HELP! 6 Year Pharmacy Program vs. 2 Year Prerequisite?

[09pharm]

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I got into the 6 year pharmacy program at Northeastern and MCPHS but I live in Maryland and I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my friends and family yet.

Is the 6 year pharmacy program really worth it?
Or is it possible to do 2 years of prerequisites and then transfer?
(because I heard that it's very hard to get in)

 

[inquirer89]

It's not impossible to do the 2 year prereqs and then apply to a 4 year pharmacy school, but you should know that its quite competitive and it is becoming increasing rare for people to get accepted after only 2 years. If you are already accepted to a 6 year program, then it's a more reliable bet. But I understand where you are coming from, with being far away from home and all. If you choose to do 2 years, then keep your grades up and market yourself, since you're competing with people who already finished their undergrad degrees.

 

[Calypso522]

Going through the application process twice was rough and expensive and not all of my classes transferred to the pharm school and my under grad school didn't offer two classes I needed.... it would have been so much easier to do a 6 year program. I absolutely loved my undergrad school and wouldn't change a thing about the past 5 years, but it was kinda frustrating at times.

 

[charfdorn]

I got into the 6 year pharmacy program at Northeastern and MCPHS but I live in Maryland and I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my friends and family yet.

Is the 6 year pharmacy program really worth it?
Or is it possible to do 2 years of prerequisites and then transfer?
(because I heard that it's very hard to get in)

You have already been accepted to pharmacy school. It is harder to get kicked out of a 6-year program than it is to get into a 2+4. A lot of schools are adding a year of pre-reqs, and a lot of schools will want pretty darned good GPA and PCAT to let you in after two years of undergrad. I think in the next few years a bachelor's degree will be more or less required. It's already close. I would stick with the 6-year program. You went through a lot of hoops to get there, and you will have to go through at least as many (and probably more) in two years if you go that route. Plus, you may end up spending another year - or two - in college if you do.

 

[Passion4Sci]

The old adage "One in the hand is worth two in the bush" really seems to apply here.

Like my fellow posters, I feel the 6-year all-inclusive program to which you've already gained admittance would be a very safe bet, whereas 2+3 or 2+4 is much more of a gamble, even given perfect stats.

 

[RealUnreaL]

if I were you, I would go right in to 6 year program. Because it is more hard to get in to school after you completed your 2 years precourses ,and also there is always chance that , you may not get in to pharmacy school after you competed your 2 years preps.
from my side of , you should thinking about yourself and forawhile forget about your friends and others and get your life on the right track, and not even a bit thinking , go right in to that accepted school you have .
let me tell you what are you going to face up after you completed your 2 years program in a college.
you will have to take pcat and you have to get a very good grade then you need reference letters , you have to research pharmacy programs in your area or any others areas and when you apply to pharmacy school, you will not the their first consideration. Because they like students who is going for 6 years programs. Dont aks me why!, they have a lot of reasons but I believe most of the reason is money. They can make good money out of 6 years pharm student but they don't make that much money with 2+4 years students. well they maybe right if you look at the way how they look at, but from our side it is not good.
yes , it is not impossible to get in, but why would you bother 2 years later ,trying to get in pharmacy school while you have a option to get in.
I am doing to 2+4 years program now, because of I have to. But if I had a chance again , I would do it 6 years program,also if I were in your shoes , I don't even think for a sec and go to that school.
good luck.

 

[jasonbourne]

I got into the 6 year pharmacy program at Northeastern and MCPHS but I live in Maryland and I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my friends and family yet.

Is the 6 year pharmacy program really worth it?
Or is it possible to do 2 years of prerequisites and then transfer?
(because I heard that it's very hard to get in)

If u wana avoid the pcat or taking 2 years of prereqs( U may or may not have a good GPA), I would recommend you get into a six year program. I am not underestimating your potential, but if for instance, u dont get a good GPA, U might not be accepted into pharmacy school. I wasnt awae of 6 year pharm schools. If I was aware, i would have taken that route rather than studying for pcat

 

[MrBoba]

Northeastern's program is top notch, I suggest you go there.

Being away from friends and family may seem tough, but chances are that you would have had to do it anyway for pharmacy school. Do you think that you might be able to part with your friends and family easier in two years?

