BA/BS degrees!

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flyerschickxox

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So for those who received a degree before applying to pharmacy school...what degree did you get? (bio,chem,ect)
I am applying this cycle but if I dont get in I think I will go get a BS but not sure in what yet... I know one isn't really favored over another but just wanted to see what everyone else did 🙂
 
flyerschickxox said:
So for those who received a degree before applying to pharmacy school...what degree did you get? (bio,chem,ect)
I am applying this cycle but if I dont get in I think I will go get a BS but not sure in what yet... I know one isn't really favored over another but just wanted to see what everyone else did 🙂
Click to expand...

B.S. in Psychology
 
I was considering that one depending on how I do in that class this upcoming semester!
 
The school I wound up graduating from had a write-your-own-degree option. I used that because it allowed me to graduate quickly. On my diploma it says "Individualized Studies," but I put political science and pre-pharmacy studies into pharmcas because that was my degree "focus".
 
pinksparkly said:
The school I wound up graduating from had a write-your-own-degree option. I used that because it allowed me to graduate quickly. On my diploma it says "Individualized Studies," but I put political science and pre-pharmacy studies into pharmcas because that was my degree "focus".
Click to expand...

Are you serious! You are so lucky hah. I wish I could do something like that. I really dont want to add another 2 years of school to get a BS but if I could do what you did Id be able to make it only 1 year since Ill have so many credits done
 
B.S. Biochem and Molecular Biology
B.A. Chemistry
B.A. Spanish
 
b.s. biochemistry, minor classics

and the flyers suck.
 
flyerschickxox said:
Are you serious! You are so lucky hah. I wish I could do something like that. I really dont want to add another 2 years of school to get a BS but if I could do what you did Id be able to make it only 1 year since Ill have so many credits done
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All I had to do was thirty credits to establish residency to get the degree. And since I had about that much in prereqs left, it worked out perfectly.
 
atpsynthase said:
B.S. Biochem and Molecular Biology
B.A. Chemistry
B.A. Spanish
Click to expand...

Over achiever! 👍

I could only wish to have that good of a background but I am getting too old to do that much 🙁

Business and Aerospace for me. Actually did these a number of years ago. I am joining Pharm as a second career.
 
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences
 
I am a bio major with a minor in chem and concentration in sociology,rounding me up to medical school. I would advice you go for a BA in chemistry...Goodluck!
 
BS - Biology
BA - History
 
B.A. in Political Science
Master's in Public Administration
 
b.s. in biochemistry with significant benchtop research experience...makes understanding pharmacology and medicinal chemistry a breeze
 
B.S molecular biology
B.S organic chemistry

They only differed in like 4 required classes, and tuition was capped. So 2 degrees for the price of 1. More career options is always a good thing.
 
I'm surprised at all of the pharmacists/pharmacy students with undergrad degrees. I didn't bother with it and decided to go straight into my pre-pharm curriculum then straight into pharmacy school. Seems like a waste of money if you ask me unless your program has an undergrad requirement.
 
BenJammin said:
I'm surprised at all of the pharmacists/pharmacy students with undergrad degrees. I didn't bother with it and decided to go straight into my pre-pharm curriculum then straight into pharmacy school. Seems like a waste of money if you ask me unless your program has an undergrad requirement.
Click to expand...
Some schools do require a degree, or at least give you a much higher chance of admission with a degree. Also, that BA or BS might seem like a waste of time and money, but if you end up working in a stodgy corporation, they might have some silly rules about promotions that could preclude you from advancing unless you had a bachelor's degree (in spite of any advanced degrees obtained). It happens.
 
Rx MPLS said:
Some schools do require a degree, or at least give you a much higher chance of admission with a degree. Also, that BA or BS might seem like a waste of time and money, but if you end up working in a stodgy corporation, they might have some silly rules about promotions that could preclude you from advancing unless you had a bachelor's degree (in spite of any advanced degrees obtained). It happens.
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Yep, Ohio State requires a 4 year degree, as well as some of the ones in cali. Increasingly the many of the more competitive schools are making an undergrad degree a de-facto requirement.

Also, if your gf got pregnant, a shot gun wedding ensues, a BS degree let you work for a decent salary in a pinch. 😀 Seriously though, with the number of pharmacy schools popping out of nowhere, having a backup degree is probably a good idea.
 
BenJammin said:
I'm surprised at all of the pharmacists/pharmacy students with undergrad degrees. I didn't bother with it and decided to go straight into my pre-pharm curriculum then straight into pharmacy school. Seems like a waste of money if you ask me unless your program has an undergrad requirement.
Click to expand...


I got an almost full-ride to an expensive private liberal arts school because of my high school academics and my musical ability. Yeah, I could have said "deuces" after I finished my pre-reqs but I hoped I'd stand out from all of the other applicants if I had a degree and it was in something so different. I credit my degree with helping me get in at my dream school.

Additionally, I'd like to teach voice or perform in community theater on the side, and my BA in Music will help me with credibility in both of those endeavors. I figure, I'm going to need some kind of escape because working with the public can drive any sane person crazy.

In sum, I don't feel like my time or money was wasted at all (and there was money, probably more than you spent getting your pre-reqs despite the almost full-ride). I'm one of those hippies who took the whole "liberal arts education" thing to heart.
 
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BenJammin said:
I'm surprised at all of the pharmacists/pharmacy students with undergrad degrees. I didn't bother with it and decided to go straight into my pre-pharm curriculum then straight into pharmacy school. Seems like a waste of money if you ask me unless your program has an undergrad requirement.
Click to expand...

Oh the younger generation... What seems like a waste of money and time to you is the best financial investment and the greatest times (both professionally and personally) to others...like me and probably many others. Luckily for me, my undergrad degree only cost me about $5000 out of pocket; Uncle SAm isn't so generous these days with federal grants.
 
n2cooloh said:
Oh the younger generation... What seems like a waste of money and time to you is the best financial investment and the greatest times (both professionally and personally) to others...like me and probably many others. Luckily for me, my undergrad degree only cost me about $5000 out of pocket; Uncle SAm isn't so generous these days with federal grants.
Click to expand...

Sorry but among my friends who had "greatest times both professionally and personally" also have debt up to their ears. You can keep the debt and poor credit scores and I'll keep my eventual PharmD. Just speaking from experience.

Also consider that when some graduate, I'll have two years salary in the bank at the same age (not married haha).
 
flyerschickxox said:
So for those who received a degree before applying to pharmacy school...what degree did you get? (bio,chem,ect)
I am applying this cycle but if I dont get in I think I will go get a BS but not sure in what yet... I know one isn't really favored over another but just wanted to see what everyone else did 🙂
Click to expand...


I got a BS in Biology, but only because by the time I finished pre-reqs I was only lacking a few classes for the degree. However, if I could do it over again, I would have majored in something acutally worthwhile until I got in Pharmacy school. There isn't much you can do with a Biology degree unless you get an advanced degree. But you have to do what works best for you. If you have awesome grades and PCAT scores, experience, etc, you may not need a degree to make yourself more competitive. But you know your situation better than we do. If you want to be more competitive or feel you need an edge, go for the degree. If not, don't waste you time🙂 Good luck!
 
BenJammin said:
Sorry but among my friends who had "greatest times both professionally and personally" also have debt up to their ears. You can keep the debt and poor credit scores and I'll keep my eventual PharmD. Just speaking from experience.
Click to expand...
Lol! I can totally relate to that... Since last year, my credit score has jumped up by 150 points. 😎 What a difference a few student loan and mortgage payments can make!
 
I feel like all schools should require a 4 year degree for admission.
 
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