a nonscience major

[musicman123]

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Hi everyone. I'm currently a Junior, aiming for a BMus in piano performance at Rice University. As a music/nonscience major, it's quite difficult for me to fit in prepharmacy prerequisites among Rice's rigorous music curriculum.
Many of the music core classes have conflicted with the science classes that I need to take. I've already taken some of the other prereqs. I'm going to take Physics this year and Biology and Orgo my senior year. After that, I'll be short of a few classes like a Biology lab, physiology, and/or microbiology, depending on the pharmacy school. Because I will be finishing the science courses as a senior, I plan to take the pcats during the summer after graduation. So instead of applying in the current application cycle, I will be applying later.

My questions are the following:
1. Does it matter what I major in college, or just as long as I fulfill the prerequisites?
2. Should I consider switching to a BA in music rather than a BMus? Or should I stay with BMus and finish the prereqs at another college (community or state) after I graduate from Rice? (I'd hate to cut off my music backroad)
3. Do schools like UCSF or University of Pacific allow applicants to take one or two years off before applying to complete the prerequisites?

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[Knickerbocker]

A month ago, you were planning to do medical school. Did you change your mind, or is pharmacy just "plan b?"

 

[parabolic]

Go Owls! 😀

I don't think schools discriminate too much by major so long as you can prove you know your stuff in chemistry and biology; it's just harder to do if you weren't a science major.

I got my BA in 2006, *then* decided I wanted to do pharmacy, so I'm finishing my pre-reqs at a local CC. I've been told that doesn't matter, and that the interim spent working since graduation isn't too much of a detriment either. What does apparently matter is lacking upper-level science courses, which would be a plus on the application.

So far as switching from BMus to BA in Music, think of it this way: if you ever decide to go back to music, which degree will be better suited to getting you the position you want? Then go for that one.

 

[musicman123]

A month ago, you were planning to do medical school. Did you change your mind, or is pharmacy just "plan b?"

I've been debating between med and pharm for a while, but after working in the pharmacy this summer, I like the environment and atmosphere better.

 

[musicman123]

Go Owls! 😀

I don't think schools discriminate too much by major so long as you can prove you know your stuff in chemistry and biology; it's just harder to do if you weren't a science major.

I got my BA in 2006, *then* decided I wanted to do pharmacy, so I'm finishing my pre-reqs at a local CC. I've been told that doesn't matter, and that the interim spent working since graduation isn't too much of a detriment either. What does apparently matter is lacking upper-level science courses, which would be a plus on the application.

So far as switching from BMus to BA in Music, think of it this way: if you ever decide to go back to music, which degree will be better suited to getting you the position you want? Then go for that one.

The only upper division biology course I've taken is Immunology, which I did okay in. I could have done better. I definitely don't have time to take Bioc during the remaining years at Rice.

 

[musicman123]

Also, does Pharmcas separate the gpa calculations into two like Amcas does?

 

[OSUpharmy]

Go Owls! 😀

I don't think schools discriminate too much by major so long as you can prove you know your stuff in chemistry and biology; it's just harder to do if you weren't a science major.
quote]

I totally agree. Having a non-science major, I think, is an asset. The admissions committee quite possibly will see you as well-rounded and less likely to get burned out.👍

 

[Jack555]

Personally I think someone who had a bs in chem/bio would get chosen over someone with a degree in music with the minimum pre-reqs. Why? The chem/bio major will have taken a lot more upper division science classes and be better prepared for pharmacy school.


However, a good route would be to just take upper division science classes once your done with your pre-reqs.


(imo)

 

[musicman123]

Since practicing and chamber music do require time, would it be better to enroll in a post-bac program instead of overloading with courses?