PharmD to MD

[pharmster1234]

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Hi!
I'm currently a sophomore enrolled in a 0-6 PharmD program. I already have credits in intro to biology, botany, anatomy, genetics, physiology, and a few other biology courses, (I already have a minor in bio cuz of all the credits I had transferred from high school and the classes I took freshman year), I also have credits in General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and a few other chem courses, Physics 1 and 2, Calculus and advanced calc, organic chem 1, spanish 1, 2, and 3, a writing and a communications course, Economics, an epidemiology course, an Ethics class, another foreign language and a religions class. I am taking Organic Chem 2 in the summer and Biostats, BioChem, and Microbio next semester. I am also planning to study abroad second semester sophomore year, as I want to get a minor in a language. I really enjoy studying about pharmacy and want to learn more and more, and I know a bit about it since I come from a family of Pharmacists. However, I am not very happy about what I've read regarding patient interaction as I want to work in a hospital with maximum patient interaction and actually want to diagnose. However, I love learning about Pharmacy, and it isn't like I believe Medicine is a better career, just want to learn more as I know I would like handling patients more than the pills. I was wondering if anyone could help me regarding what extra classes I'd need to take for the "pre-med" requisites, and help me figuring out how I could go about this. I know it's 2 extra years, but I think for the amount of information it has to offer, and for furthering my knowledge, this would be a better path than just taking a bio major and graduating just with that degree. I would be 24 by the time I finish Pharmacy school, which is the time I want to start with Med school. Oh and my gpa is above 3.5, and I plan to keep it that way!
Thanks so much!

 

[ChicagoPharmD]

Pre-reqs are school specific. You need to check the website(s) of the school(s) you are interested in. You also need to make sure the classes you took will "count" at the school(s) you are interested in. You also need to realize that for a physician to practice you must do a residency, adding at least 3 years on to the equation. Not saying it's not worth it, because it certainly may be the right choice for you, but you need to do your homework before making a final decision. Talk to current physicians, pre-med academic counselors, current medical students.

I have one friend that did two years at a 0-6 program then left to attend an MD program and one friend that did PharmD then MD. I, however, am opposite and left an MD program after 1 year to go to PharmD. Can't do the blood and guts and pharmacy is what I had always wanted to do, just got a little sidetracked.

Do some research and make an informed decision!

 

[Momus]

No reason to get Pharm.D if you are trying to be a doc.

1. Waste of time
2. Lost income opportunity (at least ~$400k)
3. Useless degree. Probably counts against you when you try to gain admission to med school. Heck, who wants to get paid $60/h working as a pharmacist or [insert any degree before MD] when you have MD and get paid $120-300/h after residency?

If I were you, I'd go for a bachelor degree (save 2 years) and apply for Med School immediately... higher earning power $200-800k to unlimited $$$ depending on specialty/business sense, better job prospects, better options and autonomy, and more prestige.

Also, MD forum will be able to help you more on your MD specific questions (pre-med)...

 

[pharmster1234]

I have almost a full ride for PharmD so the expenses aren't a problem, I know it will be 2 extra years but I'm willing to do that, but I was wondering if I could leave it after the 4th year to get my MD? I didn't know that was possible. ChicagoPharmD-how did your friend do that?

 

[pion]

Useless degree. Probably counts against you when you try to gain admission to med school.

How do you figure? I would think previous experience/education in the medical field would be seen as a positive in applying to med school.

 

[spacecowgirl]

How do you figure? I would think previous experience/education in the medical field would be seen as a positive in applying to med school.

I believe the thought is that it makes you look uncommitted or fickle. Not sure if that's really true. I suppose it could be seen as a negative to take a spot in a professional program when you end up not practicing in that field.

This is why I don't agree with 0-6 programs. Very few people know what they want as a college freshman. I could laugh to think back to every other person being pre-med (I was a social science major).

 

[joetrisman]

How do you figure? I would think previous experience/education in the medical field would be seen as a positive in applying to med school.

I read previous posts where people point to it appearing as a person is unsure of what they really want in life and therefore undesirable by the admissions committee. On the flip side, I've also read that previous pharmacists make strong residents due to the previous exposure.

 

[joetrisman]

I could laugh to think back to every other person being pre-med (I was a social science major).

Everyone was pre-med until they weren't 😛 (usually orgo or molecular bio)

 

[pharmster1234]

I know I want to study Pharmacy, and I know I want to do medicine after. How can that be fickle minded? I like studying Pharmacy but I want to diagnose as well. I was planning on doing clinical pharmacy but even then the patient interaction is minimum. But I was wondering about the credits I got from High School. The university I'm in accepted them, so does that mean it will go on my transcript and will be accepted as a pre-requisite as well? This is what I'm confused about, as if I already have the credit, I really don't want to take it all over again, because if I have to, that would be detrimental to my pharmacy education as I will have extra classes that I need to repeat.

 

[pharmster1234]

And I'm an international student as well.

 

[432921]

Having both degrees sounds awesome, why not do it? I haven't heard anyone bashing all of the MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/JD (you get the picture) degrees, so what's wrong with an MD/PharmD? Nothing's wrong with your train of thought, so if that's what you want, go get it and ignore all of the feeble-minded advice people on here love to give.

 

[Pharmacy Kid]

Having both degrees sounds awesome, why not do it? I haven't heard anyone bashing all of the MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/JD (you get the picture) degrees, so what's wrong with an MD/PharmD? Nothing's wrong with your train of thought, so if that's what you want, go get it and ignore all of the feeble-minded advice people on here love to give.

