Advice for taking a Pre-Pharmy Track...

[godofpoop]

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Hi, I would like to ask some advice about deciding to enter Pharmacy or entering a Pre-Pharmacy track. I was reading lots of threads throughout this forum and I'm pretty overwhelmed at how difficult it sounds... I understand a lot of it is a matter of hard work and dedication, but I thought it might be worth asking about if I could get some other insight on the matter.

I just completed high school and thought I should enter the Pre-Pharmacy track at my college. Now I'm a little bit doubtful after reading about how difficult it is. In high school I was alright in Biology and really good at Chemistry, but horrible at Physics and Maths. I took lots of AP's and Gifted classes, graduated with a 3.3GPA (would have been higher I think but I got sick for a month in my junior year), but I never did anything really spectacular or really excelled among my peers unless it was in history because for some reason, that's where I have the most natural talent.
Some grades to lay it out, they really pale in comparison to my social studies/language grades though...
Biology: B
Chemistry: A
AP Physics: B/C (AP score: 2)
Geometry: B
Algebra II: B
Pre-calculus: C
AP Statistics: B (AP score: 3)

I've never been good at math and even with a super awesome tutor, I scraped by with B's. I don't know if I should consider something like Pharmacy if I'm bad at Math but somehow good at Chemistry? I might have time to choose but my freshman classes are Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, English, and Norwegian because I said I wanted to do Pre-Pharmacy (I didn't think they would place me in classes like that just because I had an idea like that...)

Really, what I'm trying to ask is for someone not so great at math, is it a bad idea to want to get into Pharmacy unless I'm planning on getting some ultra-intensive tutoring on Math? Or is it a bad idea then?

 

[owlegrad]

Hi, I would like to ask some advice about deciding to enter Pharmacy or entering a Pre-Pharmacy track. I was reading lots of threads throughout this forum and I'm pretty overwhelmed at how difficult it sounds... I understand a lot of it is a matter of hard work and dedication, but I thought it might be worth asking about if I could get some other insight on the matter.

I just completed high school and thought I should enter the Pre-Pharmacy track at my college. Now I'm a little bit doubtful after reading about how difficult it is. In high school I was alright in Biology and really good at Chemistry, but horrible at Physics and Maths. I took lots of AP's and Gifted classes, graduated with a 3.3GPA (would have been higher I think but I got sick for a month in my junior year), but I never did anything really spectacular or really excelled among my peers unless it was in history because for some reason, that's where I have the most natural talent.
Some grades to lay it out, they really pale in comparison to my social studies/language grades though...
Biology: B
Chemistry: A
AP Physics: B/C (AP score: 2)
Geometry: B
Algebra II: B
Pre-calculus: C
AP Statistics: B (AP score: 3)

I've never been good at math and even with a super awesome tutor, I scraped by with B's. I don't know if I should consider something like Pharmacy if I'm bad at Math but somehow good at Chemistry? I might have time to choose but my freshman classes are Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, English, and Norwegian because I said I wanted to do Pre-Pharmacy (I didn't think they would place me in classes like that just because I had an idea like that...)

Really, what I'm trying to ask is for someone not so great at math, is it a bad idea to want to get into Pharmacy unless I'm planning on getting some ultra-intensive tutoring on Math? Or is it a bad idea then?

Here is my advice:

Lighten up! High school and college are so different. You might find that your interests change or that your skills change. I would start with taking a few prereqs and see how you do. Just do your best and be open to new experiences. You might find the prereqs easier than you think or you may find that something else is your life's purpose! And by starting early you can also find time to shadow/volunteer/work in a pharmacy.

Good Luck!

 

[delano2000]

A mod higher than I will have to move it (I will report your post for discussion amongst the mods), but for what it's worth I think this is a good place to ask your question. Here is my advice:

Lighten up! High school and college are so different. You might find that your interests change or that your skills change. I would start with taking a few prereqs and see how you do. Just do your best and be open to new experiences. You might find the prereqs easier than you think or you may find that something else is your life's purpose! And by starting early you can also find time to shadow/volunteer/work in a pharmacy.

Good Luck!

👍

 

[godofpoop]

I hope that it might be that college is easier for me than high school in a way... My college has something set up where if you want to do Pre-Pharm, they'll put you in all the classes you need to meet the reqs necessary to enter the pharmacy school and the University of Minnesota...but it's kinda the University of Minnesota....pretty overwhelming.

