Gauging readiness for pharmacy school

[Lagunatic]

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Hi all,

I'd like you to gauge my motivations and preparedness for pharmacy school.

Two years ago, I obtained a B.S. in biochemistry and graduated cum laude with a 3.5 overall gpa and 3.8 science gpa. I never thought too much about pharmacy because I wanted to accrue industrial experience then move on to a MS/PhD program. However, with two years of corporate experience in biomedical devices, a lot of my earlier ambitions have changed. I now have a stronger desire to be linked to the medical industry because I do enjoy working on projects that are directly beneficial to our health. I still enjoy chemistry(have been working on resorbable polymers) and I am currently working on a drug delivery side project. Although, I do not have any actual pharmacy experience either through volunteering, I have been on NSAIDs, TNF inhibitors, and a few other immunosuppressants for the past 10 years of my life. Sufficient to say, I have had plenty of patient experience.

How does it all relate to pharmacy? I like lab coats with my name on them! No, really I always get interested when new drug projects would show up on our team radar. There were some ideas - OMG if that was a reality, then life would be amazing. Then I looked at my peers, my bosses, their bosses, and I can't stay dormant anymore. I want to get more technical knowledge about drugs, and a PharmD opens multiple career paths. Being a pharmacist could be great, but if there's no pharmacy positions where I want to live, then I would want to be able to apply the passion elsewhere (such as back in the industry as a scientist or even a sales rep).

I am looking to stay in California and I will definitely apply to every Pharm School in state. As for out of state options, I enjoyed my neuroscience internship at OHSU so I wouldn't mind OSU as an option, but I am still researching and would love suggestions (Warmer states > Colder states ^_^). Any tips, questions, stories, hello's, and the works would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kind regards,
Lagunatic

 

[R2pharmD2]

Why go for the Pharm.D. over a PhD in pharmacology? Not that you can't pursue a career in research with a Pharm.D., but you would probably be better served with a PhD if that's your goal. There are also dual degree programs at some schools where you could pick up both, as an alternative option that you could look into if you're interested.

As far as your preparedness, academically, your B.S. in biochem and solid GPA would seem to put you in a strong position. If you're going to be applying to pharmacy schools that require the PCAT, you could spend a little time brushing up on your basic chemistry, calc., etc. since you've been out of school for a bit.

Good luck, and welcome to the boards! 👍

 

[quimicosoy]

hey there, I think you qualifications are awesome, I am about to get my BA in chemistry this semester and my numbers are not even close to what you got. However, I still managed to get accepted into pharmacy school for this august. I think your academic background it is a sure go for pharmacy school. However, I do think you need to get some pharmacy experience before putting yourself in the pharm-appliaction-mode. It is very different for what you have been doing so far I guess, I worked as a volunteer researcher and being in the labs and working on projects requires a different approach than the pharmacy profession will not offer you. I have read a lot of sources, and with a pharm D degree the possibilities for direct research are very very low, and the research done is not that science related. For heavy scientific research a Ph. D is a must, so there you have minimum 7 years of education a head, plus, the student debt from the loans.

I guess, you should go with he Ph. D way which I know is not easy either.

 

[Lagunatic]

Thank you for the comments both of you. I have often thought of a PhD in pharmacology myself, but I don't want to be in a research lab setting anymore. The research setting is secludedand I enjoy interacting with techs, engineers, and managers. I'd like to spend more time with people.

What area that I find most interecting in pharmacy is the cIincal aspect. You know, working with patients in disease groups similiar to myself. Interacting with them, and doctors, and other members of the healthcare team. That's a career that I cannot obtain with a PhD in pharmacology and it's one I believe I can excel in.

As for pharmacy exposure, I am currently interviewing different pharmacists and learning their perspective on the field. I hope to gain more exposure through a volunteering experience but I am still waiting on that. Any tips?

 

[megandupe]

Residency!!! I think that'd be perfect for you. You apply during your P4, work directly with a healthcare team (including patients) to devise/research treatments.