Answer to why pharmacy?

[DessieW]

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Would saying I want to pursue pharmacy because I want to do research and find cures for diseases be an acceptable answer if I have no lab or clinical research experience?

 

[MrsAppleseed]

I think that is a good answer. Most importantly, be honest.

 

[crazybob]

Most importantly, be honest.

👍

 

[owlegrad]

Would saying I want to pursue pharmacy because I want to do research and find cures for diseases be an acceptable answer if I have no lab or clinical research experience?

If you do, prepare to explain how being a pharmacist will fulfill that goal. You can bet you will be asked, why not go into research then?

 

[R2pharmD2]

Would saying I want to pursue pharmacy because I want to do research and find cures for diseases be an acceptable answer if I have no lab or clinical research experience?

I don't think your lack of experience hurts you, but my question for you is, assuming you're pursuing a PharmD, why PharmD over PhD? Not saying you shouldn't go for the PharmD, but if I was interviewing you I would want to know why you're not going for the more research oriented degree if research is your passion. Just something to think about.

 

[MathDebate]

Your avatar matches your question so perfectly.

 

[owlegrad]

I don't think your lack of experience hurts you, but my question for you is, assuming you're pursuing a PharmD, why PharmD over PhD? Not saying you shouldn't go for the PharmD, but if I was interviewing you I would want to know why you're not going for the more research oriented degree if research is your passion. Just something to think about.

Well said.

 

[DessieW]

I don't think your lack of experience hurts you, but my question for you is, assuming you're pursuing a PharmD, why PharmD over PhD? Not saying you shouldn't go for the PharmD, but if I was interviewing you I would want to know why you're not going for the more research oriented degree if research is your passion. Just something to think about.

Would it change your opinion if I was a philosophy major? That's the reason I'm not pursuing a PhD because it would be impossible for me to get into a biology graduate program.

 

[riobritt30]

When I was asked that question, I gave an answer that actually had a small amount of research in it. One of my interviewers drilled me for the rest of the time about why PharmD and not a PhD.
That being said, I also have NO experience in a pharmacy. I have never worked in one and still to this day cannot find someone in my area to allow me to shadow them, but I mentioned my mentor and told them I had read a lot into it. I said this during another interview and the man interviewing me said that's good enough for him and I was accepted.

 

[owlegrad]

When I was asked that question, I gave an answer that actually had a small amount of research in it. One of my interviewers drilled me for the rest of the time about why PharmD and not a PhD.
That being said, I also have NO experience in a pharmacy. I have never worked in one and still to this day cannot find someone in my area to allow me to shadow them, but I mentioned my mentor and told them I had read a lot into it. I said this during another interview and the man interviewing me said that's good enough for him and I was accepted.

Same here. I mentioned the research I did in undergrad and after that it was all one of my interviewers would talk about! It made for a pretty stressful interview to be honest, like I was trying to "prove" I wanted to be a pharmacist and not a researcher. And I wasn't even saying I wanted to do research, it just happened to come up in one of my answers. I think if I had said I wanted to go into research it would have been even worse. Just a guess of course.

 

[R2pharmD2]

Would it change your opinion if I was a philosophy major? That's the reason I'm not pursuing a PhD because it would be impossible for me to get into a biology graduate program.

Are you sure you couldn't pursue a PhD in biology (or maybe pharmacology would be more appropriate)? I admittedly know very little about applying to PhD programs, but I would think that if you've completed the pharmacy prereqs then you at least have enough of a basic scientific background to work with.

If a PhD isn't an option for you without a ton of extra coursework, I suppose that's a reasonable explanation. But it's probably still not what most adcoms are going to want to hear. It sort of implies that you would like to get a PhD but you're settling for a PharmD instead, you know?

