Pre Reqs-location

[gotgame83]

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Hey,
All the schools I will be applying for are asking for different pre-reqs. I have taken care of all my maryland pre-reqs but completing my biochem major doesnt leave me much time to take non important classes like microeconomics or intro to soc. that mass college of pharmacy requires. Im assuming even though instead of taking microeconmics i took advanced biochem, immunology, endocrinology and adv organic, and molecular genetics, and tons more to list they dont care and still want me to take some class thats not important. That just makes it very difficult to complete those pre-reqs. I will be graduating with my BS that should be enough in my eyes. But anyway, does anyone know if it makes a difference if i take those dumb classes at a community college like the summer prior to starting at mass? I might not even know if i was accepted there until after i can no longer register for classes at my school....

 

[Glycerin]

Economics is important to pharmacy...

You should be fine taking it at a community college.

 

[gotgame83]

While i happen to like the program layout(3 yr) i do not feel that having another history class, political science class or into to soc class will help me while being a pharmacist. I do feel that i have demonstrated my ability to perform by taking many more advanced level courses many of which I will have to repeat again like biochem's when i reach pharmacy school. I believe the first year at mcphs i need to take biochem and immunology again. Granted It wont be challenging this time around but still maybe i can work something out with them so i wont have to take those classes.

Oh and i do feel that anyone who had full B.S. degree in bio, chem, or biochem/molecular bio, should have preference over someone who just does the pre-reqs.

"If you feel the prereq's are "dumb", then you likely feel the school is "dumb" for requiring them.....why would you want to go to a dumb school that makes you take stuff that is dumb?....and wouldn't you graduate as a "dumb" pharmacist?"

As for that comment i believe that pre-reqs should be directed more towards people who are looking to just complete the pre-reqs and transfer. I do feel that the school should look at individual cases and have a set of core pre-reqs that everyone must complete like organics and bio's etc. And no I would never be a "dumb" pharmacist. I believe requiring someone to take another history course is "dumb" but not the people who take them.


And FutureRxGal, thanks for the comment. I wasnt sure if schools had a problem with someone taking a few pre-reqs at a community college prior to starting. Depending on the school im only missing a max of 3 pre-reqs so i could knock those out pretty easily.

 

[nikkai]

Taking classes outside of your major shows you have other interests and adeptness other than in the field of science. It's like the whole undergrad thing where they look at community service and such. Most HS students accumulate a massive amount of community service hours then don't do a single thing during their undergrad years.

Schools are looking for a more diverse group.

And yes, MCPHS will definately allow you to take the non-science courses during the summer upon acceptance, but do bear in mind that you are at a disadvantage when compared to someone else who may very well have a B.S. in a biological science and has taken those classes.

Sociology and economics are utterly essential in the field of pharmacy. One teaches you that location and demographics matter, the other introduces you to a US economy that the typical person wouldn't understand.

 

[kellia]

you could probably even take those classes online so that you can work on them when it's convenient for you. also, talk to mcphs about the prereq's. they state that they require certain courses, but they are pretty good about working with you. they may take similar courses instead. you said that you already took a history class, well just ask them about that class! chris in admissions (worcester) is good about working with your transcripts. if worcester is not the campus you are talking about, the admissions office can direct you to the person taking care of your transfer credit worksheet. good luck!

 

[ultracet]

in all reality who cares how much biochem you know if you cannot communicate effectively, know about the population you serve, or handle business matters.


plus personally i would like someone who is taking care of me to know a little more than just biochem and genetics....

Have you looked at med schools? they also require other classes than just chemistry or biology

my SOP did not require any specific humanities, it just required that i take several


FYI: pharmacy is not just genetics and chemistry, in fact i have more classes in communicating with the patient than i do genetics or chem

 

[gotgame83]

Wow, thank you for all the responses.

bbmuffin- yes i was actually on track to go to med school thats why most of my classes fulfill those pre-reqs which were slightly different.

kellia-thankyou very much, your response was very helpful, your right, i might be able to take some of those classes online! i never even thought of that. And yes i need to contact them. My history class which my college is counting is from my AP class in highschool, i need to find out if MCPHS will accept that.

NIkkia- thankyou and your are correct about the diversity issues. Right now my college is requiring me to take classes that involve that. Ha, picture this, im 5'11 215lb powerlifter singing corus next semester, this should be interesting, they require me to take an arts class and god knows a cant draw to save my life, not that im any better at singing though...

 

[kellia]

it's probably not art, like drawing, but history of art where you'll study painters and sculptors... that's what the art courses I took were like. tests usually consisted of slides and I had to identify artist, style, context... you may need to go to a mueseum and write a paper on it. stuff like that. if I took an art class where I had to draw, I'd be in a whole lot of trouble- i would never have gotten past an AA degree!!!! 🙂

 

[gotgame83]

ha, yea my college requires you to take at least one art class. So i wasnt doing ballet, i cant draw a straight line (always got points off my graphs in calc because i never carried a ruler on me) and i sure cant paint anything, next logical step.. singing lol god knows i cant sing but give me a loud radio on a summer day while driving and i sure think i can lol.

Oh crap i just saw that your attending worcester. i guess ill be nice to you because im sure ill have lots of question for you very soon lol

 

[kellia]

Oh crap i just saw that your attending worcester. i guess ill be nice to you because im sure ill have lots of question for you very soon lol