possibly a stupid idea...

[clockwork247]

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I'm about to get my BS in management science at UCSD (really really really soon, like in 3 months).

AND I'm having second thoughts about possibly trying to go to pharm school (seeing how all my friends are going, and the idea isn't 1/2 bad).

Soo... I was thinking that after I get my degree, I can go out and work part time, enough to get money to go to school part time and complete the prereq for pharm school.

From what I know, they require about 2 years of classes (prereq), doing it part time might take me 3-4 years depends on how hard I work. I'm 23 right now so I'll probably be like 27 when I apply (now there's a disturbing thought haha).

but I honestly have very little clue how to approach this. I understand that a community college offer general chem/bio/physics classes and a small amount of prereq, but how do I attemp to take stuff like Organic chem? Do I have to re apply to a 4 years institution as an undergrad to take those classes?

someone draw me a picture haha... Along with the GEs I have taken, I have taken lots of math, bunches of humanities, vis, econ, ect... (let just say I was a ***** when it comes to taking classes). So those extra crap is probably out of the way. I'll probably need to take bunches of chem/bio classes + labs + general physics (I actually have some of these already but no where near enough).

At any rate, this is just a quick thought, so don't laugh. I'm just counting my options here 🙂. Anyone have walked this route before?

 

[tpb00]

you can basically get all your requirement done at CC.

 

[RXsocal]

Haha! What's funny was that I was ABOUT To change my major to management science before I decided to leave UCSD. A close friend actually talked me out of management science because it was a BS major; you should have just completed an econ major and get over it. I am currently taking my pre-reqs at a community college so you can start doing that this May. Load up on the pre-reqs and you can apply for admissions in a year. Simple as that.

Just a few pointers if you REALLY dont know what to take.
Take Gen Chem 1 & 2. (UCSD version= 6A/B/C)
Gen Bio 1 & 2
Organic Chem 1 & 2
Physics 1 & 2
Micro Bio (1 semester)
Calc (you should be done) sucks you had to do the 20 series for management science XP
Anatomy
Physiology

P.S. all these classes cept math should have labs. lol GOOD LUCK! long road ahead....

 

[Passion4Sci]

Don't forget PUBLIC FREAKING SPEAKING.

UoP blind-sided me with that one, woops!

Or more like I blind-sided myself because I just assumed I'd done Public Speaking, but apparently speech and debate team captain in 1998 didn't assuage their fears that I somehow don't know how to converse with people!

To OP, a lot of us have walked that road, myself included.

Since the classes are lower div., as was alluded to by my comrade Rxsocal, you can complete them at a community college.

Remember that taking the courses at a CC might or might not put you "under" the 4 year appliers, SO make sure you do LOAD UP on courses. Keep in mind that 1 or 2 classes a semester/quarter at a CC with A's likely might not mean as much as 16+ units with an A/B split. This is because Pharmacy school is a very rigorous program, and adcoms will want to see that you can handle that big course load that will fly at you hot and heavy.

 

[diastole]

Are you sure you want to go to pharmacy school? "All my friends are doing it" doesn't seem like a terribly compelling reason. I would definitely get a better answer than that for the interviews.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Are you sure you want to go to pharmacy school? "All my friends are doing it" doesn't seem like a terribly compelling reason. I would definitely get a better answer than that for the interviews.

The idea, apparently, is also not half-bad...

 

[clockwork247]

Are you sure you want to go to pharmacy school? "All my friends are doing it" doesn't seem like a terribly compelling reason. I would definitely get a better answer than that for the interviews.

well, of course I have to be prepare and come up with "great stuff" when I'm doing interviews... it's an interview, you don't have to lie, but you also don't have to tell the truth (if you know what I mean).

Thanks, I thought no one ever done this because it doesn't seem like a good idea (but I was wrong)... apparently it's okay to do this.

and management science isn't a BS major, it's much more helpful than the regular econ (as those try to sway away from the harder classes). It's fun, and you do learn some interesting stuff. All the engineers at UCSD look down at all other majors, but when you look at other people, it's always "easy" till you try it yourself.

 

[thephoenician88]

why not just stay enrolled at your current school and finish some prereqs?

 

[kampungboy]

i think that you would be able to finish all your prereqs in 3 sems + 1 summer semester... while working part time ...
just make sure that you take a healthy load of classes just like someone above mentioned because pharmacy school is a full time professional program... that would mean 4-5 tough science classes a semester, therefore the admissions comm. would like to see some consistency in taking respectable amount of classes each semester during your pre-reqs....

also definitely take advantage of summer classes while you can, especially when most of the pre-reqs are usually offered during summer... this way.. you would be done with your pre-reqs much quicker.....

at the meantime.... get a job as a technician at some retail/hospital pharmacy to really get your hands down and dirty... this will then give you a better sense of what pharmacy is all about.... then when u go for interviews .... you wouldn't have to say " cos' my friends are doing it " ...

🙂

good luck !

 

[clockwork247]

why not just stay enrolled at your current school and finish some prereqs?

I'm over due at UCSD haha, over credit and under budget 🙂.... if possible i would prefer to take them at a cheaper price 🙂

 

[OTFuturePharmD]

Why don't you just focus on getting a job after graduation and take some time off from school and volunteer in the hospital or even work in a hospital. Make some connections with a pharmacist while you are there. That will really help in your decision to do this career. Then if you still want to get your PharmD start taking your pre-requisite classes. Just remember that pharmacy school is expensive and you probably don't want to go into something you are not sure about and acrue lots of debt (150-200K). Also, schools are very good at ferriting out those you are unclear of their path during interviews. Good Luck!

 

[rphfan2009]

I'm about to get my BS in management science at UCSD (really really really soon, like in 3 months).

AND I'm having second thoughts about possibly trying to go to pharm school (seeing how all my friends are going, and the idea isn't 1/2 bad).

Soo... I was thinking that after I get my degree, I can go out and work part time, enough to get money to go to school part time and complete the prereq for pharm school.

From what I know, they require about 2 years of classes (prereq), doing it part time might take me 3-4 years depends on how hard I work. I'm 23 right now so I'll probably be like 27 when I apply (now there's a disturbing thought haha).

but I honestly have very little clue how to approach this. I understand that a community college offer general chem/bio/physics classes and a small amount of prereq, but how do I attemp to take stuff like Organic chem? Do I have to re apply to a 4 years institution as an undergrad to take those classes?

someone draw me a picture haha... Along with the GEs I have taken, I have taken lots of math, bunches of humanities, vis, econ, ect... (let just say I was a ***** when it comes to taking classes). So those extra crap is probably out of the way. I'll probably need to take bunches of chem/bio classes + labs + general physics (I actually have some of these already but no where near enough).

At any rate, this is just a quick thought, so don't laugh. I'm just counting my options here 🙂. Anyone have walked this route before?

If I was you, I wouldn't graduate in 3 months...stay on as a full-time student and continue taking your pre-reqs at your school.

 

[rphfan2009]

why not just stay enrolled at your current school and finish some prereqs?

I agree with that