Completing BS vs. Completing pre-reqs

[angioletto]

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I am just looking for some advice. Now that I have decided to go to pharmacy school I would like to get there as soon as possible. I have been a student for quite awhile (7 years), both part time and full time, but due to recently changing my major to Biology I actually have 3 years to go before I will have my BS. It could possibly be even more than that because I am a mom and have a full time job that I can’t quit until I get to pharmacy school. We are relying on my health insurance and my income right now.

I could complete the pre-reqs for pharmacy school in probably 2 years, if I don’t take the other classes required for my BS. I don’t want to sell myself short though. I would hate to not get in to pharmacy school because of not completing my BS. The school I am applying to says that a BS is not required, although it is preferred.

I do have a 2 year degree, although it really isn’t related to pharmacy. (Environmental health and safety technology) I have over 100 credits, but most of them were specific to my 2 year degree and don’t apply to a Biology BS. I am a very hard worker, so this isn’t a matter of not wanting to do the work. I am just tired of being an undergrad and ready to pursue the career of my choice, now that I finally know what it is! I also really want to focus on the courses I will truly need. The big one I am worried about is 4 semesters of foreign language. I wasn’t very good at Spanish in high school and I don’t know what I’d do if my GPA would suffer because of all those foreign language classes.

So, woudl it truly be bad to just focus on the pre-reqs and not worry about the full BS requirements?

 

[TxBd948]

My advice to you would be to focus on your pre-reqs first. If the school says that a BS is preferred than most applicants will probably have one which could make your app less impressive than most others.

The upside is that the pre-reqs are mostly going to go towards a BS anyway. So I would say focus on your pre-reqs first then apply. If you don't get in keep working on your BS and reapply. Then in the event that you dont get in you have your BS to fall back on or you could go on to a masters program.

Hope this helps 😎

 

[eelo]

The big one I am worried about is 4 semesters of foreign language. I wasn’t very good at Spanish in high school and I don’t know what I’d do if my GPA would suffer because of all those foreign language classes.

So, woudl it truly be bad to just focus on the pre-reqs and not worry about the full BS requirements?

I'm not sure why you'd need four semesters of foreign language? One of the primary differences between a BS and a BA is that (in general) the BA requires foreign language while the BS does not. The 12 credits in foreign language would be used for electives or additional sciences more applicable to a preparm course of instruction. That's what makes a BS more attractive tan a BA, when it comes to admission to professional schools that are science-related.

(of course, BA holders who've done all the science pre-reqs certainly aren't going to be looked down on)

 

[genesis09]

Some schools will honor high school foreign language classes. At my university, if you took 4 years of Spanish, the maximum number of courses you would have to take would be one semester of Spanish 104. You would also be allowed to take the competency exam and try to test out of the requirement completely.

 

[angioletto]

TxBd948: Thank you. That makes sense to me. That way if I get in without the BS I don't have to worry about it. If I don't get in I can finish the BS and do whatever else I need to so I can successfully re-apply.

eelo: I couldn't figure that out either. It is required though: basic language 1 and 2 and then intermediate language 1 and 2. I was very surprised when I saw that.

genesis09: Well, I took 1 Spanish class in high school and I got a D in it. That was 11 years ago so I would be starting over whether I did Spanish or any other language.

Thank you all. I appreciate the input!