Late starter

[Slopples]

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I"m 25, spent my youth in the military. I'm currently stop-lossed for this last deployment but will be getting out when I get back at the end of this summer. I've applied to several universities in Pennsylvania recently. My specific question is this, it seems like the pre-pharmacy programs are geared towards recent highschool graduates. Is it even an option for me to attempt to get into one of these program? Something like a 3+3 or a 2+3? My highschool grades and SAT are decent, but that was in 2003. I don't know what bearing it would have on a decision. In addition, any general advice for someone who is coming into the program this late would be great.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I"m 25, spent my youth in the military. I'm currently stop-lossed for this last deployment but will be getting out when I get back at the end of this summer. I've applied to several universities in Pennsylvania recently. My specific question is this, it seems like the pre-pharmacy programs are geared towards recent highschool graduates. Is it even an option for me to attempt to get into one of these program? Something like a 3+3 or a 2+3? My highschool grades and SAT are decent, but that was in 2003. I don't know what bearing it would have on a decision. In addition, any general advice for someone who is coming into the program this late would be great.

Hey there. I'm a military vet and it punctuated my academics creating an artificial gap between my undergrad and my professional schooling, so I understand exactly how you feel.

A typical "2+3" or "2+4" is exactly what you want! The high school targeted programs (Or specifically, targeting people without any or much college credit) are called 0-6, meaning you have no college when you begin, and then in 6 years, you graduate with your Pharm.D.

The 2+3/2+4, like the program I'm set to start next month, means that you spend 2 years completing pre-requisites (Although that's closer to 3 for most people now) and then you do a 3/4 year Pharm.D curriculum, whereupon its completion you have your Pharm.D conferred upon you.

So in order to get into the "traditional" 2+3/4, you'd need your pre-requisites on their way to completion when you apply. If you have absolutely no college credit, then you should be able to get into a 0-6, although it may be the fact that your SAT scores and HS GPA have "timed out." These would be excellent questions for specific prospective programs! Every school is different. When I started looking into pharmacy, I came across UoP's 0-6 program and quickly sent an e-mail in, thinking that my huge break (4+ years) between bachelor's degree and current time, added to the fact that it wasn't a science field, would make me an eligible candidate for the 0-6; however, you must have no more than 12 credits after HS to be eligible for their program.

I would personally steer away from any "pre-" labels, since they're almost totally useless. A matter of opinion of course, and I'm sure other people feel differently.

Anyway, good luck on your studies and keep safe down range.

 

[UES Girl]

Don't have much advice but wanted to wish you luck in your endeavors !🙂

 

[Slopples]

Thanks for your quick replies. The only reason i mention 'pre-pharmacy' programs is thats that most places call them. And universities that don't have their own pharmacy colleges and instead have a partnership, like with LECOM, sometimes garuntee an interview if you meet the prerequisites at the completion of your pre-pharmacy track. I guess I just lack a real understanding of how the programs work and need to go reread their descriptions. I have sent off emails, but its always a while before anyone replies. Thanks for the info again.

 

[BigEvilRx]

Crypto Submarine Veteran here. I have been on the GI Bill for the past couple of years. I am almost 28 and just finished my Associates in Science. If you are getting out, you are proving to be a self-starter and the freedom and independence might be a new thing that will throw you off. I joined in June 2001 and was 17. I wish you luck. I don't know about these programs because I decided to go to a community college and spend time with the family for a few years before getting into UNC.

I knew after about the first semester that I wanted to become a Pharmacist. I would try simply because you never know. Are you able to spend time with family? Is this an option? Or something you would prefer not to do. I know it is different for people depending on their relationships with their families.

Good Luck. 👍 🙂

 

[Slopples]

I am actually looking forward to the change. My family lives in PA and I have applied to schools around the Pittsburgh area so it shouldn't be a problem visiting them. I'm failry certain I want to be a pharmacist. I enjoy the science behind it, and after talking with a friend of mine who graduated from Pitt with his PharmD it seems like a nice change in work environment from what I do now. My only problem now is getting myself into a good program and setting myself up for success when it comes time to apply to actual Pharmacy College.

 

[kmapes]

From what I understand, the whole "pre-pharmacy" label is just a group of classes that you need to take in order to get into the pharmacy program of your choice. So, to do that, I would start looking at various schools to see what kind of pre-requsites they want. From there, you can make a list and decide which classes to take. Once you have taken those classes, as well as your PCAT, you're ready to apply! Make sure you keep your GPA high when you're taking your classes, and that you're able to complete all of the pre-requisites for the school you want to go to.

 

[rxlea]

Start your chem series pronto.

 

[Slopples]

Well I applied to Pitt and Slippery Rock. The only issue with Slippery Rock is that I have 6 measly credits I took as online classes during a eployment which meets their minimum requirement to be a transfer student. And they don't allow transfer students to participate in the LECOM partnership program directly. I've emailed them about it. Should be getting a decision from Pitt soon, I had a decent amount of follow up from them on requesting certain specific documents so I hope thats a good sign.

 

[Slopples]

Well as an update, I got accepted at both Slippery Rock and Pitt. I didn't think I would be accepted into their PharmD programs due to how long I've been out of school and the people competing for them. So it wasn't a surprise when I was accepted to Pitt's College of General Studies since I've been out of highschool for so long. Now I am faced with the decision of going to Pitt and paying more to take pre-reqs that I could take at Slippery Rock or a community college and I don't know if that would even offer an advantage.