrad do you recommend before heading off to pharmacy school? Two? Three? Four? More than four?

lkf725

I would recommend the shortest time filling the pharmacy prerequisites as possible, unless you have a real desire to get a degree in something else. You can get in right out of high school at some colleges - the most secure option. Just as fast, but less secure, is completing your prerequisite classes in about two years and then doing the 4 years of pharmacy school. I really don't know that it is any admissions advantage to get a bachelors degree in chem or some other area - maybe ask that question at a few pharm schools. Regarding the "prepharm" major: what is that except a prescribed set of classes that is required for pharmacy school admission? You can do them in two years. Is the "prepharm" major an actual 4 year degree?

patel

I don't think the Pre-Pharmacy has to be a four year thing. I guess it solely depends on the college. Some might have it at two, and some might have it at four. Two years possibly if you take classes during the summer maybe. I'm not sure myself. If I get accepted to UGA, I'll look further into their system in April. If not, I'll have to get myself familiar with Georgia State's Pre-Pharmacy plan.

pharmacogenomic

I'm currently a pharmacy student at the University of Michigan, so if you all have any questions, PM me and I will do the best I can to tell you what it's like so far!

OKgirl

My prereqs will only take me 1.5 years b/c of concurrent enrollment. It really just depends on how many credits are required to enter the pharmacy school of your choice.

As far as getting a degree before applying to pharm school, you should take to a pharm admissions person and ask them about the stats of most of their students that get in. At my school, few people actually get a degree first, but at another college, maybe most people will have one. I think it just really depends on how many people apply for the program compared to how many get in.

I'm really not an expert on the subject b/c i'm still a few months away from graduating HS. I have done tons of research on pharmacy programs and I asked people lots of questions, but I still may not be completely correct.

gator1089

Do you have to major in Pharmacy... or is it possible to major in something else, say microbiology, and then go into pharmacy. My problem is I want to go to med school, but I know this is very hard to accomplish, so i was considering pharm as a back up- and microbiology is the major I am going to declare.