Importance of being a science major

[lcfan4ever]

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I am Cali resident, which means a BA/BS is a must...

I know some people who are Psych/History/Pol Scie/ Sociology majors who are just taking pharm prereqs along w/ that...

Do Pharm schools look down on that?

Is it just a good idea to have Bachelors in Biochem, Chem, Bio, etc as a something to fall back on if one doesn't get admitted?

Anyone u know got into Pharm school w/ "nontradional" majors?

thanks for responses...

 

[crossjb]

I am Cali resident, which means a BA/BS is a must...

I know some people who are Psych/History/Pol Scie/ Sociology majors who are just taking pharm prereqs along w/ that...

Do Pharm schools look down on that?

Is it just a good idea to have Bachelors in Biochem, Chem, Bio, etc as a something to fall back on if one doesn't get admitted?

Anyone u know got into Pharm school w/ "nontradional" majors?

thanks for responses...

While a degree in a core science is definitely a plus, as long as you excel in your pharmacy pre reqs, your major could be basket weaving and you'd be competitive. A history major w/a straight 4.0 in all pharmacy pre reqs is just as strong a candidate if not stronger than a biochem major with a 3.0 in the same courses.

As far as the job market goes, a BS degree might make you more employable.

 

[gablet]

While a degree in a core science is definitely a plus, as long as you excel in your pharmacy pre reqs, your major could be basket weaving and you'd be competitive. A history major w/a straight 4.0 in all pharmacy pre reqs is just as strong a candidate if not stronger than a biochem major with a 3.0 in the same courses.

As far as the job market goes, a BS degree might make you more employable.

This is true, however a large majority of my class at MWU-GPG (AZ) have science degrees. We are taking Biochemistry right now and over half the class (not me) have had it in undergrad! I just have to work harder than them.

 

[Laferno]

As long as you have taken the pre-reqs you can be whatever major you want to be. The only real difference is that you might have a harder time in the general bio, chem, and anatomy courses in the first year or so of Pharm School. Also you will probably be asked some questions regarding your uncommon major in your interview so be prepared for that.

In regards to your question: Is it just a good idea to have Bachelors in Biochem, Chem, Bio, etc as a something to fall back on if one doesn't get admitted? It is a good idea to have a degree in general. However, the vast majority of people that get accepted to Pharm School manage to graduate (though some may have to repeat a year) so it is not an absolute necessity.

Some unique people in my class. One guy was a barber for seven years and just kinda woke up one day and wanted to be a pharmacist. Another has a degree in mechanical engineering and one girl in my class was an art history major.

 

[azynchica]

I graduated with an economics major this past year, and I was accepted. I think the important thing with CA schools is to have a BA/BS degree, but it's not that important what major it was.

 

[biturbomunkie]

I am Cali resident, which means a BA/BS is a must...

I know some people who are Psych/History/Pol Scie/ Sociology majors who are just taking pharm prereqs along w/ that...

Do Pharm schools look down on that?

Is it just a good idea to have Bachelors in Biochem, Chem, Bio, etc as a something to fall back on if one doesn't get admitted?

Anyone u know got into Pharm school w/ "nontradional" majors?

thanks for responses...

believe it or not, non-science degree may actually make an applicant more competitive (of course he/she still needs to do well in science-related prerequisite courses). however, many pharmacy students majored in chem/bio/biochem because these subjects covered many of the prequisites.

 

[DownonthePharm]

Professional schools like to tout diversity, so they like people with interesting life experiences, personal backgrounds or college majors. Having a non-science major is harder because you have to take all your requirements, plus the pharmacy school pre-reqs, but its completely doable, and commendable (major in something you like, not just something you think is best).

 

[ultracet]

I heard this a lot in undergrad too...

"Med schools LOVE history majors"

now.... i don't know how true that actually is here in my class as everyone is a branch of some science.

 

[annievu]

what about I'm not having a degree, but I would be taking Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Genetics, which would be in progress (Fall 06)? i'm planning to apply next summer again if schools this year don't accept me...but, i still won't earn a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry major because I still miss some classes, like Physical and Analytical Chemistry (don't have time to take them next Fall 06, so have to take in Fall 07)....What do you guys think? Would I be ready for pharmacy school? 😕

 

[ultracet]

what about I'm not having a degree, but I would be taking Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Genetics, which would be in progress (Fall 06)? i'm planning to apply next summer again if schools this year don't accept me...but, i still won't earn a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry major because I still miss some classes, like Physical and Analytical Chemistry (don't have time to take them next Fall 06, so have to take in Fall 07)....What do you guys think? Would I be ready for pharmacy school? 😕

degrees are not required for pharmacy school
if you don't get in then i would finish up your degree

 

[OSURxgirl]

Schools look for diversity in their classes. I will argue that a non-science major will work to your advantage, not to your disadvantage. I believe my major in psychology helped me get in, especially because I made a logical connection between my undergrad major and pharmacy in my admissions essay. In my class, we have former engineering, communications, business, psychology, english, nutrition, nursing, and dance majors to name a few. You will have more than enough science in pharmacy school. If you are interested in anything else, I recommend you pursue it in undergrad. There is not a lot of elective time in pharmacy school. I am trying to get a certificate in geriatrics along with my degree and it's proving to be very time consuming and difficult schedule-wise.