no bachelor's degree? WHY?

[missmai2]

hey pharmD guys!
i just recently became interested in pharmD and looking at my options, and i'm curious as to why most programs DON'T require a bachelor's degree (but still many pre-req's) It also doesn't have a GPA requirement. Then how come it is still so difficult to get in?

if you guys have a minute, please give me feedback on my own story:

i have a BA in molecular biology, therefore i have all of the science pre-req's. however, i was a lazy student and graduated with a poor GPA. i am only missing a few of the pre-req's mostly in writing, public speaking, etc. my high school GPA is pretty high, a 3.9 (does it still matter?)

what do i have going for me, and what is against me? what are my chances?
any feedback would much be appreciated!
thanks!
***by the way, these forums are the best. better than my academic couselors in college!

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[SteveL]

Originally posted by missmai2
hey pharmD guys!
i just recently became interested in pharmD and looking at my options, and i'm curious as to why most programs DON'T require a bachelor's degree (but still many pre-req's) It also doesn't have a GPA requirement. Then how come it is still so difficult to get in?

if you guys have a minute, please give me feedback on my own story:

i have a BA in molecular biology, therefore i have all of the science pre-req's. however, i was a lazy student and graduated with a poor GPA. i am only missing a few of the pre-req's mostly in writing, public speaking, etc. my high school GPA is pretty high, a 3.9 (does it still matter?)

what do i have going for me, and what is against me? what are my chances?
any feedback would much be appreciated!
thanks!
***by the way, these forums are the best. better than my academic couselors in college!

Actually, more programs are requiring a bach degree as competition is becoming more fierce. I think that a bach degree is pretty much a waste in terms of pharmacy carreer...I mean, what are you gonna do with a bach in engineering in a retail setting? I think that a lot of programs have a 2-year pre-req still is because everything else is a waste of time. You don't need advanced calculus (like an engineer) and you don't need a whole lot of training in economics or history, so why bother with it. The pre-reqs are mostly science-related courses. Those courses are the foundation for the professional division of the program (the last 4 years). That's why i think a lot are still 6 years. Personally, i think thats enough.

As for your story, more specifics are needed. If you have a 2.9 GPA, that's not so good and might make it hard on you...if you consider a 3.4 poor, than you really don't have a lot to worry about. Also, you should take the PCAT and see what score you can get on it. Some schools don't require it, so it depends on you. As for your high school GPA, that unfortunatley, doesn't matter too much. I don't have a whole lot of experience with applying to COP, but I know that mine didn't care whatsoever about it. It's how good are NOW, not how good were you back then. In reality, these classes are MUCH harder than high school courses. I used to daydream all day long in high school, never studied, and got good grades...now I bust my ass to get the good grades I get.

 

[lord999]

Although classified as as a professional degree in most school, the Pharm.D. degree is still considered "undergraduate" for schools that, until recently, had a BS program. If you look closely at entrance requirements for other professional degrees (MD, DO, JD), they do not explicitly require a BS or BA. However, it's practically impossible to enter these programs without a BS or BA.

There are certain schools that admit you to the six-year program (St. Louis and Philadelphia College) that educate you from Day 1 straight to the Pharm D.

Pharmacy is trending toward having all of it be postgraduate training. Having the BS is not a liability, it is a strength. As for your GPA, that can be overcome with other factors.

I've served on adcoms before. Unless there is a particular reason to, like the few who go straight out of high school, we consider the HS GPA irrelevent.

 

[missmai2]

thanks guys for your reply, i completely agree with you---one can't do much without a bachelor's, and even then, what CAN we do with a bachelor's these days?

i've really enjoyed reading these topics, i'm trying to figure out what i want to do next in life, but i'm afraid i'm just getting more confused. thanks anyway.

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by missmai2


... i'm trying to figure out what i want to do next in life...

Med school.

 

[tanyas]

From what I understand, the competition for pharmacy programs is more and more competitive every year. I have friends who are applying together with me this year but chose not to get their bs/ba. I certainly believe that it would put me at an advantage, but you never know......

 

[LSUMED2006]

Originally posted by JPHazelton

Originally posted by missmai2


... i'm trying to figure out what i want to do next in life...

Med school.

Lol, I'd tell her to run like hell away from medschool, but yes, medical school does indeed rock...or maybe the horns mean med school is the devil. Both are VERY true.

Jason