Getting a degree vs not getting one

[MrLeaky]

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You know anybody that just done the prereqs, forgone getting a degree, and gone straight to pharm school? is this common? And are you considered more competitive if you do get a degree first? The counselor at my school had me under the impression that it was most common to get your prereqs done in two years and then apply for pharm school. No way thats gonna happen, but i think ill finish in all my pre-reqs in 3 1/2 years so i might as well go for a degree in something right?

 

[Passion4Sci]

You know anybody that just done the prereqs, forgone getting a degree, and gone straight to pharm school? is this common? And are you considered more competitive if you do get a degree first? The counselor at my school had me under the impression that it was most common to get your prereqs done in two years and then apply for pharm school. No way thats gonna happen, but i think ill finish in all my pre-reqs in 3 1/2 years so i might as well go for a degree in something right?

I think it is "more common" to complete 2 years then go to pharmacy school, but it's hard to tease it out, because looking at the data available to us through PharmCAS / school websites and circulars, it seems like even schools that don't require a 4 year degree are getting ~50% of their student body every year with them. But, not all schools report this... so, who knows? In CA, while it's not written but for a couple of schools, it's a "soft requirement" to have a 4 year degree... the trend is certainly moving that direction as the applicant pool becomes larger and more qualified and as the "traditional" job market continues to tank.

I agree with you... If you're not going to finish in 2 years (Most people that can do it in 2 years already have some of the GE stuff done, like Econ, Psych, Soc, Speech) and it'll be closer to 4, get the degree!

What if pharmacy doesn't work out and you're stuck without a degree and just a bunch of classes? Always, A L W A Y S have a Plan B.

 

[SmKN808]

i agree with both sci and your counselor in that it is more common to complete your prereqs in 2 years first. then, apply to pharm school. are you considered more competitive if you do get a degree first? well, it seems to be the consensus, these days. though, NOT required for most[YET]. but, YES i'd have to agree that you'd definitely have a leg up as far as landing a seat with a BA/BS. so yeah... get that degree FIRST. then, apply and good luck to YOU also...

 

[phathead]

As I've said in many other posts, pharmacy schools are slowly moving to where they either require a BS/BA or greatly prefer it.

You don't want to spend two years working on just your pre-reqs to find out the schools you want to apply to now require a degree.

Plus it's good to spread them out a bit so you don't burn yourself out. If your set on this type of method, perhaps plot for doing it over three years instead of two.

The big thing, as previously mentioned, is have a back up plan handy in case everything doesn't work out.

 

[Tatodotcom]

Pharmacy school is moving closer and closer to requiring a degree..I think, and many other people as well, that it will be required soon. As previously stated, most people entering pharm school have their degree.

two years is common, but you have to take solely pre reqs to get it done in that time, usaully.

I think 3 years is becoming more common because you can complete all the pre reqs while taking all of the courses required to get your degree (if you dont get in pharm school during your 3rd year). Thats what I did at least.
good luck

 

[gtpederson]

I made it a point to have time to complete a B.S. before pharmacy school. For one, I think it helped in the application process (my acceptance letter states that if I don't complete my B.S. as planned, to LET THEM KNOW ).

I also think the extra credentials would be beneficial going forward, as well, applying for residencies or MBA, MPH, or PhD programs if I went that route .

 

[delano2000]

I wont have one but hopefully I get in for the Fall.

 

[SmKN808]

I wont have one but hopefully I get in for the Fall.

best of luck d...👍

 

[MrLeaky]

wow nice! thanks for the info, this place is definitely allot more help then my counselors could ever hope to be 😀

 

[crazybob]

There are people who go to undergrad for 2 or 3 years and then go to pharmacy school and become good pharmacists. Some of their friends might struggle, but it all just depends on the person.

If you want to go to pharmacy school without finishing undergrad, take some upper level courses before your senior year and see how well you handle it. If you do well with that, then you should be fine in getting adjusted to the difficult coursework in pharmacy school. If not, then you might need some time and should consider graduating from college first before going on to pharmacy school.

 

[busyizzy]

There are people who go to undergrad for 2 or 3 years and then go to pharmacy school and become good pharmacists. Some of their friends might struggle, but it all just depends on the person.

If you want to go to pharmacy school without finishing undergrad, take some upper level courses before your senior year and see how well you handle it. If you do well with that, then you should be fine in getting adjusted to the difficult coursework in pharmacy school. If not, then you might need some time and should consider graduating from college first before going on to pharmacy school.

