Journey to pharmacy. Help appreciated

[freespiriteddoctor]

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Hello everyone,
I am a member of the military interested in pharmacy. I am currently finishing up my degree online (did some prerequisites in-person in a community college-biology, chemistry and one semester of physics). Would you recommend finishing up my online degree while in the military, and doing the remaining prerequisites in person when i retire next year, or are the prerequisites a priority to my online degree. Another issue is the fact that the pre-reqs vary by school. I haven't fulfilled microbiology, organic chemistry physics 2 statistics, and economics.

 

[BC_89]

First: Thank you for your service. I’m medically retiring from the army and currently on terminal leave myself.

Couple of facts to help guide you

1) You do not need a bachelors to apply for pharmacy programs.

2) Pharmacy field is very competitive (job wise) with market saturation. Having a bachelors would be a wise back-up to introduce you to other careers or even niche’s in pharmacy.

Unless you can find yourself in a brick-n-mortar setting (I couldn’t easily do this) while AD, I’d aim to finish your degree before leaving the service. I’m not tracking many programs accepting online virtual labs as pre-reqs for admissions.

Take your pre-reqs once you leave the service in a classroom coupled with mandated labs. If your Chapter 33 post 9/11 entitlements have not been transferred to children or spouse, I’d save the benefits specifically for pharmacy school (valued easily over $200k in your favor). Keep in mind, you qualify for instate tuition in all 50 states within 3 years of leaving the service.

As a side-note, if you plan on filing for any disability rating upon separation and match 10% or higher from VA, look into the Chapter 31 entitlements for veterans outlined on our forum:

Veterans' Benefits

Coupled with a pension and tricare benefits, you set yourself up with financial autonomy more than most. Congrats and hope this puts you in the right direction.

 

[freespiriteddoctor]

First: Thank you for your service. I’m medically retiring from the army and currently on terminal leave myself.

Couple of facts to help guide you

1) You do not need a bachelors to apply for pharmacy programs.

2) Pharmacy field is very competitive (job wise) with market saturation. Having a bachelors would be a wise back-up to introduce you to other careers or even niche’s in pharmacy.

Unless you can find yourself in a brick-n-mortar setting (I couldn’t easily do this) while AD, I’d aim to finish your degree before leaving the service. I’m not tracking many programs accepting online virtual labs as pre-reqs for admissions.

Take your pre-reqs once you leave the service in a classroom coupled with mandated labs. If your Chapter 33 post 9/11 entitlements have not been transferred to children or spouse, I’d save the benefits specifically for pharmacy school (valued easily over $200k in your favor). Keep in mind, you qualify for instate tuition in all 50 states within 3 years of leaving the service.

As a side-note, if you plan on filing for any disability rating upon separation and match 10% or higher from VA, look into the Chapter 31 entitlements for veterans outlined on our forum:

Veterans' Benefits

Coupled with a pension and tricare benefits, you set yourself up with financial autonomy more than most. Congrats and hope this puts you in the right direction.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your response.It perfectly aligns with the decision I made a few days ago so I know I'm making the right decision.

Thank you for your service

 

[alpha12]

Thank you for your service. I do not recommend going the pharmacy route but if you do only do the two years of undergrad required. If you just get a degree in bio or chem, you won't open any doors that a pharmd won't get. For example if you want to work as a chemist many companies will accept a pharmacy degree(pay is low for that job). But if you must get bs do something in engineering or computer science. Maybe even math or physics. That way you have a true back up. Good luck.

 

[sozetone]

Hello everyone,
I am a member of the military interested in pharmacy. I am currently finishing up my degree online (did some prerequisites in-person in a community college-biology, chemistry and one semester of physics). Would you recommend finishing up my online degree while in the military, and doing the remaining prerequisites in person when i retire next year, or are the prerequisites a priority to my online degree. Another issue is the fact that the pre-reqs vary by school. I haven't fulfilled microbiology, organic chemistry physics 2 statistics, and economics.

That depends, why exactly are you interested in pharmacy? what makes you want to serve society in this capacity? im curious. thanks.

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

Hello everyone,
I am a member of the military interested in pharmacy. I am currently finishing up my degree online (did some prerequisites in-person in a community college-biology, chemistry and one semester of physics). Would you recommend finishing up my online degree while in the military, and doing the remaining prerequisites in person when i retire next year, or are the prerequisites a priority to my online degree. Another issue is the fact that the pre-reqs vary by school. I haven't fulfilled microbiology, organic chemistry physics 2 statistics, and economics.

One thought is to complete as many pre-reqs as possible so as to be qualified for the most number of schools.