But I was wondering if anyone could answer my question (as vague as it was) as to how math intensive this field is? I don't think an answer would immediately deter me but an idea of what I'm wanting to tackle would be good...

I took these other APs: World History, Art History, US History, European History, Psychology, Latin, Government, Macroeconomics, and Literature...
And I scored 5's on all of them so you can see how huge of a gap between that skill and Science/Mathematics I have. Still I've opted to ignore my talent in that area because a) I really like science stuff, b)Asian mom = doctor, lawyer, or engineer, and c) it'll give me more opportunity to move around if I take a job in science, I would think, because I want to work overseas and I thought about being a nurse since those are in demand but I'm too squeamish for that.

Oh another thing, if I don't like the idea of jabbing someone with a needle, is Pharmacy also a bad idea? Or if that's something I'd have to do...is it something you can get used to? Also don't get me wrong, I'm not just picking pharmacy because it looks cool, money, title, etc. If anything I'm most interested in pharmacogenetics from what I've looked at if for...

I'm blabbering on but you know, I would appreciate any advice anyone can pull from what I've described...

 

[owlegrad]

Sometimes Calc I is a prereq, so that is a bummer, but the field itself is extremely math-light. In pharmacy school you have kinetics, but it is more conceptual than it is actually math heavy. Calculus is much hard math-wise than kinetics.

If you work retail, you will be an immunizer. If you work inpatient you will not be. But yes, I bet you would get used to it if you had to.

 

[godofpoop]

Is kinetics anything like Physics with calculus base? I don't know if my problem is concepts or math or both because AP Physics is conceptual physics with math, isn't it? I have a Calculus I and Physics I (I hope AP will help me out with this one) requirement... Or if you could give me a comparison of the three, that would be much appreciated if applicable...

 

[owlegrad]

Is kinetics anything like Physics with calculus base? I don't know if my problem is concepts or math or both because AP Physics is conceptual physics with math, isn't it? I have a Calculus I and Physics I (I hope AP will help me out with this one) requirement... Or if you could give me a comparison of the three, that would be much appreciated if applicable...

Pharmacokinetics is closer to physics than calculus, IMO. It is highly conceptual, the math itself can only hardly be called algebra. Calculus is mostly differentiating and integrating - two functions that you will never do again once the class is over. Physics is exactly that. Pharmacokinetics (BTW, get used to sticking "pharmaco" in front of every topic in pharmacy school) is the kinetics of drug distribution and metabolism. There are only a handful of actual equations, but TONS of concepts to master in order to use those equations correctly. It is really much closer to being a science class than a math class. You WILL have the necessary mathematical skill to handle the actual mathematics of any calculation required in pharmacy school.

Which is to say, do not let a self-perceived deficiency in mathematical ability keep you from perusing a career in pharmacy.

 

[pharmschooler]

Is kinetics anything like Physics with calculus base? I don't know if my problem is concepts or math or both because AP Physics is conceptual physics with math, isn't it? I have a Calculus I and Physics I (I hope AP will help me out with this one) requirement... Or if you could give me a comparison of the three, that would be much appreciated if applicable...

Most schools won't give credit for 2s on AP tests, so you may have to take Physics I in college, too. To get credit for pharmacy entrance, the AP test typically has to show up on your transcript at a college where you matriculated as college credit, so if you can't get credit for a score of 2 for college, a pharmacy school probably won't accept the score, either.

One final note: don't limit yourself by past performance. Don't automatically disqualify yourself for pharmacy based on your grades. Overall, they aren't terrible, though you may have greater natural strengths in the humanities. There are people trying to get into pharmacy with less than a 2.0 (they've been posting on this board in record numbers lately); you most likely have a greater aptitude for scholastic ability than those folks in both the humanities and the sciences.

Do your best, keep your nose to the grindstone, and you most likely won't have any problems. Big steps start with small steps.

 

[godofpoop]

Most schools won't give credit for 2s on AP tests, so you may have to take Physics I in college, too. To get credit for pharmacy entrance, the AP test typically has to show up on your transcript at a college where you matriculated as college credit, so if you can't get credit for a score of 2 for college, a pharmacy school probably won't accept the score, either.

