Pre-PharmD Questions

[TBarnes8908]

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Hello everyone, I would like to start off by saying I have really got a lot of information from the posts and links around the forum. It has helped alot.

About myself... I was accepted into Purdue's Prepharm program a couple of weeks ago and I am planning to attend there in the fall. I had a few questions on some things for you all.

First of all, am I prepared well for the classes I'll be taking next year? I have taken chemistry 1 and 2, Biology 1 and AP Biology, Physics, Calculus, and done well in each of these.

Also, is there anything special I need to do to prepare for my first semester next year? (i.e. Things i'll need, helpful things, etc...)

Next, Are there any special scholarships and opportunities I should be taking advantage of now? I have been using fastweb and applying for scholarships there, as well as in school and my county. But I am just wondering if I am doing enough...

Any help/suggestions/hints would be greatly appreciated. And anyone else going to purdue for prepharmacy next year... let me know.

Thanks 🙂

 

[omnione]

If you have done well in those courses during high school, then you are as prepared as you can be. Just note the differences between a high school and a large university such as Purdue. As for scholarships, look for the ones that apply to college studies as some of those may apply since you are a pre-pharm in some scholarships eyes. It's nothing different from the other college scholarships so look at your high school as well as Purdue's Scholarship and Financial aid office.

Think about getting pharmacy experience in some way as it shows the admissions committee that you at least know about the profession. You can look into a pharmacy tech position or even a volunteer position in a pharmacy if you don't have the time.

 

[wannabpharm]

hey, i got accepted into prepharm at purdue, i have ap credits for chem and bio and i want to know wether i should take these two first year courses in university or move on to taking higher level courses in these areas.
i want to know if pharmacy schools dislike students using ap credits to take higher level couses while in first year.

can any1 help with that?

 

[nehe87]

hey, i got accepted into prepharm at purdue, i have ap credits for chem and bio and i want to know wether i should take these two first year courses in university or move on to taking higher level courses in these areas.
i want to know if pharmacy schools dislike students using ap credits to take higher level couses while in first year.

can any1 help with that?

I say move on. Unless you feel you didn't learn the material that well, in which case I would suggest taking them again. If you're comfortable with how you performed in those classes, I would strongly suggest you move on to the rest of your classes. I took all my AP credit, and it ended up helping me out a lot in the long run, because I was able to take extra upper division science/health classes to beef up my trascript.
BUT--you should really call the schools you're looking to apply to and ask them what their policy on AP credit is, because it varies from school to school.

 

[AngelaCL]

I was never officially in Purdue's pre-pharm program, but I took most of my prereqs there. The hardest class first year will be General Chem, but it is possible to get an A! There is a chemistry resource room in Wetherill (I think that's the name!) and I found it to be incredibly useful - they had copies of old exams and grad students to help with the homework. Start using this resource right away and stay on top of that class.

Also, to get into the pharmacy school you need volunteer experience and letters of recommendation. Keep that in mind - it is really hard to get to know your professors at Purdue, so you'll need to make an extra effort. Go to office hours and ask questions so that the professor knows you.

 

[Medicaljunkie]

Many schools don't accept AP credit. Ask your pre-pharm advisor.

 

[wannabpharm]

i have spoken with alot of schools regarding their AP policy, and many accept it and some don't. if there is someone who has been accepted into pharmacy school with having AP credits as pre-req courses, i would like their input on wether it is a good idea to use them or not. and do MANY schools turn applications down when they see AP used for pre rec?

 

[medicalCPA]

Although this thread is a dinosaur, I feel like I should post my experience anyway. There were many schools I would have liked to apply to but couldn't because I tested out of Gen Chem I and II (I didn't take them AP; I just took the ACS exam and received credit for them). As has been said, it's the school that will let applicants know their policy about AP credit.