Advice Please!

[uscmaeberry]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi,
I'm a junior at University of South Carolina and just switched my major from Accounting to Pre-Pharmacy. I have all my basic requirements done except for all the science courses.
Next semester I am signed up to take Bio 1, Physics 1, and Chem 1 and 2 electives to try to bring up my GPA. I really want to try to get into a pharmacy program in Fall '09 but in order to do so I have to take all the science courses, take the PCAT, and get some experience (I have 0 work experience)
My GPA is pretty low (around a 3.0) but everything I have taken is mainly business courses. So, if I maintain a very high science GPA, what would my chances of getting into a pharmacy program and what would you recommend I do?
Since my goal is to start in Fall '09, I was trying to figure out how to go about this the right way. I want to be able to do well on the PCATs but with so limited time, I don't know which courses to take first, what to do about my lack of work experience, etc. Is it even realistic? I would really hate to have to wait an extra year, as I am already a junior virtually starting over but I don't want to hurt myself in the end by trying to take on more than I can handle.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[angioletto]

Do you know which pre-reqs you still need to take before you can apply to pharmacy school? If you are just starting out with your sciences it may take a little longer than you'd like before you can apply, but that all depends on where you are taking your pre-reqs, where you are applying (some schools may have different pre-reqs), class sequencing and how many classes you can reasonably take per semester.

Even if I wasn't working and could focus 100% on school I have 3 years of pre-reqs ahead of me. No matter what I do I need: Chem 1 and 2, Organic chem 1 and 2 and biochem 1 and 2. And they have to be taken in that order. Many of those classes at my school are only offered during certain semesters. (Biochem 1 have to be taken in the fall and biochem 2 in the spring) So even if I was able to take 20 credits per semester it wouldn't help becase those classes have to be taken in order and when they are offered.

It took me about 3 weeks of listing classes I needed, talking with an advisor and and manipulating all of that info in a spreadsheet to actually determine when I can take which classes, when I can take the PCAT and when I can apply for admissions to pharmacy school.

FWIW, I was a senior with all gen eds completed when I decided to do pre-pharmacy, but like I said, I am still stuck on this 3-year plan. Trust me, I am not happy about having to wait so long. It is a little discouraging to know that even with over 100 credits under my belt I still have 3 years of pre-pharm and then 4 years of pharmacy school coming up. I don't want to wait at all. But I have a plan, and that helps. Talking to the pre-pharm advisor at my school was a MUST.

Good luck.

 

[tootoo30]

I'm in the same boat missing all science classes, but decided to take four math classes to boost my GPA in the science and math category since the school I'm applying only looks at your prerequisite and Science/Math GPA only. After mapping out my schedule I will be able to start in the Fall '09 if everything goes as planned 👍 I planned my schedule out to take classes this spring, summer, fall and next spring only....LORD HELP ME 🙂 Its gone be a hectic ride, but well worth it!

 

[UES Girl]

Any input would be appreciated.[/quote]

I agree with the posters above - if you have not taken any science courses yet, it may take you longer to take your pre-reqs than you anticipate. I switched from business to biochemistry in my 2nd year and it's taking me now 5,5 years to graduate. I know you are not pursuing a degree but just want to take basic pre-reqs. But even then I do not see how you can cramm 2-3 years worth of pre-reqs into 3 semesters you have left. I am in Cali, so i only know what Cali schools require but to apply to some of the schools you have to take:

A year of gen chem with lab
a year of organic with lab
a year of general bio with lab
a year of physics with lab

microbiology with lab

or physiology/ with or without lab

biochemistry is highly recommended

cell molecular biology/ genetics

molecular genetics is highly recommended

Also science courses are a pain to get into at least in my school. Assuming you get all your classes right away - you will have to deal with the load of taking 3-4 science classes a semester. That's pretty intense, especially if you have never took any science classes before.

I applaud you for being such a go-getter yet I think your plan is a little on the unrealistic side. The only way it would work if you got all your classes right away and only took the minimal basics - general bio, chemistry and organic.

I have worked with post-bacs going back to school as a pre-pharmacy and from my experience it takes most people 2 to 3 years to finish their pre-reqs. I know it sucks and I know it's a pain to be in college for so long, but that's the price we have to pay if we didn't figure out from the start what we wanted to do.

 

[ScienceNerd]

Without taking any science classes, it'll probably take you more than 2 years to finish your pre-reqs. I know South Carolina requires anatomy and physio, in addition to your chem/orgo/bio/physics requirements. While you're on the right track doing research, please keep in mind that many science courses require pre-reqs before you can take them (ie, bio must be taken before anatomy, gen chem before orgo). Your best bet is to find your pre-pharmacy advisor and schedule a meeting; he/she can help you out more than any of us, especially if it's South Carolina you're specifically aiming for.

Also, keep in mind that you'll need to take the PCAT for USC/MUSC. I would advise against taking it if you don't have gen chem/orgo/bio class credits already. I think taking the 5 years for school isn't bad-several people have had to do it and there's nothing wrong with it.

Good luck with your endeavors!

 

[prepharm77]

maybe you can find another school that may offer the science classes you need during the summer.. perhaps a quarter system schools maybe helpful. or you can find a school that offers an intensive science program during the summer. One of the private schools in my town offers an intensive program through which students can finish all the Organic chem. series (lectures and labs) in 3 months- 3 hours of lecture Mon-Fri and 4 hours of labs 3 times a week. It's intense, but it allows students to get pre-req. for pharm. D. schools early.

The only drawback with such program is you have to keep going to that school to get transcripts sent to Pharm.d. schools and spend extra money for ordering the transcripts... and the entire summer has to be dedicated to orga. chem.

Also, you may be able to enroll in certain science classes without having the pre-req. met if you ask professors for a permission.... but this is probably too burdensome if you haven't taken basic science courses..

 

[ucsd2011]

hey uscmaeberry, what made you decide to switch from accounting to pharm..i'm curious because i was planning to go into pharm after recieving my bachelors but now i'm thinking of going into finance/accounting.

 

[uscmaeberry]

Accounting was too boring. I just don't like it. I am really taking a couple accounting classes right now and just hate them.

Thanks for all the input! I think it's possible to finish when I want to, if the summer school classes I need are offered. If not, I guess I'll have to deal with waiting an extra year...🙁 It'll just be a year of nonstop science courses and I won't have a summer. But, it'll be worth it in the end if it's possible.