I need help with Pre Pharm

[iololiol]

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I will be a freshman in the Fall of '09-10 at Depaul university(not a pharm program or pharm school) and am taking class at community college in the summer: Bio I (lab) and Psyc Online.

What courses should i take for prereq next year...

I would like to finish in Two years then do 4 years pharm school somewhere...

Is this easily attainable, assuming I keep a 3.5+gpa?

Thank You

 

[Maxpwer222]

It really is not hard to finish in two years. Most of the pre-reqs are intro courses. The hardest will prolly be Anatomy or Organic chem. Just look up what schools you want to go to and then take those courses.

 

[diastole]

Just look up the pre-reqs that you need from the schools and start knocking them off your list. You want to start out with general chem in the fall because at most schools you have to take the chemistry series in order and that takes two years. I'd throw in English 101 too. Just pick the other classes based on what you need and how it fits into your schedule. Don't load up on too many math and sciences at once and you should be fine.

 

[thephoenician88]

Find a pre-req list for the schools you want to attend and work your schedule around it. That's what I did.

 

[iololiol]

Honestly, I could care less where I go to school because tution is basically the same. So, where would you suggest to go? Remember, I am doing just the pre-reqs.

 

[Maxpwer222]

Honestly, I could care less where I go to school because tution is basically the same. So, where would you suggest to go? Remember, I am doing just the pre-reqs.

Since money is not an issue, go where ever you want to the most. Pharmacy schools do not care if you go to a CC or a traditional school. Most if not all of the pre-reqs are not very difficult so as long as you study you will be fine. Follow the previous posters advice of just finding out the prereqs and just making yourself a two year plan.

 

[inquirer89]

If I had to do it again, I would start out at CC (although I did get in after 2 years at a university). But the overriding factor to me is cost, so if that is not important to you than go where you'd feel most comfortable.

Assuming you get a 3.5 and good PCAT, getting in with only the prerequisites is getting harder. You need to have pharmacy experience, extracurriculars, etc. to set yourself apart. There are many threads on this topic. Do a search and see what other people have said.

Helpful hint: many schools suggest that you take 3 science courses in a semester. This is your call if you can handle the rigor, but I think making the best possible grades is the main goal so don't worry about taking only 2 science courses and a few over summer, as I did.

 

[BlueCosmos]

take courses that will help you for the pcat

 

[aboveliquidice]

If I had to do it again, I would start out at CC (although I did get in after 2 years at a university). But the overriding factor to me is cost, so if that is not important to you than go where you'd feel most comfortable.

Assuming you get a 3.5 and good PCAT, getting in with only the prerequisites is getting harder. You need to have pharmacy experience, extracurriculars, etc. to set yourself apart. There are many threads on this topic. Do a search and see what other people have said.

Helpful hint: many schools suggest that you take 3 science courses in a semester. This is your call if you can handle the rigor, but I think making the best possible grades is the main goal so don't worry about taking only 2 science courses and a few over summer, as I did.

Excellent response - Quoted for truth...

 

[iololiol]

Thank you all for your responses. I just need to set myself apart from other applicants? So this means I need to get internships. Can some one tell me a resource on where to apply for internships or find them? What is considered "pharmacy" experience

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thank you all for your responses. I just need to set myself apart from other applicants? So this means I need to get internships. Can some one tell me a resource on where to apply for internships or find them? What is considered "pharmacy" experience

Not really internships, no... Pharmacy doesn't work like that. You can't be an "intern" in your pre-pharmacy time really.

Your experience will come from volunteering (At a hospital, independent pharmacy, or the like), working as a pharmacy clerk, or working as a pharmacy technician.

 

[iololiol]

Not really internships, no... Pharmacy doesn't work like that. You can't be an "intern" in your pre-pharmacy time really.

Your experience will come from volunteering (At a hospital, independent pharmacy, or the like), working as a pharmacy clerk, or working as a pharmacy technician.

How do I go about becomming a pharmacy tech?

 

[Passion4Sci]

How do I go about becomming a pharmacy tech?

It depends widely on your state.

To be a "pharmacy technician" at most stores and in most states, you need to pass the PTCE, or Pharm. Tech. Cert. Exam, and in doing so, you'll be granted the ability to use CphT after your name and apply for jobs requiring state/nat'l certification.

The test itself is very easy. If you're good at math (ratios, mixtures, conversions) then your only study point will be law and "assisting the pharmacist". (laminar flow hoods, hoooo!) Also a good idea to know the top 200 and their names, from generic to brand, but I don't remember any MoA or usage questions beyond basic stuff (I.e., what is the purpose of Acetaminophen? a. analgesic, b. antipyretic, etc).

Check out ptcb.org for more information, and I highly recommend the Mosby's PTCB review book. You can get it from Amazo, Barnes and Noble, Borders or just about anywhere else for ~$30. It's money well spent if you're walking into this with no prior knowledge.

 

[iololiol]

It depends widely on your state.

To be a "pharmacy technician" at most stores and in most states, you need to pass the PTCE, or Pharm. Tech. Cert. Exam, and in doing so, you'll be granted the ability to use CphT after your name and apply for jobs requiring state/nat'l certification.

The test itself is very easy. If you're good at math (ratios, mixtures, conversions) then your only study point will be law and "assisting the pharmacist". (laminar flow hoods, hoooo!) Also a good idea to know the top 200 and their names, from generic to brand, but I don't remember any MoA or usage questions beyond basic stuff (I.e., what is the purpose of Acetaminophen? a. analgesic, b. antipyretic, etc).

Check out ptcb.org for more information, and I highly recommend the Mosby's PTCB review book. You can get it from Amazo, Barnes and Noble, Borders or just about anywhere else for ~$30. It's money well spent if you're walking into this with no prior knowledge.

ok thanks alot. So, I can read this book and learn basic stuff myself?

 

[Passion4Sci]

ok thanks alot. So, I can read this book and learn basic stuff myself?

Absolutely. Before taking the PTCE, I had never set foot in a Pharmacy before, and I knew everything I knew when I took the test from Mosby's. I think it prepared me pretty well for what I now do on a semi-daily basis at both a hospital clinical pharmacy and a retail pharmacy.