(Help) Choosing a major... for pharm prep.

[neogenesis713]

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First of all, thanks for all the feedback from my first post. Some were hard to chew (Still a brat, I guess...) but I appreciate them nonetheless.

I am planning to apply for Faculty of Science at U of Alberta after "Taking years off" from Waterloo' faculty of engineering. (Pretty sure I have to inform Waterloo that I am dropping out... but I can't say for now) I was told that biochemistry program would be ideal choice to get into pharm. (Makes sense, pharm is all about biology and chemistry) Plus, biochemistry students have fixed schedules... so I don't have to worry about course availability and whatnot (Kinda like engineering at Waterloo)

The problem is that I have already taken some first year courses transferable to science. I have first year chem, phys (I know I don't need it for pharm, but it is required course for first year biochem student) and calculus I. In that sense, it may make more sense to apply general science program since I can concentrate on the courses I need.

I will find out whether I can take other courses since I already have 3 first year courses that will be taken in first year biochem. But if I do have that luxury, do you think I should stick with biochem, or apply for general science?

From what I can think of, here are the listed pros/cons

General Science:

Pros:
1. Flexible schedule. If I screw up the courses, I can retake as soon as I want. (Or take other easy courses to pull GPA up)
2. Fasted method of meeting pharm requirements (Some biochem courses are not needed for pharm requirement)
3. May be easier, since biochem has fewer class quotas... and I was told earning GPA may be harder as biochem student.

Cons:
1. Courses I want to take (Especially ones needed for pharm) may not be available when I apply for them.
2. If easier than biochem, it may get difficult to compete with biochem people in faculty of pharm.
3. Biochem may prepare you for pharm better due to its higher difficulty (Or so the rumor goes, anyway)

I know it's my life. I know I have to make the choice. I am leaning to biochem since it looks more interesting, but GPA is utmost priority for competitive programs like pharmacy. If you were in the same situation as me, what would be your decision... and why?

Once again, your constructive feedback will be appreciated.

- neogenesis713

PS: For both Canadian and US students... is it relatively easy to transfer from pharmacy to other medicine-related program? I really do want to become pharmacist, but I'm just curious...

 

[eightonesix]

I know quite a few students that major in biochem because it supposedly "prepares you better than a general biology major" for med/pharm/health grad school in general (like you mentioned), But I decided to skip over the common major and do a biology related major (its called neurology, physiology and behavior) out of interest while still fulfilling the pre-reqs. when it boiled down to curriculum, my major and the biochem major had some few extra course differences of course with biochem emphasizing more chemistry and mine, obviously more biology. My theory here was to separate myself from the typical biochem majors and take on something that I actually enjoy (and that i might pursue in the case I dont get accepted) since I'm paying for it....

no one can really tell you what to pick.... so choose what you like 👍

 

[Okie7123]

Since I am myself a biochemistry major and recently was accepted I would lean toward my major. BUT, it all depends (like you said) on what you prefer. I can see the logic in you picking biology or biochemistry. For biology you get the big picture of disease and what causes it whereas in biochemistry the molecular view is proposed. You understand the most basic part of pathway and origin, which is the basis of pharmacy (creating the molecular drug to combat the overal symptom...if involved in research based pharma). Biology I have found have more classes that will not pertain to pharmacy and have less study time and more time for extra-curricular activity based on difficulty whereas biochemistry is more difficult and the the knowledge applies better to the profession. In the end though. It really doesn't matter. I'd say it depends on your experience, scientific GPA, and extra-curricular activities to show your personality outside of school (which was a big part of my interview pitch to the school that accepted me. I find through my experience and my roommate interested in dental, that personal extra-curricluar experience outside of school plays a big impact on the interview conversation and acceptance)

 

[neogenesis713]

Since I am myself a biochemistry major and recently was accepted I would lean toward my major. BUT, it all depends (like you said) on what you prefer. I can see the logic in you picking biology or biochemistry. For biology you get the big picture of disease and what causes it whereas in biochemistry the molecular view is proposed. You understand the most basic part of pathway and origin, which is the basis of pharmacy (creating the molecular drug to combat the overal symptom...if involved in research based pharma). Biology I have found have more classes that will not pertain to pharmacy and have less study time and more time for extra-curricular activity based on difficulty whereas biochemistry is more difficult and the the knowledge applies better to the profession. In the end though. It really doesn't matter. I'd say it depends on your experience, scientific GPA, and extra-curricular activities to show your personality outside of school (which was a big part of my interview pitch to the school that accepted me. I find through my experience and my roommate interested in dental, that personal extra-curricluar experience outside of school plays a big impact on the interview conversation and acceptance)

I thought about that as well. Pharmacy is virtually biochemistry. (Pharmacists make drugs. Go figure...)

