3 year program vs 4 year program

[dthepharm]

Are 3 year programs better than 4 year programs? I have been thinking about this and am not sure if I would want to go to school year round. With 4 year programs it may be a little longer but is it a slower pace and more time to relax?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[CMUchicka]

I am in 3 year program and i don't like it. Here is what i don't like:
Expenisve Tuition
Little breaks
Way too fast
No life
No college experience
Not enough time to gain experience/ make connections
No decent classmates ( mostly old people lol)

I wouldn't reccomend it unless you are old and in hurry to be done with school and start making money...Then to it's not worth it as there aren't many jobs. Also, after interviewing few clinical pharmacist (hospital), i realized that they don't see this fast track programs in good light.. So up to you..

 

[YTAZ]

Are 3 year programs better than 4 year programs? I have been thinking about this and am not sure if I would want to go to school year round. With 4 year programs it may be a little longer but is it a slower pace and more time to relax?

For me, a 3 year program is better. I would rather graduate one year earlier because of the saturation. Also because of my age. I am 26 now and I would rather have my PharmD degree when I am 29 than 30.

 

[Dr_eyelien]

For me, a 3 year program is better. I would rather graduate one year earlier because of the saturation. Also because of my age. I am 26 now and I would rather have my PharmD degree when I am 29 than 30.

 

[vs12345]

If I was you I would strongly consider avoiding a 3 year program unless you are in desperate need to get out of school 1 year earlier than you would if you went to a 4 year school. I have friends at 3 year programs and they think its awful because they have 0 downtime and they are unable to get a job as well due to the year around classes at high speed.

 

[PharmDoReMe]

I am in 3 year program and i don't like it. Here is what i don't like:
Expenisve Tuition
Little breaks
Way too fast
No life
No college experience
Not enough time to gain experience/ make connections
No decent classmates ( mostly old people lol)

I wouldn't reccomend it unless you are old and in hurry to be done with school and start making money...Then to it's not worth it as there aren't many jobs. Also, after interviewing few clinical pharmacist (hospital), i realized that they don't see this fast track programs in good light.. So up to you..

Which school do you go to, if you don't mind me asking? I'm curious because I plan to attend one soon and I hope I'm not making a wrong decision.

 

[dthepharm]

In 4 year programs do you get summers completely off or do you have to do rotations in a pharmacy?

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

For me, a 3 year program is better. I would rather graduate one year earlier because of the saturation. Also because of my age. I am 26 now and I would rather have my PharmD degree when I am 29 than 30.

Barring a recession, that one year is not gonna make a huge difference. You're better off building a work history and networking for four years than graduating in three years without either.

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

In 4 year programs do you get summers completely off or do you have to do rotations in a pharmacy?

We have two four-week IPPE rotations. Depending on how you schedule, you can do both in one summer or one after P1 and One after P2. I'm doing one IPPE this summer; for the rest of summer break, I work OT to make tuition money.

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

Are 3 year programs better than 4 year programs? I have been thinking about this and am not sure if I would want to go to school year round. With 4 year programs it may be a little longer but is it a slower pace and more time to relax?

Most state universities do four-year PharmD programs. The tuition is significantly cheaper, and you can work during the school year. I would definitely recommend going to a public, four-year program. Our school sends out emails for pharm tech/intern jobs. They really want us out there and working in the pharmacy all year long.

I don't know if the pace is slower at a four year program, but there is time to relax during breaks.

 

[pyan9]

Yeah like the previous posters said, it really depends on what you want to get out of it.

3 years
pro:
-1 year done sooner, 1 year sooner to get a job (probably be okay if you want to do retail)
-might be cheaper because you're out a year earlier
con:
-fast paced, no breaks (think they go into the summers)

4 years
pro:
-more time for things to soak in (not sure if this is true, starting in the fall D or balance things out + summer breaks (assuming) + network
con:
-cost, you are at school for another year, not specific to a school, but in regards to the 3 year pharmacy school in CA = year 1 + 2 = 180k + year 3 of $60k - $250k versus the 4 year schools = year 1-4 = $70k*4 = $280k. This isn't including the 2 public schools here though

It just really depends on what you want to do ie. A pharmacist from a grocery store sat in at the independent pharmacy I was volunteering at and said that he knew as little or much from his 4-year as the other pharmacist from a 3-year because so much info gets rammed into your brain that there is no way to know it all. I don't doubt people's ability to do well, it just depends on if they're able to adapt to the speed and graduate level type of work. If you're already in a school, I would stick with it. My mom said she met a young pharmacist my age who was at the casino, he's probably already making $100k+/year and he's in his mid 20s. Got in and out ASAP b/c of the 3 year program.

