Non science majors

[cassiegal21]

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I was just wondering if those of you who got a degree in something completely different from biology and chemistry or any othe science still had to complete prereqs? Did you get your degree in what ever and then decide you wanted to become a pharmacist and then go back to a university and complete you prereqs and then apply or did you just get in on you original non science degree? just kind of curious
thanks

 

[binghamkid]

I was just wondering if those of you who got a degree in something completely different from biology and chemistry or any othe science still had to complete prereqs? Did you get your degree in what ever and then decide you wanted to become a pharmacist and then go back to a university and complete you prereqs and then apply or did you just get in on you original non science degree? just kind of curious
thanks

You do have to still complete the prereqs regardless of your major. You can complete them either via your undergraduate institution (if you haven't graduated) or a community college or a post-bac program.

 

[Farmercyst]

A lot of the ones with non-science degrees are career changers. Not all of them, but several. There's a thread, probably 4-5 months old now that has several posts inquiring about the non-trad degrees. Some economics, business, etc. The most interesting to me was the one with an interior design. You could probably search Non-trad to find it. Though you may also get the threads for old folks 😉, and students with kids.

 

[Hels2007]

Everyone needs to complete pre-reqs regardless of their major - many do them as their electives, if their major is non-science. I know of many people with finance degrees, acccounting degrees, even one with fine arts degree, who just did prereqs as a part of their degree and went to pharmacy school right after graduation from college.

 

[cassiegal21]

So how do the pharmacy schools see people with none traditional majors like interior design do they question their commitment to pharmacy? or does it not matter as long as you have the prereqs and the grades.

 

[AntiviralsRule]

I graduated with a B.A. in communication & sociology in 1994. I'm now taking prerequisites at a local state university via a post-bac program.

Obviously, if I could do it over again, I would've taken more science classes while an undergrad, but, of course, I had no interest in pharmacy (or anything, for that matter) back then...

 

[binghamkid]

So how do the pharmacy schools see people with none traditional majors like interior design do they question their commitment to pharmacy? or does it not matter as long as you have the prereqs and the grades.

A major doesn't define your interest or commitment to pharmacy. A major is merely what you are interested in studying while in your undergrad. The assumption is that your major is merely a foundation for which your critical thinking skills and academic potential are raised. They may of course ask you why you selected that major. For example, I double majored into psychology because I was really interested in it. I was able to convey that passionate interest and demonstrate that that passion is what enables me to succeed academically.

 

[Rubinstein]

My BA is in Philosophy, but I took the pharmacy prereqs simultaneously. All the schools I have been in contact with have reacted very positively to my diverse interests. Certainly it is important to convey a commitment to pharmacy, but no one can survive life with only one interest. It's also been fun in writing my personal statement to explain how my training in philosophy makes me a unique candidate for pharmacy. I think a liberal arts degree is a great way to separate yourself from other candidates. Make it a strength rather than trying to explain it away.

 

[bravesfan113]

i wish i would have gotten a liberal arts degree... my grades would be a lot better

 

[omnione]

So how do the pharmacy schools see people with none traditional majors like interior design do they question their commitment to pharmacy? or does it not matter as long as you have the prereqs and the grades.

That's where your math/science and/or pre-req GPA factors into their assessment. Though schools may be impressed by you getting As in quantum mechanics, a good pre-req and science GPA coupled with pharmacy experience allows you to complement that with your major.

 

[FlaPharmChik]

i majored in Network Management...with that major, i could apply three of the classes that i took towards pharm pre-reqs....if anything, i think my techie background will help, not hinder...aside from that, i'm currently a science teacher...i could EASILY relate that experience to "teaching patients and doctors about different medicines, etc" just as i teach my students...no worries 🙂

 

[drugdoc]

I'm the one with the interior design BS degree.

It was a plus, I believe, in the application process. I applied to two schools, interviewed, and was accepted to both. One interviewer LOVED the fact that I was a non-science major, and he said the profession needed more people who can see 'outside the box' as a major in the arts/design/theory can do for you. He was, in fact, a philosophy/anthropology major/PhD in college.

I think both sets of interviewers also liked the fact that I had the ID degree, yet took the necessary pharmacy prereqs and did very well in them, showing that I have the capacity to do well in multiple disciplines and have no problem switching gears.

In all, turn what you have in to a plus, no matter what it is. I was originally VERY worried that everyone would be like, "who does she think she is!? Yeah, good luck.....!" But I stuck it out, believed in myself and my strengths, and oddly enough, it turned out to be an advantage....and a good conversation piece! 🙂

 

[PharmDstudent]

I have a degree in German.
My original major was Psychology b/c I had thought about psychiatry, but eventually I lost interest. So, I started out with pre-med classes from the beginning. My next major was Biology, only for a semester or maybe even less. I didn't like any of the jobs that you could get with a Biology degree. Finally, I decided on German b/c I had taken so many foreign language classes for Psychology. I would have gotten a minor in German regardless. I even spent a summer in Germany working at a nursing home which tied-in very nicely with my pre-health plans.
Bottom line, major in something you like if you can get the pre-reqs done. Don't forget those LORs. If you are a non-science major, it's harder to get LOR b/c you have fewer science professors.
(I was also a state certified pharmacy tech when I applied.)

 

[weezbug123]

I graduated with a BA in philosophy. I knew pretty much all along that I was interested in the medical field. I figured what was the point in getting a bio or chem degree like most pre-med or pre-pharm students. Since most programs require basic bio, chem, and organic, I decided that I would have the best of both worlds. I've always been great at writing and reading, so why not cultivate that talent also? So, I chose philosophy and took most of my pre-requisite courses for pharmacy (although I was on the pre-med track back then) in my undergrad.

If I could do it over again, I think I would have taken my time and gotten a double major in philosophy and biology. As much as I enjoyed philosophy, the lack of bios and chem classes is hurting me when it comes to the pcat. (But maybe that's just me)

 

[Rubinstein]

I graduated with a BA in philosophy. I knew pretty much all along that I was interested in the medical field. I figured what was the point in getting a bio or chem degree like most pre-med or pre-pharm students. Since most programs require basic bio, chem, and organic, I decided that I would have the best of both worlds. I've always been great at writing and reading, so why not cultivate that talent also? So, I chose philosophy and took most of my pre-requisite courses for pharmacy (although I was on the pre-med track back then) in my undergrad.

If I could do it over again, I think I would have taken my time and gotten a double major in philosophy and biology. As much as I enjoyed philosophy, the lack of bios and chem classes is hurting me when it comes to the pcat. (But maybe that's just me)

Wow! I have never met another philosophy major that was going into pharmacy! I always thought I was crazy- or at least everyone told me I was. I feel so validated . . . So when it comes to pharmacy ethics, do you lean Kantian or consequentialist? hahaha