How should I plan my schedule?

[Nostalgiaultra]

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I graduated from high school a year ago, and from what I understand it usually takes 2 years of pre pharm work to actually apply to a pharmacy school. Right now all the classes I have left to take are my science ones. Gen Chem 1 and 2, orgo chem 1 and 2, gen bio, anatomy, and microbiology. I am taking General Chem 1 and Anatomy this summer (I had taken these courses in high school so I have a bit of familiarity with them already). Then I plan on doing Gen Chem 2 and Biology for the upcoming fall. Then next spring I am doing Orgo Chem 1 with Microbiology to end it all with Orgo Chem 2 next summer. Should I apply to pharmacy school for the 2015-2016 semester or wait for the 2016-2017 semester? I am currently at a 3.1 in my pre requisites GPA, and I am hoping to average an A- for the rest of these classes. When would be a great time to take the PCAT? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Here's a layout of my ideal schedule:

Summer 2014: General Chem 1
Anatomy and Physiology
Fall 2014: General Chem 2
General Biology
Spring 2015: Organic Chem 1
Microbiology
Summer 2015: Organic Chemistry 2

 

[oldstock]

I graduated from high school a year ago, and from what I understand it usually takes 2 years of pre pharm work to actually apply to a pharmacy school. Right now all the classes I have left to take are my science ones. Gen Chem 1 and 2, orgo chem 1 and 2, gen bio, anatomy, and microbiology. I am taking General Chem 1 and Anatomy this summer (I had taken these courses in high school so I have a bit of familiarity with them already). Then I plan on doing Gen Chem 2 and Biology for the upcoming fall. Then next spring I am doing Orgo Chem 1 with Microbiology to end it all with Orgo Chem 2 next summer. Should I apply to pharmacy school for the 2015-2016 semester or wait for the 2016-2017 semester? I am currently at a 3.1 in my pre requisites GPA, and I am hoping to average an A- for the rest of these classes. When would be a great time to take the PCAT? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Here's a layout of my ideal schedule:

Summer 2014: General Chem 1
Anatomy and Physiology
Fall 2014: General Chem 2
General Biology
Spring 2015: Organic Chem 1
Microbiology
Summer 2015: Organic Chemistry 2

you seem to have forgotten about

-General Bio 2 (usually 2 semesters of Gen Bio are required at most, if not all pharmacy schools)

-Physics : again 2 semesters required

-Math / Calculus : at least 1 semester

-Math / Statistics : 1 semester

-some schools, esp the top tier ones like to require Biochem (1 sem), Cell Bio (1 sem), Genetics (1 sem)

-other science electives (e.g. Psychology) / other gen-ed or pre-pharmacy electives

-other required / specific classes for your pharmacy schools of interest

-PCAT

-LORs

-volunteer / pharmacy experience

-time for researching schools and preparing application



Those I have mentioned above would take you some time to complete. If you could fit them in the timeframe from now to next summer, I would say you should apply for 2015-2016.

The safest and surest way is to give you at least enough time and room to complete those requirements and not go rushing things. But it is only you to know yourself to decide if you could do everything above WELL and IN TIME for your pharmacy school application. I would rather spend some time to build my credential right so that I could have my choices for top schools than just getting in any school, esp. in the ever-more increasing competition in pharmacy.

Otherwise, wait for 2016-2017. GL 🙂

 

[Nostalgiaultra]

you seem to have forgotten about

-General Bio 2 (usually 2 semesters of Gen Bio are required at most, if not all pharmacy schools)

-Physics : again 2 semesters required

-Math / Calculus : at least 1 semester

-Math / Statistics : 1 semester

-some schools, esp the top tier ones like to require Biochem (1 sem), Cell Bio (1 sem), Genetics (1 sem)

-other science electives (e.g. Psychology) / other gen-ed or pre-pharmacy electives

-other required / specific classes for your pharmacy schools of interest

-PCAT

-LORs

-volunteer / pharmacy experience

-time for researching schools and preparing application



Those I have mentioned above would take you some time to complete. If you could fit them in the timeframe from now to next summer, I would say you should apply for 2015-2016.

The safest and surest way is to give you at least enough time and room to complete those requirements and not go rushing things. But it is only you to know yourself to decide if you could do everything above WELL and IN TIME for your pharmacy school application. I would rather spend some time to build my credential right so that I could have my choices for top schools than just getting in any school, esp. in the ever-more increasing competition in pharmacy.

Otherwise, wait for 2016-2017. GL 🙂

I have finished up my other prerequisites either prior to college or in my first year. I was hoping to get into Drake, and they don't require Bio 2 surprisingly, just the ones I listed above. Does any volunteering help? and when should i take the pcat?

 

[demihope]

I have finished up my other prerequisites either prior to college or in my first year. I was hoping to get into Drake, and they don't require Bio 2 surprisingly, just the ones I listed above. Does any volunteering help? and when should i take the pcat?

you may want to check again http://www.drake.edu/cphs/programs/doctorofpharmacypharmd/

all graduate level schools in the health field are going to require bio 2


PS I wouldn't take PCAT until your at least half way done with Organic 1

 

[oldstock]

you may want to check again http://www.drake.edu/cphs/programs/doctorofpharmacypharmd/

all graduate level schools in the health field are going to require bio 2


PS I wouldn't take PCAT until your at least half way done with Organic 1

agreed with Demihope ! Check out the link: Drake does require both Gen Bio 1 & 2 (Bio 012 + Bio 013), and the prereqs are what they require students to take for their Year 1 + Year 2. Also Drake is good school and they are selective / competitive in admission. So you will need a very good GPA, PCAT, and some excellent LORs.