Post-Bac PharmD; Advice Please

[lbrtn82]

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Hey I've been lurking on this forum for a bit contemplating applying to a PharmD program in CA and was hoping to get some opinions...

I graduated with a BA in Soc from UCLA (3.6) and have been working in IT Project Management for the past two years (I'm 25) I have a technical and research/stats (all social science related) background and I would need to go to a CC or enter a post-bac pre-med program to fulfil basically ALL the hard science/math pre-reqs. I'm considering UOP, UCSD, USC, and UCSF (figure I'll apply to this one for fun). UOP seems the most appealing since its 3 years.

How does my social science background look to pharm school; asset, hindrance, or doesn't matter? I know USC likes applicants with a BA/BS. Is community college OK for taking the prereqs or do admissions committees like university extension courses more? (I've read on here that med schools don't like CC classes) Any other Soc/Tech ppl out there who've succeeded as pharmacists?

Thanks!

 

[OKgirl]

I can't really help much, but my pharm school said that they'd prefer for me to take all my sciences with them instead of at a CC.

 

[pharwanabe]

Hey I've been lurking on this forum for a bit contemplating applying to a PharmD program in CA and was hoping to get some opinions...

I graduated with a BA in Soc from UCLA (3.6) and have been working in IT Project Management for the past two years (I'm 25) I have a technical and research/stats (all social science related) background and I would need to go to a CC or enter a post-bac pre-med program to fulfil basically ALL the hard science/math pre-reqs. I'm considering UOP, UCSD, USC, and UCSF (figure I'll apply to this one for fun). UOP seems the most appealing since its 3 years.

How does my social science background look to pharm school; asset, hindrance, or doesn't matter? I know USC likes applicants with a BA/BS. Is community college OK for taking the prereqs or do admissions committees like university extension courses more? (I've read on here that med schools don't like CC classes) Any other Soc/Tech ppl out there who've succeeded as pharmacists?

Thanks!

it would be better if you take the pre pharm classes at a four year college than a CC because pharmacy school think CC is easy and anyone can do well in classes there. so finishing them at a 4 year uni would make you competitive.
You can always call up the schools you want to go to , and ask for sure.
but so far, the reps from the schools that I've talked, to told me 4 year preferred over CC.

 

[Pharmcdc]

Hey I've been lurking on this forum for a bit contemplating applying to a PharmD program in CA and was hoping to get some opinions...

I graduated with a BA in Soc from UCLA (3.6) and have been working in IT Project Management for the past two years (I'm 25) I have a technical and research/stats (all social science related) background and I would need to go to a CC or enter a post-bac pre-med program to fulfil basically ALL the hard science/math pre-reqs. I'm considering UOP, UCSD, USC, and UCSF (figure I'll apply to this one for fun). UOP seems the most appealing since its 3 years.

How does my social science background look to pharm school; asset, hindrance, or doesn't matter? I know USC likes applicants with a BA/BS. Is community college OK for taking the prereqs or do admissions committees like university extension courses more? (I've read on here that med schools don't like CC classes) Any other Soc/Tech ppl out there who've succeeded as pharmacists?

Thanks!

A lot of people will tell you that it does not matter where you go to school, and that may be true to a certain extent. However, if you dont have any restraints why not take your remaining classes at the university where your #1 choice pharmacy school is located. It may or may not give you an advantage with the adcom, but at least you are there and will be able to find out whats going on at the school and have the ability to talk to pharmacy students first hand. Maybe even meet some faculty members. Just my opinion, and you will be at a 4yr school. You can eliminate some advantages other students attending the school may have over you by attending and being active yourself.

 

[lbrtn82]

Thanks for the advise... I think ideally I would like to take the pre-reqs at the university level. It seems there is a big cost difference -- something like a $500 UC Extension course to a $30 CC. Do the benefits of having more competitive coursework outweigh the cost?

I know the UC system here well, perhaps there are post-bac programs in CalState level that cost less than UC. Does anyone know of some?

 

[eelo]

it would be better if you take the pre pharm classes at a four year college than a CC because pharmacy school think CC is easy and anyone can do well in classes there. so finishing them at a 4 year uni would make you competitive.
You can always call up the schools you want to go to , and ask for sure.
but so far, the reps from the schools that I've talked, to told me 4 year preferred over CC.

In the case of the original poster, I would say this is incorrect. The OP already has a bachelor's degree, which demonstrates quite clearly that s/he is capable of succeeding at college-level work. The original poster is competitive for admission to pharmacy school; his/her undergrad and professional work is of a high level and the grades were good.

To the OP: my opinion is that you're fine getting your pre-pharm science work at a community college. Do not be fooled into thinking that coursework at four-year institutions is more competitive or of a higher quality simply because of the building where the classes are held. It is not unusual for science classes to be taught by the same professors at both the 4-year and the CC level, and you may find that the schedules at the CC are more flexible around adults who need to old down a job while taking classes. Also, many CCs have coursework that is designed for transfer to 4-year schools; check your CC to see if they have a transfer curriculum, and be sure to take the classes that will count toward that.

Your best source of information is, of course, the pharmacy school(s) to which you wish to apply.

I wish you luck!

 

[SeniorNewbie]

In the case of the original poster, I would say this is incorrect. The OP already has a bachelor's degree, which demonstrates quite clearly that s/he is capable of succeeding at college-level work. The original poster is competitive for admission to pharmacy school; his/her undergrad and professional work is of a high level and the grades were good.

To the OP: my opinion is that you're fine getting your pre-pharm science work at a community college. Do not be fooled into thinking that coursework at four-year institutions is more competitive or of a higher quality simply because of the building where the classes are held. It is not unusual for science classes to be taught by the same professors at both the 4-year and the CC level, and you may find that the schedules at the CC are more flexible around adults who need to old down a job while taking classes. Also, many CCs have coursework that is designed for transfer to 4-year schools; check your CC to see if they have a transfer curriculum, and be sure to take the classes that will count toward that.

Your best source of information is, of course, the pharmacy school(s) to which you wish to apply.

I wish you luck!

I would agree that it doesn't matter what building you attend classes in. I would suggest that it's important for you to compete in an environment that simulates what pharmacy school is like. CC is fine, but the level of competition is usually significantly reduced from that at a university where pre-meds or pre-pharms are matriculating. It follows that the students at a CC would be less competitive. I have done both. I suggest that to enhance your chances of success that you take classes at the most competitive place available to you.

You will need to take the PCAT at some point, and you'll want to do your best on that. To prepare for that, you really want to compete with those at or above the expected level of student in pharmacy school.

It's your choice. Good luck.