Prereqs vs. Upper-Level Courses?

[MeowMeowCAT]

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I have been following the timeline for a BS in Biochemistry for a few semesters now, and am noticing that I am "overachieving" a tad bit with this sudden wanting to switch to Pharmacy. Prereqs say Calc I, and I am registered to take Calc III for this Summer. For Fall I have classes like Physical Chemistry and was planning to take Immunology and the like during the following Spring semester...

Would I just be overweighing my credit amount? Would it be better to go back ace the prereqs and apply with that? Will classes like Calc III, Pchem, Immuno, etc. and these sort of classes really do much for my application? I mean they apply for Biochem, but for Pharmacy looks like I should have stopped at Calc 2 and called it a day.

 

[30Percent]

What other pre reqs do you have left if you're already to Calc 3 and Pchem?

Do you need A&P 1/2?

 

[Notecard]

Make the prereqs your priority and consider taking Immunology. I know it helped my application. I was a Biochemistry major as well and I put off taking Calc III, Pchem, and Quant for as long as possible and now I don't even have to take them. If you want a degree before you apply though it doesn't really matter.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

If you are going to take the classes, get your degree too. Either way it all depends on how well you do in those classes.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

It never hurts to go above and beyond with your curriculum. A degree and those upper level courses will separate your application from someone who has just done the bare minimum, or ease doubts about any grades from intro classes (i.e. my situation: I got a C's in gen chem, but pulled B's in Orgo, and an A- in P-Chem). Schools like to see an upward trend, and upper division classes are the ultimate redemption sans retakes.

Whether it's worth the extra investment economically and personally is up to you however. It only took me an additional year to complete the pre-reqs along with my degree, but I absolutely believe I'd be doing something else this fall had I just complete the former.

 

[crazybob]

If you've had a heavy course load with upper level courses with lots of studying and homework, and you start pharmacy school after that experience, it will be an easier transition. You'll be more familiar with some of the topics already covered in pharmacy school, so it may be easier to learn and easier to pick up on the new material.

 

[armorking]

It never hurts to be over-qualified. Adcoms will look at how hard your course load was each semester and taking upper level courses is always a plus. It all depends on you at this point but as long as your GPA is up there, you won't have an issue getting into pharm school.