As a student with no major, however, I can still take biochem courses needed for pharmacy. (I was told from the school that course availability is pretty high for 100, 200 courses... which is why I have to declare major after my second year. (Pharmacy, if I am lucky... I don't want to think about the alternative, LOL)

It's just that I wasted a lot of money already in engineering 7000-8000 + ticket money...grr... and I want to find an option that would maximize my chance for me to get into pharmacy. Once I get in, I just need to keep up rather than surviving the competition.

But there are awful number of kids choosing biochem for pharm prep. I am so nervous...

PS: I know lots of applicants apply for pharm schools in Canada... but I want to see if it's just a number or it actually is a brutal competition. Say, U of Alberta admits 130 students.. and let's say 1000 apply for it. (Maybe there are more applicants...) Are all 1000 applicants with GPA of 3.5-3.8? Or is it more like 200 applicants with high GPA, and 800 of them just over the min GPA?

It doesn't matter much since I will work to death for pharm school, but I just want to see the bigger picture...

- neogenesis713

 

[ValeRx]

I thought about that as well. Pharmacy is virtually biochemistry. (Pharmacists make drugs. Go figure...)

Wrong.

 

[PharmPrincess]

Pharmacists make drugs....?

I can't start to tell you how wrong this is. You need to research the field of pharmacy before stating something like this. Back in the day, yes, pharmacists did compound a lot of drugs, but that's been taking up by manufacturers and in fact the field of pharmacy is different than it was 100 years ago. Compounding is still around, but there's also nuclear pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, etc. that has nothing to do with making drugs.

Biochemistry has a part to do with pharmacy, but not in its entirety. To base biochemistry as a factor for being prepared for pharmacy is not the way to go. I know many people who majored in different degrees before being accepted into pharmacy school.

Any major is good enough for pharmacy as long as you do very well in the pre-reqs and the PCAT. And also, if the school does interviews, to do well in that too.

 

[pharmtech10]

I am really confused when it comes to my two year and the pre-reqs. I have just enrolled in a pharm tech program to become certified and to gain experience but have no idea where to go from there. I am a military wife and mom so my time is limited when it comes to staying in one place so online would be great but I know with labs that isn't possible. I have heard that a cc is the way to go (less money) and to go into biochemisrty. Im just wondering if I am going in the right direction.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I am really confused when it comes to my two year and the pre-reqs. I have just enrolled in a pharm tech program to become certified and to gain experience but have no idea where to go from there. I am a military wife and mom so my time is limited when it comes to staying in one place so online would be great but I know with labs that isn't possible. I have heard that a cc is the way to go (less money) and to go into biochemisrty. Im just wondering if I am going in the right direction.

Sounds like you're on the right track, although a job as a pharmacy tech. won't necessarily trump a solid academic record and some schools don't even ask/care about pharmacy experience as a technician and also don't require Pharmacist LoRs.

Keep that in mind. As a mom/wife who might need to PCS around the country at any given time, a CC would be ideal, but then keep in mind the negative stigma attached to someone who only has CC work (that is, no bachelor's degree).

 

[crazybob]

if you were going to make drugs, you'd be studying pharmaceutical sciences and medicinal chemistry, and probably not be in pharmacy school for four years.

as for your major, pick what you want to study, because you'll take all of the upper level science courses you need when you start pharmacy school. sometimes i wish i could have taken something like cultural anthropology instead of quantum chemistry, which i needed only for my major and will use very rarely in pharmacy school.

 

[kwannok]

i have the same problem with you too
can biomedical science major cover the prerequisite??

 

[pharm B]

i have the same problem with you too
can biomedical science major cover the prerequisite??

Look at the pre-reqs you need for the schools you intend to apply to.

Look at the coursework required for the degree.

Compare.