Dual degrees are designed to complement the primary degree, MD in this case. A PharmD isn't designed to be with an MD or DDS or DVM, etc. If the OP wants to pursue an MD, that is his/her decision. Just keep in mind the opportunity cost is close to half a million dollars.

 

[pion]

I read previous posts where people point to it appearing as a person is unsure of what they really want in life and therefore undesirable by the admissions committee. On the flip side, I've also read that previous pharmacists make strong residents due to the previous exposure.

I could see someone appearing fickle if, say, they dropped out of a PharmD program to apply to med school. But to me, if someone finishes a PharmD and then decides to forgo the pharmacist salary and lifestyle in order to go through the process of becoming an MD, they must be pretty dedicated to the idea of being an MD. Perhaps this is wishful thinking on my part since I'm considering going to med school after my pharmacy residency, haha.

 

[eagles22]

I read previous posts where people point to it appearing as a person is unsure of what they really want in life and therefore undesirable by the admissions committee.

This is a common misconception. Med schools don't accept those who are most dedicated to being doctors. They accept those that will be the best doctors. Those two qualities are not the same. Going to pharmacy school only makes you a better doctor as you have that training as well.

I just did the switch from pharm to med. You need a bachelor's to get in to medical school. Some will not accept the Pharm.D. in place of a bachelor's so you should make your decision with that in mind.

OP, you need to post some of these questions in pre-med forums. They will be more likely to help you.

 

[vraypharmd2md]

If this is what you want to do, go for it. I finished a 6 year PharmD program (which I started out of high school, too), completed medical school and am now about to enter my last year of residency. I am a proud MD, PharmD and am very appreciative of my experiences. The things you learn in pharmacy school CAN help you be a better physician, but will not guarantee medical school admission. You still have to make the grade, do well on the MCAT, have great LORs, etc.

This is possible and many people have done this (especially when you include people who went to pharmacy school before the PharmD became the entry level pharmacy degree for graduates).

Make sure you take advice given on SDN with a grain of salt as there are people with strong opinions on your options but not much experience with your situation. Don't let these discourage you from doing what you really want to do.

Good luck with school. Work hard and learn all that you can. And as a pharmacist, you can earn some extra money during medical school!!

 

[pharmster1234]

It's awesome that you did that! How did you manage the pressure of the pharm exams with the med school applications and the mcats? I'm worried about that

 

[IDPHARM]

If this is what you want to do, go for it. I finished a 6 year PharmD program (which I started out of high school, too), completed medical school and am now about to enter my last year of residency. I am a proud MD, PharmD and am very appreciative of my experiences. The things you learn in pharmacy school CAN help you be a better physician, but will not guarantee medical school admission. You still have to make the grade, do well on the MCAT, have great LORs, etc.

This is possible and many people have done this (especially when you include people who went to pharmacy school before the PharmD became the entry level pharmacy degree for graduates).

Make sure you take advice given on SDN with a grain of salt as there are people with strong opinions on your options but not much experience with your situation. Don't let these discourage you from doing what you really want to do.

Good luck with school. Work hard and learn all that you can. And as a pharmacist, you can earn some extra money during medical school!!

I will agree with vraypharmd2md. My pharmacy education was very helpful to me. I got my Pharm.D. and worked for 10 years before going to medical school. I will be graduating in 2 days from an anesthesiology residency then starting a critical care fellowship. My knowledge/experience has helped me in the ICU. Your pharmacy degree can only enhance your medical career. Good luck to you.

 

[pfaction]

I'm going to chime in.

You will be ripped the **** apart like I am being ripped the **** apart by medical schools who you ask if you're even okay applying with 0/6.

I know I want to study Pharmacy, and I know I want to do medicine after. How can that be fickle minded?

This only detriments you further in your second year.

 

[ChicagoPharmD]

One friend took first two years of PharmD along with additional prereqs for medical school. The other finished PharmD, took some additional prereqs, and then went on to MD.

Contrary to stated above, many (most?) MD programs do NOT require a bachelors degree, but just require certain prereqs (similar to PharmD programs).

Again, you need to do a lot of research and make an informed decision.

 

[30Percent]

One friend took first two years of PharmD along with additional prereqs for medical school. The other finished PharmD, took some additional prereqs, and then went on to MD.

Contrary to stated above, many (most?) MD programs do NOT require a bachelors degree, but just require certain prereqs (similar to PharmD programs).

Again, you need to do a lot of research and make an informed decision.

Its very rare to matriculate into medical school without a bachelors.

 

[eagles22]

Contrary to stated above, many (most?) MD programs do NOT require a bachelors degree, but just require certain prereqs (similar to PharmD programs).

This is incorrect. Some schools may not explicitly require the degree, but I know of no one admitted to a US medical program without a degree. In fact, I have never heard of anyone being admitted without a bachelor's. I am only one person, however. A degree (oftentimes a bachelor's) should be considered completely required if you want in to enroll in med school. The view of a bachelor's from a med school admissions office is completely different than that of a pharm school.

 

[ChicagoPharmD]

There were a few (5ish?) in my MD class of 130 that did NOT have a bachelors. By the time you complete all prereqs you pretty much have a degree, so most people do have one. This varies by school, though - I imagine there may be schools that do require a degree. Again, OP, check with the shools you are interested in. You really need to make sure they accept the courses you have/will have taken as prereqs.