 

[Amicable Angora]

Are 3 year programs better than 4 year programs? I have been thinking about this and am not sure if I would want to go to school year round. With 4 year programs it may be a little longer but is it a slower pace and more time to relax?

The answer to this is an overwhelming, no. The only pro they have is being shorter in length. An overwhelming con that wasn't mentioned is that they have a significantly higher fail out rate.

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

Yeah like the previous posters said, it really depends on what you want to get out of it.
4 years
-cost, you are at school for another year, not specific to a school, but in regards to the 3 year pharmacy school in CA = year 1 + 2 = 180k + year 3 of $60k - $250k versus the 4 year schools = year 1-4 = $70k*4 = $280k. This isn't including the 2 public schools here though

When in doubt, always go to the public school. I think UCSF is 27K per year, which is a bargain in Cali. Can't say much for the living expenses though.

 

[Nic24]

I don't think it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be. I'm getting ready to start a 3 year program in August. It's going to be accelerated, we cover the same material as a 4 year, and you do get breaks. Mini breaks, but you still get them. You also still have rotations throughout the year, which lets you network. Your first year, there are 2, 5-week rotations in summer, and 1, 2-week rotation during the year. I don't know the rotation schedule for the 2nd year yet. Then your 3rd year, you're out on rotations the entire year(just like a 4th year student at a 4-year program). You also get a week long Thanksgiving break, a month long December break, and a week for spring break, and 3 weeks in the summer. I work in a hospital pharmacy right now, and we have 4-year program students who work there, and they hardly work b/c of their schedule. Like 1 or 2 weekends a month. I'm sure you can still do that in a 3 year program. I work with a clinical pharmacist in my hospital who went to Lecom, and he is one of the smartest pharmacists there. My school had a 99% pass rate on the Naplex last year. A lot of the graduating students I spoke to at my school were starting retail jobs, but there were about 10 that I met starting a clinical residency, which they said they got from their rotations. There are also lots of clubs, fraternities, and other activities.

I think the biggest thing to consider is whether you want to do a residency. A lot of 4 year programs match students like bread and butter, ie, you can be a C student and get a residency. Whereas, in a 3 year program, you kind of have to be at the top of your class to be competitive to apply. Walgreens and CVS don't care what clubs you're a part of or what GPA you have...as long as you're holding that degree. But if you want to do a residency and you decide on a 3 year school, make sure you really stand out all 3 years. For me, I like the fact of being done earlier. I'm 26 and I have a ton of pharmacy experience already. My rotations and breaks will be enough networking for me. I'll either go home to work or find a job near the school. Honestly, I don't really think networking all 4 years is necessary, as some of you have stated. I have friends from 4 year schools that decided on a residency based on their very last rotation, or a rotation during their last year. The director liked them so much, that they picked them during matching, and she was only there for a little over a month.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I don't think it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be. I'm getting ready to start a 3 year program in August. It's going to be accelerated, we cover the same material as a 4 year, and you do get breaks. Mini breaks, but you still get them. You also still have rotations throughout the year, which lets you network. Your first year, there are 2, 5-week rotations in summer, and 1, 2-week rotation during the year. I don't know the rotation schedule for the 2nd year yet. Then your 3rd year, you're out on rotations the entire year(just like a 4th year student at a 4-year program). You also get a week long Thanksgiving break, a month long December break, and a week for spring break, and 3 weeks in the summer. I work in a hospital pharmacy right now, and we have 4-year program students who work there, and they hardly work b/c of their schedule. Like 1 or 2 weekends a month. I'm sure you can still do that in a 3 year program. I work with a clinical pharmacist in my hospital who went to Lecom, and he is one of the smartest pharmacists there. My school had a 99% pass rate on the Naplex last year. A lot of the graduating students I spoke to at my school were starting retail jobs, but there were about 10 that I met starting a clinical residency, which they said they got from their rotations. There are also lots of clubs, fraternities, and other activities.