One final note: don't limit yourself by past performance. Don't automatically disqualify yourself for pharmacy based on your grades. Overall, they aren't terrible, though you may have greater natural strengths in the humanities. There are people trying to get into pharmacy with less than a 2.0 (they've been posting on this board in record numbers lately); you most likely have a greater aptitude for scholastic ability than those folks in both the humanities and the sciences.

Do your best, keep your nose to the grindstone, and you most likely won't have any problems. Big steps start with small steps.

Oh definitely! I don't think any schools take two's (except Canadian ones, I've heard.) I meant that since I took AP Physics in high school, that maybe I'll be more familiar with it in college so it might be easier? That was also the year I missed a month of school and trying to catch up a month of stuff for 6 classes including AP Physics...well you can see how that ends up, I think I would have gotten a three though if I had been present.

Thanks for the advice! I guess my problem is more just self-confidence at this point...


Edit: Also, I forgot to ask...I don't know if this is a dumb question or one that can be answered, but if you get a PharmTech license here or become a Pharmacist and all, how are chances to work abroad? I know it varies from country to country but would you think this career comes with some mobility?

 

[pharmschooler]

Oh definitely! I don't think any schools take two's (except Canadian ones, I've heard.) I meant that since I took AP Physics in high school, that maybe I'll be more familiar with it in college so it might be easier? That was also the year I missed a month of school and trying to catch up a month of stuff for 6 classes including AP Physics...well you can see how that ends up, I think I would have gotten a three though if I had been present.

Thanks for the advice! I guess my problem is more just self-confidence at this point...


Edit: Also, I forgot to ask...I don't know if this is a dumb question or one that can be answered, but if you get a PharmTech license here or become a Pharmacist and all, how are chances to work abroad? I know it varies from country to country but would you think this career comes with some mobility?

I would strongly agree. I've dealt with the exact same issues you describe; it took me a long time to realize that my math and science skills weren't much worse than anybody else's who was applying to pharmacy or medicine...I just was used to getting straight As in the humanities with little effort.

Pharmacy tech registrations are valid for a specific state only, but a certification (where you take a test; in some states this is required in order to get registered) is transferable throughout the States. I don't think you can work abroad as a pharm tech, though I might be wrong.

I've heard you can work in Canada fairly easily with a PharmD, and can work in England after studying for 1 year and passing their boards. In some countries, the drug names are different than here, so I imagine you would need to learn those wherever you go.

 

[godofpoop]

Thanks! That helps me feel a little bit more confident...

To be honest, I want to work in Iceland. I've been there several times and have learned a fair amount of the language but the problem is that I just simply can't study there. Or at least, tuition is free in Iceland but you have to provide your living expenses and have a minimum of $1k a month and it's hard to get a job in Iceland if you're foreign...

I was hoping that I could finish Pharmacy here and work there since they do have a need for more health professionals. I don't know yet if their drug names are different, but assuming they are, do you think it would be possible that you could just take some courses there to learn it and then try to pass whatever tests are required to be certified there? I know this seems like a huge stretch...but I'm wondering how impossible that seems. I really want to do Pharmacy though, because if I had chosen engineering or volcanology, I'm pretty sure I'd find work their easily...

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thanks! That helps me feel a little bit more confident...

To be honest, I want to work in Iceland. I've been there several times and have learned a fair amount of the language but the problem is that I just simply can't study there. Or at least, tuition is free in Iceland but you have to provide your living expenses and have a minimum of $1k a month and it's hard to get a job in Iceland if you're foreign...

I was hoping that I could finish Pharmacy here and work there since they do have a need for more health professionals. I don't know yet if their drug names are different, but assuming they are, do you think it would be possible that you could just take some courses there to learn it and then try to pass whatever tests are required to be certified there? I know this seems like a huge stretch...but I'm wondering how impossible that seems. I really want to do Pharmacy though, because if I had chosen engineering or volcanology, I'm pretty sure I'd find work their easily...

Check into what their competency is for being a licensed pharmacist there. Will our Pharm.D even count? Some folks from other countries have the B.Pharm and they are not eligible to be licensed here in the states and have to re-attend pharmacy school.

If you CAN get licensed there w/ a US education then I don't think it'd be a big deal to get a job there after learning the ropes of how things work over there. From my limited travel in Europe I can say that the role of the pharmacist is different there than it is here.