Pharmacy Opportunities in 2016

[dmbxvii]

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There's been a lot of talk about the job market for pharmacists filling up and what not. I'm just wondering what are all of your opinions on what you think is going to happen. I'm a rising senior right now, debating between a 0+6 pharm program or taking the premed route. If i did pharmacy, I would get my pharmD by the end of 2016.. Thanks a lot for your help

On a side note, just to let everybody know, i would love to complete a 4 yr undergrad school and then decide and spend a lot of time enjoying my youth and doing all the things i want to do in the world - but my parents are only going to help pay for my college education if i follow one of those two options.

Thanks a lot~

 

[FarscapeGirl]

So you're saying your parents will pay for the four years of college and four years of med school if you go to med school. However, they'll only pay for two years of pre-reqs and the four years of pharmacy school? Or is it that they'll only pay if you go to pharmacy school or med school, but not if you decide you want to be a high school biology teacher/engineer/something else?

How about you work something out that your parents pay for four years of undergrad and then you pay for whatever training you want/need after that? That's what my father did, although I worked each summer of college to help where I could. I ended up going to biology grad school, where I got my school paid for and a stipend. However, I'm switching to pharmacy now, and I'll eventually have plenty of loans. It kind of sucks to have loans, but I should eventually be making enough to pay them off. And since I'm married, my husband's salary will cover most of our living expenses, besides the fact that I'll work as a pharmacy intern and bring in a little income.

Don't let your parents bully into doing something you want to do. No matter how much money you make, if you're doing something just for them or because it's a good job but don't like it, you'll hate most of your life. I didn't like research but stayed in grad school for six years, at first because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and then while I was preparing for pharmacy school. I'm constantly stressed, feel sick, and just don't enjoy life as much as I could.

 

[dmbxvii]

I want to do either pharmacy or medical school...i just don't know which one i want to do over the other. What I mean with my parents is that they don't want me to do undergrad and then have to apply to a grad pharmacy program and leave it up to chance (whereas it's guranteed with a 0+6). With doing premed it's a chance no matter what unless im accepted into a BS/MD program, which would be very difficult (BU would be my dream for that).

Thanks for the great post though. By 2016, where do you think the pharmacy profession will be (high/low , oversaturated/undersaturated ). Both professions interest me and I mean that sincerely. I know how I sound to a lot of you though " your only in high school you shouldnt be worrying about XXX" but hey im sorry haha

 

[WhiteSnows]

Your parents must be rich.

 

[dmbxvii]

I did not say they would pay for either, i said they would help...I'm going to need just as much in loans as the rest of you. I have 5 brothers and sisters, 2 of which are already in college. Please bud

 

[Jetninjin]

I want to do either pharmacy or medical school...i just don't know which one i want to do over the other. What I mean with my parents is that they don't want me to do undergrad and then have to apply to a grad pharmacy program and leave it up to chance (whereas it's guranteed with a 0+6). With doing premed it's a chance no matter what unless im accepted into a BS/MD program, which would be very difficult (BU would be my dream for that).

Thanks for the great post though. By 2016, where do you think the pharmacy profession will be (high/low , oversaturated/undersaturated ). Both professions interest me and I mean that sincerely. I know how I sound to a lot of you though " your only in high school you shouldnt be worrying about XXX" but hey im sorry haha

I have no idea, nor do I think anyone can give you a definitive answer yet. However, I think health care reform in Washington is something to watch - like the deal they just made with the pharmaceutical companies for example. If it ends up that tinkering by Washington means more people are forced into picking mail-order drug plans, then you might see a decrease in need for pharmacists at the community level. At this point, I think it's too early to say ... just keep your eyes open.

 

[nononsense]

I want to do either pharmacy or medical school...

you could be like my sister and do both. finished pharm, now two years through med.

 

[CopToEM]

you could be like my sister and do both. finished pharm, now two years through med.