I think the biggest thing to consider is whether you want to do a residency. A lot of 4 year programs match students like bread and butter, ie, you can be a C student and get a residency. Whereas, in a 3 year program, you kind of have to be at the top of your class to be competitive to apply. Walgreens and CVS don't care what clubs you're a part of or what GPA you have...as long as you're holding that degree. But if you want to do a residency and you decide on a 3 year school, make sure you really stand out all 3 years. For me, I like the fact of being done earlier. I'm 26 and I have a ton of pharmacy experience already. My rotations and breaks will be enough networking for me. I'll either go home to work or find a job near the school. Honestly, I don't really think networking all 4 years is necessary, as some of you have stated. I have friends from 4 year schools that decided on a residency based on their very last rotation, or a rotation during their last year. The director liked them so much, that they picked them during matching, and she was only there for a little over a month.

"You know nothing Jon Snow."

 

[Nic24]

"You know nothing Jon Snow."

I don't know what student life is like yet. After meeting with the students who were very involved in clubs and in the community, who held jobs while in school, and the thoughts of students that were graduating, I think that part is doable(clubs and a job.) I've looked over first year schedule, and its not that bad regarding breaks. I got into 4 year schools as well, and I had to weigh different things. I spoke to pharmacists, all my pharmacy friends from different programs to try to come to a decision. My opinion still stands that the biggest thing to consider is whether you want to go into a residency after pharmacy school. Otherwise, you'll get into the job market sooner and save on a year's worth of tuition.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I don't know what student life is like yet. After meeting with the students who were very involved in clubs and in the community, who held jobs while in school, and the thoughts of students that were graduating, I think that part is doable(clubs and a job.) I've looked over first year schedule, and its not that bad regarding breaks. I got into 4 year schools as well, and I had to weigh different things. I spoke to pharmacists, all my pharmacy friends from different programs to try to come to a decision. My opinion still stands that the biggest thing to consider is whether you want to go into a residency after pharmacy school. Otherwise, you'll get into the job market sooner and save on a year's worth of tuition.

Let us know later on after you've gotten your feet wet.

 

[Nic24]

Let us know later on after you've gotten your feet wet.

I will!

 

[Nic24]

Are 3 year programs better than 4 year programs? I have been thinking about this and am not sure if I would want to go to school year round. With 4 year programs it may be a little longer but is it a slower pace and more time to relax?

If you're able to time wise and financially, I would try to go to some open houses of 3 and 4 year programs that you're interested in, so you can meet with students and ask questions. I went to 2 and it was really helpful. I also did the pharmacy school virtual fair, where you can chat and skype with different pharmacy school admissions staff. That really helped me narrow my choices. I think they hold 2 sessions in the fall. I wouldn't say either program is better than the other, it really depends on what you want to do. I had concerns about going to school year round and not getting breaks, as well, but talking with current students and pharmacists who did 3 years really made my mind up.

 

[PharmDoReMe]

If you're able to time wise and financially, I would try to go to some open houses of 3 and 4 year programs that you're interested in, so you can meet with students and ask questions. I went to 2 and it was really helpful. I also did the pharmacy school virtual fair, where you can chat and skype with different pharmacy school admissions staff. That really helped me narrow my choices. I think they hold 2 sessions in the fall. I wouldn't say either program is better than the other, it really depends on what you want to do. I had concerns about going to school year round and not getting breaks, as well, but talking with current students and pharmacists who did 3 years really made my mind up.

What school are you going to go to?

 

[Nic24]

What school are you going to go to?

Appalachian

 

[Nguyen]

Get in as soon as possible, get out as soon as possible, and most importantly get a job as soon as possible. So 3 year program all the way.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile