need major advice!!

[rsanbs1028]

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Hi, everyone.
I am a sophomore in college now, and I want to go to the pharmacy school.
Even though pharmacy schools don't require the bachelor degree, I think many schools prefer it. so my questions are..

1) General biology vs molecular, cellular biology
which one will be more helpful when I study in pharmacy school?

2) If I choose pre-pharmacy major, what degree can I get? Is there a chance to choose any specific major later?

Thanks!

 

[crazybob]

Hi, everyone.
I am a sophomore in college now, and I want to go to the pharmacy school.
Even though pharmacy schools don't require the bachelor degree, I think many schools prefer it. so my questions are..

1) General biology vs molecular, cellular biology
which one will be more helpful when I study in pharmacy school?

2) If I choose pre-pharmacy major, what degree can I get? Is there a chance to choose any specific major later?

Thanks!

Take molecular/cellular biology if you can. Pay attention in the class.

Pre-pharmacy is not a major for a degree. It's just something you do in college. Study any major that follows your interests. You can change your major later if you can plan it out to get a degree after 4 years of school.

 

[seekfinelines]

I see a lot of pre-pharm peeps end up going after a BS in Bio degree.

Others end up doing something like Psychology, English, Business. The options are yours. 🙂

 

[GatorPharm]

If you're interested in a certain degree, then don't be afraid to go for it, even if it doesn't directly relate to pharmacy. The good thing about a science major is that it allows you to finish most if not all of the pharmacy school pre requisite classes as part of your degree, but you can always complete these classes as general education classes and/or electives if you major in something else.

 

[riggylou]

Usually gen. bio is a prereq for taking cell/molecular biology--I would recommend taking both; for me, cell/molec bio was very challenging but I felt like a lot of concepts that had been touched on in other courses really came together for me while taking cell/molec bio.

Like others said, you don't NEED to be a science major--it is more important that you complete the prereqs with good grades. You can look up the prereqs on pharmacy school websites--each is slightly different but the majority of courses overlap. Making a spreadsheet of the prereqs for different schools is helpful...start taking these courses first..then you can decide if you want to pursue bio..chem..biochem..or any other major.

 

[jerbearox]

Hi, everyone.
I am a sophomore in college now, and I want to go to the pharmacy school.
Even though pharmacy schools don't require the bachelor degree, I think many schools prefer it. so my questions are..

1) General biology vs molecular, cellular biology
which one will be more helpful when I study in pharmacy school?

2) If I choose pre-pharmacy major, what degree can I get? Is there a chance to choose any specific major later?

Thanks!

I chose general biology because it gave me the flexibility of choosing any upper div bio classes to satisfy my requirements. that way i can take pharmacy prereqs and have them all count towards my major.

and just like another person stated above, pre-pharmacy is not a major its just an intention.

 

[rx1345]

Pick the major you think you will do the best in. If you know you want to do pharmacy, try to finish the pre-reqs and apply without a bachelor's degree. Although preferred, if you are competitive, you can definitely get accepted without a degree.

 

[kcha90]

Pick the major you think you will do the best in. If you know you want to do pharmacy, try to finish the pre-reqs and apply without a bachelor's degree. Although preferred, if you are competitive, you can definitely get accepted without a degree.

I think in CA it's practically impossible to get into pharmacy school without a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation. Class profiles tend to be 99-100% with bachelor's degree prior to matriculation.

 

[bw6]

I think in CA it's practically impossible to get into pharmacy school without a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation. Class profiles tend to be 99-100% with bachelor's degree prior to matriculation.

Yeah, some schools are now requiring a 4 years degree prior to matriculation. My class is 100% BS/BA grads.

To answer your question - if you are asking what will help you most in pharmacy school, the answer is clearly molecular and cellular biology as opposed to gen bio. Biochemistry and molecular bio are, in my opinion, the most relevant to pharmacy and have helped me the most throughout pharmacy school. A different major is definitely an option though. Do what interests you most.

While I find that a biochem background gave me a distinct advantage over my peers, we will all be on the same tier soon enough. So do what you have a genuine interest in. 👍

 

[rx1345]

I think in CA it's practically impossible to get into pharmacy school without a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation. Class profiles tend to be 99-100% with bachelor's degree prior to matriculation.

You're right- California schools prefer a bachelor's degree. But I think many other schools are more lenient. I go to a top 16 school and my class had 40% without a bachelor's degree. Make sure to research!

 

[kcha90]

You're right- California schools prefer a bachelor's degree. But I think many other schools are more lenient. I go to a top 16 school and my class had 40% without a bachelor's degree. Make sure to research!

I did "make sure to research." CA schools are the ones that matter to me, so I'm speaking on behalf of those schools. It's OP's responsibility to check on schools in other states, not mine.

 

[Starshipp]

I think it's silly that pharm schools don't require a bachelors degree. That's not fair in comparison to other doctorates. Makes other doctorates look down on pharm.