Advice for a non-science major thinking of going into pharmacy?

[ambs01]

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So after nearly four years of being a Psych undergrad, it is finally during my final year that I realized how unsatisfied I am graduating with a B.A. in Psych. I really wish that I had the opportunity to learn more about medical/science programs in my first two years of college, but I've had to learn everything the hard way and it is only in the summer before my fourth year that I learned from friends and other people that I really want to pursue a career in Pharmacy instead.

Since I'm nearly done with all my Psych requirements though, I was wondering if anyone could shed some advice on what to do or what I should be prepared for given my current predicament. After I graduate this spring 2013, I'm thinking of going to community college to finish the science requirements needed for Pharmacy school. My overall GPA as of now is 3.6, but I am working hard to make sure I can graduate with high honors and at least take some of the lower-division requirements like Statistics or General Chemistry.

If I want to go into Pharmacy school in California (I am a resident of CA and I would really like to go into a school in the state because I can't afford to go out of state with the amount of loans I've already taken out), what would you be your advice to prepare myself?

Should I be looking into volunteer/internship programs and where would you suggest I look? My friend who is also doing Pharmacy is thinking of getting her license as a Pharm Tech and I was wondering if that would be a good idea to do so?

I've been using the PharmCAS site as a reference for which courses I still need to take, but I'm not entirely confident or certain of what are the list of requirements I need. Like where do you find out which classes you need to take and how many units/series (ie. like how after General Chemistry, you have to take Organic Chemistry)?

Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful!

 

[cup cake]

Should I be looking into volunteer/internship programs and where would you suggest I look? My friend who is also doing Pharmacy is thinking of getting her license as a Pharm Tech and I was wondering if that would be a good idea to do so?

I've been using the PharmCAS site as a reference for which courses I still need to take, but I'm not entirely confident or certain of what are the list of requirements I need. Like where do you find out which classes you need to take and how many units/series (ie. like how after General Chemistry, you have to take Organic Chemistry)?

Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful!

1) Yes, because many of the California pharm schools require reference from a pharmacist. Go to your local independent or hospital pharmacies and ask the pharmacist if you could volunteer or shadow.
2) Look at each of the school's website & look at the course articulation page.

 

[FarmACollegeE]

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Since I'm nearly done with all my Psych requirements though, I was wondering if anyone could shed some advice on what to do or what I should be prepared for given my current predicament. After I graduate this spring 2013, I'm thinking of going to community college to finish the science requirements needed for Pharmacy school. My overall GPA as of now is 3.6, but I am working hard to make sure I can graduate with high honors and at least take some of the lower-division requirements like Statistics or General Chemistry.

Sounds like a plan. If you can take Gen Chem I and Stats at least (so long as stats is a pre-req. for schools you are interested in), you absolutely should. You can knock out Gen Chem II in the summer along with maybe another course (Maybe Bio I).

If the university you will be graduating from has a university hospital, immediately learn about/contact their volunteer services dept. and try to apply for a volunteer position in the outpatient pharmacy or inpatient pharmacy. Make yourself flexible though with regards to volunteer positions since you will need volunteer hours anyways and you can always slide into a pharmacy spot if one opens up since you're already there. Show that you're an individual that's willing to do what it takes!

If you find it difficult to get into some type of pharmacy setting through that route, you can always try and gain some experience in a retail pharmacy. I don't know what the regulations are in the area you live in for non-Pharm. tech. individuals, but in Arizona you are able to purchase a license that allows you to work in a non-hospital pharmacy.

Carry out some in-depth research on the pharmacy programs that you are interested in, live near, can afford, and/or have many of the pre-req's completed for.

