PharmD for a chem major

[k4m4z]

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[drugdoc]

In my experience, schools don't necessarily look 'more favorably' at chemistry degrees. In looking at my first-year pharmacy class, it appears that the primary major is biochem / biology majors, with MANY 'random' majors (math, mechanical engineering, interior design, psychology, sports medicine, english, genetics, computer engineering). Only 1 chemistry major, who was a double major in biochemistry.

I believe that schools these days are looking more at the emotionally mature, well-rounded person who is good at the sciences in general. Although, I can see how chemistry might make sense. But, in reality, I think you'll see more biochem / biology majors.

 

[happycow]

I don't think they look at chem majors that much more favorably than biology/biochemistry majors. Also, the difference between chemistry and biology/biochem coursework depends on the institution, so I'm sure they factor that into account more than the degree itself.

I am a chem major myself, and my guess is that part (not all) of the reason that there are more biology-type majors in pharmacy school is because there are more biology majors that apply in general. The diversity of the class will obviously depend on the diversity of the applicant pool. At my own school, there are way fewer chemistry majors than biology majors. My electives are only offered once a year, whereas biology electives are offered year-round due to the fact that there are more people that would take biology electives for their majors.

 

[Hosstheboss]

Hey man,

Take the PCAT and apply to pharmacy schools. I graduated with a biochem degree had a similar GPA rocked the PCAT and got into the 2 schools I wanted to get into. I'm a P-1 now and it really wasn't that bad. Apply, too both masters programs and pharmD. Heck, some schools let you get both. That's kinda what I'm thinking of doing.

 

[rxlynn]

Well, I've done both! I went to chemistry grad school - started in a PhD program, and rather quickly decided that I really didn't want to be in a research lab the rest of my life or even the next 5 years, so I left with a masters degree. Fast forward several years - a job change for personal reasons landed me at CVS as a pharmacy tech, and I ended up deciding that I really had a passion for pharmacy and thus wanted to go back to pharmacy school - I'm now a P2. From my perspective, which one you should do is VERY dependent on what type of personality you are and what type of work you want to be doing.

You don't say if you have any research experience or pharmacy experience, but if you do, analyze them carefully. Can you see yourself loving research, spending 60-80 hours a week in the lab, or doing something else with a PhD? Would you be happy just working in a lab under someone else and doing bench work (MS)? Try to at least do some pharmacy shadowing if you haven't worked in a pharmacy so you can see what that's like. Learn from my experience - it doesn't matter so much if you like the school part - what really matters is if you will like the career that comes after it. The job will last a lot longer than school!

Good luck.

 

[jspwinter]

More bio majors or such applying is only half the answer. The reason there are so many bio or chem majors in phamacy is because it's the quickest route to getting a 4yr degree and applying to pharmacy. If you finish half the pre-reqs for pharmacy, you're halfway done finishing your bio/chem major. And you really can't do much with a bio/chem degree in that field unless you go for your ms or phd.