PharmD but no BS/BA

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PharMed2016

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So this cycle is the moment of truth for me and I've been calling around. Apparently, a lot of colleges require a bachelors and will not take a PharmD (doctoral level) as a substitute. Anyone have any experience with this? If so, which schools have you applied to that looks favorably upon this.

Thanks.

*** I find this a load of bull but oh wells.
 
Hmm.. really? I never thought of it when I applied. Anyways, I've been working as a pharmacist the past 2 years and will be matriculating at Wayne State this August with only a PharmD degree.. I never thought it would have been a problem. Did you try to explain to them it is a professional degree to them and not a trade degree?
 
Hmm.. really? I never thought of it when I applied. Anyways, I've been working as a pharmacist the past 2 years and will be matriculating at Wayne State this August with only a PharmD degree.. I never thought it would have been a problem. Did you try to explain to them it is a professional degree to them and not a trade degree?

My alma mater knows but still they are hesitant. I've tried to explain this to others but they told me no. 🙁

Eh, they are losing a qualified applicant.
 
<--PharmD sans BS/BA

I'll let you know in several months if anyone balks at my degree. I've taken 239 credit hours now...I'd be sad if they didn't honor that for at least an undergrad degree...
 
<--PharmD sans BS/BA

I'll let you know in several months if anyone balks at my degree. I've taken 239 credit hours now...I'd be sad if they didn't honor that for at least an undergrad degree...

It's a sad world. I would think the rigor of a PharmD was at the very least comparable to that of a BS/BA. It's either admissions isn't familiar with the PharmD or they are just sticklers for the rules. Okay, gotta stop complaining, lol.

Who knows, might see you next year where ever you go. :laugh:
 
Maybe they're thinking it's a question of breadth, not depth or rigor? Did you have to take a variety of general courses as well as those in humanities, social sciences and all the fluff?
 
I've never heard of getting a PharmD without getting a BS/BA first, at least for American students, but it does help explain your timeline. Since I have no experience dealing with your situation, I won't try to guess how different schools might react, even mine. But my advice as someone who applied to med school with a nontraditional academic record (no grades, no GPA, no credit hours even) is that you check the policy of every school to which you're considering applying. If School A's website says you absolutely must have a BS/BA, then take that school off your list. If School B says that a BS/BA is preferred but they will consider exceptions on a case by case basis, then contact School B and find out if your situation qualifies. If there is no info on the website for School C, then again, contact them and ask.

As you've already suggested, this is the time to be proactive and practical, not griping on SDN. You found out about this issue early enough to change your app strategy if necessary, and if you aren't properly credentialed to be admitted to your state school, then don't apply there. (Or, if you've already submitted your app, then consider adding a different school to replace them.) But not meeting the requirements of certain schools doesn't mean that other schools won't be perfectly willing to consider you. Get all of the info you need first, and then you will know how best to proceed from there.
 
I've never heard of getting a PharmD without getting a BS/BA first, at least for American students, but it does help explain your timeline.

Although the trend when I applied to pharmacy school was moving towards the 4+4 as in the case of most professional schools. Pharmacy school still does not require a BS/BA. I would say only about 65% of my class actually has a bachelors. Most of us spent about 2 to 3 years prior to admission in undergrad. Traditional timeline for getting a PharmD is 2+4.

The 2 years required of undergrad is pretty much your traditional premed requirements with usually a minimum requirement of 62 credit hours to apply to most programs.
 
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Oh FFFFFFFF I'm in the same position as you, PharMed...are you 100% sure? I'm getting solely a PharmD and it better g--damn qualify. Which schools did you call, PM me.
 
Oh FFFFFFFF I'm in the same position as you, PharMed...are you 100% sure? I'm getting solely a PharmD and it better g--damn qualify. Which schools did you call, PM me.

All those that I have listed in my mdapps should be good although a few said they highly prefer a BS/BA. The schools off the top of my head that don't would be Hofstra, LECOM B/E/SH, NY University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Albert Einstein, and a few others which escapes me at this moment.

I'm calling Mayo and Tufts this Monday to ask their particular preference. <-- Love to get into there unfortunately I don't have time to retake my MCAT again to get a high enough score to be competitive. I will if I don't get in this cycle because its the last year that most medical schools will take it.
 
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Good, most of the colleges I want are there. It's maddeningly frustrating, will start to call my own schools again. Hofstra is within walking distance. Albert Einstein should understand what we're in...

EDIT: Wow. That is one damn qualified application....makes mine look like ****.
 
If I recall correctly, there were two schools that disqualified me for lack of a Bachelor's degree: Boston University and some school in the Midwest somewhere (I burned the letters :laugh: so I'm no longer sure which one.)
 
I'm also going to call Hofstra and get it straightened out, tell them exactly what we're doing. I emailed my dean to see if they can "give" me a BS, BA, something.
 
NYU flat out rejected; and their reason? Normally, credit is not given for courses taken in schools of dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy.

They said I'd have to go back and do a post-bacc. 4 years again.

L M F A O

Hofstra and Albert Einstein on the ropes. Will talk my dean to persuade; let's see.
 
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I've never heard of getting a PharmD without getting a BS/BA first, at least for American students, but it does help explain your timeline.


I had a couple of pre-pharmd students that were on the 2+4 route when I taught o-chem in '09. So people are still doing it? :shrug:

Good luck to you pharmD people and it sucks that some schools are sticklers for the BS degree, but better to know now so you can save your money for another school? Right? 🙂
 
I had a couple of pre-pharmd students that were on the 2+4 route when I taught o-chem in '09. So people are still doing it? :shrug:

Good luck to you pharmD people and it sucks that some schools are sticklers for the BS degree, but better to know now so you can save your money for another school? Right? 🙂

Hahaha. Just waiting until after this next therapeutics test before I go school a hunting, lol.
 
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