Applying with a Bachelor's Degree

[SovietPistol]

Hello everybody,

I'm currently finishing up my PharmCAS application, and I'm trying to designate my schools, but things don't seem to be working in my favor. I graduated with a bachelors in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 08 and decided to work for a little while before going to grad school. As I look at the pages for each program, there are usually either prerequisites that I don't have, or they seem to all cater to people coming out of preprofessional programs.

I definitely can take classes to make up for these prerequisites, of course that would be contingent on me actually being accepted somewhere, because I'm not taking extra classes at Pitt or at a community college if I don't have to. I've also taken a lot of biology classes, just not a, for instance, human anatomy class.

So I guess my first question is, is this an acceptable practice? I think I'm a decent candidate, I got a 98 composite on my PCAT, My GPA is 3.2, I've worked in a hospital laboratory, a biology laboratory, and now I'm in a chemistry laboratory.

And should I be discouraged from applying to these schools that don't even mention people who already have a bachelor's degree? Sending out emails is pretty useless I'm beginning to find.

For the record, I would really like to go to Pitt again, and I know a few people who got degrees and then got accepted there. I've heard they really like Pitt alumnus. But I want to cover all my bases here.

Thank you!

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[Passion4Sci]

Is what an acceptable practice? Applying before "all" the pre-requisites are completed? Sure, absolutely. Probably 9/10ths of all pharmacy applicants do that.

If you can fit all the classes you need into the Spring (and sometimes Summer) prior to matriculation, you will be considered able to begin pharmacy school. So you can apply, interview, and get accepted w/o everything done (in progress).

If that's not your question can you please be more specific? If it is, hope I helped.

 

[SovietPistol]

Is what an acceptable practice? Applying before "all" the pre-requisites are completed? Sure, absolutely. Probably 9/10ths of all pharmacy applicants do that.

If you can fit all the classes you need into the Spring (and sometimes Summer) prior to matriculation, you will be considered able to begin pharmacy school. So you can apply, interview, and get accepted w/o everything done (in progress).

If that's not your question can you please be more specific? If it is, hope I helped.

Yeah that's most of my question. I guess I'm a little confused as well because the application process seems to be more geared to those who take 2 years of school and then go into pharmacy school, rather than those who get a degree and then apply.

Sorry for being a little vague. I just want to make sure I do all of this right.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I disagree respectfully. I think that the way it's laid out on the site might make it appear that it's suited for a 2-year ----> apply process, I believe firmly that having a Bachelor's degree then applying will provide the best opportunity for success.

In fact, I think it'd be hard to get all of the GE stuff (Psych, Econ, etc) AND science stuff done with a good GPA in 2 years. That's just me... but there's no problem w/ applying with a Bachelor's degree. Now, you didn't mention what discipline you got your degree in. It's entirely possible that with the right degree, you'd have already gotten all the pre-requisites finished.

Regardless, either way, there's nothing wrong with applying and you can even be accepted, like I said before, without having all the pre-requisites done! So there's absolutely nothing at all wrong or unusual about that.

Say you apply to Pitt, and they want you to have Orgo I and II, Calc I and II, Physics and A&P. Chances are, you already did at least Inorganic chemistry, basic biology, and the like while completing your Bachelor's degree. If you only need the classes I listed above, you could knock them out in Fall, Spring, and (maybe) Summer semesters antecedent to pharmacy school matriculation.

That make sense?

 

[SovietPistol]

I disagree respectfully. I think that the way it's laid out on the site might make it appear that it's suited for a 2-year ----> apply process, I believe firmly that having a Bachelor's degree then applying will provide the best opportunity for success.

In fact, I think it'd be hard to get all of the GE stuff (Psych, Econ, etc) AND science stuff done with a good GPA in 2 years. That's just me... but there's no problem w/ applying with a Bachelor's degree. Now, you didn't mention what discipline you got your degree in. It's entirely possible that with the right degree, you'd have already gotten all the pre-requisites finished.

Regardless, either way, there's nothing wrong with applying and you can even be accepted, like I said before, without having all the pre-requisites done! So there's absolutely nothing at all wrong or unusual about that.

Say you apply to Pitt, and they want you to have Orgo I and II, Calc I and II, Physics and A&P. Chances are, you already did at least Inorganic chemistry, basic biology, and the like while completing your Bachelor's degree. If you only need the classes I listed above, you could knock them out in Fall, Spring, and (maybe) Summer semesters antecedent to pharmacy school matriculation.

That make sense?

Yep, I say you pretty much answered all of my questions! Thank you very much.

I got my degree in Chemistry on a Bioscience track, so I've taken just about all of the advanced Chemistry classes and a lot of biology ones as well. I really just need econ and psychology credits I guess.

Thanks again!

