Getting into Pharmacy school from a Biology major?

[Calvinc]

Hey, lots of questions and clarity needed! I've recently got accepted into James Madison University and am attending this Fall (as a sophomore; I'm completing my first year at my community college), and I'm really thinking about being a Pharmacist. However, JMU doesn't have a Pharmacy, or Pre-pharmacy anything there. They do, however, have Biology and Chemistry programs to major in. My question is, should I go ahead and pick one of those majors, and go for all the pre-req classes I'll need for Pharmacy school afterwards? If so, does it matter which one I pick, since I'm just sort of doing it for the same classes I need to go to P.S. afterwards? If not, which is better? I've already taken Biology 1&2 (1110&1120), and I know I don't need a TON more Biology left, mostly Chemistry, so should I go ahead and pick my major for now as Chemistry since that's mostly about what I have left to do?

BUT, I also heard you can really just pick whatever major you want, as long as you get the pre-reqs in there, and it won't really affect much to getting into Pharmacy School afterwards? If so, another major interest I have is Biological Anthropology (or, something in the neighborhood), could I go for that, get my prereqs in there, PLUS get the benefit of classes in that field of major to appease me along the way? Can I even make my way to Pharmacy School with a Religion major if I happened to go out of my to get my prereqs in there as well? And that being said... does it really matter what you pick as your major?

Thanks a lot for any answers and clarity to all of this! I don't know a TON regarding all the ins and outs of what's needed before Pharmacy School and all that, so any feedback is appreciated.

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[Monalyce]

The short answer: yes.

The long answer: Major doesn't matter, completing all the prereqs matters. Do whatever major you will do well in and will make you happy. Last week I heard about a pre-pharm student who was a Theater major. It doesn't matter...what's more important is that you've set up your life such that you'll be able to develop good leadership and communication skills, as well as get exposure to healthcare. Having a less common major (religion) could be somewhat of an advantage, because you have a unique background. Just be ready to explain why you chose that major, and how you believe it will help you become a great pharmacist. For the sake of graduating on time (or even early) it's often easier to major in something that encompasses a lot of prereqs. Hope this helps!

 

[Iron Patriot]

The bio major sounds fine. That's what I did. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do by my junior year and I was already a bio major. A good chunk of the classes required by most pharmacy schools will be taken care of by the requirements for a bio major (or at least they did at my school). Just make sure you have the labs that are required for the pharmacy schools when you take some of the chem and physics courses. After that, you just need to take care of electives and things like speech or social sciences. One other thing you might want to do is look at the pharmcas school pages and look at some of the requirements to get an idea of what you're going to need down the road.

You can do a religion major, sure, but why? If you're going to need a crapload of science courses, you might as well go with a major, probably some science major, that has those pre-reqs in it.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

So I've heard rumors that some schools actually can consider it an advantage if you major outside of the sciences, in the sense that it shows you're a well-rounded person.

However, what I would do if I were you is perhaps major in either biology or chemistry (my major was biochem!) and then minor in another area, like anthropology, a foreign language, or religion (I minored in French). It's an easy way to get the non-science classes required for pharm school. It shows you have outside interests. But it also shows that your major interests are in the sciences.

If you did pick a major that didn't require a lot of credits, you could double-major as well.

 

[aboveliquidice]

The short answer: yes.

The long answer: Major doesn't matter, completing all the prereqs matters. Do whatever major you will do well in and will make you happy. Last week I heard about a pre-pharm student who was a Theater major. It doesn't matter...what's more important is that you've set up your life such that you'll be able to develop good leadership and communication skills, as well as get exposure to healthcare. Having a less common major (religion) could be somewhat of an advantage, because you have a unique background. Just be ready to explain why you chose that major, and how you believe it will help you become a great pharmacist. For the sake of graduating on time (or even early) it's often easier to major in something that encompasses a lot of prereqs. Hope this helps!

I wouldn't say you have an advantage - Choosing whatever major you are interested in is the correct answer. Ensure you do well in all of your classes, both in-major courses and pre-reqs. Getting good grades will give you an advantage.

 

[BenUstudent]

I would see your schools offers a Health Science Major. It covers all of the pre-Reqs. (like Bio, Gen Chem, O. Chem, Physics) and at least at my school you have a bunch of science electives your Junior & Senior year (like Anatomy, Biochem, etc...whatever you like)

 

[atticus27]

I wouldn't say you have an advantage - Choosing whatever major you are interested in is the correct answer. Ensure you do well in all of your classes, both in-major courses and pre-reqs. Getting good grades will give you an advantage.

Not necessarily an advantage, but after seeing 3 bajillion Bio majors a major like Religion or Anthropology might really pique an adcom's interest.

 

[Calypso522]

Just do what I did: double major!!! I did Biology as my primary major and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as my secondary major just because I liked the classes. I really didn't have much trouble getting everything done at all... and the classes didn't overlap at all. Just from my experience, being a bio major took care of more pre-req classes than would a chem major... but as long as you are happy and get your pre-reqs done, then there's no problem at all!

 

[WhiteSnows]

Don't do double major. Focus on completing required classes. Get A's.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

Don't do double major. Focus on completing required classes. Get A's.

I actually found it easier to get better grades with my minor. I would take one or two hard science classes, one easier science class or a requirement for my major, and then usually one class for my minor. My GPA usually was a bit better this way than if I had three hard science/math classes, and my minor gave me enough units to be a full-time student. However, I did complete my bachelor's, which I know not everyone who's going to pharmacy school does.

 

[pharm093]

I major in Biology for my undergrad.

Most of the pharmacy pre-reqs are already part of my bachelor degree.

Do not major in Chemistry and Biochemistry if you not good at them, since the upper division courses may kill your GPA.

In my opinion, Biology degree is much easier than chemistry and biochemistry. There are 1 or 2 classes that you may have to take outside of your biology major.

Another thing that I think you can benefit from is the Summer sessions. In the summer take one or 2 science courses or pre-reqs. This can help you graduate a bit early too. You can take them at your community college, but only take 1 or 2 a summer.


Also take a much more rounded course load, mix some GE with some science classes. You definitely don't want a full semester of pure science courses, you can, but it makes things more difficult.


Everything I told you, I encoutered personally so that you may benefit.

Good luck

 

[Monalyce]

Don't do double major. Focus on completing required classes. Get A's.

I double majored. Completed all required classes. I got into every school I applied to. Maybe you meant, don't double major if it will hurt your prereq grades 😕

Having a unique perspective, and having a more diverse background, will get you further than "A's". Obviously you need good grades. But it's not that hard to get A's in prereqs if all you did was what was required! Focus on the whole package, and if a double major will 1. keep you academically challenged 2. help your personal development 3. provide knowledge in something other than hard science 4. force to you budget your time well...do it!

 

[yappy]

I do not know for certain, but having exposure to junior & senior science classes might give you some exposure to concepts you'll see in Pharmacy school and/or your pharmacy career.

 

[Deja]

everyone is talking about which major will take care of the pre-reqs, why dont you just make life easier for yourself and only take pre-reqs the first 1 or 2 years till you get everything done, THEN decide on a major (you can choose a major right now to show the interviwer ur interest, but just worry about pre-reqs first)... i mean, if you get in after ur pre-reqs, it really doesnt matter what ur major is... I chose finance after i got done with my pre-reqs, and the interviwer seemed to like that after asking me about it, so u dont always have to choose a science major, but if u like biology, then go for it, just remember u have options