Schedule too easy with just pre-reqs?

[Iconoclastic]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm looking to get into a pharmacy school in 2012's fall semester. I have some pre-reqs out of the way, and the following are left (after this next fall semester): Organic I & II, Anat & Phys II, Physics, Zoology, Cell Biology, Oral Comm, and a History or Constitution class. This semester I'm taking Chem II, Anat & Phys I, and Microbiology.

My schedule for future semesters looks like it's going to average about 15 credit hours a semester. I'd finish pre-reqs faster, but it seems too hard as it is to find a working schedule, since almost all of the pre-reqs have labs and the schedules rarely mesh. This is starting to look a little too easy to me, but I've looked around (partially on this forum) and it doesn't seem necessary to get a bachelor's before pharmacy school, so I don't really want to waste time with those classes since I wouldn't be able to complete it before Fall 2012 anyway.

So, I'm wondering if adcoms are going to look down on what they might deem to be too easy of a schedule (not enough hours). Having fewer hours without the (in my opinion) useless classes is going to lead to a better GPA, but is the "easy" aspect of it going to come back on me? Should I go ahead and work towards the bachelor's anyway, and try to round out my schedule, even though I won't complete it?

P.S.: If you're looking at my pre-reqs and wondering how that fills up the remaining semesters, I had planned on taking a few other Bio/Chem classes in addition to pre-reqs. Any upper level classes that I think might be helpful for pharmacy school, once all my basic chem/bio requirements are out of the way.

 

[delano2000]

I'm looking to get into a pharmacy school in 2012's fall semester. I have some pre-reqs out of the way, and the following are left (after this next fall semester): Organic I & II, Anat & Phys II, Physics, Zoology, Cell Biology, Oral Comm, and a History or Constitution class. This semester I'm taking Chem II, Anat & Phys I, and Microbiology.

My schedule for future semesters looks like it's going to average about 15 credit hours a semester. I'd finish pre-reqs faster, but it seems too hard as it is to find a working schedule, since almost all of the pre-reqs have labs and the schedules rarely mesh. This is starting to look a little too easy to me, but I've looked around (partially on this forum) and it doesn't seem necessary to get a bachelor's before pharmacy school, so I don't really want to waste time with those classes since I wouldn't be able to complete it before Fall 2012 anyway.

So, I'm wondering if adcoms are going to look down on what they might deem to be too easy of a schedule (not enough hours). Having fewer hours without the (in my opinion) useless classes is going to lead to a better GPA, but is the "easy" aspect of it going to come back on me? Should I go ahead and work towards the bachelor's anyway, and try to round out my schedule, even though I won't complete it?

P.S.: If you're looking at my pre-reqs and wondering how that fills up the remaining semesters, I had planned on taking a few other Bio/Chem classes in addition to pre-reqs. Any upper level classes that I think might be helpful for pharmacy school, once all my basic chem/bio requirements are out of the way.

Neither Orgo nor Physics will be easy. It's all about balance. Take a few hard classes and add one of the fluff classes in the mix to help cushion the load. As long as you take 14-15 credit hrs per semester I think it will be more than acceptable.

 

[deleted205891]

So take just the prereqs and shoot for starting in 2011.

 

[Iconoclastic]

I'd do that, but I think it's impossible to cram in my pre-requisites before Fall 2011. I have 3 Chem classes left, (Chem II, both Organics) and my school doesn't offer Organic during the summer. Also, for several classes there's only 1-2 sections being offered, some of which are in the same time slots.

For example... I need to take Chem II this semester for Organic, and there's only 1 section of Chem II offered.. also only one section of Zoo offered, and the lecture is at the same time. Only two sections of Micro and one section of Physics offered, and all the times overlap. It's a liberal arts college if you're wondering... it's almost impossible to fit more than 3 Bio/Chem classes with labs into a semester.

I'm not in much of a rush though, I'm basically just looking for input on whether I should be taking on more courses (non prereqs) so that it doesn't look like I had a super easy schedule. I'll be applying to more, but the main school I was looking at is UMKC, and they aren't admitting anyone in Fall 2011 since they're in the process of changing to a 2-4 program.

 

[bottlecap1990]

I'd do that, but I think it's impossible to cram in my pre-requisites before Fall 2011. I have 3 Chem classes left, (Chem II, both Organics) and my school doesn't offer Organic during the summer. Also, for several classes there's only 1-2 sections being offered, some of which are in the same time slots.

For example... I need to take Chem II this semester for Organic, and there's only 1 section of Chem II offered.. also only one section of Zoo offered, and the lecture is at the same time. Only two sections of Micro and one section of Physics offered, and all the times overlap. It's a liberal arts college if you're wondering... it's almost impossible to fit more than 3 Bio/Chem classes with labs into a semester.

I'm not in much of a rush though, I'm basically just looking for input on whether I should be taking on more courses (non prereqs) so that it doesn't look like I had a super easy schedule. I'll be applying to more, but the main school I was looking at is UMKC, and they aren't admitting anyone in Fall 2011 since they're in the process of changing to a 2-4 program.

How many years have you spent completing your prerequisites? I am also trying to get in the 2012 cycle. It will take me exactly 3 years with a few summer semesters to complete all the prerequisites for the pharmacy schools I am applying to (about 8). I'm trying to get in without a BA.

 

[Iconoclastic]

I'm a sophomore this year. It'll be 3 years, same as you, going into 2012.

 

[pharm B]

I'd be willing to bet 2 or 3 science courses a semester was the norm for most of us, paired with a softer course or two like English, Speech, etc. You mentioned you need communications and history, so I would tack one of those onto your current course load, if only because it'd be one more course out of the way.

 

[dreaming4hope]

i kind of feel the same way as the op, that my class schedule is too easy. i planned out, with my biochem adviser, when to take what and it seems that most of semesters will be 15 credit hours. though next fall it will only be 13 since i'm planning to take A&P, biochem (upper level) and analytical chem. my adviser does not what me to take too much that semester,but anyway i guess as long as i have about 14-16 credit hours per semester, do good, work (i'm a pharm tech) and throw in some extracurricular activities i should be fine? am i thinking right? (just want to make sure)

 

[pharm B]

Yep, that's a pretty good schedule. You're pretty much exactly where you need to be, I think.