PrePharmacy/PreMedicine

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Glassboard

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Hello, I'm currently a High School senior residing in Texas.

I am considering a path as such:

Bachelor's Degree -> Medicine.

However, I'd like the Bachelor's Degree to be something I can use as a fallback incase I don't get accepted into med school or drop out entirely. Preferably something related to Pharmacy. This is because I know some people who have BS in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and such and such and they don't have any jobs at all. Any suggestions as to which might be a good BS?
 
Well the first rule-of-thumb is to major in something you will enjoy... majoring in something that you care nothing about, just so you can get a job will leave you miserable. I believe that a 👍business major or engineering major👍 leaves you with a wide range of choices for employment
 
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JDub:

If I acquire a PharmD degree, then attend Medical School, will the credits acquired in PharmD be topped up into Medicine? How many years will I have to study to attain an MD after getting a PharmD? PharmD degree is 6 years, yes?

I love both Medicine and Pharmacy--but I like Medicine better. It's not just that, it pays better too. I'm just concerned that the job market in Medicine is not particularly stable compared to Pharmacy. That's why I'd like Pharmacy as a backup or foundation before taking Medicine.
 
Glassboard said:
JDub:

If I acquire a PharmD degree, then attend Medical School, will the credits acquired in PharmD be topped up into Medicine? How many years will I have to study to attain an MD after getting a PharmD? PharmD degree is 6 years, yes?
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A PharmD is 4 years plus a minimum of two undergrad years prior, so a minimum of 6 years.

Even with a PharmD medical school will still take 4 years.

I wouldn't recommend this, it is an expensive proposition.

I love both Medicine and Pharmacy--but I like Medicine better. It's not just that, it pays better too. I'm just concerned that the job market in Medicine is not particularly stable compared to Pharmacy. That's why I'd like Pharmacy as a backup or foundation before taking Medicine.
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Why do you think the medicine job market is unstable? The demand for physicians is pretty high in almost all specialities.


However, I'd like the Bachelor's Degree to be something I can use as a fallback incase I don't get accepted into med school or drop out entirely. Preferably something related to Pharmacy. This is because I know some people who have BS in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and such and such and they don't have any jobs at all. Any suggestions as to which might be a good BS?
Click to expand...

Chemical engineering?
 
Alright! Is the job market for chemical engineers stable? Will the stuff I learn in Chemical Engineering be useful as a foundation to learning Medicine?

And on a sidenote, I plan to specialize in either Oncology or Neurology. Of course, there's a REALLY REALLY REALLY high chance I'll change my mind. 😛
 
Glassboard said:
JDub:

If I acquire a PharmD degree, then attend Medical School, will the credits acquired in PharmD be topped up into Medicine? How many years will I have to study to attain an MD after getting a PharmD? PharmD degree is 6 years, yes?

I love both Medicine and Pharmacy--but I like Medicine better. It's not just that, it pays better too. I'm just concerned that the job market in Medicine is not particularly stable compared to Pharmacy. That's why I'd like Pharmacy as a backup or foundation before taking Medicine.
Click to expand...


I like both and couldnt decide so I am attempting both. However, it is an expensive option, but I like it so I will pay for it.

I think you can make a fine living with either profession. I would not classify med or pharm as risky. But, you might be making less in the future...only time will tell!!
 
Medicine is by far a more "stable market" than any other field after residency the starting salary is usually 100k+, it can be significantly higher for certain sub-specialties. However, the road to medicine is unsure as is evidenced by the plethora of Caribbean medical schools, one should choose a bachelors that you would enjoy doing and could see yourself doing for 30-40 years. If you get a BBA and hate business even if the money is good it will not be worth it. I suggest applying to BS/MD and BS/DO programs if you are interested in medicine. Some say to do this only if you are set on the goal of becoming a doctor, however it is much easier to bail on a program than to get into medical school.
 
Glassboard said:
What do you mean by extra classes? If possible, I don't want to study nursing. It seems like an off field to me.
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Off the head, I can think of Physics and Ochem classes. It is healthcare as the basics. You would get good clinical skills too.

Much better BA/BS than a BS in Bio. At least you could use that to make some decent money instead of what the hell do I do with a BS in Bio without a med school acceptance.
 
J DUB said:
BS in Nursing? You would need to take a few extra classes though....
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That's my back-up plan. I mean, you could always try for Nurse Practitioner, in case Medical School doesn't work out. And, in terms of the extra classes, it's because a BSN doesn't satisfy all the prerequisites needed to get into Medical School. I believe Physics is one of them.
 
J DUB said:
Off the head, I can think of Physics and Ochem classes. It is healthcare as the basics. You would get good clinical skills too.

Much better BA/BS than a BS in Bio. At least you could use that to make some decent money instead of what the hell do I do with a BS in Bio without a med school acceptance.
Click to expand...

Will Physics and OChem be useful in Medical School? Are the job markets for these degrees stable and will remain stable? What does the salary look like?
 
Glassboard said:
Will Physics and OChem be useful in Medical School? Are the job markets for these degrees stable and will remain stable? What does the salary look like?
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They are useful in terms they are required. Healthcare in general is a pretty safe field and should remain so as long as people get sick and live longer.

Nurses make around 35-55K. NPs around 75-80K
Pharmacist 115-125K retail 95K hospital
MDs - low 100K to 500K + (depends on area and experience)
 
J DUB said:
BS in Nursing? You would need to take a few extra classes though....

But a good backup BA/BS.
Click to expand...
How many extra classes would you need if you earned a degree in nursing and wanted to go to med school? Has anyone done this/ know of people who have done this?
 
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skierbum said:
How many extra classes would you need if you earned a degree in nursing and wanted to go to med school? Has anyone done this/ know of people who have done this?
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It really depends on the prereqs required by each particular med school you are applying to. Most schools list required and strongly recommended courses.

In addition, you need the basics for the MCAT.

From what I can think of, Physics I and II with labs and Ochem I and II with labs are the main ones you will not get. I think nurses have to take Bio I and II and Chem I and II. The social sciences, math, and english requirements you should get while getting your BSN.

There is a thread that is currently running over in the premed MD forum where nurses are going to med school. Maybe check it out....
 
Glassboard said:
Hello.

I have been eyeing a particular degree -- Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science as a foundation to MedSchool.

http://www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/colleges/pha/degrees/bsps/

Please check out the link and see what you guys think.
Click to expand...


I have never seen such a orogram but I think it would be a unique BS. You would just get upper level chem classes instead of bio. Maybe if you add in some upper level bio classes as electives you have it all covered.

I think with that you will be well prepared for the MCAT. It looks challenging and will prepare you for the future hell to come.

I would probably go for it.
 
Yessir! UH is also very accessible to me, it's only about 15 miles away. I will try to poke around. 🙂

I believe it will eventually help me in my dream to become a medical oncologist.
 
Glassboard said:
Yessir! UH is also very accessible to me, it's only about 15 miles away. I will try to poke around. 🙂

I believe it will eventually help me in my dream to become a medical oncologist.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that PharmSci is a fairly difficult degree to attain. The credit load is pretty high, and the upper-level classes are extremely specific. If you're looking for something with high-level applicability to medical school, I don't think that advanced Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic modeling is the way to go (unless you're looking into going into research, in which case bully for you).

Something like Pharmacology/Toxicology or Biochemical Pharmacology would have a fairly wide range of application and require background in a lot of classes that you would eventually take in medical (or pharmacy) school.
 
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