Same here. I mentioned the research I did in undergrad and after that it was all one of my interviewers would talk about! It made for a pretty stressful interview to be honest, like I was trying to "prove" I wanted to be a pharmacist and not a researcher. And I wasn't even saying I wanted to do research, it just happened to come up in one of my answers. I think if I had said I wanted to go into research it would have been even worse. Just a guess of course.

This is a perfect example of the danger you might run into here. You better have your answer down cold when it comes up, because I would bet heavily that it will.

 

[atpsynthase]

This is completely off topic. But R2PharmD2.. I LOVE your name. But what happens when you aren't a P2 anymore? lol.

 

[R2pharmD2]

This is completely off topic. But R2PharmD2.. I LOVE your name. But what happens when you aren't a P2 anymore? lol.

Thanks! I'm not a P2 though. I wish.

 

[Passion4Sci]

This is completely off topic. But R2PharmD2.. I LOVE your name. But what happens when you aren't a P2 anymore? lol.

His name awesomeness is not dependent upon being a P2, or a P3 for that matter!

 

[owlegrad]

His name awesomeness is not dependent upon being a P2, or a P3 for that matter!

I never considered the 2 in his name could refer to his year. Do you think it will be extra awesome during 2nd year or not really?

 

[owlegrad]

Thanks! I'm not a P2 though. I wish.

Be careful what you wish for friend.

 

[crazybob]

Be careful what you wish for friend.

Don't want to be discouraging to future upper class students.

Don't you want to set a good example for them?

 

[spacecowgirl]

I agree. I don't think a PharmD is the best route for you if your interest is in research.

 

[owlegrad]

Don't want to be discouraging to future upper class students.

Don't you want to set a good example for them?

Good point. I did say friend though to try and make it seem friendly and not meant in a snide kind of way.

 

[R2pharmD2]

His name awesomeness is not dependent upon being a P2, or a P3 for that matter!

👍

Be careful what you wish for friend.

I've heard second year is brutal. I'm dreading it already

 

[owlegrad]

Nah it's not that bad. Or maybe it is. But do not worry about it, that won't help.😉

👍



I've heard second year is brutal. I'm dreading it already

 

[peeps1234]

Would saying I want to pursue pharmacy because I want to do research and find cures for diseases be an acceptable answer if I have no lab or clinical research experience?

The Phd path is horrendous! 4-6 years of school, 3 if you're lucky. Do a 2-4 year postdoc. Then get pushed into the market to find that it's extremely difficult to get a job. (watch lady gaga-bad project on youtube).

Pharmacy-job security.

 

[chemnerd99]

Hell ya. 100,000 chemists have been laid off in the last two years. The field is literally disappearing to China and India. I am going back to Pharmacy school with a PhD in medicinal chemistry cause adjunct teaching does not pay well. You can't outsource pharmacists. Job security, respect and maybe even I can get my dream job of clinical trial pharmacist.

 

[SeekerofTruth]

The Phd path is horrendous! 4-6 years of school, 3 if you're lucky. Do a 2-4 year postdoc. Then get pushed into the market to find that it's extremely difficult to get a job. (watch lady gaga-bad project on youtube).

Pharmacy-job security.

Hell ya. 100,000 chemists have been laid off in the last two years. The field is literally disappearing to China and India. I am going back to Pharmacy school with a PhD in medicinal chemistry cause adjunct teaching does not pay well. You can't outsource pharmacists. Job security, respect and maybe even I can get my dream job of clinical trial pharmacist.

This is why I decided against a chemistry major. I intended on going onto a masters as well as a PhD in medicinal chemistry but my parents talked me out of it because starting pay is so low.

Pharmacy was always on my mind so they told me to reconsider it.

After reading about the two, pharmacy is a way better option. The past years of my hard work and my future efforts would be in vain if I ended up with a PhD in chemistry and little to no job prospects.

Hopefully I too can get a job as a clinical trials pharmacist.

Does anyone know the job prospects of a pharmacologist?

 

[SeekerofTruth]

Never mind, apparently pharmacology isn't all too hot either.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=367758