Pharmacy school is incredibly competitive, I would definitely just take the 6year route. When I found out about the program at Northeastern, I kicked myself so hard because I had already graduated high school and I had no idea that such an option was available. In fact, I would still like to go to Northeastern, but they no longer take transfers; the ONLY pharmacy program they have is open to freshmen straight out of high school.

This is a great opportunity for you; I hope you come to a conclusion that you don't regret.

 

[09pharm]

Thanks everyone for your opinions!

 

[thaliagoo]

Hey 09Pharm-- I know someone who is interested in this program. Do you get financial aid in pharmacy too?

 

[inquirer89]

Hey I wanted to add that one of the pharmacy school representatives I contacted said that they only accepted 7 applicants (with only 2 years of prereqs) out of an acceptance class of 100. Something to think about!

 

[09pharm]

Hey 09Pharm-- I know someone who is interested in this program. Do you get financial aid in pharmacy too?

yes i got financial aid. i got $15,000 scholarship per year and $10,000 grant.

 

[09pharm]

Hey I wanted to add that one of the pharmacy school representatives I contacted said that they only accepted 7 applicants (with only 2 years of prereqs) out of an acceptance class of 100. Something to think about!

oh thanks!

 

[RealUnreaL]

ooo good god,im doing my second year in college and i am also taking all those bull courses,and after these i will have to study for pcat which is not really hard but still,it makes your mind busy to think for that.will see , if icant get in to school i want,i will be really upset.i am going for usp.edu

 

[futureblakpharm]

I got into the 6 year pharmacy program at Northeastern and MCPHS but I live in Maryland and I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my friends and family yet.

Is the 6 year pharmacy program really worth it?
Or is it possible to do 2 years of prerequisites and then transfer?
(because I heard that it's very hard to get in)

Yes it is worth it BUMP what everyone else tells you. If i was in your position I'd go, Friends will come and go and your family will be behind you no matter what but this is a great chance on your future. DONT TRADE THAT FOR ANYTHING

 

[09pharm]

okay. i guess i really should take the opportunity to go to the 6 year program....

but i also got in the USP 6-year pharmacy program.
even though the neighborhood isn't as great as boston,
it's a lot closer to home...

do you think it's a good idea to go there instead of NEU?

 

[RealUnreaL]

usp is a great school .i was up there 2 days ago ,visited the campus and school.i talked couple teachers and talked couple pharmd proffesors,they all nice and welcome you pretty good.but beside these their program is the almost best program around usa.i dont have to tell you,they are science school,so they can beat most of the other schools.i am living 20 min.away to phila.it would be hard to decide for you,couse of living situation but look at online for both of schools check the reviews and decide it..

 

[starfisher]

yes, you should consider Northeastern because it is 6 years rather than 2+4. 2+4 is reallly stressful in that you are not in PHARM, you are in pre-pharm, you still have to apply to get in pharm.

I am in the samme situation! kinda...ish

I'm choosing between USP and SUNY Buffalo.
USP is ranked 31 and buff is ranked 21

USP i am in the 6 year program plus they gave me half scholarship
BUffalo, I have to take 2 years of prerequsites and apply throguh eaither early assurance which i have to maintain a 3.5 gpa for first 2 years or apply regularly with pcats, recommendations, and interview BUT I am getting a full ride, and am saving a 180,000 for 6 years total while I am spending 163,000 at USP for 6 years total

Do you think I should give up lots of money to go to a more stable school?
OR do you think I should not risk being in debt and taking a chance in the 2+4 which i heard they accept about 8% of class each year- SUNY buffalo accepts 125/1400 ppl...:/

I DUNNOOO what to dooo?? The ONLY reason why i am even considering BUFFALO is because they gave me a full scholarship...otherwise i don't want to go there. but mula is pretty important

i need your opionion, usp or SUNY buff?

 

[caramel334]

I was in the exact same boat as you last year. Im from maryland, and was stuck between USP and College park. College park told me that they had a 2+4 program thing going on and i had a scholarship there, but it wasnt a guarantee that i would get into pharmacy school after 2 years. I ended up going to USP and I dont regret it. The only thing I do regret is not applying to Northeastern, because thats a much better school. But anywhoo...
- If you dont do the program, like someone already said, you are going to have to market yourself, which is actually easier said than done. I just finished my freshman year, and I really didnt have time to do much of anything but school ( but i hear thats just USP, not all 6 year programs are as intense)
- If you know that pharmacy is really what you want to do, then there really isnt any point in going to 2+4. Its much more relaxing knowing that you only have to keep a certain gpa. Theres no pcats or resumes that they look at, which is nice. At usp, we had to keep a 2.8 science, and 3.0 overall, which isnt that bad. And once you start pharmacy school, you have to keep a 2.4.