 

[Passion4Sci]

Yep, I say you pretty much answered all of my questions! Thank you very much.

I got my degree in Chemistry on a Bioscience track, so I've taken just about all of the advanced Chemistry classes and a lot of biology ones as well. I really just need econ and psychology credits I guess.

Thanks again!

Shoot, easy as pie then man. Apply away, although you're up against the wall on admissions for Fall 2010, as a lot of us are getting invites already (for interviews and acceptances).

Glad I could help and good luck on your voyage. Keep us updated. =]

 

[SovietPistol]

Shoot, easy as pie then man. Apply away, although you're up against the wall on admissions for Fall 2010, as a lot of us are getting invites already (for interviews and acceptances).

Glad I could help and good luck on your voyage. Keep us updated. =]

I don't think I'm applying anywhere with rolling admissions, luckily...But thanks again!

 

[Passion4Sci]

I don't think I'm applying anywhere with rolling admissions, luckily...But thanks again!

Yeah, that is good, but keep in mind that students have been working on their pstatements and PharmCAS for months now, so your back is still up against the wall, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. MANY non-rolling schools have deadlines in November. That does not leave much time for you to secure your LoRs and apply.

 

[UES Girl]

Yeah that's most of my question. I guess I'm a little confused as well because the application process seems to be more geared to those who take 2 years of school and then go into pharmacy school, rather than those who get a degree and then apply.

Sorry for being a little vague. I just want to make sure I do all of this right.

I very respectufully disagree completely. At my school, everyone except fo one person has bachelors (out of 122 people) - a ton of people have not only bachelor's, but double majored or even triple majored. Several people have MS degrees and a few have other professional degrees. A bachelor degree not only will not give you any extra edge as a candidate, it's practically an unofficial requirement.

As for completing pre-reqs, it's a common practice. I finished econ, about a month before classes started, so just make sure the school allows you to finish prereqs in the summer before classes start.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I very respectufully disagree completely. At my school, everyone except fo one person has bachelors (out of 122 people) - a ton of people have not only bachelor's, but double majored or even triple majored. Several people have MS degrees and a few have other professional degrees. A bachelor degree not only will not give you any extra edge as a candidate, it's practically an unofficial requirement.

As for completing pre-reqs, it's a common practice. I finished econ, about a month before classes started, so just make sure the school allows you to finish prereqs in the summer before classes start.

Late to the party Chebby!!

 

[UES Girl]

Late to the party Chebby!!

The sad thing it's my birthday today and I'm spending it doing the homework for the 9 classes I enrolled myself in and SDN-cruising during pleasure breaks.

I sure hope you get into our school, you seem like a really cool person, plus you'll be able to enjoy all the immense fun we're having right now.

 

[pharm B]

The sad thing it's my birthday today and I'm spending it doing the homework for the 9 classes I enrolled myself in and SDN-cruising during pleasure breaks.

I sure hope you get into our school, you seem like a really cool person, plus you'll be able to enjoy all the immense fun we're having right now.

Happy Birthday!

Now get back to work.

 

[SHC1984]

The sad thing it's my birthday today and I'm spending it doing the homework for the 9 classes I enrolled myself in and SDN-cruising during pleasure breaks.

I sure hope you get into our school, you seem like a really cool person, plus you'll be able to enjoy all the immense fun we're having right now.

Happy Birthday!!! My birthday is the day before a major biochem exam...So I know I will not be having fun either.

 

[crazybob]

Yeah that's most of my question. I guess I'm a little confused as well because the application process seems to be more geared to those who take 2 years of school and then go into pharmacy school, rather than those who get a degree and then apply.

Sorry for being a little vague. I just want to make sure I do all of this right.

in my personal opinion, 2 years of undergrad before pharmacy school is the minimum required to start pharmacy school course work. it just means that the applicant did everything that was required, but it does not mean anything about whether the applicant will be very successful in pharmacy school and keep a good GPA. most likely, that applicant will struggle in the first few months or even the first year. but after that struggle, the applicant will be much more prepared for upper level coursework in pharmacy school. but of course, not every applicant with two years of college experience can survive through that struggle and stress. but most people at my school do, even though they might not be so happy about their experiences with studying so much.

if you compare that applicant with those who have gone through 3 years of undergrad or even all four years, the 3yr and 4yr applicants are going to be much more prepared by having completed upper level courses, which are more demanding, more difficult, and require more time commitment for studying and learning. the workload is significantly heavier. those 3yr and 4yr applicants have a better chance of success in pharmacy school by finding it not too stressful to keep a good GPA compared to the 2yr applicants. these (3yr and 4yr) applicants will not struggle as much and become adjusted to pharmacy coursework within first few months. even when a completely new topic gets to them, they can use their experiences with studying for upper level courses and having the heavy course loads, that they can manage their times well enough to get through it without too much struggle.