I'm a pharmacist. What are my chances?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

justjoe

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
54
Reaction score
15
Personal Stats:

Pharmacist for 5 years

Graduated in 2011

Some of my undergrad courses are from the early 2000s

Not creepy

I don't wanna take the MCAT or physics, or redo any undergrad courses.


Will they just override me into the program just how I am?

Thanks.

Members don't see this ad.
 
This sentence is a lie.

So you're telling me there's a chance. . .
 
Members don't see this ad :)
This sentence is a lie.

So you're telling me there's a chance. . .
There's a chance if you're willing to take the MCAT and physics (sounds like you haven't), and maybe redo classes if it brings your GPA up to an acceptable range.
 
Is this a serious question?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Caribbean or polish programs. Yes! Otherwise no.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
We have a pharmacist in our class. You can do it but you don't get any special treatment because of it. If you did a straight PharmD then that's fine, it will replace your requirement for a bachelor's but other than that you still need the same pre-reqs, competitive mcat/gpa etc. just like everyone else. It is a unique path though and will be considered as such in your application.
 
To be accepted to a U.S. medical school you absolutely, 100% must take the mcat, all required courses, and as do very well in each academic area. If your undergrad gpa is subpar, DO schools allow for grade replacement if you re-take a class, but you must certainly have a competitive undergraduate gpa to gain acceptance. You do not get a special pass because of your prior degree.
 
Last edited:
To be accepted to a U.S. medical school you absolutely, 100% must take the mcat, all required courses, and as do very well in each academic area. If your undergrad gpa is subpar, some schools allow for grade replacement if you re-take a class, some do not, but you must certainly have a competitive undergraduate gpa to gain acceptance. You do not get a special pass because of your prior degree.

Only D.O schools accept grade replacement for retaken courses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Just curious, why switch? Your already making 100k+ with decent hours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I'm not making anywhere close to 100K. Pharmacy as a career is looking really grim.

Reasons I'm considering making the switch:

1. The pharmacy market is saturated. It is hard to get even 30 hrs/wk. We have no job security since there are a ton new grads willing to work in terrible conditions for 25 hrs/wk with no insurance.

2. Retail pharmacists are tied to dispensing a product. Doctors perform a service that is in demand. We are only there because the law says we have to be there. These drugs would sell just fine right off the shelf. If the public starts demanding that more drugs become OTC, the middle man (pharmacist) is out of a job. In addition, more and more insurance companies are requiring their members to use mail order pharmacies, putting the local independent pharmacies out of business. Insurance companies also often reimburse us below cost, so we hope to make up the loss with more volume, but that can't happen so long as more and more members are required to use mail order. More volume also means a busier store, which can lead to more stress and more dispensing errors.

3. One-dimensional knowledge. I think our "drug expert" knowledge is pretty one-dimensional considering healthcare is such a big field. Our drug knowledge isn't that great compared to a doctor's, especially a specialist's, either.

4. Intrusive State Boards, the DEA, and insurance companies: Every year they keep on adding more rules, more regulations, and more ways for us to screw up and get in trouble.

I like the healthcare field, but I see the writing on the wall in the pharmacy market and I'm looking for a lifeboat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I'm not making anywhere close to 100K. Pharmacy as a career is looking really grim.

Reasons I'm considering making the switch:

1. The pharmacy market is saturated. It is hard to get even 30 hrs/wk. We have no job security since there are a ton new grads willing to work in terrible conditions for 25 hrs/wk with no insurance.

2. Retail pharmacists are tied to dispensing a product. Doctors perform a service that is in demand. We are only there because the law says we have to be there. These drugs would sell just fine right off the shelf. If the public starts demanding that more drugs become OTC, the middle man (pharmacist) is out of a job. In addition, more and more insurance companies are requiring their members to use mail order pharmacies, putting the local independent pharmacies out of business. Insurance companies also often reimburse us below cost, so we hope to make up the loss with more volume, but that can't happen so long as more and more members are required to use mail order. More volume also means a busier store, which can lead to more stress and more dispensing errors.

3. One-dimensional knowledge. I think our "drug expert" knowledge is pretty one-dimensional considering healthcare is such a big field. Our drug knowledge isn't that great compared to a doctor's, especially a specialist's, either.

4. Intrusive State Boards, the DEA, and insurance companies: Every year they keep on adding more rules, more regulations, and more ways for us to screw up and get in trouble.

I like the healthcare field, but I see the writing on the wall in the pharmacy market and I'm looking for a lifeboat.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? and do you have any debt from pharmacy school?
 
Top