Good advice, but it's not all about the classes either. I considered applying straight to pharm school without my degree, but I decided against it. Some people are in a rush to get a job and start making money, but why? Sure you'll save some money by not attending school for so long, and you'll be making money on top of that, but I don't see the appeal in jumping into work that you'll be doing for the next 40-50 years. You're young only once! I attended college for 5 years because I changed my major, and I don't regret it one bit. I met some amazing people during my undergrad, and just enjoyed the experience of what college has to offer (outside of education - although of course, education is important too). I am taking a year off working some research and hoping to get in for Fall 2010, and I look forward to going to school again and experiencing what IS has to offer. I think people don't need to rush through life, and just take it slowly, and enjoy what it has to offer.

 

[Dancer123]

Like the previous people I agree that it is becoming more popular for students to have a bachelors degree before going to Pharm school to be a more competitive applicant.

However, from my perspective I know that I want to go into pharmacy... I've know for a long time and nothing is going to change my mind... therefore I feel getting a Bachelors degree is a waste of my time. Many of my professors and advisors have told me I should get a degree to have a back-up option. So, if you know you want to stick with Pharmacy I would say GO FOR IT! But if you have any doubts you should probably get your degree.

Most schools have their stats of how many accepted students have their degrees.... for many it's very close to 100%... but I got into UOP this year with just 3 years of pre-req's. Yay!!

 

[takethecannoli3]

all of the people i personally know who got in to pharm school were taking upper level courses when they got accepted. a BS was not important to them. for me, i figured since my other stats were less than impressive, that i would take some upper level courses and just work towards a BS in biology just in case pharm school didn't happen for me... but pharm school is what i've always wanted to do, so if i get accepted this year, I'M GOING! 🙂
it all depends on what you want for your life, your plan B, and how good of a chance you think you have of getting in to pharm school. good luck!

 

[phathead]

Like the previous people I agree that it is becoming more popular for students to have a bachelors degree before going to Pharm school to be a more competitive applicant.

However, from my perspective I know that I want to go into pharmacy... I've know for a long time and nothing is going to change my mind... therefore I feel getting a Bachelors degree is a waste of my time. Many of my professors and advisors have told me I should get a degree to have a back-up option. So, if you know you want to stick with Pharmacy I would say GO FOR IT! But if you have any doubts you should probably get your degree.

Most schools have their stats of how many accepted students have their degrees.... for many it's very close to 100%... but I got into UOP this year with just 3 years of pre-req's. Yay!!

You should have a back up plan not because you are unsure that you want to get into pharmacy, but because it is not a certainty you will get in. What happens if all you've taken is pre-reqs over a couple years, with no focus, and you don't get in?

 

[Artful Dodger]

If you have good grades & decent PCAT score, you can get into pharmacy school without a degree. However, as years go by, there will be less programs that accept non-degree students. That is slowly being witnessed right now as more people with degrees are applying to pharmacy schools. So, in my opinion, I'd choose a degree to play it safe. It doesn't hurt to try applying without a degree, but know that your chances are probably lower than a person with a degree.

 

[phathead]

If you have good grades & decent PCAT score, you can get into pharmacy school without a degree. However, as years go by, there will be less programs that accept non-degree students. That is slowly being witnessed right now as more people with degrees are applying to pharmacy schools. So, in my opinion, I'd choose a degree to play it safe. It doesn't hurt to try applying without a degree, but know that your chances are probably lower than a person with a degree.

I have known many people with a high GPA and high PCAT score not get into pharmacy school

 

[Artful Dodger]

I have known many people with a high GPA and high PCAT score not get into pharmacy school

This is true.

I have a friend who applied 2 consecutive years to a particular school and was rejected. He had a gpa of 3.75 and a PCAT of 83. Eventually, he got in without a degree but it was a rough ride throughout.

I got in last year without a degree but I declined admission because I felt I wasn't ready for pharmacy school. I believe my GPA was a little lower than what I have now...I'd say around 3.67 overall and 3.64 for science. Now I'm on track to finish a degree in Chemistry in May 2010. Still waiting for an acceptance, although it's still early in the game.

So yes, it's kind of a toss up. Play it safe and choose a degree in case things don't work out initially. Don't rely on the fact that you don't need a degree, because that's changing as we speak.