Most schools I know of asked for:
*First and second semester Bio (Sometimes named Intro to Bio, MCB Intro, etc)
*First and second semester Gen Chem (Sometimes named Chem I, Gen Chem I, etc)
*First and second semester Organic chemistry
*First and second semester Physiology (Human anatomy...)
*Calculus I and either Calc II/Stats/or some other math course
*Non-calculus based physics
*Microbiology (ie. Intro to microbiology and lab)
*Additional science lab course (I took an upper division microbiology course since it was part of my major anyways)

Best thing to do is to research your options. Keep in mind that while your aspirations are important, you should also be realistic about the time it requires, the dedication, and the economic feasibility. Since you will be graduating shortly, I know I need not lecture you on all that! 😀

Good luck and don't ever think it's too much, it's all doable.

 

[ambs01]

If the university you will be graduating from has a university hospital, immediately learn about/contact their volunteer services dept. and try to apply for a volunteer position in the outpatient pharmacy or inpatient pharmacy. Make yourself flexible though with regards to volunteer positions since you will need volunteer hours anyways and you can always slide into a pharmacy spot if one opens up since you're already there. Show that you're an individual that's willing to do what it takes!

Wow, thank you so much for the insight and kind advice! All the information you've told me has been way more informative than the things I've heard from my university's advisors, so thank you again! For volunteer positions, would you have to have a science major or science-related background in order for most pharmacists to consider you to shadow them? Also, what is the difference between an outpatient pharmacy and inpatient pharmacy?

 

[ambs01]

1) Yes, because many of the California pharm schools require reference from a pharmacist. Go to your local independent or hospital pharmacies and ask the pharmacist if you could volunteer or shadow.
2) Look at each of the school's website & look at the course articulation page.

Thank you! I will definitely look at the course articulation's pages. As for volunteering, do you know if most pharmacists require that you were a science major or have had previous experience in order to be considered for volunteer work or shadowing? Like what are some of the qualifications they would look for in a volunteer?

 

[FarmACollegeE]

Wow, thank you so much for the insight and kind advice! All the information you've told me has been way more informative than the things I've heard from my university's advisors, so thank you again! For volunteer positions, would you have to have a science major or science-related background in order for most pharmacists to consider you to shadow them? Also, what is the difference between an outpatient pharmacy and inpatient pharmacy?

I doubt they would insist you have a science-background. I know a fellow volunteering in the inpatient pharmacy that is a journalism major....so it's definitely an option.

In the outpatient pharmacy, student volunteers mainly dispense medications to patients and sometimes fulfill orders. You're mostly at the window or register providing customer service and counting pills.

In the inpatient pharmacy, much of my time is spent filling code trays (mainly filling a plastic tray to reflect what is asked for on a list), returning or pulling medications for orders, and ensuring that the IV formulation room is constantly stocked as well as making sure that IV bags are available for immediate use. Inpatient pharmacists spend most of their time consulting physicians and nurses on drug regimens, food/drug interactions, and more. Both are great learning experiences, both are interesting, and you should consider both as an option (take what you can get!). Also, I would avoid saying you would like to "shadow" a Pharmacist in the hospital pharmacy because most of the time you will be doing actual work (nothing unusual) and not just following the PharmD around.

When I filled out my volunteer applications (filled out 3 for different hospitals in my city, got into the best one), they asked for two letters of rec, past work/volunteer history, my GPA, and I believe my major as well as my interests. I doubt being a non-Science major would disqualify you at all since you are interested in pharmacy volunteer experience to complete your prepharmacy prequisites! If you were simply a. let's say, Sociology major that wanted to volunteer to help out and provide a hand, in that case I'm sure they would rather give the opening to the prepharmacy individual because it is imperative for them to volunteer. You'll be fine, just apply at numerous hospitals and reapply after 6 months if you find they're all full/not currently interested.

 

[kcha90]

I have a B.A. in Humanities and I highly encourage you to pursue pharmacy. The profession needs innovators, and innovation happens through discourse and sharing different perspectives. The profession does not need more of the same (which is not to say that non-science majors are better for pharmacy, just that they could be beneficial). But before you make your decision, get some pharmacy experience so you know if it's right for you. Shadow, volunteer, intern, etc.

 

[jerbearox]

its very possible. my only advice is to brace yourself! its going to be far different that what you are used to.