I have a friend who did this... said it was the biggest mistake of his life. $2,800.00/mo for the next ten years and he says the PharmD helps him almost zero in his day to day practice.

 

[CopToEM]

...then have to apply to a grad pharmacy program and leave it up to chance...

It's not about chance. Those who get into Pharmacy School, generally, earned the right to be there. The degree of luck involved in admissions committees of any kind are pretty rare.

A certain degree of luck is needed in terms of getting a good PCAT score but other than that it's up to you to put in the necessary work to get the end result.

A 0+6 is nice, but like we told the other guy in his thread about this, it's also nice to have that Science/Chem Bachelor's degree and be able to make your own decision 4 years from now. You'll be surprised how much different your goals, aspirations, and personality will be when you're 22. It would suck to be 3-4 years into a 0+6 and change your mind.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I'm just confused here.

How are they "OK" with the "luck" involved in going pre-med, and then applying for medical schools and taking the MCAT, but not okay with the "luck" involved in going pre-med and then taking the PCAT and applying to pharmacy schools?

I mean, pre-med programs are essentially the same as pre-pharmacy programs (which is why MOST schools don't differentiate a separate pre-pharmacy program).

it's just confusing.

I tell you this, though. If you're interested in medical field and you are concerned w/ job security, and have the desire to go to school, just go to med. school and you'll be off.

PCPs and physicians of all flavors will have no job security issues in the future like Pharmacists may or may not.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

Tell your parents you're going to med school and do the four years of pre-med, taking the extra classes for pre-pharm as well.

Then decide. It's a bit deceitful, but it's better than going through three to four years of a program and then changing your mind. You'll either have to do more school or be miserable.

Maybe you'll figure out you want to go to grad school or dentistry school or something else.

 

[CopToEM]

Tell your parents you're going to med school and do the four years of pre-med, taking the extra classes for pre-pharm as well.

Then decide. It's a bit deceitful, but it's better than going through three to four years of a program and then changing your mind. You'll either have to do more school or be miserable.

Maybe you'll figure out you want to go to grad school or dentistry school or something else.

She has a point. If you want to do it without being deceitful, satisfy your electives by taking the pre-pharmacy requirements during your pre-medical degree path. The University I'm attending requires 15 credits not to include natural science.

That'll give you some lead way to get those pre-pharm reqs in that you won't pick up otherwise and you can fill in whatever gaps are necessary with their permission.

Ultimately, remember that you will be an adult. These loans are, likely, going to be in your name. Don't do anything without your parents blessing but it's your choice to make in the end. Show them you're serious and they will support you, I hope.

 

[MrBlue]

By 2016 we will be replaced by robots for sure. This time it WILL happen! You should major in fixing pharmacy robots, or you should convince mom and dad to spend the same amount of college money into plastic surgery to turn yourself into a real life Barbie. Then you should sucker some dopey MD into marrying you.

Done!

 

[rphfan2009]

There's been a lot of talk about the job market for pharmacists filling up and what not. I'm just wondering what are all of your opinions on what you think is going to happen. I'm a rising senior right now, debating between a 0+6 pharm program or taking the premed route. If i did pharmacy, I would get my pharmD by the end of 2016.. Thanks a lot for your help

On a side note, just to let everybody know, i would love to complete a 4 yr undergrad school and then decide and spend a lot of time enjoying my youth and doing all the things i want to do in the world - but my parents are only going to help pay for my college education if i follow one of those two options.

Thanks a lot~

Do pharmacy first and then if you don't like it, go back and be a MD 🙂

 

[keepingthehope]

It's up to you but either way all the health care fields are going to be equally saturated. The foreign med graduates and carribean schools like SGU, Ross, SABA will continue to import a great amount of grads in the near future. You'll be looking at a much bigger debt at least $200,000 if not more, enormous malpractice insurance, much higher level of stress and liability, and very low pay residency after the four years of school work. I'll probably go crazy with the patient demands and responsibility. I don't think it's worth it, I prefer my sanity.