But between northeastern and usp, i would go for northeastern. the school is better, the area is better, theres more to do ( USP kids have to go to upenn for parties). The only good thing about USP is that its close to home. I usually just take amtrak down to DC and take the metro home whenever i feel like coming home. But its completely up to you. feel free to message me if you have any questions :]

 

[starfisher]

Yeah I got into Maryland college park as well! But it would be too expensive for me to go cause I am not a resident at Maryland.

You have to maintain an overall gpa of 3.0 at USP and a 2.4 the next four years?? reallly? didn't know that oooooo

Is USP really hard freshman year? And do you think I should consider USP over UB?

 

[starfisher]

BUT i'm pretty bummmed out there are no asian sororities at USP nor a social life but I guess social life is what you make of it and who you become friends with. Since penn and temple and drexel are so close, I guess a social life is possible there :] thank goodness

 

[caramel334]

No youre right , social life is what you make of it. And although there arent any asian sororities at USP, there are alot of asians. And alot of kids pledge to asian frats and sororities through temple or drexel, so thats also an option. Freshman year isnt hard.Its just hard adjusting, and balancing your time. When to do work, and when to do out, the usual. But its not too bad. We do have more tests and stuff than other schools tho. But on the bright side, we get out of school earlier. I finished april 29, so thats another bonus lol. But i would take the 6year program over 2+4

 

[starfisher]

thank youuuu
you were really helpful!
btw do you know anything about the PREP Program and also, which year do you think is the hardest at USP? What are rotations?
Do you like USP?Any other pros and cons? Are there any "bad" teachers there to be aware?

Do you have to maintain a 3.0 gpa the first two years and then 2.4 the next four years?

 

[caramel334]

sorry, i dont really know anything about the prep program except that they get their books for free lol. ummm the main con is that theres nothing to do on campus, we have to go to penns campus for everything.

but yess 3.0 for the first 2 years, and 2.4 for the last 4 years. The first 2 years is undergrad, the last 4 is pharmacy school. Rotations happen in the 6th year. I hear 2nd and 5th years are the hardest. For teachers, we jsut read ratemyprofessor.com lol

Are you going to USP next year?

 

[starfisher]

probably, but I am enrolled in UB and in USP sooo but prob USP cause they have the 0-6 year program
however i really hate how it's so expensive :/

btw do you know if you are a resident at PA, does that help with financial aid?

 

[speciald]

Starfisher, you enrolled at two schools? Do they know this? USP is a private college and state residency doesn't affect the tuition.

 

[TooNice]

if you do 2 yr pre-req undergrad and then apply, you run the risk of not being accepted and having to be in school longer...idk if that is an issue for you

if you got into a 6 yr program from the start, you are in a good position to finish as fast as possible

 

[starfisher]

actually speaciald i told Buffalo i declined my acceptance so yeah, now i'm only enrolled in one

I thinking now i want to go to University of Maryland

Does the University Maryland School of Pharmacy have any affiliation with University of Maryland college park? Does anyone know if it is hard to get in University Maryland School of Pharmacy through college park? I beginning to feel regret again....hah i'm so indecisive.

 

[starfisher]

guess no one knows? thankss newayss 🙂

 

[mildlyneurotic]

no brainer, do the 6 year

 

[dreamtiger]

Hi im a junior in hihschool. Does any know if University at Buffalo has a 6yr pharmacy program and if they do can someone tell me how can i get into it. Thanks ALOT

 

[Passion4Sci]

Hi im a junior in hihschool. Does any know if University at Buffalo has a 6yr pharmacy program and if they do can someone tell me how can i get into it. Thanks ALOT

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=1700947#post1700947

 

[speciald]

No, UB is a 2+4 (or 3+4) school with an early assurance option. It is not easy to maintain the required gpa (though it certainly can be done) and admissions are very competitive without it! You apply to UB for pre-pharmacy and then apply to the pharmD program in your sophomore year. You can get all the details on the UB SOPPS website.