B.S. or no B.S.?

[dreemae]

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Hi, I'm currently a Pre-Pharmacy student at a community college and I'm trying to decide between completing my pre-reqs here and getting my Pre-Pharmacy, A.S Degree then apply straight to Pharmacy school or go to a University and get a B.S. in Biology first.

I currently have a 3.2 GPA and I plan on working as a Pharm Tech to get a year's worth of experience before applying. I live in Illinois and I plan on staying here for Pharm School so I have to take the PCAT as well. I'm VP of the Chemistry Club at my school and I also take part in some community service in my area. My prospective schools are Midwestern, UIC, or Rosalind Franklin.

I feel like my GPA isn't up to par and after this semester, I'm not sure if my grades for Chem and Calculus will be all that great (I'm praying to get a B, it's that bad). I know I'll have to score something crazy on my PCAT and I can honestly say that I'm not the world's greatest test taker. In my condition do you guys think it would be wise to try my luck and apply straight to Pharmacy School after finishing my Pre-reqs or should I get a B.S. first?

 

[honeybee763]

It think it really depends on a lot of things. 90% or more of the students in my class have a B.S. degree, so I think it it definitely a plus to have one. However, if you have the time and money, it probably wouldn't hurt to apply after you get your prereqs done. At my school, many of the people who had applied once got in the second time, so even if you don't get in after just your prereqs you may have a better chance getting in the second time. It all depends on if you want to spend the time/money and possibly not getting in.

 

[xtsukiyox]

First thing is, would you regret not applying now? You can always go on to finish your bacchelor degree if you don't get in. If you'd regret it - apply. If not, don't. Nobody cares if you have a bacchelor degree once you're a PharmD.

I'm assuming you're talking about applying in the 2012 cycle (for 2013 matriculation), since you haven't yet taken the PCAT.

Do some research on your schools of choice - do they require a bacchelor degree? Have you fulfilled all their prereqs? Do they require upper level classes?

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I don't even have to read the post. I say: Yes, B.S.

 

[xNeenax]

Having a B.S. is really pointless in my opinion. I started college planning to apply to pharm school with a B.S. in Biology and a minor. So then it got me thinking, what do I do if I don't get accepted?? Just wait around?
So I just ditched that idea of having a B.S., since I honestly don't care for it, pharmacy is more of my thing and I applied. If I don't get accepted then I'll get a degree and apply again (with a back up plan) next time.

So I'm applying without a B.S. 🙂

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Having a B.S. is really pointless in my opinion. I started college planning to apply to pharm school with a B.S. in Biology and a minor. So then it got me thinking, what do I do if I don't get accepted?? Just wait around?
So I just ditched that idea of having a B.S., since I honestly don't care for it, pharmacy is more of my thing and apply. If I don't get accepted then I'll apply next year with a degree and apply again (with a back up plan).

So I'm applying without a B.S. 🙂

I strongly recommend B.S. because you will AT very least have a degree. There are other opportunities out there. For example, Texas Tech has a PharmD/MBA program which really is a good program, but you can't get in unless you have a Bachelor's. So that's something to think about.

 

[xNeenax]

I strongly recommend B.S. because you will AT very least have a degree. There are other opportunities out there. For example, Texas Tech has a PharmD/MBA program which really is a good program, but you can't get in unless you have a Bachelor's. So that's something to think about.

I don't really want a degree though because there's very little that you can do with it. Plus, I don't want a PhamD/MBA 😛

Oh how I envy you for getting into Texas Tech. That's my top choice school.

 

[deleted390966]

Many schools don't require a bachelor degree. So save yourself some time & money.

 

[BenJammin]

Depends on whether or not you find a 22 year old licensed pharmacist to be more impressive than a 24 year old licensed pharmacist.

 

[kcwang]

most ppl I have met dont respect you if you dont have a degree.

You dont need a B.S. to apply to a pharmacy school, but having it will help you.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I don't really want a degree though because there's very little that you can do with it. Plus, I don't want a PhamD/MBA 😛

Oh how I envy you for getting into Texas Tech. That's my top choice school.

Yeah, you probably won't be able to do anything with only a B.S., however, it comes in handy, you'll never know. A lot of people who are P1s right now with no B.S. regret not getting one.

 

[dkphx]

i was in the same position as you. i went to community college for three years hoping to get in with just an A.S. and A.A. there are many factors not just grades, and stuff that get you in pharmacy. At the moment i'm on track to receive my B.S. in Biochemistry. if i had to do it all over again, I would have transferred to a university immediately after 2 years of CC.

The courses that are required will better prepare you for Pharmacy school. Such that many of the schools I am applying to incorporate Biochemistry and medicinal chemistry courses in P1 which I happen to be already working on.

I would recommend everyone to work on a bachelor's while you are applying, if you get accepted before completion of a bachelor's good! If not, try again and you will look more competitive. 👍

Don't waste time if you have the ability to improve your application.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Hmm... you can't afford any more hits to your GPA. If you think it might take bigger hits when it comes to upper level classes, I'd focus on scoring very well on the PCAT and put bachelor's degree plans on hold for now.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

I strongly recommend B.S. because you will AT very least have a degree. There are other opportunities out there. For example, Texas Tech has a PharmD/MBA program which really is a good program, but you can't get in unless you have a Bachelor's. So that's something to think about.

You can always get an MBA after graduating PharmD.

2 year pre-reqs + 4 year PharmD + 2 year MBA = 8 years

4 year Bachelor's + 4/5 year PharmD/MBA = 8/9 years

 

[vaughnpereira]

I plan on applying with only the pre-reqs and no B.S. If it doesn't work out then I will go for the B.S. No harm in trying.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

You can always get an MBA after graduating PharmD.

2 year pre-reqs + 4 year PharmD + 2 year MBA = 8 years

4 year Bachelor's + 4/5 year PharmD/MBA = 8/9 years

That's true. You can do that too. But if you already have 2 years+ in undergrad already (with some of your prereqs completed) why not go for Bachelors?

Plus, in my opinion, I would stay the whole four years in undergrad because you gain more experience and learn a lot more than just that two years of pre-reqs. You'll never know what those experiences may bring you. Say...what if you are in pharmacy school and decide you didn't like it or its not for you...then what? You don't have a degree to fall back on (plus, you don't have to have a BS specifically). Just the possibilities I wanted to share.